Denafrips FPGA Firmware Update

I also did the update yesterday on MacBook Pro w/Ventura. I am a complete and total idiot when it comes to a computer! I managed to figure it out in about an hour, give or take. Didn't run a timer. I would imagine it would take the average person 10 minutes maybe?

I am pleased with the update. I had tremendous snaps when resolution changed. I have not experienced a single one yet today!!!

I won't yet comment on the potential "improvements" as I will need a few evenings to be sure.

So far I am very happy with the results!

Thank you to Alvin and the Vinshine/Denafrips Team!

J.F. 

Firmware request for Pontus2 requested on a Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning reply with all details received in my email. Hassle free once I figured out the Windows 11 driver installation process. firmware update was hassle free . Still enjoying the music….no regrets 

I am a happy owner of Ares II and Pontus II DAC's. Ive updated the FPGA code on Ares II in March, and right after the update I was able to feel the difference. 

I was a bit skeptical about the update, and I was thinking that I would not feel much difference if compared to the original FPGA firmware that came with the Ares II. I was wrong!! The new firmware improved the sound quality, and now I can hear more details from the music. Clearer high's and better vocals.

I was considering selling my Ares II, but with the updated FPGA code, I have decided keeping it with me.

The update for the Pontus II became available 2 days ago, and I've installed it. Like in my Ares II the sound quality improvement was easily noticeable. Bass is more firm and solid, at a point that I had to lower the volume in my sub. Vocals are nicer. It became a bit brighter, but not at a point that it is fatigue, and because of that, some people might not like it. According to Vinshine, it is recommended to perform a burn in due to the new logic in the FPGA. Overall, I am happy with the new FPGA code, and I would do it again if I had a Pontus II with the original FPGA code version. Several fixes were implemented and I don't which one improved the soundstage; it is more precise now.

Just a small note, the update instruction for Mac, provided by Vinshine is based on an older version of iOS, and users who have the latest version Ventura, the pictures don't match, but it is not difficult to figure out how to proceed with it.

Thanks for the exceptional support from Alvin and Vinshine !! Excellent post sales support, which is rare nowadays.

@dskusa - "According to Vinshine, it is recommended to perform a burn in due to the new logic in the FPGA."

Can you provide a source for this?  I was so hopeful that I'd finally found something that audiophiles could agree didn't benefit from a burn in.  Now the walls are closing in around me like I'm a visitor at ADX Florence.

I’ll second what other users have said in regards to the effects of the Pontus II update: I noticed increased clarity and more detail right away. The bass may be firmer and perhaps lessened a tad. Someone else mentioned a brighter sound and that may result in a perception of lighter bass. The sound may have lost a smidge of the organic feel at the expense of detail but I enjoy the detail. We’ll see how much the sound changes with break-in but I’m happy I did the upgrade.

Make sure you download the latest version of all files vs using what you may have installed from a previous firmware update as my upgrade process failed at the last step until I installed the latest software versions.