Denafrips FPGA Firmware Update

I have owned the Pontus ll 12th for 2 weeks which was an upgrade from the Aries ll. I really like the increased detail that I was getting from the Pontus but I really missed the analogue sound of the Aries so I rolled back the software to 1.0 today. I'm the type of listener that likes an analogue sound, if I had to choose between SS and analogue, I would choose analogue. To me the 1.3 version has more of a SS sound. I really love the 1.0 version. It has plenty of detail for me without sounding rolled off. It has everything I look for in sound. I think the sound you get or will want is entirely dependent on your system set up and what you are looking for. I see a version for everyone. Alvin is the perfect example of what good customer service should look like. It's all too lacking these days.

Greetings!

The mixed feeling/result of the firmware update is not unexpected. 

If you pay attention, you may notice similar comments on other products, softwares, firmwares etc - where some users may prefer the older version, and some prefer the newer version. 

It is not easy to strike a balance to please everyone - but we strive to be one. 

Our goal is to continuously improve the DAC features and performance through the firmware update. Whenever there is a substantial update available for you, we will share it with you at - no fee - free.

We have also make the original firmware available on the FUT download links. You may rollback to the previous version whenever you like. 

What does it mean to you?

The firmware update capability opens an endless possibilities to constantly improve the sound quality, features of the DAC.

Good news? I bet :)

Many thanks,

Alvin Chee

www.vinshineaudio.com

To everyone who is benefited from the updated firmware, I would put a value to this update solely based on my own experience.

After the update, I felt my Chord TT2 has fallen behind. Then I figured that if I fed the P-II with Wireworld Platinum I2S, I should give the TT2 a better cable (just to be fair to TT2, and, I am also a cable believer). So I order the Audio Sensibivity’s Signature Silver S/PDIF (BNC), and paid a small dough for the burn in. It costed me about $500. Now I am getting "the same kind of listening enjoyment" from my TT2. I don’t want to name who is better. I only wanted to point out that Denafrips and Alvin have saved us at least $500. :)

Note: Could someone provide me a link for advices on what SPF module, Ethernet convertor, and Optical cable that are best for connecting LHY SW 8 to SW10 because I already had the SW8. On YouTube. I remembered Alvin had mentioned that. Thanks

I got a chance to roll my firmware back to the first version and after the flashing and restarting, my Pontus 2 is now really distorted in I2S mode, USB sounds fine. So I thought I would reinstall the version1 again and exact same thing. I can tell what song is playing.... barely. I can hear USB playback just fine, but I was using I2S 100% of the time because it sounds so much better, up until now. I am just shutting it down completely until I can get an answer what to do.

It is a costly move but you can replace the DSP module for around $350 with the new firmware already installed. You can swap the modules back and forth wth different sound tracks to see what the differences will be between updated version and original.

Denafrips recommended this to me since my computer skills weren't up to task to perform update.