Q&A: DENAFRIPS 12th FPGA Firmware Update​

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Dear friends,

Greetings!

We rolled out the DENAFRIPS 12th Anniv. FPGA Firmware Update a couple of weeks ago. That got us really busy! We are working round the clock to support and assist the customers at our level best to make this project a very successful one.

It's very encouraging and rewarding at the same time where almost all the customers who updated the 12th Anniv. FPGA Firmware are very happy with the sound quality improvements.

It's an initiative of Vinshine Audio to reward our loyal customers by providing the latest DENAFRIPS 12th Anniv. FPGA Firmware Update, free of charge.

We received several questions along the way, we are happy to clarify and address the concerns. Should you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us at firmware@vinshineaudio.com

FAQ - Administrative

What is the "Order Number" in the FPGA Firmware Request webform?

If you have purchased the DAC from Vinshine Audio or our Authorised Partners (thank you!), you should have received an Order Number. If you have lost the Order Number for any reason, please do not be worried, you may enter 'Vinshine Audio' instead.

We understand some of you may have purchased the DAC used and/or from the grey market (sadly). Vinshine Audio is willing to extend our goodwill support to you. We are good people afterall. Please enter 'Used' or 'Grey' in the Order Number.

Why is there a need to take a photo of the FPGA Chip in the DAC?

The Firmware Update Tool (FUT) is built specifically for the DAC model (i..e Ares II, Pontus II, etc) and the FPGA model (i.e. EP4CE6F, EP4CE22F). It is absolutely cruicial to share with us a photo of the FPGA chip in the DAC, and tell us which DAC you are using - in order for us to provide the correct FUT to you.

This minimize the risks of bricking the DAC, hence, minimize your cost to have the DAC ship it back to us to service (Service Centre @ US, EU, SG).

What are the risk % like to bricking the DAC?

We have received 650 firwmare update requests so far (2023, 20th March), only a handful of the customers had trouble updating the DAC and/or brick the DAC. It is less than 0.1%.

What happened if the update failed, and DAC bricked and no long function?

You will need to ship the DAC back to our service points at your cost, we will fix the DAC and return it to you. You agree to cover both way shipping fees, and any applicable import fees.

Consent to Terms:

• By utilizing this FPGA Firmware Update Tool, you acknowledge and assume full responsibility for any risks involved.

• If the FPGA Firmware Update were to fail for any reason, it may result in the DAC becoming inoperable.

• In the event of the DAC becoming inoperable, you agree to cover: the cost of two-way shipping and any applicable import fees to return the DAC to us. Vinshine Audio will repair the DAC and return it to you.

FAQ - Technical ​

I do not use the USB input, is the FPGA Firwmare Update relavant to me?

The FPGA firmware update applies and affect all digital inputs (positively). If the procedure/risk of the firmware update are manageable, we highly recommend you to update the firmware.

I have updated the USB MCU firmware in the past. Do I need to update the FPGA Firwmare?

There are two firmwares running on the DSP module, USB MCU and FPGA Firmwares. We rolled out USB MCU firwmare update several times in the past, to improve the USB compability with various sources/transport/computers. The FPGA firmware update is not the same. The update reflashes the FPGA chip, changes how the DAC process the digital signals, NOS/OS filters etc. Updating the USB MCU firmware does not have an effect to the FPGA firmware. However, updating the FPGA will always update the USB MCU firmware, follow by FPGA firmware.

I am very happy with the DAC as it is, do I need to update?

If you're happy with the sound quality of the DAC, and do not have issues pairing it with the equipment in your system, you do not need to update the firmware. However, if the procedure/risk of the firmware update are manageable, we highly recommend you to update the firmware. The firmware update may elevate the sound quality of your system and give you even more of everything - for free.

What to expect after the firmware update?

In short, you would expect greater macro and micro details rendition, greater extension in treble (by no means - harsh), larger soundstage (depth and width), and more importantly, retain the good-old 'analog-sound' of DENAFRIPS is best known for.

Controversial Topic: After the firmware update, is the DAC a true NOS DAC?

The firmware update changes the NOS response to what Vinshine Audio believes it's NOS (Raw, Staircase Waveform output for 44.1kHz / 48kHz). Let's be frank. We do not have the means and resources to measure the in-depth NOS response with the highly sophisticated Audio Precision APX Analyzer. The AP costs too much at this point in time for us to invest one. A simple waveform analyzer/oscilopscope showed that the repsonse of the 44.1kHz / 48kHz, in NOS mode, was a classic raw staircase waveform, identical to that of NOS. Moreover, we have been told by the DENAFRIPS firmware engineer, in NOS mode, there is no oversampling, linear-interpolation or any of that sorts. These lead us to believe the DAC is indeed NOS, in our terms.

DENAFRIPS FPGA Firmware Update Guide: link here

Team Vinshine Audio