Audio-GD Reference 7 - the new flagship DAC

[IPodPJ]

Well, this is just great. 

  I certainly can't afford it now.
I would like to know what kind of differences there are.

 

[Currawong]

Silvercans: The measurements are 1dB better with the new one.

 

[IPodPJ]

Well it's funny how on the Ref7.1 page it says "the BEST DAC we've ever made".
I really would love to hear it.  There's no way I will be able to compare the two because even if I decided to get the new one I would have to sell my existing one first, and you know this will surely lower the resale value of RE7 by at least $200, even though the new one costs more.

 

[haloxt]

Two possible ways to interpret "best dac we ever made", 1. it's so darn good they have to say it is the best dac they ever made , or (most likely imo), 2. that it is the most up to date version of their flagship dac. I hope it is #2, for ipodpj's sake .

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Two possible ways to interpret "best dac we ever made", 1. it's so darn good they have to say it is the best dac they ever made , or (most likely imo), 2. that it is the most up to date version of their flagship dac. I hope it is #2, for ipodpj's sake .

Me too.   I'm getting a little sick and BLEEPing tired of this upgrade stuff.

 

[Dynobot]

Sounds like someone is tempted....
 
Go ahead and get it, you know you want it....its THE BEST, a big step up from the 'old' and 'outdated' Ref 7.
 

 

[johangrb]

Fwiw: I emailed Kingwa on the difference between my current RE1 and the 7.1. His reply:
 
"There are some RE1 customers upgrade to RE7 and feedback their is a slight upgrade,
And we think the RE7.1 is slight upgrade than RE7.
But the different not much."
 
From that I gather that it's a marginal upgrade/improvement from the 7. (Unless something got lost in translation -lol).

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Sounds like someone is tempted....
 
Go ahead and get it, you know you want it....its THE BEST, a big step up from the 'old' and 'outdated' Ref 7.
 

If I do get it, and I probably will, it won't be for at least 2 months.  But then what about the RE7.1HE?  Would I just go all the way and get that?  Having a separate power supply certainly has its benefit for amplifiers, but for a source I'm not so sure because you are adding more distance between the regulators and the DAC (and the RE7 is well designed in this regard).  You also have the added cost of making good DC power cables for it, which do make a difference, as was evident with the Phoenix.  Also, Kingwa has told me the HE power supply gets very hot and you cannot run it for more than 8 hours a day (which I don't anyway, but I am sensitive to the heat living in a warm area).  That sounds to me like it gets even hotter than the Phoenix, which would be an automatic no for me.
 
I will gladly allow anyone in the L.A. area or beyond to come and listen to it at my home if they want when and if I get it, and I'll take it to local meets, as I have with the RE7.
 
If I do get it I might opt this time to have all the connections wired with OCC silver, or at the very least all the digital interchip connections and inputs with OCC silver.  My Ref7 has OCC silver only on the AES input, Illuminati coax on the BNC, and DHC Nucleotide OCC copper everywhere else.
 
Also, Kingwa believes it to be a slight upgrade from the RE7, but he also feels if much detail is not what you are after it could be a degrade, depending on your tastes.  I'm a detail whore so I'm sure I would approve, as long as it doesn't sacrifice anything the RE7 does so well.

 

[Dynobot]

If and when you do get it I suggest you go for broke and get it upgraded to the hilt
 

 

[IPodPJ]

Here's what Kingwa has to say about the HE:
 
Dear Philip,
To now , I got all feedbacks are good upgrade from the HE version customers even some are send the standard version upgrade to HE version,
But as you and me all know the sound is much personal , so depend on your decide.
The HE version sound a bit different to standard version.
It is a bit rich, a bit relax, a bit black background, which is I can't exact explain the different.
Kingwa
 
Translated:
Dear Philip,
Up until now, all the feedback I have received from the HE version is good.  Some customers even send back the standard version to be upgraded to the HE version.
But as you and I both know, sound quality is very much personal, so it depends on your taste.
However the HE version sounds a bit different from the standard version.
It is a bit richer, slightly more relaxed, a little blacker background, but I can't exactly explain the difference.
Kingwa

 

[Dynobot]

IPodPJ
 
I have a suggestion.  You should give yourself a budget of say 3K for the purchase and upgrade of the new Ref 7.  Get it wired with the best wire, re-capped with the best caps, put the best connectors on it, and maybe even ask to have the power supplies upgraded if possible.  In this way even IF AGD does make another version [which is likely] within the next few months 'your' upgrades will still be better than the small upgrade AGD usually does.  For example Pete made some major upgrades to his Dac making it a MAXX version, imo AGD is still not up to that level.  Future proof yourself and go all out....if AGD is not will or able to do it have the guy who upgraded your Transporter do it.  Once he gets some experience with AGD products he will likely have a bunch of people lining up for his services [ie like ME]
 
Good Luck.
 
