ProUSB module - versions and upgradeability?

Support
1

I have three MSB ProUSB modules.
Please refer the embedded image of a screen snapshot from the MSB website.

The first one was from ~6 years ago, shaped like a Bat Wing / shark egg (depending on your visual perspective/preference), used with my Select II DAC. Since I’ve never upgraded its Firmware, I’m quite sure it’s still running Version 1.xxx

The second one was bought about ~1 year ago together with my Cascade DAC, in anticipation of the Sentinel DAC requiring one. It’s the newer rectangular form factor, but since it’s still shrink-wrapped in its protective bubble/box, I’m not sure which Firmware version it’s running on.

The third one was shipped together with my Sentinel DAC just ~2 months ago. A small black sticker underneath says “Firmware V3”.

Questions:

  1. what are the differences between Firmware 1, 2 and 3?
  2. what are the hardware difference between the Bat Wing/shark egg shaped and the more recent rectangular modules?
  3. Can the older ProUSB module be traded in for the new module (if better hardware performance is desired)?
  4. which Firmware might be pre-loaded in my rectangular ProUSB module bought ~1 year ago?
  5. the MSB website still shows the latest Firmware as Version 2.0. When was Firmware 3.0 released, and why is it not downloadable on the MSB website (yet)?

MSB ProUSB versions 1, 2 or 3
MSB ProUSB versions 1, 2 or 31786×1393 183 KB

2

I’ll answer this question as best I can. First, it’s important to know that ProUSB modules use two distinct sets of firmware:

  • Firmware 1 (USB Audio Chip Firmware): This is the field-updatable firmware available on our website. You can check this version using the MSB Driver on a Windows computer.

  • Firmware 2 (ProUSB Module / ProISL Code): This is not remotely upgradable and is indicated by a sticker on the module itself.

Versions V1, V2, and V3 deliver the exact same sonic performance. The only difference comes down to an ongoing battle with different audio servers.

As audio server software updates, commonly becoming less stable, we notice an increased number of ticks and pops during track and sample rate changes. These are not ticks/pops caused by the DAC, but in the actual data stream from the server. We’ve seen every error you can imagine. The changes between V1, V2, and V3 are strictly aimed at better detecting and muting these transition errors caused by different servers. Again, the audio quality remains identical across all 3 of these versions.

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3

Great clear answers - thank you, Daniel. Ooh what a headache it must be to chase ever-changing data protocols!

The important takeaway for me is that sonically, the different versions of the ProUSB sound identically excellent.

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