Audio-gd Digital Interface - Page 44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

digger945, if he still has his when the loaner Ref 7 arrives at his place should be able to.  Might be a bit of a wait though.

Ah, thanks. I will bug him when he receives the DAC.

anyway, do you have a separate thread for the loaner program already here? I'm looking forward to the impressions.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/506715/audio-gd-reference-7-loaner-program-usa

Very nice idea you had Currawong. This will definitely give an end to doubts and assessments on Audio-gd being not better than other high-end gear, and we'll really know with which high-end products RE-7 compete with and appreciate even more its value. Nice thing that Kingwa accepted your idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bensl 

i may have missed it (possibilty after 40+ pages!), was there a comparo between this and the firestone bravo?

i take that as a no then?

I've been following this thread and I don't remember one.

You can get the version B with PSU for about $10 more than the Bravo.

I finally managed to do some testing with a NuForce Icon HDP... A fantastic upgrade, clearly better than using the HDP´s built-in USB. Music is much more natural, there´s more air and the piercing highs are tamed. Volume can easily be taken higher than before. Seems like a good way to make it sound more organic. Unfortunately I can´t compare it with my HiFace as the drivers keep crashing within 5 seconds... 

I've been reading back through this thread but am not sure if there is yet a consensus on whether the DI is an improvement over the stock HiFace. I have a stock RCA HiFace from a netbook with W7 via Foobar/WASAPI feeding a NOS MHDT Havana DAC using a GH coax cable and then on to a KICAS amp and DH-7000's ( also have it going to speakers). I do find the HiFace a bit tipped towards the high end and am wondering if the DI would be a better fit for the system. Appreciate any thoughts. I have never used Audio-GD equipment before but I'm impressed with what I've read about them here on Head-Fi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexdad54 

I've been reading back through this thread but am not sure if there is yet a consensus on whether the DI is an improvement over the stock HiFace. I have a stock RCA HiFace from a netbook with W7 via Foobar/WASAPI feeding a NOS MHDT Havana DAC using a GH coax cable and then on to a KICAS amp and DH-7000's ( also have it going to speakers). I do find the HiFace a bit tipped towards the high end and am wondering if the DI would be a better fit for the system. Appreciate any thoughts. I have never used Audio-GD equipment before but I'm impressed with what I've read about them here on Head-Fi.

I found the DI much more natural sounding without emphasising either end of the freq spectrum.  And the DI does benefit from an external psu, at least from my comparisons running it with a tweaked dell xps studio, W7, foobar +WASAPI plugin. A-GD 3SE dac, Weston Acoustics KT66x4, 6SL7x1,SN7x2,5AR4x2 rectifier tubes, Decware DFR8s in DIY backloaded horn speakers.  The external psu brought some added weight to the sound, dynamics of a track was more apparent, IMO

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogo33 the DI does benefit from an external psu, at least from my comparisons

That's good to know, thanks. Im left wondering if this with the Audio-gd "Class A external power supply"  item or a generic transformer?

Spent some more time on the DI listening test over the weekend.

Further observation through my ears on the Sony DVD player (DVP-PR50P) vs. modded SB3 vs. DI (USB powered), as they were connected to the Ref 2 DAC and to my Linkwitz Pluto:

DI was good, close to if not at the same level of the modded SB3 (rebuilt with 3 separate regulators, a more precise clock for the added reclock board with pulse transformer out). So, foobar + wasapi + DI indeed can bring out nice quality music, not bad at all, and so no need to go through my elaborated path on the SB3 I think 

However, the Sony DVD player won slightly.....To me, the music with Sony sounded somewhat fuller, somewhat more dynamic, lively, with deeper and tighter bass, kinda like having a nicer outer envelope in the spectrum, so to speak.... Again, all subjective to my ears with limited auditoning time...(acutally, I wish my SB3/ DI could outbeat the DVD player as CAS is so convenient.....)

Oh, I did try putting the Sony via the DI then to Ref2, but not much different....

Keep in mind though all these devices were connected to the Ref2 DAC, which has that DSP-1 inside....as currawong pointed out..

All in all, a pleasure to own the DI, and I will pay for it

....double post間違い

Did anyone happed to try the built in upsampling feature?

Also what about using the coax IN?

And with a linear/regulated powersupply instead of the Class A power supply?

What about testing it with Linux?

Any comparisons besides the Musicland and EA product?  How about comparisons with HiFace, H-Bridge, F-Bravo, any other sub $200 product?

Any difference between the BNC and Coax output?

When Kingwa sends products out for testing does he have any criteria for testing?

I'm interested in hearing how other Mac / iTunes users have configured their interface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaninbrisbane 

I'm interested in hearing how other Mac / iTunes users have configured their interface.

Looks like Kingwa uses 15 "Testers".  Usually when something is tested there are criteria or specific items to be tested.

Between 15 people there should have been tests on Mac, Windows, and Linux.  Every INPUT should have been tested on each operating system.  Experienced/trusted testers should have been instructed to test each feature of the DSP module.  Everyone should have reported back their findings as well as if there were any special steps taken or required to make the product work.  Also between the 15 testers there should have been comparisons between similar products within its price range.  Otherwise instead of true testing all you are doing is exposing the product.

Linux

Mac

Windows

DSP settings

INPUTS

OUTPUTS

With External Power

Without External Power

Compare similar products

Test various sample rates going IN

Don't just let the first 15 people who want to "try it out" have the product.  As is, there is no real benefit to Kingwa or the buying public.