Denafrips FPGA Firmware Update

kengt

04-09-2023 at 01:48pm

"However, if you still have the synthetic, glassy sound in the highs after the burn in. you then really need to contact Denafrips. I believe they would like to hear from you about your issues. Especially, you didn’t have that problem before the update."

OH…Vinshine will hear from me, as I would be requesting a download of the old firmware for my FPGA chip. 😁

There is a thread over on Head-Fi regarding all of this where quite a few are experiencing a similar experience as myself. 300 hrs. of burn-in has been mentioned? 😳 One member, José has confirmed that we can revert (via a conversation with Alvin), and he will be doing that ASAP and said he would report his experience. So…I am going to sit tight for the time being, have a little patience and see how this all develops. It’s all a massive luxury issue! 🙃

I would like to start by thanking Alvin and Vinshine Team for their hard work and support. Consider the hundreds/thousands of units sold across the world, firmware update program across product lines is a daunting task. And to top off their commitments towards their users, this is provided free of charges regardless of how they were purchased. My hats off.

This firmware update process is well documented and relatively painless even to computer illiterates like me. Only suggestion is to start the instruction off by the On-line request first. Placing this in the third step could be confusing for some. This should be done before any computer setup or configurations.

Unit I have is Pontus II (PII) in my secondary system. As for the initial impression, pre-12th, I prefer oversampling in my system. With NOS, there were traces of roughness around the lower treble and space between images. With OS, it sounds as if the overall picture was finely polished. For those who doesn’t believe precise image is natural in life performance, do yourself a favor and attend some life un-amplified performance sitting at the best center seat. This is what the Pontus II mimics with the right system.

It’s been 8 days since the firmware update and the PII had throughly warm up. First couple of days of listening was surprisingly disappointing. The crystal clear highs and transparency dropped a few notch. Room signature of original recordings were suppressed and everything sounded a bit congested. Few days ago, I switch to NOS mode and there reveals the answer, OS is better pro-12th in my system. As of last night, this is the best this system had ever sounded. Glassy highs reported elsewhere here is not founded, but instead teary eyes. Comparing to pre-12th OS mode, the stage opened up another 10-15%. Tonal balance is ruler flat from bass up. Transient attract, though not world class, is quick and impactful. No highlights across the entire spectrum. Transparency is close to top notch equaling my previous reference/Berkeley. Can’t comment on low bass because my PII isn’t handling due to unique configuration in my systems. Off stage and deep stage images are more palpable. Room acoustic captured in good recordings are better reproduced.

Overall, this firmware update brings my system another notch closer to my reference system. Just a note, the PII is driving my baby Boulder/Kharma direct with no preamp in between. The low base was handled through DEQX and a pair of power subwoofers. Henceforth, I can’t comment on PII’s sub-40hz performance.

Above observation was made through my modest system. Should this not be similar to your findings, I hope it’s at least entertaining.

Best Regards

Mosler666

After listening for about a week post-update I’ve decided to request the old firmware. While the level of detail and clarity has nicely improved the sound is now leaner and less analog. I feel like some of the weight and body has been lost in favor of focus and detail. Hopefully it’s not an issue to get the old firmware restored. 
 

I truly appreciate all Vinshine Audio does for its customers (and Alvin is the best) but to my ears the update isn’t desirable. If there’s a process to restore the old firmware then it’s a risk-free trial to see what works for you.

I came home after work today and have found this update is improving after a week of being on nonstop. Can't wait for the entire 300 hours are here. Seperation and detail are becoming incredible! Also bass seem to become more realistic. 

I’m going to sit back and wait a few months till the dust clears. Plays nice music in current form. To many different versions of everyone’s results.
 

I will probably leave it as is, no upgrade. There would have to be 100% way to go back to stock form to even consider upgrade. Would there be a small percentage of these dac’s that can never go back to stock form?