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

[mudnut]

I couldn't tell the difference between NOS and OS x8, maybe OS is bit "clearer"....Why everyone is saying NOS is the way to go if using R2R?

I purchased an R8 MK2 and definitely do not enjoy NOS with the stuff I listen to. It sounded like a copy of a copy of a tape. On the other hand, I am loving OSx8. It's a noticeable upgrade (does everything better) from Bifrost 2 and a small upgrade (does a few things better but mostly just different) from Gustard X26PRO.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I really want to hear answer from @cycchar, as he was playing DSD recently and managed to get DSD256 playing correctly, so I think a comment was related to DSD.

Sorry, I didn't mean to cause him not to respond. Since you had quoted part of my response I just included my comments on that topic as well.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I purchased an R8 MK2 and definitely do not enjoy NOS with the stuff I listen to. It sounded like a copy of a copy of a tape. On the other hand, I am loving OSx8. It's a noticeable upgrade (does everything better) from Bifrost 2 and a small upgrade (does a few things better but mostly just different) from Gustard X26PRO.

What kind of music do you listen to? I'm happy with NOS, I listen to 90% jazz and 10% classic rock and misc.

You guys are going to cause me to have to start pushing buttons and making a comparison

 

[FredA]

I purchased an R8 MK2 and definitely do not enjoy NOS with the stuff I listen to. It sounded like a copy of a copy of a tape. On the other hand, I am loving OSx8. It's a noticeable upgrade (does everything better) from Bifrost 2 and a small upgrade (does a few things better but mostly just different) from Gustard X26PRO.

You are talking about the actual nos mode and not setting the dac to OS0? Cause NOS is less dynamic but has other virtues AFAIC. To each his own tastes. That's the beauty of these dac: configurability.

 

[mudnut]

What kind of music do you listen to? I'm happy with NOS, I listen to 90% jazz and 10% classic rock and misc.

You guys are going to cause me to have to start pushing buttons and making a comparison

I am 90% electronic (melodic dubstep, drum & bass, chillstep, future garage, ambient, and a bit of trance), rest being a mixture of Chinese pop, acoustic live, and rock/metal/pop from the '70s-present.

 

[mudnut]

You are talking about the actual nos mode and not setting the dac to OS0? Cause NOS is less dynamic but has other virtues AFAIC. To each his own tastes. That's the beauty of these dac: configurability.

Yea, NOS1. I had initially thought OS0 would be the same as NOS(1), because logically they would seem to be, but Kingwa told me they sound different. My unit has only had about 50 hours burn in so I'll be sure to try the different modes once I get it up to a few hundred hours. Though I am not convinced NOS/OS0 modes are ideal pairing with my preference in music but I do find the deviating listening experiences they provide entertaining.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I am 90% electronic (melodic dubstep, drum & bass, chillstep, future garage, ambient, and a bit of trance), rest being a mixture of Chinese pop, acoustic live, and rock/metal/pop from the '70s-present.

Thanks. I'm wondering what @FredA likes in terms of NOS vs. OS since he also likes jazz. I think he said something earlier, I'll look for it.

Maybe jazz is more sensitive to noise floor than precision.

 

[FredA]

Thanks. I'm wondering what @FredA likes in terms of NOS vs. OS since he also likes jazz. I think he said something earlier, I'll look for it.

Maybe jazz is more sensitive to noise floor than precision.

With jazz, which is what i listened to mostly, i prefer OS8. The ext. clock (afterdarks eva) i use, and di20he fw (4.076) make the sound very analog and smooth. The sharper attacks win me over. But nos is a close second.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

With jazz, which is what i listened to mostly, i prefer OS8. The ext. clock (afterdarks eva) i use, and di20he fw (4.076) make the sound very analog and smooth. The sharper attacks win me over. But nos is a close second.

Thanks Fred. I will give it a listen when I have more time. Being working too much lately.

 

[FredA]

Yea, NOS1. I had initially thought OS0 would be the same as NOS(1), because logically they would seem to be, but Kingwa told me they sound different. My unit has only had about 50 hours burn in so I'll be sure to try the different modes once I get it up to a few hundred hours. Though I am not convinced NOS/OS0 modes are ideal pairing with my preference in music but I do find the deviating listening experiences they provide entertaining.

