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Audio-Gd Reference 10 - Page 5

post #61 of 233
4/18/12 at 6:54pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by drez View Post


 


You may want to check with AGD whether the I2S is compatible, AFAIK there is no industry standard for I2S, and some I2S devices may not be compatible with others.

 

 

Well I know at least the pin-outs on the two connectors are the same from checking King-Wa's diagram and the manual for the Hiface Evo. Your correct though, there could be other factors involved as well.

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post #62 of 233
4/19/12 at 1:51am
Thread Starter 

Anybody order one of these yet?  Anyone GET one yet?

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post #63 of 233
4/19/12 at 8:24am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by milosz View Post

Anybody order one of these yet?  Anyone GET one yet?

 

There was one Ref 10.2 which had been shipped to Australia last week. Hopefully he will post some impressions here.

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post #64 of 233
4/19/12 at 9:24am

thats the reviewer John Darko...

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post #65 of 233
4/19/12 at 10:36am

I wonder how this would compare with the 7.1 which is a pretty good DAC. The analog stage looks quite different. 

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post #66 of 233
4/19/12 at 10:17pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by K3cT View Post

I wonder how this would compare with the 7.1 which is a pretty good DAC. The analog stage looks quite different. 

 

Hmm my guess is it would probably be more similar to Ref 5 + Master 6 more than Ref 7.1, although it should still be excellent value though IMO.

 

Probably a good question to ask Kingwa

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post #67 of 233
4/20/12 at 12:31am

From their website:

 

Summarize:
                    Reference 10 is design base on the cores of our Reference 7.1 and Master 6.
 

This after they updated their website (nicer outlook btw). Before if my memory serve me correct it wrote something about combining Reference 7.1 and Master 6.

 

So I would imagine they are very close.

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post #68 of 233
4/21/12 at 8:20pm

Im really interested in Ref. 10.2, as well in the Fostex HP-A8 and Orb JADE1 LTD.

Damm, why is so difficult to choose! biggrin.gif

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post #69 of 233
4/22/12 at 12:17am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chefano View Post

Im really interested in Ref. 10.2, as well in the Fostex HP-A8 and Orb JADE1 LTD.

Damm, why is so difficult to choose! biggrin.gif

 

Guess it's pretty hard to chose when so little information is available.  AFAIK AKM DAC's have a reputation for being fairly analityical and neutral (not sure if this is the case with the Fostex though as implementation can change everything), whereas the AudioGD PCM1704 DAC's are known to be neutral and revealing but never analytical.  Orb JADE1 LTD looks pretty promising, again though not much information unfortunately (at least in English triportsad.gif).


Edited by drez - 4/22/12 at 12:18am
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post #70 of 233
4/22/12 at 7:15am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by drez View PostGuess it's pretty hard to chose when so little information is available.  AFAIK AKM DAC's have a reputation for being fairly analityical and neutral (not sure if this is the case with the Fostex though as implementation can change everything), whereas the AudioGD PCM1704 DAC's are known to be neutral and revealing but never analytical.

 

This is quite correct since I own both (and have heard various DACs with them). If I couldnt get pcm1704, AKM (not sure of all products in their line) would be my second choice - they are not fatiguing and if the OPS is done well, also musically involving, just not as natural as 1704 and also less PRAT.

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post #71 of 233
4/23/12 at 5:27pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Telstar View Post

 

 

This is quite correct since I own both (and have heard various DACs with them). If I couldnt get pcm1704, AKM (not sure of all products in their line) would be my second choice - they are not fatiguing and if the OPS is done well, also musically involving, just not as natural as 1704 and also less PRAT.

 

Thanks for the help!

I really would love to buy both, the Jade1 LTD and the Ref. 10.2. But I cant :(

The only thing that concerns me is the Japanese 100V vs 110~220V around the globe. Can the transformer needed to use the Jade outside Japan degrade the SQ?

 

Best regards!

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post #72 of 233
4/23/12 at 11:28pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chefano View Post
The only thing that concerns me is the Japanese 100V vs 110~220V around the globe. Can the transformer needed to use the Jade outside Japan degrade the SQ?

 


On a DAC that draws so little current - I dont think so. If it was a power amplifier, then i would be worried.

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post #73 of 233
4/24/12 at 1:31am
It's more so that Japanese DACs, which now often use the AKM chips, are voiced to in a fairly similiar way. It's a bit like the whole "British Sound" and "American Sound" thing. There's somewhat of a "Japanese sound" too.
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post #74 of 233
4/24/12 at 2:45am
Thread Starter 

The Fostex and Jade DACs might be comparable to the Audio-Gd Ref 10 in terms of price, but I will bet you they don't come anywhere near it in terms of engineering and build quality.  The Reference 10 has eight separate linear regulated power supplies; Kingwa prefers to run his regulators class-A, feeling they have improved regulation response speed and better regulation dynamics than other regulator topologies. There are three R-core transformers. The output volume control on the Reference 10 uses four banks of discrete step attenuators, built using relays, to control current gain in the ACSS stage. This current-based approach should offer a host of advantages over the typical voltage gain control or voltage attenuation which is used by other manufacturers. ACSS stages are only found in Audio-Gd and Krell DACs, as far as I know.  All audio stages rely on discrete circuits using selected parts.

 

Does this make the Audio-Gd Reference 10 sound better?  Well, isn't that the question!  I think that all that power supply overkill and extreme attention to audio engineering details SHOULD result in better sound, but of course you'd have to listen to them side-by-side to be sure.

 

Compare their build:

 

Audio-Gd Reference 10

RE10.10.JPG

 

Fostex HP-A8

  

I see some SWTICHING supplies in there, and loads of IC's. Linear supplies and discrete analog circuits are often thought to offer superior sound.

     untitled1.png

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post #75 of 233
4/24/12 at 3:32pm

Well,

I think Ive made up my mind.

Ref.10 is my choice.:)

Gonna place my order

 

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