New Audio-Gd Reference 8 and Reference 9?! - Page 2

The Reference 9 will probably take care of the Roc.

The ref.9 is not balanced, has no ACSS output and has a different chassis.
Th new balanced dac will be out soon, I think Kingwa is waiting for the chassis

Ugh, I stand corrected then. Some user here wrote that the Reference 9 has balanced connections.

I tried to translate the page with Google, and here is the result:
"(Using the four top-PCM1704UK and new design of diamond diamond differential circuit)
(Optical / RCA Coaxial / BNC Coaxial / AES balanced four inputs, two sets of RCA output)"

Hre is the complete page:
TechnologyFeatures:
Reference 9 is based on the basis of improved DAC-3SE/DV/REF will PCM1704UK welded directly on the motherboard, and re-design of the diamond than the tone diamond-shaped differential circuit and regulated power supply. Multi-channel digital input with a variety of ways to suit the needs of a different mix of equipment, the application to switch high-speed chip and, through DSP1 be calibrated so that sound quality will not be multi-channel input and demoted. Improve the stability of the high-performance clock.
DSP-1 Function:
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1 LayoutAC / about completely separate the internal layout, transformer, rectifier and other sources are separated by shielding.

2 Jitter: Reference 9 built-in DSP-1 processor has two high-performance phase-locked loop circuit, but more significant improvement is the DSP-1 can be input data synchronization, so that data is synchronized, just like there is no state of Jitter , so that when the playback clarity, sound like cohesion, orientation and other aspects of sound stage has performed extremely well, better to restore the recording level.
In theory, regardless of the CD turntable to connect different grades, but also to achieve their best and without a difference in sound quality. In fact, we still feel the different grades of CD turntable there are also differences in sound quality (sound is such can not simply theoretical, Jitter not affect the digital audio sound quality the only reason.), But the use of low-end of the CD turntable or a DVD machine to connect to this machine , sound quality than using firmware digital filters (such as the PMD100, DF1704, etc.) of the DAC products to enhance even more effective elimination of low-end digital turntable unique sound, so that low-end turntable is also getting a better sound quality, while the high-end turntable can play a very Zhen.

3 Clock Phase Noise: Many fans clearly Jitter sound quality of digital audio circuits affected, but also a greater impact than Jitter clock phase noise, low phase noise of the machine through the parameters of the lines, Layout of the rational design of digital signal The impedance matching circuit wiring, pure power supply to guarantee the transparency to make sound, detail reduction, transient performance to achieve better results.

4 Analog Output: D / A conversion for each channel using the two top-PCM1704UK chip installed in parallel and directly to the motherboard. Output analog circuits using diamond differential circuit, differential circuit in the recent diamond-shaped gradually by many loved by fans and attention, which will due to this circuit high speed, high linearity with low phase distortion characteristics, although the circuit more complicated, but sound impressive, Tube Amplifier with more than a wealth of space harmonics even listen to a sense of clear and soft. And I for many years on the diamond in the differential circuit a large number of practice and study, give a more ideal solution for the circuit.
For a DAC, the high resolution power is one of the most important requirements, and analytical replay is the output of amplifier noise level along with the previous and the next along the characteristics, due to the output amplifier is the bottleneck, if the upper edge feature is not good, When the signal came not keep up with accurate and timely, the signal disappears, the signal amplifier can only keep up with half the level or lower, so that DAC output signal amplitude reduced compared with the original signal, listening to nature does not clear even to listen to less than analytical are more backward, so the majority of the DAC, even if the digital part of the used analytical high D / A converter, analog circuits due to low speed, most of the details or we can give no success. Along the characteristics to be good only on the choice of high-speed low-noise transistor amplifier, while the high-speed amplifier can effectively reduce the great impact on the quality of the TIM distortion, so that pure musical sound. Op amp with the gall bladder can not be re-emit a high analytical power. With such a high speed, high linearity circuits, PCM1704UK high-resolution power can be a powerful advantage into full play, and then the school transfer order by the circuit sound Shaohou Run fullness.

5 Vibration immunity: Reference 9 In order to achieve best results, use the heavyweight pure aluminum chassis to eliminate the eddy current transformer on the line and all kinds of vibration interference, the net weight of chassis 8KG, machine net weight 13KG. Machine using thick aluminum plate will be D / A, left / right, circuit / transformer and so separate them, so that the interference between all levels of the circuit can be overcome. Chassis through long-term tests so that resonance to a minimum.

