Audio-gd Master-5/6/8 balanced head amp/ preamp - Page 23

Well could be the XLR cable I built was crap (it's probably too inductive as I used the VHAudio interconnect recipe - new cable is same wire but just loose strands) or of course level differences or placebo (although I did my best to match level by ear), CustomNuts also told me he thinks the two connection methods sound too similar to tell apart.  The downside with ACCS is the mini-XLR connectors are a bit fiddly to wire, and at least the Rean connectors I was using don't seem to be built to very fine tolerances (Switchcrafts were 4 times more expensive though so I took my chances.)  Either way I like what I hear

Here's a picture of anyway:

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigeljames 

The ACSS connection has slightly lower output than XLR so even if the volume is set at say 30/70 on both ACSS and XLR XLR will be slightly louder.

On another point I made up a ACSS cable using Homegrown Audio solid silver cable and there is very little if any difference between it and my Artisan Ultimate Silver XLR cable. Both are pure silver,one solid one stranded, but I could not tell the difference in a blind test. Total cost of the Artisan was about £200 and the HomegrownAudio about £55. Both are excellent!

I made up some ACSS cables using silver solid core wire from Handmade electronics. Big difference in clarity over stock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmswjm 

I made up some ACSS cables using silver solid core wire from Handmade electronics. Big difference in clarity over stock.

I never had the stock ACSS cables so can't do any comparisons.

The Master-6 sounds so good via XLR that I almost did not bother with ACSS but I decided I wanted to free up the XLR's on my NFB-7 for when/if I purchase another balanced amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 

Oooh, does cable quality matter? IMO, not at all but that's a kooky topic. Just reterminate the cable it came with- super easy if you have a solder gun, solder and a the plugs needed (can be bought from AGD when ordering the Master-8). I promise you can do it. PM me if you need further help on this.

Thank you sir! 

I know it's a ridiculous question for this kind of amp, has anyone tried with IEM?  any hiss?  or even causing the driver to explode?

If you have tried, what IEM was that?

Quiet mechanical hum from transformer?

Had similar issue with my RE-1. Turned out my AC power line had some DC in it. Solved with DC blocking filter. Complete system is dead silent since (when paused ).

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarsHP 

Tried with my SM3 (122dB, 34 Ohms) and no hiss even when no music playing. However there was hum (from a transformer somewhere).

Thanks for testing for me.

Guys, do you (heavy) stack Audio-gd on top of each other?  like Master8 on top of Ref. 7.1?  (with some non-conductive layer of course)

If you must it's probably a good idea to separate the chassis a decent amount to allow adequate ventilation.  I just used 3 offcuts of pine and doesn't seem to get too hot.  I might use some wood spikes on the ref 7.1 to get some airflow underneath someday as well...  Advantage of stacking IMO is you can use very very short interconnects (but then again Master 6 and REf 7.1 use plenty of hookup wiring so who's kidding who with interconnects)

Ok, heat related concern noted.

I'm worried that the metal feet would make a permanent mark to the other gear, don't you think?

There possibly a chance of that also, I guess you could use rubber/felt pads or some other isolation device.  My 3 offcuts of wood work a charm lol

Just got my Master 8 in yesterday.  This thing is built like a tank.  I didn't expect it to be quite so deep so I had to do some reshuffling which took up most of my night.  I'm very pleased with it.  Using the stock XLR provided with the LCD-3 and it sounds sublime.  Looking forward to being able to mess around with it more tonight.