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Author Topic: Audio-GD DI-2014  (Read 1215 times)

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Luckbad

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2015, 02:47:21 AM »

Okay, figured a roundabout way to at least test my NOS-1704 when it gets here to ensure that it technically functions.

Asus Maximus VII Hero Motherboard S/PDIF (Realtek selected in Foobar/JRiver) -> Audio-GD NOS-1704 -> Sound Blaster DBpro RCA -> Sound Blaster ZxR (Default Device) "Listen to Device" on the DBpro.

I'm listening to it like this right now (Realtek S/PDIF -> DBpro S/PDIF -> Listen to Device on ZxR) without the Audio-GD in the sequence and it actually doesn't sound that bad. I was half expecting it to destroy my headphones or something, so I plugged in my Sennheiser HD598s in case something went awry (really, a $150 headphone as a guinea pig?).

I can also perform RMAA/REW measurements using the same method to ensure nothing is horribly out of whack.

I might also pick up a super cheap amplifier to test the chain properly before I get the DI-2014. Or if I'm not feeling lazy I can dig up the X-Fi Titanium HD and simplify things a little by using its RCA line in from the NOS-1704 and I can play things without the "Listen to Device" crap.

Edit: Or I can be a little less stupid and use the DBpro's S/PDIF Out -> NOS-1704 -> DBpro S/PDIF In. It measures itself quite well (much better than the Realtek ALC1150 or whatever S/PDIF my motherboard outputs with).
http://www.basshead.club/measurements/zxr/dbpro_dbpro.html

Edit 2 (don't want to keep polluting the recent posts column): I ordered a review unit of the Project Polaris from Garage1217 that'll come this week. I'll compare it directly with the Liquid Carbon as well. I don't want to get a fancy new NOS-1704 DAC and sully my first impressions with a crap amplifier.

I'm hoping that after listening to the NOS-1704 for a bit from TOSLINK, I'll get audible improvement using the DI-2014. If I don't, then... welp. I'm not a clinical listener, so it's possible I won't hear a difference, especially combined with the forgiving nature of NOS dacs. It might take a Yggy, Master 7, etc. to show improvements with the converter. Which is what you pyrates are for.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2015, 07:35:00 PM by Luckbad »
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Luckbad

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2015, 02:34:40 AM »

It's here. I'm still waiting for my dac to use it with. Should come Monday.

Anyone in OC who wants to check it out ping me and maybe we can set something up. Gotta check with the wife first of course.
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Luckbad

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2015, 07:54:29 AM »

Okay, finally putting this thing to use.

Audio-GD DI-2014 -> NOS-1704 -> C-2 Class A

My first impressions were an emotional roller coaster.

It immediately sounded awesome... but I had never heard the NOS-1704. In any case, it sounded pretty glorious.

30 seconds later it stopped playing through foobar2000.

WTF.

I tried increasing buffer size in foobar2000 and the Via ASIO control panel. Nope. Still stops before finishing even a single song.

Then I remembered testing all of my USB outputs for audio quality and one of them was far better than the others.

Eureka! Sorta. It's on the front, and I'd really rather use one of the back ones. But I've now listened to ~10 songs in with no dropouts.

Gad, I am cursed by crappy USB. I had the same issues with a Schiit Wyrd.

Anyway, it's finally working.

I have it hooked up to three inputs that I can quickly swap to in foobar2000 with the same song with only momentary interruption.

My order of preference for connection:
1. BNC from DI-2014 using DIR9001
2. Coaxial from DI-2014 using CS8416
3. TOSLINK from DBpro using CS8416

There is an audible improvement going from the TOSLINK of my sound card to coax via the DI-2014. Everything is a little bit clearer.

Again, there is an audible increase in clarity going from coax to BNC because the BNC input uses the DIR9001 while the other inputs use CS8416.

The only drawback is that DIR9001 can only do 96kHz while CS8416 can go up to 192kHz.

In any case, this converter is great compared to the zero others I've ever heard. It's nice to be able to hear a definitive improvement over the TOSLINK of my DBpro.

This combo of gear has given me super hardcore upgraditis. I now want a Master 11, which would make this DI-2014 completely unnecessary.
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Hands

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2015, 03:16:37 PM »

DIR9001 > CS8416 even if it is limited to 96KHz. Lower jitter, more neutral, better technicalities across the board. And that's not even talking about any DAC implementation...well, for the most part.
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Luckbad

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2015, 03:41:05 PM »

If anyone wants the Audio-GD DI-2014 I just got, let me know ASAP via PM. It's excellent, but after hearing my setup (DI-2014 -> NOS-1704 -> C-2 Class A), I want to sell it all and get a Master 11. Kingwa will let me return the DI-2014 since I'm spending stupid money there soon, but I can avoid international shipping if one of you wants it.

I also have Audio-GD RCA cables and BNC cable and a Blue Jeans RCA->BNC cable if you need it. I can also return the first two.

Let me know today if you're interested because I'll be shipping it back tomorrow most likely.
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Luckbad

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Re: Audio-GD DI-2014
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2015, 03:42:11 PM »

DIR9001 > CS8416 even if it is limited to 96KHz. Lower jitter, more neutral, better technicalities across the board. And that's not even talking about any DAC implementation...well, for the most part.
I didn't expect it to be so obviously sonically superior. It's an input! But I could very easily tell which input was better.
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