Audio-Gd Master 7 - Discrete Fully Balanced DAC (PCM1704) - Page 12

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull 

Has anyone compared:
1. Master 7 vs
2. Ref. 7.1 (NOS mode) <- A-Gd DI v3?

I tried:

DI-V3 > Reference One (NOS)

vs

DI-V3 > Reference One (8x oversampling)

The NOS mode sounds too aggressive to my ears. I have returned to 8x oversampling and enjoyed it much more.

I know that it is not what you have asked for but hope it is still a useful piece of information for someone.

The Master 7 is more neutral and less bloated in the bass than the Reference 7.1.  I would describe the Master 7 as greater than the best bits of the Reference 7.1 and NFB7.1 combined.

The Master 7 took a couple of months to reach its eventual sound signature but is worth the wait.  It was initially a bit overly critical of recording and other component quality.

I was an Audio-gd dealer but no longer am ( no reflection on the quality of their gear). I have emailed Jude a few weeks ago asking that my member of trade status be removed.

Regards

Macrog

Thanks for this^^^  It doesn't seem like a lot of these are out in the wild.  It's good to know the Master 7 is an upgrade from the 7.1.  We need more impressions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macrog 

The Master 7 is more neutral and less bloated in the bass than the Reference 7.1.  I would describe the Master 7 as greater than the best bits of the Reference 7.1 and NFB7.1 combined.

 

The Master 7 took a couple of months to reach its eventual sound signature but is worth the wait.  It was initially a bit overly critical of recording and other component quality.

 

I was an Audio-gd dealer but no longer am ( no reflection on the quality of their gear). I have emailed Jude a few weeks ago asking that my member of trade status be removed.

 

Regards

 

Macrog

Hey Macrog, thanks for the impressions. Good info.

Which transports were used with these two DACs? Asking because the Ref7.1 needs a good transport to sound best while the M7 sounds great even through USB.

sources are

A-g CD7FV

Audiophilleo 1

M2Tech EVO with external clock and battery PSU

regards

Macrog

Thanks Mac. So then the impressions were the same regardless of the transport used. That's important to know.

Yes impressions the same irrespective of transport.

Regards

Macrog

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull 

Thanks seaice, that's useful for me. When you said too aggresive, does it means harsh? too forward?

Yes, I had this impression - kind of forward sound and the treble was sometimes piercing. I tried the NOS ca 1 hour only in the following setup: DI-V3 > Ref One (NOS) > Phoenix > HD800. I quickly returned to the 8x oversampling and feel more comfortable with the sound. Not sure if I will try it again. But I had a feeling that the NOS hocus pocus with the DI-V3 had better results than the same NOS experiment with my old DI-V1. 

Hello everyone!   I joined the Audio GD Master 7 club six days ago.  So far it has been an interesting and agonizing (but fun) experience.  Upon arrival the box sounded, well, like so many 1-bit DACs that have permiated my life in the past 25 years.  The early sound was like fingernails on a chalk board - exaggerated highs, sibilance, and weak bass.  But I soldiered on leaving the power on 24/7 and using the Audiophilleo 1 S/PDIF tests to exercise the Master 7 during off hours.  And have been rewarded every morning by better sound.  I also have an adolescent Audio GD Ref 5.32 and went through a rough patch with that DAC waiting for it to settle in so was well prepared for delivery of the Master 7.  After day 5 the Master 7 already betters the Ref 5.32 in dynamics and sibilance is almost non-existent while the Ref 5.32 retains a little.  The Ref 5.32 has more bass however the Master 7 but is slowly developing nicely.  I can hear more detail with the Master 7 but the Ref 5.32 seems to have more holographic soundstage and upper air at this point but only slightly.  I'm happy to report as well Redbook CDs sound great with the Master 7 and thought some not-so-well mastered CDs were iffy with the Ref 5.32.  The Ref 5.32 is on hot standby for comparison but as time progresses finding less a need to compare the sound qualities.  I'm at the stage now of listening to music rather than the DACs per se and with either DAC can listen for hours and hours without fatigue.   So patience young grasshopper!   I have to keep reminding myself I have only had the Master 7 for six days but sounds superb after the initial (expected) slow start.   Hopefully should improve still over the next few months.  Cheers!

My guess is that air and 3D effect will be there in time