NEW FPGA FIRMWARE | DENAFRIPS PONTUS DAC

[@De132an]

An audio shop that offers updates to firmware DAC for free? Actually active with the OEM to make it perfect? Alvin, you are a wonderful person that actual has its customer’s happiness first and foremost.

[@davidyan5502]

Vinshine and Denafrips are amazing!

[@marknelson4699]

I have to agree with that, we're loving it loving it loving it, we're loving Denafrips lol❤

[@ranelime]

I really appreciate all the effort Denafrips are putting in their customers. Especially your efforts in keeping folks who purchased happy and up to date, with no “buy out latest”, is much appreciated. I am very happy with my decision to buy Denafrips.❤

[@TheNaka9]

Great news! Thanks Alvin. I was one of the PII users that really didn't like the previous FW update and rolling back to he FW1.0 made things great again. But I will certainly try this new one :)

[@word2RG]

So, how is it?

[@TheNaka9]

@@word2RG Haven't tried it yet! You can see several opinions about it on the Hi-Fi forums. The general opinions are positive :)

[@Tahitian58]

Thank you Alvin. I enjoy the wonderful sound of my Pontus II so I guess I should be glad I held off on the firmware update.

[@TheKfung777]

Many thanks for the extra miles that your team and you have done for us. I can't wait to try this update even the last update was already amazing.

[@bencausey]

I own the original Pontus and I’m glad I waited. I will consider the new upgrade, but I love the sound as is.

[@momtazularefin]

Thank you for the updated firmware. I've successfully installed it on my post-October 7, 2020 Pontus device. Vinshine Audio's dedication to support for earlier purchases is commendable. Although I haven't had the chance to fully test it, I'm already enjoying the new sound signature from the May 15 firmware update. In numerous threads and blogs, I complained about an artificial glare or sharpening my Pontus II had before (without any firmware update). I could not use the internal oversampling because the sharpening issue becomes worse in OS mode. In NOS mode very high frequencies above 16 KHz roll off, mathematically, not DAC's fault, but the artificial sharpness started at around 10 KHz, therefore NOS mode sounded weird to me. Rolled off highs, high pitched instruments had less space, still with some songs there was a hardness at around 10 KHz. It was really frustrating. I have a pretty neutral to warm sounding speaker, the Elac Navis ARB 51 and with other DACs it sounded fine. Eventually I could not listen to songs recorded after the 90's. As songs before 90's had a little weak recording to begin with, they sounded fine. I was able to mitigate this issue somewhat by upsampling everything to 1,411.2 KHz using the HQPlayer and utilizing the NOS mode on the Pontus II DAC. This combination provided the best sound overall, but I still longed for a warmer tone. Post-update, I'm thrilled with the Pontus' sound signature: 1. Both OS and NOS modes deliver a balanced, neutral sound. 2. NOS mode is gentle with no harshness. 3. OS mode is outstanding, presenting a neutral, yet detailed sound. 4. The artificial sharpening above 10 KHz has disappeared. 5. I can now discard the HQPlayer upsampling and utilize the internal upsampling of Pontus II. I'm grateful for your attentiveness to feedback and commitment to improving the user experience, even with older purchases.

[@VinshineAudio]

Thank you for the detailed positive feedback, it’s fantastic to hear that you’re enjoying the DAC with the new firmware. Awesome!

[@blah7745]

so much better than the last firmware. Thanks for the effort.

[@weeragardens]

Fantastic Alvin. I am one of them who reverted to the original version after few weeks on the new version. I trust you and install the latest version straightaway.

[@gregorypeckett8714]

Thank you Alvin for being upfront about the Denafrips firmware upgrade to make the Denafrips dac’s better. There is nothing wrong with being transparent in the quest of making the product better even if we have to upgrade the firmware again and some of the lucky customers who own a Terminator well they know what they are getting from you my friend! I will make another forum input on Canuck Audio Mart once my firmware upgrade is done and listened to properly!. I am still wishing for some money to come my way to buy a Big Terminator…😏

[@ChiDave7]

Just wanted to thank the support team at Vinshine and Alvin for quickly replying to my email today. As a new owner of a Pontus 2 12th I only heard my unit with the previous update already installed. I emailed for a link and password and received it very quickly. Applied the update and although the difference is subtle, I feel it is definitely better to my ears. It adds just a little more warmth, richness and body to vocals and instruments.

