@aaronm Is there a reason why there are seemingly two UI firmware files in the compressed file (see below)? I am guessing that both the “dsdmk2_v3.1.0.bin” and “image.bin” are the same binary and that the former was simply renamed to the latter.
I’m not sure whether the code is only specifically looking for “image.bin” or if that’s just an arbitrary convention your engineers came up with, but could you confirm that the “dsdmk2_v3.1.0.bin” isn’t necessary? Sorry if this seems pedantic, but I do transmit a lot of picky data in my day job and was just worried that this could be confusing.for some.
EDIT: Ok, I guess I should read more carefully. Reading the release notes, it’s clear to me that the inclusion of both files seems to have been intended, but now I wonder why? Surely there’s a good reason, and not just that they’re the same and it doesn’t matter?
I just followed the instructions and it was all straightforward.
Loving Massive! More slam, presence and immediacy, detail, decay, bass. It’s lively!
@tedsmith - thank you for channeling your genius gifts into this wonderful field of music reproduction, and thank you to the rest of the PS Audio family for everything else that it takes.
For the DS there were approx. 3 releases of software per year at the beginning and more like one every 18 months years later. Each improved the sound for most customers, but people were always free to use older versions it they chose. The changes in sound quality always came from doing things in a more precise, more accurate way, more mathematically pure or more taps in a filter, etc. Not from tailoring the sound somehow. After a while you couldn’t see any difference in the measurement of anything from release to release tho the sound would keep getting better.
With the Mk II my personal goal is to do a sound quality increase release every couple of years. I have rough ideas for things to try for the first couple of releases.
@tedsmith , @Paul just an idea for hard-core listeners seeking best SQ - could adding UI option to turn OFF unused inputs (instead of ON / Auto) improve the Sound Quality?
Auto input Power does turn off inputs that aren’t currently selected. However Auto input Power and Auto input select are independent and at times an external device can provide enough power over the I2S signal lines to activate an input (The FPGA doesn’t know about Auto input Power and merely reacts to changing inputs.)
Installed the update last night in just a few minutes with no issues. Immediate and impactful SQ upgrade. Soundstage really widened. More air, separation and decay. Although I really am not one to notice, blacker background too. Listened to redbook CD via I2S from the PST and various streaming bitrates via USB from my Auralic Aries 1.1. SACD and DSD listening to follow.
What has always really impressed me is how the MKII makes any source sound phenomenal. I usually stream soma.fm radio while I get settled in for a listening session. Even that 256k stream sounds amazing. I don’t feel compelled to look for DSD 512 for everything I listen to.
Thank you Ted, Paul, beta team and all at PS Audio for yet another superb upgrade.
Breakin time will depend on how long each previous release was installed. Also it can be very subtle for some and a little more obvious for others. I’d expect most of the change to have happened by hour 100 or so.
There’s a long lead time in print magazine reviews. The TAS review was finished months before this release.
That is to indicate you have auto input select active. If you start signal on an input other than the one you have selected the DAC switches to the new source.
It was great doing the testing and being able to help. Unfortunately very shortly we will be moving and new room will take a bit to build so I will not be much help for next release.
(The FPGA doesn’t know about Auto input Power and merely reacts to changing inputs.)