I understand what you say and I mostly agree with it: The delay between HE21 and HEMk2 is way too short.
However I'm saying: Don't be disappointed because you have similar sonic performance.
See the other side: Component price did raise a lot. Kingwa managed to get similar performance with Mk2 by keeping the price similar (at $200 more, right).
Kingwa is selling already built R-7HE21 at fair cost (he could have increase the selling price rather than announcing Mk2...).
The Mk2 was designed to be cheaper and easier to produce and keeping it's good performance. It's a technical progress but for the end-user it doesn't matter that much.
It's selling at $200 more than R7-HE21 because component price have raised so much. Covid times impact a lot hardware manufactuers.
If I was a new buyer, I'll be very annoyed to choose, I fully agree with you.
Like you, I had the HE21 just 15 days before Mk2 was announced.
I could be angry against Kingwa but I'm not. I hear great music and paid a fair price for it.
Anyway, one day my HE21 would have become obsolete anyway... So enjoy what you have !
It's not about sonic performance to be disappointed about. mk2 is like design fix with cost reduction to appeal wider market. I'm sure I will prefer 2021 over mk2 design wise for.
"1. Using the latest designed discrete servo stabilized power supply to feed the digital circuits, the noise level is comparable to that of a battery, but without the dry and thin sound characteristics of it, and thus the product's operating temperature is significantly lower than that of the previous model. The clock circuit and the analog circuit are still powered by a pure class-A regulated power supply for the best sound results"
Replacing pure class A circuit on digital for low noise and heat servo? I don't mind heat as I open air conditioning in listening room so I'd rather have pure class A on whole digital circuit not just clock circuit.
"2. By listening to a turntable and studying its sound for a long time, we have successfully integrated the analog vinyl sound characteristics into this product, this being allowed optionally through the front panel. (New feature)"
Both TDA and phono simulation are just simulation. I prefer using better server and deliver good real sound performance that done right without simulation or any other layer of DSP to degrade transparency.
"3. Both the USB and HDMI inputs are equipped with isolators, and two sets of linear power supplies to separately supply power to the USB and HDMI modules before the isolators to prevent interference from signal sources."
Sounds like a good idea but I'd rather have "Both USB / HDMI have built in separate isolator and pure class A isolate power supply." in 2021, especially USB one since it's the best interface that converts USB to i2S before feeding FGPA directly.
"6. The FPGA operates using the parallel data processing mode.
The IIS signal is serial data transmission. Each data bit requires one clock cycle. One frame of left and right channel data requires 64 clock cycles, so stability over a 64 clock cycles is needed.
The parallel mode only needs one clock to transmit and process the 32-bit data of the left and right channels, which greatly improves the processing speed and is less affected by the stability of the clock."
Using parallel processing feels like you trade single ended tube design that provides best tube sound to push pull design for more power. I'm sure this one is done due to customers using budget clock to worsen clock reliability and Kingwa had to do this to keep it stable. But I never have issue with internal clock or my own 10MHz clock design that I spent $4k budget building which I could have bought Mutec 10MHz clock instead.
So, I'm not dissatisfied with this $4k budget DAC's performance at all except it still retain Kingwa's signature of sharp and precise performance a bit but I can still manage somehow. However, releasing a new flagship right after 2021 update makes you feel like your purchased product is now obsoleted after 2-3 months even if you buy it right after release. This is failing business execution and I hope he can redeem his clients somehow with special upgrade kit.
Regards,
Keetakawee