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

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AstralStorm

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #20 on: September 06, 2013, 10:29:10 AM »
Hehe, going with XMOS for compatibility you say? That's only partly true.
Linux still doesn't truly support this completely with all the possible extras. It's fine if you just expose an audio sink and a source, plus a few mixer element.
Once you expose variable sink/source number, all bets are off. (or a clock selector, but I'm pretty sure XMOS doesn't do this)
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #21 on: September 09, 2013, 04:35:06 AM »
So Rubenpp sent me his OR5 with the turboclocks. Tonight I tested two OR5 units. Both units have upgraded regulators for the i2s output. One unit has the turboclocks and the other does not.

Here's the consensus between my wife and I, and it's not too terribly different from my prior observations in general. Note that we are totally splitting hairs at this point.
  • The turboclocks do tighten things up. They tighten up the image, they tighten up the rendered sounds, they tighten up the bass. The question is of course, what is the extent of this effect? Is it significant enough for me to go "Oh god! I need the turboclocks in similar vein to "Oh god! I need the OR5"? I hate to be nebulous, but it's hard to say. The best answer is almost. This assessment having nothing to do with money.
  • The turboclocks do thin out the sound. This would seem to gel with Anax past impressions with his 2.10fw PWD1->2. In fact, the AGD Master 7 with the turboclocks was starting to sound more like my relatively slightly thinner sounding PWD without the turboclocks.
In the end, I tend agree with Anax's original assessment of the turboclocks being a side-grade. That certain types of music such as speed metal would benefit from the turboclocks.

With the AGD Master 7, I think I prefer the non-turboclocked version of the OR5. The rendered sounds don't have that last few percent of precision, but there's a bit more body and fullness. Hard to describe, but it's sort of a nice comfy feeling of being cradled. A small drop of the Leben effect. It's hard to describe because I certainly don't want people to think this setup is forgiving, overly warm, syrupy, etc. which it is not at all. This setup is still very modern sounding in technicalities, otherwise I would have already called out the AGD Master 7 an overrated piece of shit overly hyped by idiots at HF.

Hope this makes sense to y'all (<- that's one word BTW).
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #22 on: September 09, 2013, 04:56:17 AM »
I had my wife listen to both my PWD and the AGD M7 with the OR5 (non-turboclock version). The track was Journey's Who's Crying Now from the Escape SACD (real-time DSD to PCM 192 conversion via JRiver MC19). This was a volume matched blind test for her. No, it wasn't double blind. No pressure. I didn't even tell her what to listen for or what the test was for. She was simply asked to listen to both tracks from beginning to end with a one minute silent break in between. The PWD was first. The AGD M7 was second. Keeping in mind she really cares more about the content of music than how DACs sound:
  • Within the first few seconds of the AGD M7, she made up her mind: "I like this one better, the first one was more airy and raspy"
  • I asked her about hearing little details: "I can hear the instruments better. Steve Perry sounds closer, and the rest of the instruments are behind him. The instruments are clearer and better placed."
I totally agreed with her. The AGD M7 actually staged better with my PWD. That's definitely news.

I still feel the PWD extracts plankton and renders ambient cues "0.5%" better than the AGD though, but I think it's because the PWD's tonal characteristics, "airy, raspy" of the PWD enhances this aspect.

This is by far one of the toughest DAC comparisons in terms of comparing technicalities that I've ever done, having to go back and forth several times. Where the AGD M7 really pulls away is with it sounding very "not-digital", i.e. having the liquidity and smoothness of vinyl.


P.S. BTW, I ordered it from Kingwa.
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #23 on: September 09, 2013, 05:20:19 AM »
I was going to ask about micro and macro dynamics but I'll enter listening w/ a blank slate to hear for myself.  I wonder how much more, if any, the plankton difference will come to bear through the HD800 and S7.

Have you compared I2S w/ AES on the M7?
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ader

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #24 on: September 09, 2013, 05:37:18 AM »
Quote from: purrin on September 09, 2013, 04:35:06 AM
So Rubenpp sent me his OR5 with the turboclocks. Tonight I tested two OR5 units.

What was the DAC hooked up to?
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fishski13

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #25 on: September 09, 2013, 06:13:46 AM »
probably the best i've heard my AD2000 and K701 sound was with a a RWA Isabellina amp but fronted by an OR5.  i didn't get to hear the pairings without the OR5 since it was meet conditions.  i also wish i could have heard the OR5 paired with my BM DAC1 driving an EHHA or M3/B22 as well.  as a reformed Naim Audio Flat Earther, i still have tingles of the source first mantra.   
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #26 on: September 09, 2013, 06:22:50 AM »
Quote from: Analixus on September 09, 2013, 05:20:19 AM
I was going to ask about micro and macro dynamics but I'll enter listening w/ a blank slate to hear for myself.  I wonder how much more, if any, the plankton difference will come to bear through the HD800 and S7.

Have you compared I2S w/ AES on the M7?


Yeah, hear for yourself. Pick up it later this week, then send it off to Wes @ Neko Audio nearby. He's next on the list.

Use your Denon transport at all costs. The internal USB sucks balls. Knowing what you expect, you may was well throw it in the garbage with USB.


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Maxvla

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #27 on: September 09, 2013, 06:25:26 AM »
So is USB back in the dog house again after briefly becoming acceptable vs coaxial and optical (and now I2S)?
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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #28 on: September 09, 2013, 06:27:42 AM »
Quote from: ader on September 09, 2013, 05:37:18 AM
Quote from: purrin on September 09, 2013, 04:35:06 AM
So Rubenpp sent me his OR5 with the turboclocks. Tonight I tested two OR5 units.

What was the DAC hooked up to?

Mjolnir -> Fostex fe166 backloaded horns (no x-over) with Fostex T90 supertweeters (one cap)
Preamp output of Mjolnir was fed to DCX2496 (as sub processor) -> Hsu STF-2 sub.
FR @ listening position as follows (following Sean Olive's described modified curve, but with slightly less downward slope):

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Marvey

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Re: Audio-GD Master 7 Stream of Consciousness Impressions
« Reply #29 on: September 09, 2013, 06:29:40 AM »
Quote from: Maxvla on September 09, 2013, 06:25:26 AM
So is USB back in the dog house again after briefly becoming acceptable vs coaxial and optical (and now I2S)?


Just saying the AGD M7's specific internal USB sucks balls, in that it takes way too much from the potential of the DAC.
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