I think that if, after unzipping, there is only 1 bit mistaken that the update process won’t take. This is because of the CRC’s that are used.
The bad loads are probably the consequence of parameter values that are somehow not working with the new code.
With other words, if after an update the DSD screen shows Windom (4.0.1) then the update (and all of the used files) was 100% correct. Maybe Ted can explain on this.
My answer’s simple. No. We start with the latest (in this case Snowmass) and then we run through the 20 compiles, sorting each into piles of good, bad, and great. All our judgments are based on performance. How close it it to our ideal of reproducing live music
with all its richness in tact. Once we find we’ve beaten the older version (we don’t always) we never really listen to it again. We’re working against there absolute sound.
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Thank you very much.
I will only be able to use my Ok Syndney Audioquest RCA cable this week-end. If results are conclusive, I may look for better ones.
I must admit it would pain me if the power-in RCA connection were to sound better because I just bought a used (demo with 25% off regular price) pair of excellent Audience AU24 XLR cables.
I will see …
Note: Accuphase mentions that the E-370 has 34μV of the actual noise voltage, which is 30% lower(-3dB) than the former model E-360. Hopefully for me, the pre-amp section proves to be as good as using the power-in connection, otherwise I may end-up spending more time & money upgrading cables.
Look at this post from Ted: Was Upcoming DS release - Now Windom has been released
Thank you, so Ted already explainded this topic 
Thought I’d share my experiences with Windom so far. I tend to agree with the prevailing setiment that there is an increased sense of 3D imaging and just general richness. Just wonderful, really. I didn’t think things could get much better after Snowmass, but sure enough, better! One of my go to albums to discern changes in my system is Bowie Ziggy Stardust which I stream on Tidal MQA through roon and B2. On that album it sseems like you can reach out and touch the performers. There is a deeper and wider soundstage, definitely. And as for the bass, I find it to be definitely tighter. I have dual JL Audio F110 phase aligned with my speakers at the XO frequency of 80 Hz (which is ideal for my room for whatever reason) and I get more impact at low and mid bass. More precise “thump” on my chest, all things being equal, which I love! I could see how some might mistake the “tightening” for a decrease in bass presence. I think sometimes a phase misaligned XO frequency sounds a little fatter and meatier, but it lacks the impact. Kick drums are a great way to test this. If it sounds more natural and impactful, then it’s probably “tighter”. If it’s just a little louder, probably not. Anyway, thanks PSA and thanks to TED!
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I finally got a chance to audition Windom in my system and I think it is a pretty clear and definite improvement. The things I like are the soundstage/imaging, and that it sounds more like analogue and DSD where Snowmass was a little more like typical PCM to my ears. There is much less grain, grit and distortion, and I think the texture and bite from those things are what those who went back to Snowmass miss. But you can’t get finer resolution and better imaging without dialing back the distortion and noise. Whatever was done on this release, more please!
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When you commence the upgrade process you have an SD card (Sr) or USB drive (Jr). I have a Jr and never encountered any upgrade issues in either firmware or bridge software. I use the same procedure each time. I start with a USB drive, format it (not quick…the lengthy version), open the .ZIP file, select all the files, right-click on the files and select copy, right-click on the USB drive and select Paste, then finally right-click and select eject. I power off the Jr, pause for effect, insert the USB drive and power on.
I"m wondering how much of the difficulty folks have could be avoided with a freshly formatted USB drive, and using the eject command. I’m not questioning anyone’s procedures or care, but am curious that the PS Audio supplied drivers are not so problematic.
Happy listening! (Oh, and I like Windom after the Jr warmed up and settled in.)
Hullo My name is Ron. I’m an audiokuholic. I like Snowmass better. There, I’ve said it. I hope y’ll all have me back.
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Bad load issue:
Here is what works for me - every time;
- Download the latest as zip and unzip to folder with same name (at desired path)
- Use the standard SD card delivered by PS Audio and put it in the SD card reader (external or internal). In this case formatting is optional
- Make a new instance of Win Explorer (if on Mac, use Finder)
- Select the files on the SD card (root) and delete them (backup is not required because the FW versions can be found on PS Audio website)
- Select the files in the folder (Item 1) and drag them to the empty SD card (copy-paste also works)
- Make sure to eject the SD card in an appropriate manner prior to removing the card from PC
- Power off (at the rear) the DS
- Click the SD card in place on the DS slot (label facing down)
- Restore power on the DS and wait for the new FW to install (blinking PS button)
- Wait for the Initialization process to complete
- Click the SD card on the rear to make sure that it doesn´t reload during a reboot (it shouldn’t) and leave it in the slot as an archive solution. Note that Bridge users may need the SD card mounted in order to show album art
- Do a reboot of the DS and wait for the initialization to complete
- Push the cogwheel in the display and verify loading of the correct FW version
- Return to home screen
- Done!
