Audio-GD Reference 7 - the new flagship DAC

[regal]

Quote:

Another question. I'm very close to ordering the Reference 7.
 
If I will almost 100% not ever make a balanced system, should i still get the Reference 7 (even though I'm just using single ended)?

Well its single ended outputs are exceptional.   Ask around and see if you can find any other DAC with an all discrete output stage with no NFB and zero ohm voltage compliance on the i-out of the DAC.   As far as the Dac19 the Re1 was a big upgrade single ended.

 

[IPodPJ]

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To full utilitize the Audio-GD equipment, the ACSS connection and equipment has to be used.
 
The RCA or XLR output is only 80% Sound Quality of ACSS.

That is absolute bull****.  How exactly did you come to this conclusion?  The SNR difference between XLR and ACSS is about 4% and about 9% from RCA to ACSS, but that is meaningless as far as sound quality is concerned unless you are listening above 115dB.  And even if the ACSS connection is slightly better, that doesn't mean that all the ACSS equipped gear being connected to it is better than all the RCA or XLR equipped gear out there.

 

[haloxt]

It was quite a long time ago since Kingwa said it so I may not recall it correctly, but I believe Kingwa said, that IF we were to say RCA is 60%, and acss is 100%, then xlr is 80%, meaning that xlr would be halfway between rca and acss, NOT a % of sound quality! This could be interpreted a number of ways, but having experienced all three connection methods, I personally believe it was meant simply as "technical ability", ie separation, transients and microdetail, when using the three different connections in an audio setup with an audio-gd acss dac and acss amp. It's not a comment on what happens when paired with other brands of dac's and amp's.
 
Just my speculation though, memory a little blurry and if you want clarification you can always ask Kingwa .
 
And imo, if we are talking about "overall sound quality and listening pleasure", I absolutely do not consider rca 60% of acss, or xlr 80% of acss. I find them all to be enjoyable, but I have to say using the acss connector over rca/xlr in audio-gd acss dac and amp does lead to very precise and clean microdetail. I have a lot less experience than Kingwa, but I would actually rate it something like rca 70%, xlr 90%, acss 100% for technical ability. But that's with acss automatically at 100%, if I were to compare to real life acss would be less than 100%.

 

[Dynobot]

Quote:

To full utilitize the Audio-GD equipment, the ACSS connection and equipment has to be used.
 
The RCA or XLR output is only 80% Sound Quality of ACSS.

I recently got an email from a AGD distributor, he says that the "Single Ended" ST-7 Preamp is "WAY BETTER" than the "ACSS/Balanced" C-39MK3 Preamp.
 
Any thoughts, anyone?
 

 

[Pacha]

 
Quote:

 As far as the Dac19 the Re1 was a big upgrade single ended.

 Could you quickly sum up what improvements were you experiencing with RE-1 used single ended compared to DAC-19?

 

[Nada]

Originally Posted by Dynobot I recently got an email from a AGD distributor, he says that the "Single Ended" ST-7 Preamp is "WAY BETTER" than the "ACSS/Balanced" C-39MK3 Preamp.   Any thoughts, any one?
 
1. said distributor likes hearing lots of distortion in his system as he uses tube gear at home with harsh speakers?
2. distributor has ST-7 stock he cant shift cause no one buys them?
3. distributor is worried no one will ever buy one now as this amp is  discontinued?

 

[Dynobot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynobot I recently got an email from a AGD distributor, he says that the "Single Ended" ST-7 Preamp is "WAY BETTER" than the "ACSS/Balanced" C-39MK3 Preamp.   Any thoughts, any one?
 
1. said distributor likes hearing lots of distortion in his system as he uses tube gear at home with harsh speakers?
2. distributor has ST-7 stock he cant shift cause no one buys them?
3. distributor is worried no one will ever buy one now as this amp is  discontinued?

I agree on all 3 accounts.  I actually felt insulted that they would say something like that to me. 

 

[haloxt]

Dynobot, the ST-7 was audio-gd's attempt at an enjoyable but seriously colored preamp. I bet to many people it would be way preferable to any of audio-gd's completely acss setup. "Way better" could mean just that it is more enjoyable.
 
If I had the money to spare I would definitely get an ST-7 to complement my neutral setup, but bah, I can only dream .

 

[Nada]

Quote:

I would definitely get an ST-7 to complement my neutral setup...

...that's an excellent idea
use ACSS linked gear for great recordings to reveal all the music but for enjoying all the great music with woeful engineering throw in an ST-7 and purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[IPodPJ]

Did you guys notice that Audio-gd is now a sponsor?

 

[regal]

Quote:

Did you guys notice that Audio-gd is now a sponsor?

We were the lucky ones that got the classic DAC's before Audio-gd grew up ,  they are a typical supplier now,  surely still top rate but well them selling $5k-$10k class DAC's for under $2k those days are gone.  Its a new Audiogd now,  maybe the new Sabre DAC's are superior,  but honestly I won't buy one simply because they are easy to build.   I worked on a PCM1704 DIY dac for 5 years and never got close to taming it the way Kingwa did,  the guy is really talented and I wish him the best with the new business model.
 

 

[purrin]

 
Quote:

We were the lucky ones that got the classic DAC's before Audio-gd grew up ,  they are a typical supplier now,  surely still top rate but well them selling $5k-$10k class DAC's for under $2k those days are gone.  Its a new Audiogd now,  maybe the new Sabre DAC's are superior,  but honestly I won't buy one simply because they are easy to build.   I worked on a PCM1704 DIY dac for 5 years and never got close to taming it the way Kingwa did,  the guy is really talented and I wish him the best with the new business model.
 

I dunno, it seems like Audio-gd is still trying to acquire PCM1704s chips. I'm not totally convinced Audio-gd will totally cancel the REF5/7/8s, although I can definitely see them raise the prices on these units or offer limited availability specials because of supply chain / pricing issues with those chips.
 
Though it does look that the majority of Audio-gd business is with the FUNs, Sparrows, and lower end NFBs now...

 

[BournePerfect]

I feel special. I got the last Reference 9 ever made!
 
-Daniel

 

[vrln]

Quote:

Did you guys notice that Audio-gd is now a sponsor?

Where did you see this? I checked the sponsor forums and no mention of Audio-gd over there... Would be nice to encourage Kingwa to post here more often now that he´s a sponsor
 
regal: Agreed, the REF series was totally unique in the market... Noone else has ever offered PCM1704UK quad+ DAC´s at prices even remotely near to Audio-gd. I don´t think they´ll quit making them, but I can definately see a price increase coming or at least very limited availability. I battled the NFB-7 vs REF-7 choice for a long time, I´m glad I went REF. That said, the NFB-7 would have been interesting too. Someday I might sell the REF7 and try the latest Sabre flagship out of curiosity, but for the time being I´m just very happy with this combo.
 
sokolov: I caved in... LCD-2 on the way

 

[Currawong]

I'm tempted to grab one of those Reference 8s but I need more gear like I need a hole in the head.