punit said:

  Nigel,
 
Do you find that XLR has higher gain than ACSS ? In my speaker system the Master 1  XLR out has slightly higher gain (1 step on the volume control) than ACSS out, other than that they sound sonically identical on the speaker.

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Yes XLR does have slightly higher gain than ACSS. That was confirmed by Kingwa when I asked him the same question a couple of years ago.

punit said:

  Kingwa's reply to which sounds better (Balanced vs SE) on M9 was  :
 
" In same source, the XLR is better than RCA connect, this is because the XLR had native advantage than the RCA, it had less noise, better ability to refuse interrupt and more dynamic .
And you can try the ACSS connect, compare to XLR , RCA, see which is best for you.
I am advice you don't connect XLR and RCA in same time for the compare. "
 
I am not clear if he meant this  generally or this is with reference to my source - AGD NFB 7 DAC.

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Why does he say that? How would it matter if RCA and XLR inputs are connected? Is it because the source's ouput will be affected?
 

nigeljames said:

  Comparing my ACSS connection (DIY Homegrown Audio Silver Cable - £80) to XLR (Artisan Ultimate Silver Dream I\C - £200) I prefer the ACSS.
Seems to be cleaner and more transparent.
 
This is between my NFB-7 and Master-6. Have not heard the Master-9.

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As I have understood it, the Audio gd internals is a current-signal system (as opposed to the normal voltage-signal system) - and the ACSS is a current signal transfer wire used only (?) by Audio gd (though others have done similar things before). Anway - using RCA or XLR implies having to convert the signal to voltage and back, so the ACSS should have the upper hand technically. 
 
In the ouput, however, the signal is converted to a normal voltage-signal (as opposed to some very few current-signal only amplifiers like the Bakoon). Am I right?

ardilla said:

   
Why does he say that? How would it matter if RCA and XLR inputs are connected? Is it because the source's ouput will be affected?
 
 
As I have understood it, the Audio gd internals is a current-signal system (as opposed to the normal voltage-signal system) - and the ACSS is a current signal transfer wire used only (?) by Audio gd (though others have done similar things before). Anway - using RCA or XLR implies having to convert the signal to voltage and back, so the ACSS should have the upper hand technically. 
 
In the ouput, however, the signal is converted to a normal voltage-signal (as opposed to some very few current-signal only amplifiers like the Bakoon). Am I right?

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Personally I have do not know if it is converted to voltage signal at the output. However I would assume so for the headphone outputs as they are shared, by that I mean there is no ACSS specific XLR or TRS output.
 
Kingwa will be able to confirm either way.
 
All I know is this from the Audio-gd website:
 
'Audio-GD Current Signal System“ (ACSS) technology. Our ACSS technology transmits all audio signals via “Current” domain which offers the least colored, most detailed and neutral sound.'

Yes the Audio-GD ACSS amps have standard voltage output on the headphone outputs and the XLR/RCA outputs on the rear, only the ACSS outputs are current output

punit said:

  Nigel,
 
Do you find that XLR has higher gain than ACSS ? In my speaker system the Master 1  XLR out has slightly higher gain (1 step on the volume control) than ACSS out, other than that they sound sonically identical on the speaker.

Click to expand...

 
I also had the same impression.  In SQ I noticed no difference, maybe some more noise on XLR but I could be making it up.
 
between XLR and ACSS there's more gain on XLR  with low gain applied.

Have read this thread from the first post with great interest. Thanks to everyone for sharing their interesting insights.
 
A little background: I'm in the midst of deciding between the LCD-3 and the LCD-X (I'd like to select one HP).
 
As of now, I have the Oppo 105D which I plan to keep for HT/universal disc/and as a pre, and the Phonitor 2 that I just received a couple weeks ago that remains unopened as I plan to sell it since it does not fit into my overall set up with our 2 channel/HT 7.1 system.
 
So, I was considering the Oppo HA-1, especially if I go with the LCD-X since it is easier to drive vs. the 3, but the Master 9 has caught my eye and based on it's price and reviews I'm leaning toward picking this up instead.
 
Has anyone paired the 9 with the Oppo 105D? My thought is that I may do this at least initially to see how it sounds with the 105D DAC and to use with CDs until I have time to rip them all. If there is a significantly better DAC to pair it with as far as SQ, then I could consider picking that up at a later date. I had been looking at the Hugo given it's reviews and size, but am unsure it's worth adding a DAC to the 105D. 
 
As far as Audio gd in general, has anyone had to get their unit serviced/replaced? If so, how well did they stand behind their product? 
 
Last question: Any reason that I would have issues (e.g. SQ degradation) having the 9 and 105D connected via XLR and then run a pair of XLR from the 9 to my monoblocs for 2 channel listening, and connect the RCAs from the 105D to my 5 ch amp for 7.1?
 
Thanks

^ Just go get it ,)

ardilla said:

^ Just go get it ,)

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tempted, but before I drop $1650 I'd like to do some basic due diligence. feel free to share some info if you can 

shaker said:

tempted, but before I drop $1650 I'd like to do some basic due diligence. feel free to share some info if you can 

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Well, the M9 drives all my headphones to a very, very satisfactory result, including the LCD3 and the HE6. I haven't heard the X on the M9, so I cannot help you with anything but that the LCD 3 is really good with it, and that the X and the 3 sounds quite similar in general, the 3 giving a slightly darker and smoother feeling. If you have the shelf space, the M9 is a bargain. And it comes with a 10 year warranty

nigeljames said:

   
Yes XLR does have slightly higher gain than ACSS. That was confirmed by Kingwa when I asked him the same question a couple of years ago.

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Is this because ACSS is not truly balanced?

ardilla said:

Well, the M9 drives all my headphones to a very, very satisfactory result, including the LCD3 and the HE6. I haven't heard the X on the M9, so I cannot help you with anything but that the LCD 3 is really good with it, and that the X and the 3 sounds quite similar in general, the 3 giving a slightly darker and smoother feeling. If you have the shelf space, the M9 is a bargain. And it comes with a 10 year warranty

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Thanks for your input. Certainly not concerned about it's power and ability to drive planars, as well as the HE6. The 10 yr warranty sounds terrific, just wonder how well they stand behind that warranty and how difficult it is to get support given their location/shipping, etc.
 
Will probably take the plunge once I speak to a couple more folks about my specific questions. Thanks again.

preproman said:

Is this because ACSS is not truly balanced?

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ACSS is definitely fully balanced. It has to do with the conversion from voltage to current that has to be done on the xlr input

shaker said:

  just wonder how well they stand behind that warranty and how difficult it is to get support given their location/shipping, etc.
 
 

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I can't say about shipping issues to and from China. (Since I am in HK we are forced to use SF courier).
 
How ever Kingwa's support and assistance is nothing short of amazing.
The guy honestly goes the extra mile. I would not worry about them not honoring or supporting there warranty. 

undersys said:

   
I can't say about shipping issues to and from China. (Since I am in HK we are forced to use SF courier).
 
How ever Kingwa's support and assistance is nothing short of amazing.
The guy honestly goes the extra mile. I would not worry about them not honoring or supporting there warranty. 

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Thank you. That's good to hear.

undersys said:

   
I can't say about shipping issues to and from China. (Since I am in HK we are forced to use SF courier).
 
How ever Kingwa's support and assistance is nothing short of amazing.
The guy honestly goes the extra mile. I would not worry about them not honoring or supporting there warranty. 

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I second this.  He is a pleasure to deal with.