Snowmass vs Windom: More reverb. Sharper attack on the leading edge of the bass strings. Richer, more timbre, texture on the horn. Sharper, maybe a bit piercing on the vibes. Piano more realistic, weighty. More “in the room”. A lot more reverb. How can there be more reverb with noisier background?
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I know that software is very system dependent but this system is better top to bottom with Windom. I did have to back the sub volume down a couple dB but everything is better. The softest sounds have more clarity. The loudest passages are still crystal clear. The bass did get a boost in clarity and presence. Just got another new DAC for the price of a 2gig SD card and a few minutes time. Thanks to the whole PSA group.
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Same here, I use JRiver to Bridge II playing Windom vs Snowmass.
SACD ISO sounds fantastic.
PCM high rez is not much improvement as DSD.
14/66 PCM is bit hard to swallow after DSD audition, though it doesn’t mean there is no improvement…
I’ll second that. The first thing that I noticed and commented on was that DSD rips and SACD sounds fantastic with Windom. PCM is not improved much.
It amazes me all the different reactions to Windom. My DMP is back for service so I have had to audition using JRiver via USB. The improvement to the PCM is very significant and pleasing. I have played some DSD files and the sound great too. Soundstage has grown in all dimensions. Bass is better defined. Sound feels so much more like live musicians in the venue. Thanks to Ted, Paul and everyone at PS Audio.
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My appetite is surely whetted for this upgrade! My card will arrive soon I hope.
It’s so interesting the different reactions and impressions. I am really really enjoying Snowmass 3.06 after a month or so of settling in and futzing, so I think I’m in just the right spot for Windom.
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Perhaps cosmic rays are causing all the load problems. Bits are being flipped from space! 
I wonder whether the decision on the compile version chosen might have been influenced by recent changes at PS Audio. New listening rooms, new AN3 prototype, recent reacquaintance with vinyl’s strengths through the new Stellar phono preamp, etc.
Just a thought (no, I’m not trying to stir the pot ;-).
[Caveat Emptor: I may be nuts]
I honestly do not possess the audio knowledge to follow much of the feedback about Windom. Meaning, I’ve never had the audiophile lingo linked to the actual sounds, as defined by someone who knows such things. I can articulate about bass, a bit about soundstage, and whether or not the high end is too harsh which is peeve of mine - but this is driven by my self invented definitions. I last heard a vinyl record as a kid in 1978, and listened to cassette tapes for most of the 80’s on low end systems. Thus I have no credible memory or knowledge of what “analog” actually sounds like other than it seems like a good idea based on copious amounts of internet reading, like Shagri-la or some other mythological utopia.
Which is all to say, I have no way of knowing if I have a good or bad Windom load based upon reading this forum. So I took a different approach deciding to do many of things read on this forum to insure a “good” load, which went like this:
Windom —> Huron (virgin clean as snow unzipped files from PSA) —> removed USB drive —> rebooted twice, pausing a bit between —> loaded Windom (virgin clean as snow unzipped files from PSA) —> removed USB drive —> rebooted twice, pausing in between. (Thanks @Jovo3 for the double boot idea)
The results have been good, better than my initial load - so there’s something to whole reload thing, which is disconcerting as a process. There’s undoubtably an improved soundstage over Snowmass. I tested using some well known bass centric tracks that can be too much bass when using the Roon EQ to boost. On Windom, there was perhaps a tad more bass than Snowmass as I had to dial back a bit more to prevent my house from caving in. I’m undecided about the top end, Snowmass seemed a little more smooth to me, but its not a big difference. Windom is more detailed, I heard things I had never heard before in those familiar bass tracks.
With Ben Webster’s “Gentle Ben” (DSD 64), I could hear the effects of his reed to a remarkable level, better than Snowmass.
The soundstage improvements with Windom have me committed to playing around with various HQPlayer filters to fine tune the rest.
I’m curious if any other HQPlayer users have switched filters/ dither to suit Windom, and if so, which ones and to what effect?
I keep coming back to this for PCM:
poly-sinc-xtr-lp, NS5, upsample all PCM to 352.8
And this for DSD:
poly-sinc-xtr-lp, ASDM7, upsample all DSD to DSD128
These settings give me wonderful sounding music regardless if it is PCM or DSD.
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