I don’t know a specific time for waiting until the danger of condensation has passed. In a previous company we routinely waited a day for things to warm up before we powered them on. Personally I’ve been waiting 5 or 6 hours.
No I don’t think a unit arriving today will have the latest FPGA. But you can check the version screen to make sure. Remember that the FPGA version is lower on the screen and you’ll have to scroll it up to view it. The number will be something “1xx - Antero”
Thanks Ted !
Most ticks and pops are ultimately due to the DS and DS Mk II locking on to new signals faster than most DACs and hence are source specific. Often sources send some garbage as the clock is changing and, in principle I don’t want to wait for say, 10 milliseconds for some slower starters and cut the beginning of off the tracks when delivered by other devices.
BUT
The DS didn’t notice when a clock stopped and hence would display the last valid sample rate, sample width and DSD/DoP/PCM long after a signal stopped. I attempted to fix this but threw the baby out with the bath water. The check for clocks stopping cause ticks and pops for many devices that the DS handled just fine. Now I just check that each input has had the same measured sample rate for at least a millisecond and mark it as going away when any measurement differs.
It is a remarkably complex process.
I iterated a lot with the patient beta testers. You know you are on the right track when things start getting simpler and I knew I was on the wrong track with the first Mk II FPGA release because I had an ugly heuristic for checking for valid signals. Simpler is most often better.
There was a short FPGA release during Beta that worried me. But it was quickly replaced. The latest FW just sounds great! I have not experienced any issues since the early stage of beta. I do not think it is a widespread issue for most owners.
Yet has potential buyers concerned.
Surely there’s a difference between waiting upfront and waiting afterwards. Let’s say either wait is of equal length, wouldn’t you agree that it’s nicer to have and enjoy the Mk2, while waiting for the fix?
I for one do for sure!
Waiting is relative. What if you were one of the people who were experiencing loud pops? Is that enjoyment?
You can’t be so broad sweeping. Empathy for others is possible.
Hopefully, the new FPGA to be released soon will cure most of the issues.
I’m still waiting. 
I don’t know what FPGA FW version that my DS MK2 has. Display shows only FW 2.3.6, and the unit ID, which is S/N of my DS MK2.
On the version page, press the down arrow on the button cluster to the right of the display, then you’ll see additional component release numbers.
Thank you, I’ll check it when I got home.
mine that arrived today is 179 Antero. sounds great, waited 5.5 hours to plug in, sounds great right away. no issues first few …
Excellent!
Fully agree here on empathy! It seems to me we were dividing into two camps.
Let’s hope this will all be over once we’ve installed the upcoming update.
I know it’s too late for you, but my personal thought (I’m in Michigan too) on this is to leave the unit sealed in the box for several hours to warm up. This limits how much warm moist air the unit is exposed to. Exposure of the case to some condensation is not so bad, but exposure of the boards inside the case … not so good. Better safe than sorry!
It comes down to personal values to a degree and what the unit is replacing. I respect your thoughts regarding not waiting. To answer your question directly- No. My answer is based on viable products currently on the market and opportunity costs associated with the wait. I’d look elsewhere as there are other fine DACs at similar price points out there. I wouldn’t limit myself to the DSD. I’ll provide an example, the yet to be released Air Lens. I wouldn’t wish the struggles PSA has encountered related to getting it to market. IIRC Paul had stated in early spring of 2021 that it was due out in June 2021. There are many capable streamers out there now that can get the job done with remarkable sonics. Just sayin’.
Okay, it’s 179-Antero.