[Filodream]

Mine arrived today. Ready with the excellent Twin Pulse by Spirit Torino.

 

[WildSeven]

Just pulled the trigger and ordered the R28 with TCXOs and USB ISO.

I will be using my MSI gaming laptop as source through USB, as there are other gears connected to my laptop's USB, do I need a dedicate USBridge or something like a Schiit Wyrd to improve the signal?

 

[thebkt]

Just pulled the trigger and ordered the R28 with TCXOs and USB ISO.

I will be using my MSI gaming laptop as source through USB, as there are other gears connected to my laptop's USB, do I need a dedicate USBridge or something like a Schiit Wyrd to improve the signal?

Nope. The usb isolator does the job.

 

[Heavyboxer]

So a 2019 R28 edition has been released, with jumper lead setting becoming obsolete. DAC mode can now be selected on the faceplate.

Here's to hoping that older model owners might be given a chance to get upgraded, either by a kit or sending our units in.

 

[PopZeus]

Damn, the 2019 update to the R-28 has me completely reconsidering my gear situation. I really want one now.

ETA:
Quick question. I was also planning on using this to drive some IEMs as well as full-sized cans. Not particularly efficient IEMs, but I wanted to run them balanced. Do you guys think that will be a problem?

 

[WildSeven]

I should be receiving my 2019 edition by end of this month.

 

[sumpao]

I use R28 everyday really love it it versatile absolute pure class

 

[ToddRaymond]

Quick question. I was also planning on using this to drive some IEMs as well as full-sized cans. Not particularly efficient IEMs, but I wanted to run them balanced. Do you guys think that will be a problem?

I’m just e-mailed my resquest for an invoice for an R-28 and a pair of Precision 3Ss, and I’ll also only be using the headphone amp aspect of the R-28 with some balanced Ocharaku flagship IEMs. I’ll share my impressions here once I receive it.

 

[sumpao]

Hey guy I have a question I now happy with my R-28 but there is an offer for me to buy MASTER 9 in my country around 700 USD.
Which I find it very bargain did I have to jump for it?

 

[sumpao]

FYI MASTER 9 buying in 2016 is it worth it?

 

[gLer]

FYI MASTER 9 buying in 2016 is it worth it?

I haven’t heard the Master 9 myself but honestly, is there anything about the R-28 you don’t like or want to improve? If not, you have your answer. Chasing something just because “it’s a good deal” doesn’t really make sense if you’re happy with what you have. I’ve learned that the hard (and expensive) way over the years.

 

[Viper2005]

Hey guy I have a question I now happy with my R-28 but there is an offer for me to buy MASTER 9 in my country around 700 USD.
Which I find it very bargain did I have to jump for it?

I have the exact same system R28 -> Master 9 and I can tell you the amp of the M9 is improved over the amp in the R28 (its essentially a NFB-1 inside the R28). You will notice more dynamics and the sound has more gestalt than the R28 alone, at least for he headphones that I use.
Also make sure you use the ACSS connection between the two, as it uses current vs voltage to transmit the signal so the cable has less influence over the sound.

 

[UsoppNoKami]

Hey guy I have a question I now happy with my R-28 but there is an offer for me to buy MASTER 9 in my country around 700 USD.
Which I find it very bargain did I have to jump for it?

Master 9 is strictly a preamp/headamp ya..

For what it's worth, I bought a Master 11 Singularity recently, even though I already had a R2R-R1 + NFB1-AMP stack (equivalent to an all-in-one R28).

The primary reason for the purchase is I preferred the sound of the older BB DAC. On the day I auditioned the M11-S, I also listened to my headphones and tracks on a Chord Hugo TT2 + Mscaler, but the weighty sound of the M11-S won me over.

At home now, direct comparison of the amp section - M11-S has much better authority and dynamics than the NFB1-AMP. I'm not 100% sure of the differences with the Master 9, cant' find the 2016 edition on the website, but the 2017-onwards M9 amp specs pretty much mirror the M11S. On that basis, I would say the M9 should sound better than the NFB1-AMP / amp section of the R28.

But instead of dropping $700 on the M9, maybe you can consider something like the Monoprice Monlith Liquid Platinum instead. Get a different dynamic from the AGD house sound, and you can tune the sound a bit with the preamp tubes whilst still enjoying clean solid-state output (3.6W per channel, can drive pretty much anything). Rolling tubes won't be too crazy as there are only 2 of them and there is a lot of info available before you buy anything. Check out the thread in the amps forum if you're interested.

 

[gLer]

I have the exact same system R28 -> Master 9 and I can tell you the amp of the M9 is improved over the amp in the R28 (its essentially a NFB-1 inside the R28). You will notice more dynamics and the sound has more gestalt than the R28 alone, at least for he headphones that I use.
Also make sure you use the ACSS connection between the two, as it uses current vs voltage to transmit the signal so the cable has less influence over the sound.

How much of a jump in quality would you say it is? Is it the proverbial ‘night and day’ some people like to use around here, or more subtle?

 

[sumpao]

I haven’t heard the Master 9 myself but honestly, is there anything about the R-28 you don’t like or want to improve? If not, you have your answer. Chasing something just because “it’s a good deal” doesn’t really make sense if you’re happy with what you have. I’ve learned that the hard (and expensive) way over the years.

No R-28 is fine for me. I feel no need to upgrade but as per this hobby go "Greed" is what we should happen to face all the time haha.