When running the latest firmware and Massive the inputs do turn off if auto is selected in the menu. If you have that option set and attempt to use the usb connection you will find that when another input is selected you will not see the driver in Windows.
I recall you moved to a TV perhaps or other hardware with open HDMIinputs
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Does the ābossā know what they cost? The may look like the cost a few dollars, but they are not cheap.
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It was hiding in one of the inputs behind the TV 
The boss thinks it is too small to care, and I told her it came with the unit for free. 
Am I imagining things? I like the sound better when plugging it into the unsed I2S 1, even though it is supposedly turned off already. But the background becomes a black hole now, and I hear everything a little clearer and smoother. This cannot be right, but I will keep it in for the time being. I need a few days to make sure I am not imagining things.
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I donāt think youāre imagining. It is a lot better than the auto off firmware to my ears.
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Make that three of us. Itās subtle but the USB on and the plug inserted gives a bit better depth to the sound.
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The more I listen to it with the plug in, the more I like it. It is going to stay there.
I noticed the music is smoother, and I am sure it is not my imagination. However, I really like the wine I am drinking now. So, I will wait until tomorrow to make sure. 
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As always, Steven, your thought process is clear and reasonable. And thanks for your insight on the Lumin.
You do not know what you are missing. It is off the wall commenting on lack of resolution without ever hearing the mk2.
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Thatās kind of what I was getting at when I asked him to define resolution. He defined it by low noise floor and no experience with the product. Even though he said good measurements doesnāt mean the unit will sound good, heās basing his entire opinion on measurements. 
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I see where Steve is coming from. I also remarked on the vastly superior resolution - while sounding quite glorious - of the MkII over many other DACs Iāve heard. But his reasons are understandable, given heās in the UK and taking a chance was not as easy as it is in the U.S.
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It is remarkable that when I removed the HDMI plug, the soundstage shrinked. Not only that, the music sounded a bit edgy and grey. That is how I defined smoothness; the ability to listen for a longer time.
It is interesting how I marvel MK2 before, but I value it more with the plug in now. MK2ās resolution is making me hearing more difference from it than DS before it, even though I am not suppose to hear any difference since the I2S input is already turned off.
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Was the port not connected to any source? I have both i2s ports connected and believe that terminates the leads. This is what the shorting plug does for an open port. It has nothing to do with turning the port off.
If you are using both I2S inputs (I used to), you will have no need for the plug. MK2 will make the unused port inactive with auto setting as I understand.
I have the AirLens into I2S 1 and I have a shorting plug in I2S 2. I run Auto and also have Optical and USB connected. I cant say Iāve done much in the way of testing with and without the shorting plug.
I use a Uptone ISO REGEN powered by an Sbooster Ultra into the USB and find the USB input to sound very close to the AirLens into the I2S input, but I marginally prefer the dynamics and slam of the I2S from the AirLensā¦
I understand his hesitating to give the mk 2 a shot especially considering his higher cost overseas. I do not however get his ASR attitude about measurements being the be all end all determination of how a product performs. That just spreads more misinformation without any positive benefit. One should hold opinions about a products resolution ability until they have made direct comparisons under controlled listening conditions. Turn off the test gear and listen!
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The ASR approach seems to be that if a DAC has a noise floor of -153dB, it is better than a DAC with a noise floor of -152dB, and you donāt have to listen to it either. I think thatās completely nuts.
I was originally thinking of a Holo May Spring 3 and my Innuos Zen Mk3, but I wanted a 1-box streamer/DAC, so I went for the Lumin T3. It was a compromise on measured performance (the Spring 3 measures better than the Lumin) for practical convenience.
When to my regret it didnāt work, I went for a 3-box solution (Holo May + Pulsar) and spent $400 to increase the size of my hifi rack.
So I use measurements as filter and not terribly rigidly. But if you look at Atkinsonās review (and he did two because of the concerns of listening v. measurements), he makes some points:
- The Mk2 has an unusually high noise floor and it may be audible
- Audible issues may be system dependent
- Some of his favourite DACs (Tambaqui, dCS etc) measure extremely well, so he assumes that good performance correlates with good measurements
There was no doubt that from any sensible objective viewpoint, the measured performance was potentially a significant issue.
I donāt suffer from FOMO. I tend to assume there are better products, but I can be happy with what Iāve got. I bought Wilson Sabrina, even though there were SabrinaX in the store at the same time. I never even listened to the SabrinaX and I never have.
There are other DACs I looked at and could have listened to, but didnāt, in particular the Aqua streamer/DAC combination looked very interesting and Denafrips who had just brought out a new streamer to match their well regarded Terminator II DAC.
hmm, seems i need to try the shorting plugs in MK2 ASAP 
just to clarify - when using shorting plugs, which setting to use for unused inputs - always on , or auto to get better SQ?
..and i guess the shortening plugs should be used not just for the I2S port, but also USB , right?
thanks!
Have fun!
I have both I2S inputs on Auto and using 2. I have USB on since my streamer is connecting to it. So, I do not know if USB plug would give additional benefit or not.
I have not taken the plug out after I installed it. The soundstage is better and SQ is more lifelike. It seems to take a day to get full effect.
I may take it out tomorrow to see if Iām day dreaming
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A friend of mine uses an Aries 2.2 with a DS Mk II over USB. He gets no music but noise when playing DSD256 (as if itās not supported). Does anyone have an idea what this could be (as both units support it direct and DoP)?