Audio-Gd Master 7 - Discrete Fully Balanced DAC (PCM1704) - Page 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DACLadder 

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!

Cool Beans...

However, what about the bass???????

Thank you for the warm welcome.  Hit the one week anniversary this evening.  The Master 7 continues to make rapid improvements with more run time.  Bass is coming right along with weight and extension.  Imaging/ location/ space are also improving as the digital and analog artifacts wane.  What has impressed me in the past couple days are vocals.  Beautifully rendered vocals.  Mark Knopfler is always good vocal test as he sounds edgy normally!   Excellent as are Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson to name a few.  Vocals are usually the deal breaker for me on audio equipment.  The Master 7 is a solid A+ today and is out pacing the Ref 5.32 by a stretch.  Thanks again!

I would say bass level sounds normal now but only so in the past few days.   When new I felt like it didn't have much below 100Hz.  I'm listening to the Beatles - Abby Road and there is bass aplenty with good extension, dynamics, and precision.  I'm really starting to enjoy the Master 7 presentation.  But ask me again a week or so as the box is currently changing rapidly!     

Does anyone have any experience with the Master 1 preamp?

Yeah I have a Master 1 with Master 2 power amps. What do you want to know?

How does it pair with the Master 7?  Are you using XLR or ACSS?

The Master 1 is superb and works really well with the Master 7.  I run ACSS from source to power amps. It gives a slightly more detailed and natural sound with great 3d imaging.  I upgraded from the C3HE (C8) to the Master 1 and it was a very worthwhile upgrade.

Older Audio-gd preamps in my opinion sounded compromised on anything other than acss inputs. The Master 7 sounds pretty near as good on all inputs.

I also have 2 Master 8s in headphone systems and the Master 1 is just a bit better as a preamp than the Master 8s.

The Master 1 is as good a preamp as the Master 7 is as a DAC.

Hope this is helpful.

Personal mail me if you have any further questions so as not to derail this thread.

Regards

Macrog

Done.

I have finally decided to join the Master7 club. My Ref One needs some companion. I will keep you posted.

An update...  The first week since delivery was rough (now day 11) but the Master 7 is delivering goods in abundance and we are officially in jaw drop territory!   The box simply opened up dramatically between days 5 through 7 and is showing its true character.  Part of the break in process is the listener getting use to and trusting the Master 7 presentation.  There is just so much more detail, weight, and meat on the bone (thanks J. Darko for that term) than what I had previously it is hard to drink it all in at first.  A lot of bass now but tight and full without being bloated.  Vocals are the best I have ever experienced from a digital format.  All other instruments rich, full, vibrant without a hint of being artificial.    

If you haven't read Currawong's review it sums up the Master 7 nicely.  The Master 7 does many things correctly as a package and I find its character organically smooth yet highly detailed and dynamic.  It is not clinical, analytical, or sterile in any way or form.  And the Master 7 is very tolerant of source material.  I have a lot of vinyl transfers to digital and they have never sounded better.  Kingwa hit it out of the park on this DAC.  Now back to listening to music!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DACLadder 

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!

I also encounter bass light on new unit. But i didnt let it run and only listen when I am free. Seems like need sometime to have the final sounds from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man7rah 

Is that referring to the modwright modded one? http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/modwright3/transporter.html

No.  ASITek I think?  I forget it's been so long.  But it is the furthest mod I've ever seen taken to a Transporter.  It has truly been optimized to be the perfect digital source.  I have yet to hear better.

Anyone change the USB firmware chip yet? any impression on the other chip?

It will come with time.  If you can afford the 1kW-hr/ day energy to power the box I would suggest just leaving the power turned on for the first few weeks. 

I would like to know specifically as well from a user's perspective.