Not clear why you would attempt to open the .bin with your Mac. Those are for the DS2 to load - I don’t think it is a formatting issue. It is nice that both the UI code and the FPGA versions are single .bin files that can coexist on the same drive. Much neater and easier than the four files on the prior DACs.
Just hacking away. I’m not that technical. I do know that a .bin is a datafile not a compressed file, but this has happened in other contexts and the Mac tries to open every time, so I’ve naively tried to open them, JIC, hoping for that folder full of content. Again, I’m not that technical.
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Playing both CD & SACD plus a USB thumb drive with compressed files. All work fine so far and sound great.
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Help, I have a Beta unit that I received on 11/13 and I have not made any changes to its FW since receiving it. It mutes ( no sound ) after about 45 minutes of playing SACD’s or CD’s. Based on what I have read here I should check my image FW and see if it is 2.3.0. If it isn’t I should upgrade to that image. Then I should upgrade my FPGA FW to 178 and perhaps my unit will play for more than 45 minutes if it does not have a hardware problem that must be fixed at the factory.
Ted, Is this a reasonable course of action?
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If you haven’t done anything, it should be 2.3.0 The only option is 2.3.3 which would possibly cause muting based on the age of your unit. Yes, try 178.
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Contact PS Audio support or whomever your Beta contact is. You may need to get your hardware updated.
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I am fortunate my unit has worked without a hitch from day one and continue to work fine even after the firmware update. I also cannot hear this cursed humming unless I put my ears directly on the unit. And the unit is only slightly warm with heavy use.
I spend more time comparing the USB and I2S on the MKII today using the ChordMusic USB cable directly into the DAC and to the Farad powered Matrix to a Dragon HDMI to the I2S of the DAC.
The I2S route sounded more detailed and the highs are more prominent, it also sounded a little more glossy and distorted. There’s a bit of hardness the USB route didn’t have. When I listen carefully, all the detail is there with the USB, but is not thrown at you like with the I2S. The USB sounds more natural, more like what vinyl sounds like. With the high register on piano you can really hear this gloss through I2S. The USB just sounds natural throughout on piano. I think I’ll just stay with USB for now as it sounds more smoother, more natural and real to me. Oftentimes less is more. I also believe after the firmware update the sound improved, maybe partly because the implement of DSD256 on USB.
Could it be that the circuitry for the HDMI just needs more time to burn-in? It would be unfortunate if the USB sounds better than the HDMI output, because I don’t believe the PST has a USB output.
Update
It did lose sound while it was on its update power on. Switched A/B USB with the MKI on the Audivana feed. After a good cry for me and a 1/2hr unplugged rest for the MKII, sound is back on. Not touching it for 24hr or until it stops. Then, I’ll try switching DACs again.
Sound much more live and focused if a little restrained and tight. Sound stage is more clearly defined with separated instruments and voices. David Clayton Thomas’ voice now makes a smaller circle but it’s less diffuse and more real - on a not particularly good recording/master.
Nuts, 15 minutes to silence again. While I was posting the last.
It does, however, seem to be running a lot cooler still.
Will it continue to burn in if I leave it playing in silence?
Next steps?
I felt the SQ improved after FW updates as well.
The small difference in SQ could be due to cables too. But the good news is USB input is greatly improved. I would be surprised if it is better than I2S even.
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If you were trouble free before the UI update, I would return to the version Ted posted earlier.
There’s bound to be more direction from PSA leadership soon.
The problem is I cannot compare the two inputs exactly the same. I2S I add a Matrix, a decked out Farad, and a Dragon HDMI cable to the mix. That can add or subtract to the sound depending on the quality of those added pieces. And with PST, my streamer front end is of a much higher caliper and can give it a advantage. Needless to say the USB input on the MKII is of another class compared to the MKI.
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With a Matrix in the link, it is hard to compare. But we got valuable feedback from you because with MK1 the USB was clearly the weak link.
PST has a direct I2S output to MK2 I2S input, so it is still the best connection between these two. But now I know I do not have to get a streamer with I2S HDMI output. Although AirLens will still be my first choice, because I am quite sure I need to spend a lot more to find something outperform it.
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Pretty sure I’ve tried all available versions. It’s 2.3.0 per Ted’s latest advice. Have tried 2.3.3 and the original 173 (if that’s different).
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Yes, the AirLens is a perfect match for the MKII or the MKI for that matter. But now with the USB not sounding that bad anymore, people with a USB streamer like me, will not suffer that much in sonic performance as before with the MKI.
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PSA has a win-win DAC 
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Did you mean you WOULDN’T be surprised? Or did you mean what you wrote?
Am I correct that no one with an “upgraded” mk2 has had a no sound or dropout problem from the firmware upgrade emailed to us yesterday?
My guess is I2S and USB are equal, or of exceedingly small difference.
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