On a previous update, Ted said that it had to do with using parts of the fpga that had not previously been used and recommended about 100 hours. In any event, it was great from the get-go! Thanks to all!
lonson, I ordered a pre-loaded flash drive from PSA last night for $29. You can access the link from the first page of the DSD MK2 listing in the Shop section of the PSA website.
Happy listening!
Wow, thanks for the heads-up. I too now have one ordered.
Nope, There was a missing file in that link. It’s all the same, just with the correct PDF file. No need to redownload if you got the FPGA files from the original link
Yup! You can grab one here: Mount Massive DirectStreamDAC MK2 Upgrade – PS Audio
Quantities are a bit limited on the USB drives at the moment, but as long as we have stock you can get one from that link.
Thank you Aaron. I have placed an order!
Install process went as expected with one caveat…it took me 3 attempts of loading the firmware, 2.6.2, before realizing if 2.6.2 is installed subsequent loads are NO OPS. Operator error.
I am certain you are not the only one.
No issues with my install and everything sounds amazing. I’m really surprised by the amount of added detail I’m hearing and the soundstage is now even wider and deeper. I was already running 2.6.2, so I first downgraded both the UI and FPGA to an earlier version before reinstalling 2.6.2 and Massive. I’ve always had better luck getting clean installs by first downgrading and then reinstalling.
I upgraded fine last night. Except for the 5 tries to get 2.6.2 to install and it would not because I already had it… duh…
FPGA went easy. Did a bit of burn and played…so far a good improvement
First thing I got home was to remove the 3M 7050 from the ribbon and display area on lid of MK2, and the SQ seem to have better focus. So, you are probably right. I need to listem more later.
I used that peice to make a tuning ring for Zenwave PSR-11 at P15. Wow, the power cord is sounding better, and I could hear easier on the improvement.
Dave is slow to respond to my emails, then last night he told me he was not feeling well lately. I hope he is okay. Looks like I need to put in an order for PSR-11 soon. It will take him three to four weeks to make one.
For whatever reason, 16/44 ripping sounded better than my original CDs when playing through Lumin U2 now. I think the Dragon Source has settle down, or Massive update benefits streaming more. I have all AIFF ripping upsampled to 192, and all DSD files upsampled to DSD256. This Lumin U2 is a wonderful streamer. But I believe, the MASSIVE update is the real reason. It seems that it is still improving.
I did the install this afternoon and the FPGA went perfectly. While checking that I discovered I was on 2.5.2 (I think that’s the version), so I already had the USB stick in place so I upgraded to 2.6.2. I followed the directions and between the time I turned power back on and got to the front of the rack the power light was on and stayed steady. Huh, didn’t load? Checked the system and it had updated, shocking how fast it did it.
As for the sound of Massive, it’s nice! A little clearer and a little more space. I like it! There is a problem though, I’m getting occasional dropouts. It’s not to silence, more like a quick ramp down to 25%, then a quick ramp up to full volume. This whole process only takes a second or two. I’ve also noticed that at the start of some tracks what sounds like a ramp up in volume. I think this is what Ted was working on to prevent pops and clicks. Not sure if there is a connection between the two, but if there is may need more work.
Don’t know what kinda of magic coding was done to the FPGA, 14ish hrs in, my favor tracks(solo pianos) sound fabulous!
It seems has a fuller mids, high notes hang in the air and decays longer, more bass? I can’t pin my finger on just one area, it’s an improvment across the entire spectrum. Going to run the acid Cello test soon, right now I simply can’t stop listening to my Chopin, it’s the tracks I listens to and played hundres of times, yet, the sound just tickles my heart + brain and ears in new ways. 
I didn’t observe anything like this in any of the beta testing. Maybe other beta testers did. 
I did not either.
Piano! Yes!
In listening to Alexandre Kantorow’s recording “a la russe,” where he plays hands-full of notes very loudly (transcriptions of “Infernal Dance” and “Finale” from Stravinsky’s “The Firebird”, as well as Balakirev’s most difficult “Islamey”), the individual notes are heard clearly and distortion-free, no matter how loud.
I’ve played these tracks often in the past. But I’ve never heard them like I did today after loading 228.
Since I’m currently running the DAC direct to my BHK300’s I was getting some noise before the Massive upgrade, regardless of volume setting. I’m happy to say the noise is now gone! Sound is definitely improved!
Great album!
I seem to have spoken too soon. On some tracks I am getting a spurious noises. I recorded a sound clip which can be downloaded here WeTransfer - Send Large Files & Share Photos Online - Up to 2GB Free
the first 2 examples are from the DSMKII (this is a phone recording with external mic) the final example is the same track player back though a different system with an RME dac.
I recorded a second example of the noise using Octave Records stream where the sound is even more pronounced https://we.tl/t-YFMoh1IugC
My MKII display reads Firmware 2.6.2 FPGA 228 Massive - I even rebooted to see if anything changed. I had no issue loading the FW on the first try.
File being played is an 88.2 WAV. I’m running my MKII direct to BHK300 amps. If anyone wants to play my same test file - PM me and I’ll send a link
I installed both the firmware and the FPGA upgrades this afternoon. Even without any breakin, this is unquestionably a significant step forward in sound quality. Congratulations to Ted and the whole team at PS audio! I will be very curious to see how it develops over the next hundred hours or so.