6 input-output method: Reference 9 With four digital inputs, including the way a balanced AES digital input, all the way BNC + RCA digital inputs, all the way RCA digital inputs, all the way optical input. Multiple input methods to suit a variety of digital devices with different needs. BNC input methods to make time-base jitter than conventional RCA input reduced by nearly tenfold, to make the sound more clearly transparent. Reference 9 using the input channel switching with memory function and digital display the status of input channels. Reference 9 has two sets of RCA output, can connect two amplifiers to use.

7 Power Supply: Reference 9 uses three high-quality R-type transformers, the total power of up to 135W. Transformer and rectifier were shielding, effectively reduce the clutter interference and rectifier transformers for radio frequency interference. Special custom bass dye NOVER (UK) Audio-specific filter capacitor to ensure the smooth supply of adequate power supply. Transformer and high-speed rectifiers were shielded effectively reduce the clutter interference and rectifier transformers for radio frequency interference. UF's more than 50,000 audio-specific capacitance (larger than the number of fever, PA) to ensure smooth supply of adequate power supply. All machines of the 21 regulated power supply, after carefully re-designed the school notes, combined for two cascade of parallel / series hybrid regulator in order to effectively provide clean power and reduce the power supply resistance, both to ensure dynamic, detailed sound reproduction , but also better to play a diamond charm diamond circuit. Squelch and control circuit using a separate regulator power supply.

8 Device Applications:Reference 9 machine all use of imported fever electronic devices. Fever-level connectors, such as the balance of the Swiss Neutrik socket, high resistance to the US BNC socket, Wisdom Audio custom 24K gold-plated RCA sockets.

Click Performance

Weight: 15KG

MachineDimensions: W 430 X length 430 X High 85 (Including machine feet)

Tip:1, the machine analytical and full of good musical taste high. .
2, do not overlap will be placed in the machine in order to avoid compromising sound quality.
3, reasonable matching of the power line and digital-analog signal line.
4, this machine using the aluminum machine feet, do not the metal casing and other equipment directly stacked in order to avoid ground loops and sound effects.

Price: 7800

Yeah still waiting...but now I'm looking at the Ref.7 as well

Now are available the english pages about new dacs:
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In the price list they are both called "musical flavors" DAC. So they both offer the "warm and musical" signature (as opposed to the "neutral flavor" of the DAC 9 & 19 and the Reference 1 & 7).

The Audio-gd's product portfolio is a rebus for me

"1, Reference 8 sound musical and detail, a little coloration and warm side, even the recorders not worth to listen , Reference 8 can let the sound a bit rich and better ."

Recorders eh? I'm guessing he means it's not worth worrying about mild recording flaws?

It sounds more like he means musicians in the studio would not want to use this DAC to play their recordings.

Agree.
The number of DACs with the different options and slightly different prices makes it very hard to decide for something you can not listen to before ordering.
I am thinking of ordering an Audio-GD DAC for quite a while already.
Always when I am close deciding for one there comes a new one or two...

I dont believe the amount of DACs Audio-gd provides makes it more difficult to choose, in fact I think it should make your choice easier.

I believe the DAC's with the designation "neutral flavor" (according to Kingwa) provide an extremely neutral, accurate and transparent SQ. I can tell you first hand my DAC-19DSP reproduces music with a very realistic transparency that is almost scary.

The DAC-19DSP is a joy to listen to...but paired with my studio monitors the sound is a tad too neutral. In other words it lacks a little bit of musical enjoyment (I find myself being listening to every detail of a recording rather than simply enjoying the music). Now I believe this to be a fault of matching my DAC with KRK Rokit series monitors (generally studio monitors are meant for mixing and are not very "musical") I always strive for the most accurate reproduction, but I think I got closer than I bargined for.

I believe if you go with a "neutral flavors" DAC, you should pair it with speakers or headphones that are musical or have unique sound signature.

OR

If you currently have very neutral equipment you might want to choose a "musical flavors" DAC to give you system some liveliness or energy so to say.

Personally I believe one should always get a neutral DAC and color the sound with speakers/headphones or possibly with a tube pre-amplifier, etc. Not sure if I would want my source to have color to it, because no matter what equipment you switch around further down the chain....it will always be colored by the source which just doesnt make sense to me.

So your choice should be fairly simple:

1) Do you need balanced or single ended? Do you want to go balanced in the future...yes or no?
2) Do you want the most accurate neutral response or do you prefer a bit of warmth?
3) Take your answer from 1 & 2 and see what fits your budget?

According to my correspondence with Kingwa and the statements he writes on his websites he has a love for neutrality.

If I was a betting man, I would bet that those "musical flavor" DAC's are still extremely accurate, detailed and transparent as all the rest of his gear. I think that they probably would appeal to a much wider group of people. If only I could hear it in person :S

Do I get a tube preamplifier to inject some liveliness into my stereo or do I swap my DAC-19DSP for a Reference 8 ? I wish I was rich