[@asedillo1]

Very good stuff here Alvin. To my setup and ears, the latest v1.4 sound awesome compared to v3.3.

[@Quokka_VR]

Just upgraded my Pontus II to the new v1.4 firmware and am very happy with the sound. Thanks Vinshine Audio. I was previously using over sampling (OS with Smooth filter) but now prefer the NOS setting with this new version... very natural and punchy sound that works well with my Eversolo A6 streamer via USB, output from the Pontus II using balanced XLR to a Musical Fidelity M6Si Amp and KEF LS50 Meta speakers. 😍

[@Phoenix_1991]

wow, that must be one HELL of a bright/forward system. The KEF LS50 is known for being forward and Musical Fidelity for being forward. I personally don't think I would be able to listen to your system for more than a few minutes. I do have to say thought that MF makes some beautiful amplifiers with very good build quality.

[@Quokka_VR]

@@Phoenix_1991 Both the Pontus II and the Musical Fidelity amp are actually slightly warm of neutral and partner perfectly with the LS50 Meta speakers. Definitely not bright/forward in my medium sized room. 🙂

[@robertward3362]

Hi there, may I ask you how I update my pontus2 as I’m now completely at a loss as what to do 🙏

[@lewphillips4]

Always prompt and phenomenal support from Alvin and the crew at Vinshine, from my first ARES II purchase to my Pontus II and IRIS DDC. I may be in the minority of those who updated to v1.4 and rolled back to v1.3 because we agree with the members of the Denafrips listening team who prefer the sound of the v1.3 firmware. Version 1.3 sounds so much smoother and laid back on my system. Vinshine has kindly shared all of the firmware versions for the Pontus for user flexibility.

[@rodrigoarias390]

Hello, friend! What kind of improvement do you hear with the IRIS when combining it with the Pontus II and your favorite firm (1.3) ? Do you think the DDC is still worth to add? Thanks!

[@word2RG]

@@rodrigoarias390 hi Rodrigo, for me, the Iris added a little more weight and authority but was not a necessity.

[@lewphillips4]

@@rodrigoarias390 I was skeptical that a DDC would make much of an improvement in the sound quality, but I have been completely amazed at the transformation in the sound quality and the listening experience that the IRIS has made to the already great Pontus II! The sound is far more dynamic, punchy, effortless, and resolving with no sense of bass or treble, only well-defined music on a sound stage that comes alive right in front of you. I suspect that this improvement may be attributed to the use of the I2S input of the Pontus II. Anyone who uses a USB connection, and the Pontus II DAC should not be disappointed, especially at the price point of the IRIS. FYI, I’m using a .75m Audioquest Blueberry HDMI cable for the I2S connection. My system uses a passive preamp and Magnepan MG3.6R speakers with 5' ribbon tweeters, which are very revealing of problems with the upstream electronics. I am using a 25' active USB cable between my computer and the IRIS. I'm very satisfied with the results.

[@rodrigoarias390]

@@word2RG Thanks!

[@rodrigoarias390]

@@lewphillips4 Thank you! Have you tried the Hermes? Do you think it could bring an even better result? I’m considering between a new Iris, a used Hermes, or even a Gustard U18 which seems to be very good also. Thanks again, friend, very useful information, greetings from Mexico!

[@TheBogdanzah]

Super. Thank you Alvin for all your efforts. Pleas tell me if for this udate is also needed the serial number from the existent dsp module. Thank you.

[@mikemajors2385]

Thank you Alvin, I hope the Ares2 will get the latest sound profile.

[@donr62]

Looking forward to it. My amplifier is a bit light in the bottom end so I’ll be happy to get some back from this update. Unfortunately I have not kept the email and link for the last upgrade. How do I reapply again?

