New Audio-gd R-7, R-7HE R-8, R-27, R-27HE, R-28 Flagship Resistor Ladder DACs and DAC/amps

[borrego]

By the way, with a usb cable swap, I got rid of the playback issues with 188 and 192k files. I still have an issue with having to reboot my computer (usbridge running volumio) upon skipping once in a while. The playback will stop and not resume even if i skip.

Using the new tda asynch fw, things could get more stable as the world clock is no used.

I wholeheartedly suggest you getting the Icron Ranger. If you are still getting playback hiccups with your USB connection, the performance bottle neck is there and not the DDC/XO/firmware. Your U16 still uses USB connection after all.

With the Icron Ranger + LPS, I am just using cheapo Belden Gold and DIY 20cm USB cables, playing 352kHz music files from my 7 years old Windows 10 notebook (with multiple BT download threads running in the background, 5 to 6 Firefox browser tabs opened, some playing flash or html5 video) using J.River Media Player to my M7S with both USB sync and PLL disabled, and not a single hiccup will occur. The only situation I encounter playback hiccup is when the notebook hard drive is too busy and not quick enough reading music files.

When I first received my M7S, not knowing the Icron Ranger power was accidentally unplugged and had to use direct cable connection to the built-in Amanero input, I actually found the M7S much worse sounding than my old Reference 5.32 mod. The Icron Ranger is really that magical.

 

[FredA]

On a different note, I've been trying out the new TDA Asyn software on my M7S, coming from V3 NOS3 and it is quite something I didn't expect.
I've been trying the various configurations but the 4X Oversampling just hits the spot in my case. It may sound silly but I can't exactly put my finger on it because I feel its just "right". Difficult to describe. There is a righteousness to it in comparison to all others. I'm not sure if it may also be a question of speed/establishment/immediacy. Anywho, I went back to check the others again but that "righteousness" calls me back to 4X oversampling (S7 jumper). I thought it'd be worth sharing in case some others can get the same enjoyment I am.

I'm running my system differently from others it seems, upstream I'm coming in via a MicroRendu (with LPS) via USB into my M7S and its Amanero with isolation input. Not via an I2S interface. And with stock oscillators at this time.

Dam i would like to give this fw a try. I am still waiting for the hdmi i2s on input 4 version.
Reading this thread, Kingwa?

 

[FredA]

I wholeheartedly suggest you getting the Icron Ranger. If you are still getting playback hiccups with your USB connection, the performance bottle neck is there and not the DDC/XO/firmware. Your U16 still uses USB connection after all.

With the Icron Ranger + LPS, I am just using cheapo Belden Gold and DIY 20cm USB cables, playing 352kHz music files from my 7 years old Windows 10 notebook (with multiple BT download threads running in the background, 5 to 6 Firefox browser tabs opened, some playing flash or html5 video) using J.River Media Player to my M7S with both USB sync and PLL disabled, and not a single hiccup will occur. The only situation I encounter playback hiccup is when the notebook hard drive is too busy and not quick enough reading music files.

When I first received my M7S, not knowing the Icron Ranger power was accidentally unplugged and had to use direct cable connection to the built-in Amanero input, I actually found the M7S much worse sounding than my old Reference 5.32 mod. The Icron Ranger is really that magical.

Yeah, maybe i should but i went another way with the usbrigde outputting an ultra-clean usb signal to the intona, itself outputting to the u16. Sounds really great. Without the intona, something is lost. I have a dc offset in my setup which is expected given of power distribution is made.

 

[borrego]

Yeah, maybe i should but i went another way with the usbrigde outputting an ultra-clean usb signal to the intona, itself outputting to the u16. Sounds really great. Without the intona, something is lost. I have a dc offset in my setup which is expected given of power distribution is made.

I was using the Intona before the Icron Ranger. Now the Intona is sitting in its box on the shelf. Intona does reclocking and galvanic isolation, but not data buffering and correction. If you encountered playback hiccup, the USB signal received by your U16 must not be "ultra-clean" or well timed.

 

[DACLadder]

Tested Asy, Syn, and V3A firmware with both the Singxer SU-1 and Gustard U16. Used a long 2m HDMI cable to hopefully degrade MCLK for more negative affect.

The SU-1 sounded better with Asy firmware. Bass a little better, vocals smoother. Syn and V3A sound similar but slightly warmer. You really had to listen for changes.

