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Audio-gd Reference 1 DAC (56 K warning) - Page 6

post #76 of 2431
3/31/09 at 7:54pm
But we don't really know how good asynchronous will fare against the other source methods used in audio-gd products. Quite frankly I think computer audio is a total mess atm, imo there's no need to seriously consider USB input from the computer for the next few years.

Let me rephrase that, I mean high-end audio equipment manufacturers should not be expending too much time/energy on getting asynchronous software.
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post #77 of 2431
3/31/09 at 9:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mik View Post
Not suprising. Its USB support would be USB to SPDIF conversion then which should be no better than connecting a Trends UD-10.1 (or equivalent) to a coaxial input on the dac. Getting USB to work above 16/48 is not so easy.

I'm hopeful Kingwa will eventually support asynchronous USB in future products but it could take a while. Until then, I think I'll stick with my Trends to get USB audio from my PC since I know what to expect from it. I've heard 16/48-limited USB inputs on dacs sound worse than the Trends USB to SPDIF conversion, but none that sound better so far.
I've had the same experience with my Trends. Preferred digital coax connection through it over direct usb connection of my old Stello DA100.
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post #78 of 2431
4/1/09 at 1:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnaKinDV8 View Post
According to Kingwa - "The upgrade DAC19 has USB and optical input.Besides,the box is aluminium.Other function will be same with the DAC19." Size will be near the size of Compass, its usb will still be limited to 16/48 though.
Add two separate power transformers instead of one which DAC19SE had.. and maybe , and this is purely a guess.. I have a feeling it will have DSP1 chip and if thats the case then REF3 which he was talking about looks to me would be scrapped..

EDIT. mistake - it will have only one transformer but it would be upgraded to R-Coil type..
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post #79 of 2431
4/1/09 at 3:18am
Kingwa said that the Reference series will have the DSP1 chip, and the non-reference series wont.
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post #80 of 2431
4/1/09 at 3:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post
Kingwa said that the Reference series will have the DSP1 chip, and the non-reference series wont.
In that case, I guess my guess was wrong.. but then DAC3DV also has the DSP1 chip..
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post #81 of 2431
4/1/09 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandchak View Post
In that case, I guess my guess was wrong.. but then DAC3DV also has the DSP1 chip..
I guess it's filling the void left by the Reference 3 not being complete.
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post #82 of 2431
4/1/09 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post
I guess it's filling the void left by the Reference 3 not being complete.
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post #83 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobsmith View Post
Here is some more info about the Ref3, straight from Kingwa - "DAC REF3 is a DAC like REF1 but without balance, it use CAST output technology, size like Compass, Now I re-design it add the USB/optial/coaxial input, I think can for sale at May."

Also, there is a hidden page on the Ref3 that is still up on Audio-GD's site, though I think it is out of date with respect to the redesign: н¨ÍøÒ³ 1
I am ordering some items from them (the new DAC-19SEMK3) and this is the response I got from Cherry regarding their current and future USB enabled DAC's:

"Dear Tim,
Except for the compass and DAC19MK3,the DAC-200(is the DAC-100 upgrade version) has the USB.
Best regards.
Cherry"

Just an FYI. Not to say he wouldn't do a custom order on the other DAC's.
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post #84 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by haloxt View Post
But we don't really know how good asynchronous will fare against the other source methods used in audio-gd products. Quite frankly I think computer audio is a total mess atm, imo there's no need to seriously consider USB input from the computer for the next few years.

Let me rephrase that, I mean high-end audio equipment manufacturers should not be expending too much time/energy on getting asynchronous software.
Not to derail this thread too much, but lossless audio from a computer can be a very high quality source and is extremely convenient and fun to use. Most computers these days (laptops) don't have firewire, spdif, or optical outputs so you're left with usb. I think it's perfectly legitimate to try to make usb audio as good as possible, and there's definitely a market for it.

High-end audio/video manufacturers are usually very slow in adopting new connectivity options so I'm not surprised that most usb audio implementations are not very good. If they don't work on this problem at all, then that's like saying lossless and mp3 audio is irrelevant, which is clearly incorrect.
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post #85 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:28am
But it is not audio-gd's responsibility to maximize a computer's potential as source, that responsibility belongs in the realm of software engineers and computer manufacturers. We have no choice but to wait for them to catch up. With windows (haven't tried OS X) I have been somewhat disappointed with all the different computer players and low latency drivers I've tried with audio-gd's compass and isochronous usb mode, I can only imagine what happens when you use audio-gd's top gear with typical usb output of a computer.
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post #86 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:28am
does anyone know approximately how much the DAC19MK3 will go for? Do you think it is worth the almost doubled price on the DAC19MK3 over the Compass DAC? Thanks.
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post #87 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:39am
The compass is a dac+amp, and yes it is worth it if you can afford it. The nice thing about the compass dac+amp is that it is amazingly priced for the amount of sound quality you get, all in one nice package, but if a DAC19MK3 is within your budget you should consider it, Kingwa said the dac portion of the compass gets a 50 if the DAC19SE gets a 100, and people have said the amp portion of the compass is 80% of the C-2C.

(sorry to people listening to me talk about things I don't have, just thinking people must be tired answering questions so I'm doing it for fun )
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post #88 of 2431
4/1/09 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ttnl View Post
does anyone know approximately how much the DAC19MK3 will go for? Do you think it is worth the almost doubled price on the DAC19MK3 over the Compass DAC? Thanks.
He told me it would be the same cost as the original 19SE. Also, he said he felt the 19SE DAC was a definite improvement over the Compass DAC- but it's also a lot more money and without an amp.
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post #89 of 2431
4/2/09 at 11:54am
audio-gd reference? isnt this company the creator of compass dac too? how come they are labeled as dedicated source, they do not play cd or do they?

Speaking of which I think audio gd should really improve their site navigation, it just do not match their good customer's service as some have claimed. That just my opinion
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post #90 of 2431
4/2/09 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by legend24 View Post
audio-gd reference? isnt this company the creator of compass dac too? how come they are labeled as dedicated source, they do not play cd or do they?

Speaking of which I think audio gd should really improve their site navigation, it just do not match their good customer's service as some have claimed. That just my opinion
Audio-GD is the company. Reference is a lineup of DACs. DACs are usually labeled as part of the source. These dacs do not play cds.
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