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Denafrips Pontus II FPGA firmware upgrade 2023

After submitting my request for the upgrade yesterday, in the today morning I got the password and instructions to proceed. I got the time to do it this afternoon.


Now, I am listening for little more than an hour and my first impressions are of more clarity and tridimensionality. To assess things more easily I am using my Tidal playlist and so far I am very impressed with the SQ improvements - Auralic Aries Femto connected with Audioquest Carbon USB and Belden 8402 from the dac to the amp.

It is easy to say that now the soundstage depth and especially width are significantly enhanced. There seems to be another notch on realism and scale. Things are very composed and natural. 
My system was already performing beautifully in terms of engagement, totally commanding our attention to the music, and continues to be, detailed but non-fatiguing, but I feel that there is now a bit more liquid quality to the sound, a bit more relaxed in a good way... but I have to listen more of course.

So far, well done Denafrips.

Note: the firmware upgrade was less straightforward than I expected, but it was mostly Windows 10 related

audiofilo123
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,153 posts
 

Two questions,

Are you glad you did the upgrade?

How do you upgrade something “The Pontus ll” that’s not connected to the internet?

Thanks.

soix
8,688 posts
 

I’m wondering if it’s the firmware or if maybe the increased resolution is uncovering an issue elsewhere in your system?  What’s the rest of your equipment, cables, etc.?

audiofilo123 OP
58 posts
 

I will give it the mentioned break-in time and more, but now, after 4 days it still makes unhappy... let’s see how it goes.

I haven’t change anything in my system and I was having a blast prior to the firmware upgrade. The sound was very natural and a pure pleasure to listen. I was 100% happy, and I still fell that I will be again with the previous firmware.

Of course, my system still performs amazingly with my other CD players and dacs,

My reason to upgrade was to stop the occasional sound “glitch” when connected to the Cambridge CXC, but I loved the sound.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,153 posts
 

@taheeti 

I just read on the Vineshine website that if you do brick it, instead of sending your Pontus in, you can order a new DSP board that’s already had the update installed. The price was in Singapore dollars, so I don’t know the price in US dollars, but at least there is a plan B available.

mksun
412 posts
 

@audiofilo123 +1 For checking the NOS setting. I had my Pontus set to NOS prior to the update and it reverted back to OS after the update. I didn’t catch this right away and concluded that the update resulted in more detail but less bass and warmth. When I switched it back to NOS mode I was much happier and feel that the update in NOS mode is a definite improvement. I’m hoping for even better results after break-in.

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