The Gustard U16 (with same 2m HDMI cable) sounded better with any firmware compared to the SU-1. My SU-1 seems to have a touch of grain in the vocals in comparison.

Using Asy f/w, U16, and a shorter 0.3m HDMI cable then the magic happens! Huge bass, smooth lush vocals, and big stage. I would say holographic and transparent. Best I have ever heard the R7 play on my system. It is a dramatic change for the better. So relaxing but highly detailed (after 3 hrs warm-up period). Sent Kingwa a long Email.

But I do have a complaint with Asy. As mentioned above higher sampling rate PCM files sound hollow with OS 8x. 384kHz was really sad! Up to 96kHz seems OK. Redbook 44.1Khz files are exceptional though with OS 8x. Will try 2x, 4x for the higher rates.

And no telling what the Accusilion oscillators will bring to the party next week...

 

[Chopin75]

Tested Asy, Syn, and V3A firmware with both the Singxer SU-1 and Gustard U16. Used a long 2m HDMI cable to hopefully degrade MCLK for more negative affect.

The SU-1 sounded better with Asy firmware. Bass a little better, vocals smoother. Syn and V3A sound similar but slightly warmer. You really had to listen for changes.

The Gustard U16 (with same 2m HDMI cable) sounded better with any firmware compared to the SU-1. My SU-1 seems to have a touch of grain in the vocals in comparison.

Using Asy f/w, U16, and a shorter 0.3m HDMI cable then the magic happens! Huge bass, smooth lush vocals, and big stage. I would say holographic and transparent. Best I have ever heard the R7 play on my system. It is a dramatic change for the better. So relaxing but highly detailed (after 3 hrs warm-up period). Sent Kingwa a long Email.

But I do have a complaint with Asy. As mentioned above higher sampling rate PCM files sound hollow with OS 8x. 384kHz was really sad! Up to 96kHz seems OK. Redbook 44.1Khz files are exceptional though with OS 8x. Will try 2x, 4x for the higher rates.

And no telling what the Accusilion oscillators will bring to the party next week...

Did you try NOS 1 on the R2R7 which tends to do better with HiRES 384Hz. OS 8x may be too much upsampling now that the upstream source has improved via U16.

 

[DACLadder]

Did you try NOS 1 on the R2R7 which tends to do better with HiRES 384Hz. OS 8x may be too much upsampling now that the upstream source has improved via U16.

No I haven't gotten to that point. I tend to like OS 8x for the other firmware versions so kept that for comparisons.

 

[DACLadder]

We have Kingwa's attention. He told me overnight that he purchased a Gustard U16 for testing purposes and asked me what U16 firmware I was running (1.4 PSA). I think he is on a mission to figure out why sources sound differently. And he is juggling a lot of design elements right now so if you have a comment about the TDA firmware let him know.

Kingwa asked me about 384kHz PCM playback and said the one file I have sounded hollow (or distant) compared to Redbook rate files. And confessed that I sometimes change OS to 2x or 4x even with V3 firmware for high sampling rates. But the affect is more so with Asy. Kingwa did mention that higher sampling rates sound better with better clocks. So I will test higher sampling rates again when the Accusilicon oscillators arrive. And he released the TDA firmware just to showcase the Accusilicon oscillators (I guess while he figures it all out going forward).

Kingwa said that his comment in the TDA project write-up about S/PDIF sounding better with TDA firmware and Accusilicon TXCOs needs clarification. I'll let him explain..."I may read mistake on forum, the SPDIF is not the best in the new fw, but I said on my web, because I often listen with redbook disc with the disc transport , so in the Asy fw, the spdif input had a larger improved than the older versions." With his CD transport setup Kingwa likes Asy better when using S/PDIF and the Accusilicon clocks.

Lastly, Kingwa said to give the Accusilicon oscillators a long burn-in (1K hours). He recommends the battery oscillator burn-in to avoid initial disappointment. But I will just plug them in and suffer for a few weeks! He also said Accusiliicon oscillators are much better at phase noise than the standard TCXOs. (10dB better at 100hz, 20dB better at 1Khz, and 30dB better at 10kHz). And the standard TCXOs have 5x more jitter versus Accusilicon. Kingwa got a special deal on these Accusilicon oscillators and passing the cost savings to customers. I replied that customers will pay any price for significantly better sound!

