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Anyone regretting Pontus 2 firmware upgrade

I was notified of Pontus 2 upgrade for April 1st. I checked on Audiogon what people were saying of Pontus upgrade, not all reviews were positive. Most said they enjoyed improvement. More detail tighter bass. 

 

Some claim bright and glassy with loss of bass, also stating not as musical. Reading this stopped my plans of the upgrade for now. I’m not looking for a more high fi sound. My system is all tube and very detailed as it is and very happy with Pontus in second system. Is this upgrade reversible? Some brought up “brick” I have no idea what that is but understand it needs to be sent in for repair.

 

I would like to do the upgrade but until I understand what I’m in for I plan to hold off on update. Does anyone agree? 

 

 

paulcreed
thelonious527
15 posts
 

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. 

sfgak
97 posts
 

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.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,610 posts
 

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

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