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Audio-gd Master-5/6/8/9 balanced head amp/ preamp
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:40 PM Post #541 of 878
ogodei, I think you are right!
 
I forgot that the volume control is before the amp section. This means that it's only if the amp is driven beyond it's limit (1.8W in 50 Ohm in low setting) and clip at peaks that you will hear it - while in high power mode it won't clip unless the peaks exceed 7W in 50 Ohm.
 
With your LCD-3 (91dB at 1 MILLIWATT) headphone I don't think it will be a problem even at loud listening levels when the amp is in "low power" mode. The high power option is only for HiFiMan HE-6 (measured 77.5dB sensitivity) and the old AKG K1000 headphones (spec'd 74dB).
 
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:46 PM Post #542 of 878
My bet is an interaction with the volume control on the NFB-6.  I don't understand all the tech on the audio-gd site about volume in NFB-6, but the output might be high filtered via ACSS when in'headphone amp model' as they describe it.  Or something. :)
 
I can guarantee you the amp can play very loud if its getting the correct signal.   Try the XLR or RCA connections and see if that makes a difference.
 
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:46 PM Post #543 of 878
mowglycdb said:
  I have a test (sonic generations on steam really sounds low) where I can put 70/70 and I have it on high power, it still sounds louder from my NFB-6 at max volume. I don't really get it maybe someone else could enlighten us?
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Here you are mixing gain and power. You should get an album with high levels and then turn up the volume untill you hear distortion from the amp clipping (in low power mode). Then switch to high power mode and play at the same volume level. Now the distortion/clipping should be gone.
 
Oct 17, 2013 at 6:00 PM Post #544 of 878
New test: Foobar playing a loud mp3 song.
 
DAC: NFB-1.32  1,2+1,2MA (ACSS)
 
Amp:
 
NFB-6 : rated  4500 mW /  50 Ohm       Max volume: 79      
 
Audio-GD Master 8: rated  High power 7000mW 50 Ohm/Low power 1800mW 50 Ohm       Max volume: 70
 
Result:
 
NFB-6 was louder in about 3dB. In both cases I couldn't detect a diference between the SPL of High and Low Power in Master 8. I didn't detect clipping in any case.
 
Conclusion:
 
   If the bottle neck was the low power from the DAC, I would have heared the same SPL from both amps, so yeah I'm clueless. Though from 1800mW (Master 8 low power) to 4500mW (NFB-6), Could it explain the difference in SPL? or does the NFB-6 Have more gain?
 
I'm planning to do tests with the HE-6 so maybe my DAC is the bottle neck? I suppose that the bigger DACs that output 2 +2MA (ACSS) would make a difference.
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 4:02 AM Post #545 of 878
Yes. What you are experiencing here is the difference in gain, not power.
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:21 AM Post #548 of 878
Signal strength is basically gain. Power is the highest output without clipping (and needs enough gain to be reached). With your LCD-3 you probably won't need more power than what the Master 8 is capable of in low power mode. Even my HE-6 doesn't need it unless you play very, very loud.
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:48 AM Post #549 of 878
larshp said:
Signal strength is basically gain. Power is the highest output without clipping (and needs enough gain to be reached). With your LCD-3 you probably won't need more power than what the Master 8 is capable of in low power mode. Even my HE-6 doesn't need it unless you play very, very loud.
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LarsHP, can you think of any headphone that would need that much power at lower volumes?  Is it just esoteric or professional monitor grade stuff?
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 12:01 PM Post #550 of 878
The short and truthful answer is a big NO. Even the HE-6 "only" needs 20mW to reach 90dB. A headphone with a low sensitivity of about 90dB/mW (LCD-2, LCD-3 and HE-500) really don't need an amp with more than 1.5 - 2W. My Burson Soloist is in that range power wise and it drives even HE-6 beautifully. It may in extreme situations need more gain and power, but for sensible listening conditions it is sufficient. IMO of course.
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 1:04 PM Post #551 of 878
Yeah, I'm with you.  Sort of like a V-8 engine in a matchbox car.
 
This thing is solid though.  No nuance to it really, it just presents everything very cleanly.  Going to do some listening tests against the GS-X Mk II in a few weeks, want to see if this can match it.
 
Oct 18, 2013 at 6:32 PM Post #552 of 878
Oh! Please post your findings here. It would be interesting to know how the Audio-gd Master amp fares against the GSX MkII.
 
Nov 3, 2013 at 2:12 AM Post #553 of 878
Master 9 is anounced to replace master 8
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Nov 3, 2013 at 2:57 AM Post #555 of 878
I wonder how much better it sounds than the M5/M6/M8? I do miss my M5......
 
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