Initially, my r2r 11 mkii (NOS design) lacked sone dynamics. Your dac will improve a lot. You need to put at least 500h on this dac. The r7 he mkii needs 1100h. So don't worry, sound quality will vary much during the first houndreds. It's normal.

 

[cycchar]

I really want to hear answer from @cycchar, as he was playing DSD recently and managed to get DSD256 playing correctly, so I think a comment was related to DSD.

Sorry, I didn't mean to cause him not to respond. Since you had quoted part of my response I just included my comments on that topic as well.

Guys, I finally made my r8 to sing, with whatever music players, DSD plugins or DSD files (in native).

It does sing beautifully though I still found hard to tell the difference between NOS and OSx8 which the later gives more details but I feel bit unreal.

The key to make it work, with all kinds of DSD (64, 128, 256, 512) is to have the right firmware for both USB interface and the decoder (FPGA).

Mine is r8 2021 version which has a different built in clock, USB and HDMI interface. This leads to two thing: 1) Any older than Dec 2020 FPGA firmware will not work. 2) Even with Dec 2020 firmware, it will NOT work with DSD files if the USB interface firmware is not the "CPLD_1081_SWAPPEDSD" and the corresponding CPU firmware. If @sajunky you happen to have the CPLD_1080 firmware flashed along with any FPGA newer than Dec 2020, and you have r8 2021, you'll ALWAYS have issue playing DSD files in native format. The reason is the way USB transmit information and the async mode which is not supported in CPLD_1080 firmware (I guess). By the way, the original r8 never works with r8 2021 firmware, so it will also break down if you've flashed newer firmwares.

Hence, I reckon r8 is good for its hardware, but Audio Gd definitely needs to update its website for the latest USB interface firmware and encourage its customer to upgrade.

Mystery busted!

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Guys, I finally made my r8 to sing, with whatever music players, DSD plugins or DSD files (in native).

It does sing beautifully though I still found hard to tell the difference between NOS and OSx8 which the later gives more details but I feel bit unreal.

The key to make it work, with all kinds of DSD (64, 128, 256, 512) is to have the right firmware for both USB interface and the decoder (FPGA).

Mine is r8 2021 version which has a different built in clock, USB and HDMI interface. This leads to two thing: 1) Any older than Dec 2020 FPGA firmware will not work. 2) Even with Dec 2020 firmware, it will NOT work with DSD files if the USB interface firmware is not the "CPLD_1081_SWAPPEDSD" and the corresponding CPU firmware. If @sajunky you happen to have the CPLD_1080 firmware flashed along with any FPGA newer than Dec 2020, and you have r8 2021, you'll ALWAYS have issue playing DSD files in native format. The reason is the way USB transmit information and the async mode which is not supported in CPLD_1080 firmware (I guess). By the way, the original r8 never works with r8 2021 firmware, so it will also break down if you've flashed newer firmwares.

Hence, I reckon r8 is good for its hardware, but Audio Gd definitely needs to update its website for the latest USB interface firmware and encourage its customer to upgrade.

Mystery busted!

That's a bit unexpected. Can you confirm your left/right channels are playing correctly?

 

[cycchar]

That's a bit unexpected. Can you confirm your left/right channels are playing correctly?

It is correctly played. I tested it with the YouTube Left Right test video...

 

[cycchar]

I was going to list my r8 for sale but now decided to keep it.

I bought it for A$1200 from an owner who's only owned it for 2 months after bought it from another owner (original). It seems the original owner sold it soon after he upgraded r8 hardware into r8 2021 version and has flashed the then latest firmware but not the USB firmware. He might have sold it thinking it's "broken"...lol

 

[Crow123]

I found that I preferred NOS as it sounded realer or more organic to me, a good example is Norah Jones or even Birdy where the vocals decay and reverberate in a slightly “”richer” or just more pleasing way - same for guitar or even drums in a live concert recording (DMB live in Europe).

I did experiment with OS and even tried HQ player (can try for free and load onto a raspberry pi in NA mode) this I found slightly better than the OS on audio GD but still preferred the NOS. It did get more airy and possibly improved separation (maybe overly so) so could be worth trying for those that like OS - I think there is a guide on super audio best friends you can message me and I will try find it if their is interest.