Oh and if all else fails, use your next chunk of cash for a visit to a good shrink....

, you might be able to recommend the shrink to the group here as well [ie like ME]

 

[Dynobot]

A Few areas overlooked with the new and improved Ref 7.1
 
Although Kingwa and many others believe that 192K upsampling is more hype than fact, the Woflson spdif is capable of 24/192 input were as the DIR is limited to 24/96.  Using the Wolfson coax/bnc in would allow someone with the capability to output full 24/192 a [theoretically] higher level of fidelity.
 
Another area is the use of the Tenor USB.  While the Tenor is better than the average stock usb input the one licensed by CEntrance is superior in almost every way.  It still is limited to 24/96, the TAS1020B chip is better.
 
Finally AGD still uses the cheapest connectors on the planet.  Better RCA/XLR etc. connectors can be found on the cheapest of the cheap gear yet AGD still sees fit to use 0.01 cent connectors.
 
If the idea is to truly build the "Best Ever" you really need to pay attention to detail.
 
Also it would be nice since AGD is using the build to order approach, if people could purchase [at the customers expense] top notch caps, connectors, and even R-core transformers to truly personalize their product.  I am sure people with the funds would be willing to wait to have their Ref 7.1 built using V-Caps and Furutech connectors for example.
 
Slow down the constant new products and start giving people more choices who are willing to wait for their special builds....its win-win, because the basic circuitry outlay would remain the same, no new boards or fundamental design changes.  But instead improvements in sound can be made with upgrading parts...which can really give a marked increase in fidelity.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

A Few areas overlooked with the new and improved Ref 7.1
 
Although Kingwa and many others believe that 192K upsampling is more hype than fact, the Woflson spdif is capable of 24/192 input were as the DIR is limited to 24/96.  Using the Wolfson coax/bnc in would allow someone with the capability to output full 24/192 a [theoretically] higher level of fidelity.
 
Another area is the use of the Tenor USB.  While the Tenor is better than the average stock usb input the one licensed by CEntrance is superior in almost every way.  It still is limited to 24/96, the TAS1020B chip is better.
 
Finally AGD still uses the cheapest connectors on the planet.  Better RCA/XLR etc. connectors can be found on the cheapest of the cheap gear yet AGD still sees fit to use 0.01 cent connectors.
 
If the idea is to truly build the "Best Ever" you really need to pay attention to detail.
 
Also it would be nice since AGD is using the build to order approach, if people could purchase [at the customers expense] top notch caps, connectors, and even R-core transformers to truly personalize their product.  I am sure people with the funds would be willing to wait to have their Ref 7.1 built using V-Caps and Furutech connectors for example.
 
Slow down the constant new products and start giving people more choices who are willing to wait for their special builds....its win-win, because the basic circuitry outlay would remain the same, no new boards or fundamental design changes.  But instead improvements in sound can be made with upgrading parts...which can really give a marked increase in fidelity.

Either he has changed the RCA connectors or you are 100% wrong here.  
 
I liked the connectors on my REF1 well enough that I bought a bunch from him for some DIY projects.  
 
They don't have the thickest Gold plate on them, but they are very heavy and are I believe solid copper under the gold.  Very heavy.
 
They are the same ones that are on the Compass, FUN, and Sparrow.
 
Maybe you need your glasses checked?
 
Have you ever had one in your hand?  I mean off the chassis and in your hand?
 
You need a Cardas mandrel PIN wrench to get them loose.  The wrench costs about $60.
 
If you can buy them for 1 cent.  Buy me a few hundred and I'll triple your money for them.
 
The XLRs on my REF and Phoenix are Neutriks.
 
So What are you talking about?
 
 

 

[Dynobot]

don't get your panties in a bunch...its really not that serious.
 
breath......
 
did you get your estrogen shot today??

 

[haloxt]

The last time someone asked audio-gd to change a few inches of internal wiring, Kingwa let him know he thought the tweak reduced the bass and would let it burn in some more to see how it sounds . If someone ever gets Kingwa to do an all out bling bling dac, make sure to share all of his comments on the mods. Will probably be more interesting than Jerry Springer.