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

[FredA]

I realized yesterday that neither my dac nor di had been rebooted for over a month or about 400h of playback time. So i did and sound got better i would think. Whenever you are confronted with an urge to upgrade, it's one thing to try. Once a week would be sufficient IMO.

There was an edginess that went away. Now back to nirvana.

 

[FredA]

Could be due to memory management. Memory should be managed directly by the programmer ideally. If there such thing as memory fragmentation with an fpga.

 

[Ninja Theory]

I switch my R7HE and DI-20 on when I finish work each day and then switch them off every evening when I hit bed. So I guess I would not know about such an issue.

 

[Ninja Theory]

Guys something I am still not clear on about the R7HE COAX implementations across the different year models, perhaps you can provide some clarity.

Is there a difference in SQ between the COAX implementation on my R7HE 2019 model versus:

1. R7HE 2021 MK1
2. R7HE MK2

and if yes, can you explain what the difference would be to the overall music experience (as best you can)?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I have no idea. But, I don't think anybody can generalize. It probably depends on the exact gear, rather than the interface.

 

[DACLadder]

On the MK2 DACs (R7HE and HE7) all inputs sound better than M7S 2020 and R7 2019. Slight but noticeable differences. That is just my opinion and based upon long-term use for many years. I do have HE supplies with the MK2s and regular power on the older DACs. So have to weigh that in the impression. One reason, the MK2 digital boards have SPDIF connectors solder to the board and only PCB cicuit traces. All previous R7/M7S boards used flying wires (not coax) to connect backplane connector to the PCB. Many other changes as well involving chip level power supplies. Overall, perhaps adds up to a little less jitter in the MK2s.

 

[FredA]

On the MK2 DACs (R7HE and HE7) all inputs sound better than M7S 2020 and R7 2019. Slight but noticeable differences. That is just my opinion and based upon long-term use for many years. I do have HE supplies with the MK2s and regular power on the older DACs. So have to weigh that in the impression. One reason, the MK2 digital boards have SPDIF connectors solder to the board and only PCB cicuit traces. All previous R7/M7S boards used flying wires (not coax) to connect backplane connector to the PCB. Many other changes as well involving chip level power supplies. Overall, perhaps adds up to a little less jitter in the MK2s.

Yeah, there are hardware changes, but on the fw side, things should be the same. Which implies the incoming clock signal embeded into the spdif signal is thrown away, which maximizes sound quality.

 

[Ninja Theory]

I use a PowerPlant 12 and connect everything to it including the HE models with their own regen. The main reasons for connecting the HE models are my incoming power is distorted and connecting to the Power Plant allows programming start and stop timing of the power banks to avoid pops from the amp. The M10 amp is connected to the high current bank and delayed 12 secs to allow the HE models to first boot. However the largest benefit of the regenerator seems to be the amplifier with a regular power supply. Also have the 10M clock and music server connected but they stay powered up 24/7.

Thanks for this advice DACLadder. My P3 arrived. I connected my rig to only the regen sockets, including the R7HE. Sounds sublime. Subtle nuances everywhere, like deeper stage, extended reverb, pronounced timbre, lovely air and space around every sound, like each sound has its own spotlight. Even deeper bass (loving this). The list goes on. Now I'm just looking forward to enjoying some great music over the weekend.

 

[PLGA]

Hi guys

Finally my HE-7 mkII arrived yesterday! What a living hell can be customs on a banana republic!

It's been almost five months since my last music session, so it's impossible to compare it side by side with my previous DAC, the 2019 R7-HE (with 2021 HDMI input). Nevertheless, eventhough it's only been a few hs with it, I have some first impressions that I'm pretty confident on, but I will listen more during this weekend before posting my first opinions. Of course the rest of the system remains the exact same.

Kingwa told me that after almost five months of no use, the caps need some hs to wake up and also the HE-7 is not fully burned.

Next move: I bought an HE-1 that will be sent home in a few days to replace my Master 1 preamp, using another shipping method that I know won't be delayed by customs. Can't wait!!

 

[JaMo]

@PLGA Congrats! I've heard of the sleeping customs problem regarding the dac. It will be very interesting to hear of Your impressions after some days of listening/burning in. The HE-1 is an end game preamp. Very good choice!
/Jan

 

[Ninja Theory]

Hi guys

Finally my HE-7 mkII arrived yesterday! What a living hell can be customs on a banana republic!

It's been almost five months since my last music session, so it's impossible to compare it side by side with my previous DAC, the 2019 R7-HE (with 2021 HDMI input). Nevertheless, eventhough it's only been a few hs with it, I have some first impressions that I'm pretty confident on, but I will listen more during this weekend before posting my first opinions. Of course the rest of the system remains the exact same.

Kingwa told me that after almost five months of no use, the caps need some hs to wake up and also the HE-7 is not fully burned.

Next move: I bought an HE-1 that will be sent home in a few days to replace my Master 1 preamp, using another shipping method that I know won't be delayed by customs. Can't wait!!

HUGE congrats!! I don't know how you survived so long!

 

[FredA]

Hi guys

Finally my HE-7 mkII arrived yesterday! What a living hell can be customs on a banana republic!

It's been almost five months since my last music session, so it's impossible to compare it side by side with my previous DAC, the 2019 R7-HE (with 2021 HDMI input). Nevertheless, eventhough it's only been a few hs with it, I have some first impressions that I'm pretty confident on, but I will listen more during this weekend before posting my first opinions. Of course the rest of the system remains the exact same.

Kingwa told me that after almost five months of no use, the caps need some hs to wake up and also the HE-7 is not fully burned.

Next move: I bought an HE-1 that will be sent home in a few days to replace my Master 1 preamp, using another shipping method that I know won't be delayed by customs. Can't wait!!

5 months. This might be a record! Happy for you!

 

[PLGA]

Thank you guys!

And yes.... I think I'm on Guinness now. I have to take it with humour....otherwise I would kill myself.

 

[DACLadder]

Thanks for this advice DACLadder. My P3 arrived. I connected my rig to only the regen sockets, including the R7HE. Sounds sublime. Subtle nuances everywhere, like deeper stage, extended reverb, pronounced timbre, lovely air and space around every sound, like each sound has its own spotlight. Even deeper bass (loving this). The list goes on. Now I'm just looking forward to enjoying some great music over the weekend.

Excellent and enjoy!

 

[DACLadder]

Finally my HE-7 mkII arrived yesterday! What a living hell can be customs on a banana republic!

That is some good news. After run-in don't forget to upgrade to PLL_N f/w. But first just enjoy some music for a change. You deserve it for that long wait.