Topic: Audio-gd preamps/dacs (Read 3582 times)

Lieberung · « **on:** January 19, 2014, 09:33:00 AM »

Hi, first post!
I know this may be primarily a headphone related forum but Im seeking advice from other peoples experiences on some Audio-GD equipment and it seems I have found the right place for that

Last year I went from a passive (audiolab+accuphase+tannoy) to an active system (audiolab+ATC). Not so much a step up, more of a sideways step I guess, but Im pretty satisfied since the speakers better mach my small living room. The source is an Audiolab 8200 CDQ cdp/dac/pre combo and it works fine, its easy to use and sound great, but one day when posting something on the ATC forum someone claimed that I really should try out a good multibut dac with my new ATC's (the audiolab is d/s, has the ESS Sabre chip). I in search for a good multibit I found a lot of intriguing articles regarding Audio-GD dacs, equipment which really looks impressive and reasonably priced. So now Im considering upgrading source and premap to seperate solution with Audio-gd Master 1 (preamp) and Audio-gd Master 7 (dac).

Ive read lots of great things about the Master 7 but cant find that many reviews on the Master 1. Anyone here heard the Master 1 and would like to give their thoughts on the unit (or other audio-gd preamps?) Is it easy to use (for my other half) ? How is build quality, and not least sound quality?

I have a Audio-GD dealer close by who has offered me the M7 for loan, but Ill save 30-40% buying directly from Audio.-GD, so I dont think its fair loaning for home demo if Im not intending buying from the dealer.

AstralStorm · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2014, 01:09:37 PM »

These things aren't as good as they're described. The ESS implementation in Master 7 is broken and suffers from digititus, though that might not be as audible with speakers.
There is a great DAC thread somewhere around, just look it up.

Master 1 I have not heard either, but Audio-gd stuff is hit and miss, more miss than hit IMO.

Lieberung · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2014, 02:23:32 PM »

Thanks for the reply Astralstrom.
The Master 7 actually has 8x PCM1704, i.e. multibit (or ladder dac, is it the same thing?) and the main reason why I wanted to investigate futher into it. Im no expert, but anyways its supposed to be the top of the line dac from AGD. I have read some mixed feedback. The finnish I have seen in pictures on some units and remotes seemes sloppy http://www.hifisentralen.no/forumet/hodetelefoner/66802-audio-gd-10-2-dac-hodetelefonforsterker.html, and the general design isnt quite eye candy either, but that is secondary to me. I listen to a wide viriaty of music and have tried out several dacs like dacmagic, lavry da11, accuphase da20, and now audiolab cdq. all of these was tried out on my prevous amps and speakers (accuphase & Tannoy DV10t) and the Lavry didn't do it quite for me. It was pleasant to listen to but too polite, it had no slam in the drums when playing Metallica etc. . One of my concerns is that someone wrote that the M7 had the same sound as the Lavry. Someone else complained it was "distant sounding" and that seems about right on how I remember the Lavry DA11.
Perhaps this is just a wild goose chase, or I wont really find out before I visit the dealer for a demo.

Hands · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2014, 03:45:33 PM »

FWIW, my NOS-1704 from A-GD seems to be well built. I like the finish on it. And I've heard a lot of good things about the M7 on here, but it sounds like you need a good setup leading up to it (note that purrin uses the OR5).

Lieberung · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2014, 05:05:16 PM »

Thanks Hans. Good to hear that you are satisfied with your unit. Is it the reference 5, ref 10.32 or ref 7.1?
I have also read that M7's without doubt best input is the i2S in conjuction with OR5, meaning throwing another $1,299 into the pile. Isn't it a bit strange that there's so big difference in sound quality between the native spdif or usb inputs and the i2S on the unit?

Marvey · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2014, 05:40:50 PM »

The M7 via it's internal USB32 lacks a little bit of slam, attack, dynamics. It's soft sounding. The bass is also lazy and hazy (but there is still plenty of it) with the USB32. Background was also really gray. I use the OR5 to correct these issues. Even then, certain DACs like the PWD2 and Gungnir kick a tad harder. The USB32 firmware just got updated. I have not tried it out yet.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/693798/ranking-of-21-dacs-and-dac-configurations-and-why-chocolate-ice-cream-must-die

Marvey · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2014, 05:52:09 PM »

Quote from: purrin on January 19, 2014, 05:40:50 PM

The M7 via it's internal USB32 lacks a little bit of slam, attack, dynamics. It's soft sounding. The bass is also lazy and hazy (but there is still plenty of it) with the USB32. Background was also really gray. I use the OR5 to correct these issues. Even then, certain DACs like the PWD2 and Gungnir kick a tad harder (just one tiny notch - sufficient for me to find it acceptable.). The USB32 firmware just got updated. I have not tried it out yet.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/693798/ranking-of-21-dacs-and-dac-configurations-and-why-chocolate-ice-cream-must-die

Hands · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2014, 05:56:23 PM »

Quote from: Lieberung on January 19, 2014, 05:05:16 PM

Thanks Hans. Good to hear that you are satisfied with your unit. Is it the reference 5, ref 10.32 or ref 7.1?

It's none of those. See my post.

Lieberung · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2014, 06:13:13 PM »

Quote from: purrin on January 19, 2014, 05:52:09 PM

NOS-1704

Thanks for joining in Purrin, :-)
Have you heard Audiolab CDQ or Lavry DA11 and how does it/they compare in dynamics/slam/attack to the M7?

Lieberung · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2014, 06:16:14 PM »

Quote from: Lieberung on January 19, 2014, 06:13:13 PM

Quote from: purrin on January 19, 2014, 05:52:09 PM
NOS-1704
Thanks for joining in Purrin, :-)
Have you heard Audiolab CDQ or Lavry DA11 and how does it/they compare in dynamics/slam/attack to the M7?

Oh, sorry. I wasnt aware of the the "NOS-1704" unit until now.

Author Topic: Audio-gd preamps/dacs (Read 3582 times)

Lieberung

Audio-gd preamps/dacs

AstralStorm

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Lieberung

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Hands

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Lieberung

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Marvey

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Marvey

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Hands

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Lieberung

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

Lieberung

Re: Audio-gd preamps/dacs

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Author Topic: Audio-gd preamps/dacs (Read 3582 times)