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Author Topic: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions  (Read 22493 times)

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Marvey

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Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« on: September 05, 2013, 07:14:16 PM »
Thanks to SoupRKnowva for sharing.

Just writing down a few things which come to mind.

EDIT: USB Impressions (Coax and I2s later...)

POSITIVES
  • Excels in overall tonality (using base Empirical Audio OffRamp 5 SPDIF output). A+
  • Provides excellent continuity in time. Very liquid continuous sound, as in doesn't sound like slices of data pieced together. A+/A
  • Very good plankton extraction. B/B+
NEGATIVES
  • Using built-in USB, slight brittleness with the treble. Presence region laid back. Darkish / warm slope, but with a very slight mid/high treble emphasis. Use of OR5 completely 100% fixes these tonal issues.
  • Shallow soundstage / poor layering and separation of sounds.
  • Ill-defined placement of instruments and occasional hole-it-middle effect. Especially bad with built-in USB. OR5 USB->SPDIF adapter does help with soundstage.
  • The built-in VIA USB is very mediocre. I've decided against using it. The rest of the impressions will rely on the OR5.
  • Sucks a of power from the outlet. Generates a ton of heat. An environmental disaster for a DAC.
Trying to get the I2S to work. I hate terminating RJ-45 connections.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2013, 11:54:32 PM by purrin »
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2013, 08:06:35 PM »
Need some help with the RJ-45 I2S connection between the OR5 and AGD M7. Any technical guys, please chime in to see if I did anything dumb. I checked the each in/out on the cable, so I know the crimp job is good.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2013, 08:15:48 PM by purrin »
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SoupRKnowva

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2013, 08:45:37 PM »
I totally forgot to tell you, I am pretty sure that Darryl had Kingwa change the pinout on the RJ-45 i2s input so it would be compatible with the OR5, you should just be able to use a straight cable then I think
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2013, 08:57:26 PM »
Quote from: SoupRKnowva on September 05, 2013, 08:45:37 PM
I totally forgot to tell you, I am pretty sure that Darryl had Kingwa change the pinout on the RJ-45 i2s input so it would be compatible with the OR5, you should just be able to use a straight cable then I think


Godammit.
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SoupRKnowva

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2013, 09:01:47 PM »
Quote from: purrin on September 05, 2013, 08:57:26 PM
Quote from: SoupRKnowva on September 05, 2013, 08:45:37 PM
I totally forgot to tell you, I am pretty sure that Darryl had Kingwa change the pinout on the RJ-45 i2s input so it would be compatible with the OR5, you should just be able to use a straight cable then I think


Godammit.

I sorry :( I totally space it marv
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2013, 09:04:40 PM »
LOL. No problem. After all these years doing IT related work, I've gotten very very good at re-terminating RJ-45s with my own special tricks.

With OR5 I2S, 50% chance I will sell the PWD1->2 and get myself an AGD M7. That's where stands right now. Need further evaluation. I've heard so much stuff by now that it really takes me a few seconds to decide - as long as I use one of my evaluation recordings. The fact that it's a tough decision means volumes on the Master 7. I'm not sure other PWD owners here would feel the same way though. More later.
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SoupRKnowva

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2013, 09:08:11 PM »
Quote from: purrin on September 05, 2013, 09:04:40 PM
LOL. No problem. After all these years doing IT related work, I've gotten very very good at re-terminating RJ-45s with my own special tricks.

With OR5 I2S, 50% chance I will sell the PWD1->2 and get myself an AGD M7. That's where stands right now. Need further evaluation. I've heard so much stuff by now that it really takes me a few seconds to decide - as long as I use one of my evaluation recordings. The fact that it's a tough decision means volumes on the Master 7.

now that is what I wanted to hear

And you've also convinced me that I need to spend some of that money I saved by buying the M7 instead of a 5-7k dac, on an Offramp. Though since it uses the RJ-45, there isn't a hynes regulator for that output as an option, so I figure I'll just get the ultraclocks and be done
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2013, 09:09:40 PM »
I'll probably do a master comparo to DACs I have on hand: Lavry DA11, Schiit Gungir, PWD1->2. Will use OR5 I2S if available, otherwise SDPIF. I'll keep a separate column for Master 7 built-in USB as well???, but honestly, if you are spending $2K on a DAC, what's another $1-$2K on a proper transport?
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2013, 09:13:41 PM »

The ultraclocks may be a good idea for the Master 7. As Anax and I have stated, the ultraclocks where perhaps too much of a good thing for the PWD1->2, especially for Anax who has running firmware 2.10/2.20 which has a bit of treble sheen. Steve @ EA did mention that the ultraclocked unit could do better with a proper megabuck PSU. I think he just wants us to give him more money (just kidding Steve! if you are reading this), but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Actually, the way to go is probably to get fishski13 here to build an AMB power supply for the OR5.
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2013, 09:26:40 PM »
OMFG. Feeding the Audio-GD Master 7 I2S from the OR5 is fucking awesome. (keeping in my that my OR5 has the regular upgrade for only the I2S, not SPDIF out). More plankton, way more microdynamics, better layering, separation, etc. The Master 7 just digs into the music as good as the PWD1->2, or it not, it's getting very very close. More in-depth comparison later just to make sure. (not a good idea to hot-swap I2S - so harder to compare)

The Master 7 users out there using the built-in USB have no clue what they are missing.
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