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

[FredA]

Recently I bought a LessLoss 640X Firewall for AC second hand and experimented with different locations to place it. I tried before my power distributor (so that everything can benefit), before the reference clock (benefitting EtherRegen, streamer, DI20HE and R8HE Mk2), and just before the DAC. To my surprise the latter gave the best improvement. I say surprise, as this DAC has a regenerative power supply, so one might expect that such a filter would have less or no effect. But no, it does!
Any similar experiences here?

P S I As I liked the result so much, I also bought LessLoss DIY Firewall modules and am now making a power distributor with three Schuko outlets with them.

I filter my dac (he7 mkii) using an isolation transfo, and also use Furutech gtx-d ncf (r) receptacles on the way to it and high-quality cords. The power cord going to it has the most importance,

 

[AudioAlex]

Maybe I misunderstood that a new FW version came out just recently.

In case of Amanero, 2020 FW may well be newer than what you have in your Audio GD equipment produced in 2021 and even in 2022. If your DDC / DAC processes PCM 768 and DSD 512 without limitations than you just ignore it and continue enjoying high quality music.

 

[OCC7N]

There are two kinds of firmwares?

It can be confusing when looking at this


What is this Amanero and is it the same, just not official on the AUDIO-GD list?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

There are two kinds of firmwares?

It can be confusing when looking at this


What is this Amanero and is it the same, just not official on the AUDIO-GD list?

Amanero is the USB driver. There is code for the Amanero board on the device and a driver for Windows. This only matters if you use the USB input but even if you do, there is no reason to keep updating to the latest Amanero. USB is a known-thing, not much to change here.

The biggest reason why anybody needs to update Amanero on the device is if they hit the red button while plugging and unplugging other cables...

What you're looking at here is the device firmware. V4.076 is the cat's meow. You should flash it if your DI-20/HE shipped back then.

 

[OCC7N]

Amanero is the USB driver. There is code for the Amanero board on the device and a driver for Windows.

What you're looking at here is the device firmware. V4.076 is the cat's meow. You should flash it if your DI-20/HE shipped back then.

I did not understand the last part…I should?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I did not understand the last part…I should?

Which last part

If you got your DI-20 close to the date of the last device firmware, flash V4.076. It made a gigantic difference for S/PDIF input on both my DI-20s.

 

[bodiebill2]

In case of Amanero, 2020 FW may well be newer than what you have in your Audio GD equipment produced in 2021 and even in 2022. If your DDC / DAC processes PCM 768 and DSD 512 without limitations than you just ignore it and continue enjoying high quality music.

Thanks, DSD212 indeed works fine here via DI20HE and R8HE Mk2. I will do nothing

 

[Pygmalion]

Hello everyone,
Just two quick questions for those of you who owns an R-8/R-7: in which mode do you play your DAC (NOS, O2, O4 or O8) ?

What would be the advantages of an R-8 mk3 played in NOS over the new R-1 NOS ?

By the way, I really love the sound of my R2R-11 mk2, which is NOS!

 

[Revolution1]

Hello everyone,
Just two quick questions for those of you who owns an R-8/R-7: in which mode do you play your DAC (NOS, O2, O4 or O8) ?

The R7HE MK2 is always in NOS mode.
The most lively, natural sound.

 

[Crypt Keeper]

R7 HE MKII with Magna silver upgrade (clocked) here. Always in NOS ... Better Stage, mo' air , better reverb and decay for me ...

 

[PLGA]

I always liked better NOS modes on all of my Audio-GD DACs, R2, R8, R7HE and HE7.

More alive and real.

 

[bodiebill2]

I did like the higher modes but now only use N0 and N1 on mt R8HE Mk2 as I play DSD only, and I assume that is the best way to do that.

 

[Sebas75]

I prefer OS8 with R7 2019
Perhaps i can upgrade for last version 2021 ?

 

[skylinekursk]

I use r7he mk2 with external clock aune sc1pro (linear power supplied) and Rockna net as source through i2s. I know it’s really high quality sound. just r7he mk2 without clock outplayed Rockna wd signature by timbre, weighted sound, more layered in depth soundstage and micro dynamic…
With clock it’s on the same detail level now. But… which dac can be next step? May be someone passed this way earlier…

 

[OCC7N]

I use r7he mk2 with external clock aune sc1pro (linear power supplied) and Rockna net as source through i2s. I know it’s really high quality sound. just r7he mk2 without clock outplayed Rockna wd signature by timbre, weighted sound, more layered in depth soundstage and micro dynamic…
With clock it’s on the same detail level now. But… which dac can be next step? May be someone passed this way earlier…

Wavedream has clock input?. R7 is better withouth clock, but with clock its downgraded to even sound quality?

Next step is MSB DISCRETE with dual psu configuration