 

[motberg]

http://bbs.audio-gd.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=2&Id=31009

There is a mention there (via Google translate)
"Connected to R7tda via U16, NOS mode supports 768K input."

Anyone try this ?

I hope Kingwa checks into the U16 i2s problems with the R-1 and R-8 also..

With my R-1 yesterday, I made extensive comparisons with the Isolated Amanero input vs. the U16 i2s (which requires upsampling everything to 384 KHz.)
I think I will stick with the Amanero (Oversampling 4X) for now, as I think the the required "out of sample rate family" HQPlayer oversampling may be causing too much of a hit in transparency.. For my R-1 path I am using a tube buffer so the Amanero may be a better fit until the bugs get worked out of the U16/R-1 i2s compatibility problems.

Am I correct in understanding the Accusilicon 318B clock upgrade option would benefit both the Amanero USB and the i2s inputs?
I am thinking the R-8 with Accusilicon 318B should be pretty special for the price.. especially if some type of mains power conditioning is available.

 

[DACLadder]

@motberg I think with any input, firmware, or DAC the Accusilicon TCXOs are a significant upgrade over the standard shipping R7-type oscillators. At least on paper and experience with the U16 the Accusilicons are the real deal. But we need to verify positively with sound comparisons and maybe a few more DAC firmware tweaks to dial it in.

 

[DACLadder]

And I have less issues with the U16 playback with Asy firmware. Especially higher sampling rates. The U16 is still plenty weird operationally compared to the SIngxers!

 

[cobrabucket]

Hello. I have been thinking about upgrading my dac for a while and have long wanted a Chord Qutest, but decided to look around at what else is out there. I currently have an SMSL SU-8 dac into either a THX 789 or a Bottlehead Crack tube amp for headphones, or SU-8 into JBL LSR305s and LSR310 Subwoofer. After looking at available high-end DACs, many people rec'd R2R DACs for their sound signature. At first, I had people suggesting the Denafrips Ares, but after looking into it, it appears that it only has something like an 18 bit ladder. I don't think this would fit my needs, as I listen to a lot of hi-res and DSD music. Logically, the top suggestions for higher end were either the Holo Spring or Audio GD R8 or R1. Ideally, I would like to be able to play DSD natively and have true 24+ bit resistors. Balanced is also preferred. What's the difference b/n R1 and R8? As I am at a crossroads and cannot afford to make a wrong decision, I am asking for input. Thanks!

 

[Chopin75]

Hello. I have been thinking about upgrading my dac for a while and have long wanted a Chord Qutest, but decided to look around at what else is out there. I currently have an SMSL SU-8 dac into either a THX 789 or a Bottlehead Crack tube amp for headphones, or SU-8 into JBL LSR305s and LSR310 Subwoofer. After looking at available high-end DACs, many people rec'd R2R DACs for their sound signature. At first, I had people suggesting the Denafrips Ares, but after looking into it, it appears that it only has something like an 18 bit ladder. I don't think this would fit my needs, as I listen to a lot of hi-res and DSD music. Logically, the top suggestions for higher end were either the Holo Spring or Audio GD R8 or R1. Ideally, I would like to be able to play DSD natively and have true 24+ bit resistors. Balanced is also preferred. What's the difference b/n R1 and R8? As I am at a crossroads and cannot afford to make a wrong decision, I am asking for input. Thanks!

The R7 is excellent for both PCM and DSD. Unfortunately there is low level noise at beginning of DSD256 tracks or at quiet passages. Holo supposedly has excellent DSD but I am not sure how good PCM is.

 

[cobrabucket]

The R7 is excellent for both PCM and DSD. Unfortunately there is low level noise at beginning of DSD256 tracks or at quiet passages. Holo supposedly has excellent DSD but I am not sure how good PCM is.

The noise is only present with DSD256? What's the differenced between R1 and R8? R7 is a fully upgraded R8, correct?

 

[DACLadder]

R7 is a fully upgraded R8, correct?

The R8 is actually more like a cost reduced R7. Same DAC modules but has a lighter chassis and some smaller transformers. Single large PCB board that is cheaper to manufacture versus three in the R7. The R8's I/O interfaces and FPGA circuits seem more simplified. Requires different firmware builds. And haven't had the pleasure of trying one out!