Anyone regretting Pontus 2 firmware upgrade

i picked up, just for fun, an original pontus... three footers but pre red wima caps

this thing sounds good, sotexturally dense, fluid and musical, but with the trademark vast imaging and easeful detail 

like so many restless busy-body companies with too many engineers with too much time, they keep changing, churning, but usually it only results in something different, not better

I also bought a new DSP board to be able to switch back and forth. The latest firmware (1.4) has more high-end detail, tighter bass, and a very slightly wider soundstage, consistent with what has been reported by others. But there is a certain fluidity that’s missing with the new firmware. Listening, for example, to "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, with the original firmware, Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar swells feel like they are completely enveloping you; with the new firmware, that feeling is gone, and the sound is a bit more analytical.

Some of whether you'll prefer the new firmware could depend on the rest of your system. I feel my speakers (Dali Epicon 6's) have a high degree of high-end resolution, which may be why the new firmware is not a slam-dunk for me. 

I’m glad I can switch back and forth easily by putting in the other DSP module. This week, I’ve been listening with the original firmware. I like them both, although they are unmistakably different.

I bought a new DSP board so that I could go back easily. Luckily I’m very happy with the new openness and increased musicality. I find myself ‘tapping’ to the music . It’s quite a satisfying experience that touches upon the beauty of analog. The cost was reasonable in relative terms. Only $ 418 CAD and a short 1 1/2 week wait. 

Irlacosse,

The whitish mark on the chip shouldn't hurt anything. I have it on the chip in my Pontus ll also. My Dac is 2 years old and going strong.

Replacement of the module with chip on it is expensive. The US. cost of that module is approximately $350 US. That is why they are probably ignoring your request for a free one. I too am going to hold off on the update. My Pontus ll isn't problematic. I like the sound as is, and believe if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Can this DSP upgrade be applied to original Pontus?

Iracosse:  I would take a small swab and a bit of alcohol (or possible household cleaner) and see if you can get the whitish smudge off the chip. Don't use so much that it drips or runs off the chip! If this does not work, post a GOOD closeup photo to this thread, so we can get a better idea of what it is like.

I'm holding off a bit.  A few weeks ago I opened it up to get the pic of that chip and there is "stuff" on it.  Whitish smudge of something, almost covering the number.  Did not expect that on a piece of audio equipment at this level.  Sent both Vinshine and Denafrips an email(w/pic).  The response was disappointing. Very nonchalant about it.  "Just some leftover flux or such during fabrication.  Do not worry.  Clean it off."  Huh!?  I don't want to touch it and asked to please send me a replacement DSP.  No go.  They ignored my request and just sent me the download instructions w/order #.

What should I think?  Am I making to much a deal about it?

Lawrence From MI

Like the other posters, I'm experiencing notably greater clarity (but not harshness/brightness) and better soundstage. Bass sounds maybe a bit tighter, not much change there on my system. Overall, a very positive improvement, imho. However, if you really love the sound you're currently getting, you should probably skip the upgrade. If it ain't broke....

No regrets for the upgrade and no desire to roll it back. I’m hearing more detail, a slightly wider soundstage and improved bass. I have mine set to NOS mode as I did before the upgrade. 

Yeah, I hear ya, but it don’t cost nothing to see if it helps.  

I’ll wait 300 hours and see if others find the 300 hours did the trick, letting everything settle back down. Maybe some will report back 300 hrs did it. I’m a firm believer in break in, but update burn in , that’s new to me. What burns in?

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Vinshine recommends giving up to 300 hours to let the upgrade settle in. 

@jaytor Good news indeed. I'm happy to be totally wrong about the impression I got regarding update revertibility.

Very happy with the update.   More detail, better imaging and bass is a little cleaner.  It’s still a Pontus 2, only better.

Others have reported that this update is reversible and at least one person reported that they went back to the old firmware successfully.

Edit - I should note that going back will require another firmware update similar to this update so will require support from Vinshine to roll back. 

Also, my take is that the bass frequency response curve is more pleasant than before. The sub-bass was too boosted before relative to other frequencies.

You can’t roll back the update once it’s done.

I inserted my recently updated Pontus II into my primary sound system, which is highly modded with tweaks for noise reduction all throughout the signal chain and power distribution, and I didn’t find any new problems with the top end on the DAC. I think it’s very likely those people with new issues with more energy in the top end are hearing the effects of unmitigated noise in their system which they are unaware of. In other words, from my testing and best estimate, the criticisms are coming from people with digital based systems that aren't doing more energetic higher frequencies in a pleasing, harmonious, and natural way.

The update had been a very welcome change in my experience. The fact that the NOS mode is now legitimate and sounds great needs more attention, imo.

If you do the update and don’t like the higher frequencies, since you can’t revert the change, I’d suggest investing in some noise killing mods (like linear power supplies in place of switching, Ethernet filters, grounding tech, vibration isolation, Heartsound Holostages, etc) and/or swapping for warmer sounding power cable for the unit to balance out the tone.