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Audio-Gd Reference 10
Mar 14, 2015 at 10:17 AM Post #391 of 431
A point of advice - I found the difference between Sabre chips [Compass-2, NFB-7] and the rest [Wolfson/TI/AKM] quite stark.
The topology does have an influence on the sound of course, but the chips sound more different IMO.
I quite like the Sabre chip and have currently ordered a DAC with one [Gustard X12] but expect a difference between the Ref 10's DAC and NFB-1 
smily_headphones1.gif

 
May 31, 2015 at 6:29 PM Post #392 of 431
so it looks like it's been a few years since the 10.32 has been updated. is this a record for kingwa? any ideas if there are upgrades to the 10.32 coming out anytime soon?
 
Jun 20, 2015 at 4:22 AM Post #394 of 431
lancerfin said:
  http://www.audio-gd.com/Master/Master-11/M11EN.htm
 
If you didn't already know.
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cool, thanks for the info. looks pretty interesting...i was able to pick up a used 10.32 that i'm enjoying very much. the one thing i'd love is a volume knob like on the master-11 (the up/down volume buttons on the 10.32 aren't very user-friendly)...will be interested to read reviews on the master-11.
 
Jun 20, 2015 at 3:27 PM Post #397 of 431
looking at the power output on the master-11, it can drive any headphone, he-6 and k1000 included. heck, even the 10.32 has enough power to drive any headphone...i'm thinking about picking up the new ether...should mate well with the 10.32
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 2:41 AM Post #398 of 431
lancerfin said:
  What headphones work well with Ref 10? Master-11 will probably sound much the same. Planning on using LCD2F's with it but I am open to different headphones.
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According to my experience the best headphones for Ref 10 are HD800. It was also confirmed by Mr. Kingwa. Before I bought HD800 I was using K702 and HD650. HD800 are in another league. Ref 10.32 is slightly darker and matches perfectly with HD800. I did try LCD 2 with it shortly but found them to be too dark for my tastes.
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 2:49 AM Post #399 of 431
lancerfin said:
  Master-11 will probably sound much the same.
Click to expand...

 
At first I was very tempted to sell my Ref 10.32 and get the new Master 11 instead, but after close inspection Master 11 seems to be Ref 10.32 DAC (4 PCM 1704UK vs 8 PCM1704UK in Master 7) with slightly more powerfull AMP only. Its SQ could be slightly better than Ref 10.32 but probably not worth selling Ref 10.32. I will probably get the NFB-1DAC one day instead.
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 3:56 AM Post #400 of 431
pina.cz said:
   
At first I was very tempted to sell my Ref 10.32 and get the new Master 11 instead, but after close inspection Master 11 seems to be Ref 10.32 DAC (4 PCM 1704UK vs 8 PCM1704UK in Master 7) with slightly more powerfull AMP only. Its SQ could be slightly better than Ref 10.32 but probably not worth selling Ref 10.32. I will probably get the NFB-1DAC one day instead.
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i think you are correct. the DAC portion sounds like it is the same...the amp is certainly more powerful, but i'm not sure how much this is necessary as the 10.32 is quite powerful to begin with. looks like the master 11 uses better internal wiring with the occ wires...and i do like the rotary volume knob. other than that, i'd like to see some reviews when this comes out.
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 4:51 AM Post #402 of 431
DAC should be better as Ref 10 was based on Ref 7.1. Someone said Master 7 was clear upgrade from ref 7.1.

Upgrading from Ref 10 to Master-11 probably isn't worth it.

edit: kingwa beat me by 10 secs. ha
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 6:47 AM Post #403 of 431
lancerfin said:
Upgrading from Ref 10 to Master-11 probably isn't worth it.

 
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I was expecting that as Mr. Kingwa already removed Ref 10.32 from Products page and it was replaced by Master 11. No reason to offer them both when SQ is only slightly better.
It is nice to see that Ref10.32 was designed so well that it took 3 years to upgrade it :wink:
 
Jun 23, 2015 at 6:57 AM Post #404 of 431
Have to imagine an update to the NFB-27 is coming as well?  Side question... I know Kingwa offers a mod to increase gain... is it possible to drop the gain for iem users?
 
Jun 24, 2015 at 1:55 AM Post #405 of 431
It seems that USB32 days are numbered. New DACs will have an option of Anamero Combo 384 board instead of USB32 if needed. According to Mr. Kingwa, the Anamero module Anamero Combo 384 should be available for separate purchase in September and it will be possible to replace the USB32 interface in older DACs with Anamero board without any soldering.
 
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