[BreadMaster]

So what's the best $10k dac these days? Please don't say Dave.. -_-

 

[Jackula]

So what's the best $10k dac these days? Please don't say Dave.. -_-

R7HE obviously.

But if R2R isn't the sound you're after, I think the EAR Yoshino DAC 4 is better than the Chord Dave, and it's cheaper too.

 

[FredA]

We would hwve to do a big shoutout to know for sure and do a proper integration of each dac. Swap cables if needed. I don't care much.

For an all audio-gd setup, acss brings a significant advantage. A 100$ diy interconnect can sound like a 1000+ ref cable. So it's not just the dac itself.

 

[DACLadder]

I hope Kingwa does not roll out a new flagship model any time soon! I'm still evaluating the last two flagship models.

But a new flagship DAC would signal major breakthrough in technology and direction. The technology would roll down to lower cost products where the real money is made in volume. The R7/R7-HE has just recently caught wind and selling in larger numbers so I say "ride the wave". I think we will see more sideways products in the next few months at least!

 

[BreadMaster]

R7HE obviously.

But if R2R isn't the sound you're after, I think the EAR Yoshino DAC 4 is better than the Chord Dave, and it's cheaper too.

What about TotalDAC D1 CORE? $4700 euros

 

[FredA]

What about TotalDAC D1 CORE? $4700 euros

Seems like a valid contender. Reading the review, the listening impressions ressemble mine with the R7-HE.

 

[Jackula]

What about TotalDAC D1 CORE? $4700 euros

Hi-fi to me is about getting as close to the original recording as possible. The TotalDAC doesn't allow me to do that. It is a warm sounding DAC, I really can't take it seriously. If you're after a sound that is "nice" but not "realistic" they will be a better choice than anything Audio-GD has to offer currently.

If you're serious about getting a TotalDAC, consider the d1-single or above, the better output stage adds better overall refinement to the sound. They also offer a home demo of you're interested.

 

[FredA]

For those considering an audio-gd m3, i will state again that it has an ultra-long burn-in period. I swear it is still getting better after 1000 hours. But it is hard to separate the r7he burn-in improvments from the m3's.

All i can say is that my setup is becoming ridiculously good. Can't imagine what adding the HE-1 or HE-9 could do. As it is for @Jackula, I aim at getting the most lifelike music reproduction. Sort of a time machine transporting me back to the sweet spot of the recording premises. I know this is Kingwa's design goal and he is getting closer and closer. Life is good between the four walls of my listening room. I feel like applauding Chet on his sublime interpretation of The Touch of Your Lips while i write this.

 

[Chopin75]

Has anyone experienced any issue with their DAC's XLR balanced output? I am beginning to wonder of one of my output is causing some distortions since when I switched back to RCA unbalanced that distortion is reduced or gone. Now I have tried another DAC with balanced output and the distortion is much less (more tolerable), I am not sure if it is too revealing or some defect but at times it seems to be definitely abnormal distortion or clipping-like sounds. I think it is only on 1 channel.

 

[FredA]

Has anyone experienced any issue with their DAC's XLR balanced output? I am beginning to wonder of one of my output is causing some distortions since when I switched back to RCA unbalanced that distortion is reduced or gone. Now I have tried another DAC with balanced output and the distortion is much less (more tolerable), I am not sure if it is too revealing or some defect but at times it seems to be definitely abnormal distortion or clipping-like sounds. I think it is only on 1 channel.

A faithful source will reproduce distorsion faithfully. Also, you amp must be able to receive the signal level the r7 outputs.. If just on certain recordings, it is most likely on the recordings themselves. Could also be a problem with your amp. I have no such issue.

 

[Chopin75]

A faithful source will reproduce distorsion faithfully. Also, you amp must be able to receive the signal level the r7 outputs.. If just on certain recordings, it is most likely on the recordings themselves. Could also be a problem with your amp. I have no such issue.

I have tried a different DAC with balanced outout and issue seems less obvious or gone, and i Can't figure out if this more of a recording issue or not. Happens even on some really good recordings, if more rare.

 

[FredA]

I have tried a different DAC with balanced outout and issue seems less obvious or gone, and i Can't figure out if this more of a recording issue or not. Happens even on some really good recordings, if more rare.

Most album have at least a few defects. The most common derect is going beyond the recording max admissible level and will cause distorsion. The old jazz albums are full of this. This becomes really obvious with planar headphones.

 

[DACLadder]

I have tried a different DAC with balanced outout and issue seems less obvious or gone, and i Can't figure out if this more of a recording issue or not. Happens even on some really good recordings, if more rare.

Hmm... I have listened to balanced XLR outputs on my DACs for about two years. And do not hear noise or distortions in normal use.

Assuming cables are good... distortion on the loudest passages of music is sometimes a result of signal clipping. The R7 is speced an output level of 5V balanced and half of that (2.5V) for single ended. XLR outputs may overload the input stage of the preamp or amp where it connects. But single ended, with less level, sounds better. 5V rms = +14 dBv which is a very healthy signal level.

Ruling out clipping issue or cables... the single ended outputs on all my AGD DACs are actually the same signal as the balanced pair's XLR (+) signal. So any distortion, if OK single ended, would logically be on the XLR (-) signal.?? And a different DAC may output less signal level and sound better (less clipping). Hope this helps and remotely could be a fault with your R7 but this would be a rare problem.

 

[Chopin75]

Does anyone know if the PLL mode applies for all digital inputs or just the USB ??
Thanks!

 

[DACLadder]

Does anyone know if the PLL mode applies for all digital inputs or just the USB ??
Thanks!

USB and I2S if using V2 or V3 firmware. PLL mode function was removed in the latest TDA firmware.

PLL for USB and IIS jumper OFF : PLL=OFF
PLL for USB and IIS jumper ON: PLL=ON