[@anybodyelseNOW]

Thanks Alvin. My trust is back. After the update I really felt the magic is away and rolled back to the old firmware. Basically I was sad that Denafrips gave up the magic for details. And thought okay I will not up Update to terminator in the future.. Will check the new firmware very soon.

[@joenice242]

I liked the first PII update and I have the non 12thA

[@lewphillips4]

I do too. I rolled back to v1.3 this afternoon and my system sounds incredible again.

[@joenice242]

@@lewphillips4 Good for you, but my point was that it already was good, not that I wouldn't upgrade again.

[@johnnyz4427]

I have been planning to do the 12th firmware update for my Pontus II. Glad to wait until now. I am not clear about this video. Please help from anyone who already upgraded the very latest FW as Alvin presented: 1. Was the first 12th FW update not good? And a roll back to the original one is recommended? 2. Who has already upgraded the latest FW as Alvin presented in the video? Any improvements comparing to the original one and the previous 12th Annv FW? 3. Any suggestions to either do the upgrade or not? 4. Is the latest FW final? No more coming up again? Please help! Thanks.

[@kennethchew1244]

Hi ! Alvin ..Just let You know, I 'be been waiting for a week , but my dealer (Malaysia) here says haven't received any of your reply email for update FPGA FIRMWARE . If you can , please follow up . thank you 🙂

[@michelcouture7026]

I installed the special firmware for usb volume control, will the new 12 aniversery firmware will void that volume control function?v3.14.0

[@marklabbett2605]

what about the Ares II ?

[@RudieVissenberg]

I think the update has been withdrawn. When I click on the link provided in april there is no update showing up

[@MusicLover-01]

Can you please find a way to make this much easier? I.e. an update tool to check for the latest firmware and auto update to that version? I tried to update and couldn't understand what is needed... Will stick with v1.3 for now until this process is streamlined.

[@robertwang7825]

Hi Alvin ,I’m trying to upgrade my Pontus 2 but in the system report - I don’t see the USB2.0 Hi Res Audio. It just says up to 480Mb/s , 500mA … I’m using a USB2.0 cord , switched off , unplug everything and start from scratch a few times but still do not see it. Should I just go ahead. Using a Mac Mini

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Another Pontus firmware upgrade? I can't keep up! :)

[@caspar05]

Hi Alvin, will there also be a update of the new firmware for the Terminator 1?

[@caspar05]

sorry, should have listed to the end. ... there will be updates for all dacs

[@steverogers7611]

Why not just have several preset filters and let the user choose between I dunno like 10 flavors ?

[@robertwang7825]

Or is there any contact in GZ , China where I can take the DAC to, to do the upgrade. Or wechat contact. Thks in advance Alvin.

[@jasonschwartz2928]

Does this mean there’s also another new firmware release for Ares/Enyo even if we just updated in March ?

[@darrenburtoft1792]

What went wrong with the firmware update provided a month ago? Wasn’t tested?

[@robertward3362]

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to update my pontus11 dac? 🙏

[@OSQQ123]

Where can I find this firmware? and how can I install it? thanks

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Is it possible to downgrade to the older firmware, if one does not like of have problems with the new one?

[@VinshineAudio]

It's possible to roll back the firmware. The firmware(s) are available to download on our website (by request). Cheers!

[@strykerking]

If i buy a new unit, does it come with this new firmware?

[@VinshineAudio]

I am pleased to inform you that the DAC being shipped to the customers already has the latest firmware installed. Therefore, there is no need for you to update it. I hope this news brings you satisfaction, sir.

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

I did on mine, it crash everything😮😮😮😮

[@jackfalco5351]

How do I get the new firmware?

[@wouterkolkman]

Have you applied for the firmware update before? Alvin mentions in this video that it is available from the same place as before.

[@jackfalco5351]

@@wouterkolkman no

[@robertward3362]

Help!! I’ve got no idea how to update my Pontus 2 !!

[@annalisezoe6239]

P r o m o s m 😻