DENAFRIPS FPGA Firmware Update (12TH Anniv.)

[joseG86]

Thank goodness for neuroplasticity. That and a handy expectation bias, i.e. an update = must be an upgrade.

From an engineering viewpoint, a DAC that's been played for hundreds of hours does not have an easily conceivable way to "burn in further". The capacitors will be fully formed and dubious other factors like resistor burn in, if it's a thing, will have happened. As for the notion a FPGA can "burn in” with new firmware, well that's just unbelievable.

Installing the new firmware without a guaranteed rollback is very brave. Good luck with that.

Can't agree more, I upgraded without knowing if I could ever go back, thankfully Vinshine confirmed that we can in fact roll back....

 

[PoMarantz]

Can't agree more, I upgraded without knowing if I could ever go back, thankfully Vinshine confirmed that we can in fact roll back....

José…please let us know how your rollback experience goes.

 

[joseG86]

José…please let us know how your rollback experience goes.

Of course, I'll send another mail tomorrow and go back asap, then I'll listen to a few songs I know really well and A/B

My unit has been powered on for a full week 24/7 or more and I'm sure it is now kind of bright, forward sounding and its smooth and relaxed original characteristics and what made me love it are kind of no longer there... I like it I won't deny it I just prefer the original sound, I can always purchase a cheap DS dac to get this kind of new sound

 

[PoMarantz]

Thanks for your "time-in" info. Yeah…so far I agree EXACTLY with what you have said…and my current sound experience is exactly the same. I may put in a request to Alvin soon, to see I can get a copy of the old firmware for my chip to be sent for reload in the works…as I really doubt that the original "tone" is coming back….but I will put another week of burn-in, to be sure.

 

[naka9]

I am one of the many Pontus II users that was totally happy with the sound previous to the firmware update.
But also I am curious to see - after the 300 hours burn-in period - what will be missed after rolling back. If anything or nothing at all.
That will be measured in pleasure

Note 1: If rolling back needs again a period of burn-in, then it could be tremendously confusing evaluating differences at first.

Note 2: with the certain to have my Pontus II performing as it was, I am kind of having fun with all this. It is like having another component to test for free... with the perspective of getting something better...

 

[PoMarantz]

I am one of the many Pontus II users that was totally happy with the sound previous to the firmware update.
But also I am curious to see - after the 300 hours burn-in period - what will be missed after rolling back. If anything or nothing at all.
That will be measured in pleasure

Note 1: If rolling back needs again a period of burn-in, then it could be tremendously confusing evaluating differences at first.

Note 2: with the certain to have my Pontus II performing as it was, I am kind of having fun with all this. It is like having another component to test for free... with the perspective of getting something better...

Yeah..knowing there will be rollback availability makes this interesting, not painful. I have been doing extensive comparison between The Pontus II and the DAC in my Marantz SACD 30n. I definitely know my system better! Where are you getting that 300-hour burn-in parameter?

 

[naka9]

Yeah..knowing there will be rollback availability makes this interesting, not painful. I have been doing extensive comparison between The Pontus II and the DAC in my Marantz SACD 30n. I definitely know my system better! Where are you getting that 300-hour burn-in parameter?

I got that 300 hours period from another user - on the Audiogon forum - quoting a response to him from the Vinshine team.

 

[PoMarantz]

WOW! That’s a LOT of burn-in!
Interesting…I see Alvin mentioning the process..but this is the 1st that I have seen a time attached to it. I would love to have a conversation with a Denafrips engineer about this to increase my understanding and knowledge.

 

[naka9]

WOW! That’s a LOT of burn-in!
Interesting…I see Alvin mentioning the process..but this is the 1st that I have seen a time attached to it. I would love to have a conversation with a Denafrips engineer about this to increase my understanding and knowledge.

In my use scheme, it is around 40 days (8 hours a day)... so far 8 days have passed.

Today, the sound is less glazzy and a bit less congested. But still not natural like before.
The qualities I miss the the most are: depth, center image , decay and separation. The sound, although less tin, is still a bit flat and not involving at all. I really hope to get back those qualities.

 

[Koolaide]

Yes, when something sounds like new it tends to be received and perceived in a very good way, in my case I'm sure I am not enjoying it at all, I'm very very delicate with female voices and this firmware version produces a slight sibilance on the edges of many female singers (like I used to experience with DS Dacs) which I hate and didn't have before, I prefer smooth, warm, relaxed sound as my HPs are already very revealing and resolutive so I'm going back 99% when Vinshine sends old firmware : p

I thought the female vocals thing was just me! Completely agree.

There’s a lot to love about the new firmware, but I’m still not convinced. I’m waiting for my download link to roll it back and do a real comparison.

 

[joseG86]

I thought the female vocals thing was just me! Completely agree.

There’s a lot to love about the new firmware, but I’m still not convinced. I’m waiting for my download link to roll it back and do a real comparison.

I forgot to mention that I only use NOS now as OS is too aggressive and kind of bright for me, can't wait to go back lol

 

[szore]

I forgot to mention that I only use NOS now as OS is too aggressive and kind of bright for me, can't wait to go back lol

I can't hear any difference between NOS and OS

 

[joseG86]

I can't hear any difference between NOS and OS

I truly do, it is like adding sharpen filter x2 in Photoshop to the music lol

 

[szore]

I think a combination of brain/electronic burn in is needed. I thought the update sounded too bright at first. Now after listening to a few weeks of music it sounds much better to my ear. No doubt the firmware has a brighter, more 'open' sound to it, but I am planning to keep it.

 

[joseG86]

I think a combination of brain/electronic burn in is needed. I thought the update sounded too bright at first. Now after listening to a few weeks of music it sounds much better to my ear. No doubt the firmware has a brighter, more 'open' sound to it, but I am planning to keep it.

I welcome the update no matter what and I'm very happy with it indeed, the fact that we can go back to its original sound and knowing that we can go to this new profile blows my mind... Denafrips doesn't know (maybe) but they achieved something so big lol