Audio-gd DI24/DI24HE

[rsbrsvp]

Less- warm- but more analogue, more liquid, smoother than DI20HE

 

[FredA]

Received my DI-24HE today. Immediately I hear it is superior to the DI-20HE. Cleaner, clearer, better seperation, just as meaty to my ears. I like the tone better. However- it is not a gigantic difference. Clerarly better- but not by a huge amount...... YET. Lets get one more week of burn in....

Mine came with 260 hurs on it. I wanted more - but the chineese holiday was arrivigand they had to ship it.

Give it two weeks, you'll see.

 

[Jake2]

Thanks @FredA for sharing your experiences with the DI-24HE (and thanks too/in advance @rsbrsvp) - you are presenting a tempting case for a long time DI-20HE/Audio-Gd curious potential purchaser who really doesn't need any more DDCs (5 at last count). Great to get reconfirmation of the s/pdif input to come thanks @JPlaquia - that's quite a selling point to me, would allow some DDC consolidation.

Here's a question for you Fred - the R-8HE + DI-24HE or R-7HE by itself? Yes I realise the money no object answer is R-7HE + DI-24HE but our USD exchange rate remains dire (I'm doing my best to wait it out) and funds are finite...

 

[FredA]

Thanks @FredA for sharing your experiences with the DI-24HE (and thanks too/in advance @rsbrsvp) - you are presenting a tempting case for a long time DI-20HE/Audio-Gd curious potential purchaser who really doesn't need any more DDCs (5 at last count). Great to get reconfirmation of the s/pdif input to come thanks @JPlaquia - that's quite a selling point to me, would allow some DDC consolidation.

Here's a question for you Fred - the R-8HE + DI-24HE or R-7HE by itself? Yes I realise the money no object answer is R-7HE + DI-24HE but our USD exchange rate remains dire (I'm doing my best to wait it out) and funds are finite...

Best dac by itself. Consider the he7 mkiii if you want a more vintage experience. It is better with old jazz records.

 

[JPlaquia]

Thanks @FredA for sharing your experiences with the DI-24HE (and thanks too/in advance @rsbrsvp) - you are presenting a tempting case for a long time DI-20HE/Audio-Gd curious potential purchaser who really doesn't need any more DDCs (5 at last count). Great to get reconfirmation of the s/pdif input to come thanks @JPlaquia - that's quite a selling point to me, would allow some DDC consolidation.

Here's a question for you Fred - the R-8HE + DI-24HE or R-7HE by itself? Yes I realise the money no object answer is R-7HE + DI-24HE but our USD exchange rate remains dire (I'm doing my best to wait it out) and funds are finite...

No problem, yeah the SPDIF input is a big deal to me as well as I am using a streamer and plans to stay that way as I find it a bit more convenient to use than a laptop/pc as a source.

 

[OCC7N]

Thanks @FredA for sharing your experiences with the DI-24HE (and thanks too/in advance @rsbrsvp) - you are presenting a tempting case for a long time DI-20HE/Audio-Gd curious potential purchaser who really doesn't need any more DDCs (5 at last count). Great to get reconfirmation of the s/pdif input to come thanks @JPlaquia - that's quite a selling point to me, would allow some DDC consolidation.

Here's a question for you Fred - the R-8HE + DI-24HE or R-7HE by itself? Yes I realise the money no object answer is R-7HE + DI-24HE but our USD exchange rate remains dire (I'm doing my best to wait it out) and funds are finite...

Start by just getting the DI then you have the answer. Trust me

I would pick it with R8H3 anyday over the R7H3 alone.

—-

Even when never owning/heard the R7H3 you will understand if you know what the DI does. The R7H3 can not possibly do that alone.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Just want to stress- that to my ears- I do not hear a thinner sound compared to the DI-20HE at all. Just as thick, only less warm (by a little).

More energy, more analogue, a little bit cloder (in a good way IMHO)- but not brighter at all....

This is reallly my taste tonally because I like tonally saturated sound- but devoid of fuzzies and warmth. This DDC is superb...

 

[sajunky]

Start by just getting the DI then you have the answer. Trust me

I would pick it with R8H3 anyday over the R7H3 alone.

—-

Even when never owning/heard the R7H3 you will understand if you know what the DI does. The R7H3 can not possibly do that alone.

100% inline with my opinion. There is only one restriction. 10MHz option in R-8 with EC firmware is on expense of other input. In this context getting DI-24HE first is easier on the pocket and never wasted. It also postpones a tough decision regarding R-7 (or even HE-7) vs. R-8. You see different opinion on this. BTW, I would target HE-7 if I had founds for R-7.

Also consider that after general acceptance of DI-24 this new approach for clock synchronisation will be transfered to all DACs range starting from R-8, the same as it happened a year following DI-20 release.

 

[Jake2]

Thanks guys for your thoughts here. I did my sums and factoring in current exchange rates, freight and duty the R-7HE comes in over $8k here, with the HE7 not far behind.. brutal. There goes that idea for now. The DI-24HE on the other hand at 1/4 the price, especially if offset by sales of a few other surplus to requirement DDCs, is rather more within reach...

 

[FredA]

Thanks guys for your thoughts here. I did my sums and factoring in current exchange rates, freight and duty the R-7HE comes in over $8k here, with the HE7 not far behind.. brutal. There goes that idea for now. The DI-24HE on the other hand at 1/4 the price, especially if offset by sales of a few other surplus to requirement DDCs, is rather more within reach...

8K?.Where are you?

 

[OCC7N]

Another valid question would be for those who still own DI20HE

DI20HE and Masterclock vs DI24HE

Would DI24HE still be superior with no masterclock input or output used.

?

 

[Crypt Keeper]

Thanks guys for your thoughts here. I did my sums and factoring in current exchange rates, freight and duty the R-7HE comes in over $8k here, with the HE7 not far behind.. brutal. There goes that idea for now. The DI-24HE on the other hand at 1/4 the price, especially if offset by sales of a few other surplus to requirement DDCs, is rather more within reach...

You can always ask seller to lower the declared amount , so no duty at all

 

[Crypt Keeper]

Another valid question would be for those who still own DI20HE

DI20HE and Masterclock vs DI24HE

Would DI24HE still be superior with no masterclock input or output used.

?

I don't think so... The OCK2 will beat it for sure.

 

[matthia]

DI20HE and Masterclock vs DI24HE

I think it would be fair to compare both without clocks.

 

[rsbrsvp]

The DI-24 is technicaly slightly superior to the 20. Better clarity, detail, energy. But the 20 is warmer and some may prefer that. It is like not everyone prefers the technically best headphones because they are not always enjoyable, but the "close to flagship" ones often offer more fun even though slightly less technically proficient . So this can be a matter of taste... It is not a CLEAR knockout....... at all.... I prefer the 24, but I can see others disagreeing.