[JaMo]

I recently came across this R8 test from AudioScienceReview, posting those poor results...even catastrophic ones.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...review-and-measurements-of-audio-gd-r8.10149/

I cannot explain these bad Jitter, FFT and global THD values, as they do not concur with my listening experience with those gears.... any idea?

About Audiosciencereview, Ignore them. They cyclic and repeatingly discrediting some brands with these kind of "quasi measurements". I don't know their agenda but they are hurting hard working people like Kingwa @ Audio-gd. So like most in this business we should continue to ignore them.
/Jan

 

[sajunky]

The 1st law of thermodynamics states to let the DAC burn in and then judge. The V2 analog boards need months. The clocks need several weeks to a month. So relax and enjoy the journey!

This is a multiroom setup, powered from different outlets. It needs a specialist onsite inspection with a measuring equipment. What happened before indicate a hudge injection of a noise with a partial breakage of S/PDIF isolation. It doesn't happen anymore, but it can be on a border. Any surge can trigger it again and it can be even destructive.

It is a jittery setup due to a long distance and noise. Without a specialist one solution is to add extra level of galvanic isolation and reclocking. When jitter exceed some level, burnin doesn't progress, as everything is masked in a noise. There should be a subtle differences between DACs already, but OP indicate there was none.

 

[Tassie Devil]

Not really a multiroom jittery set up.
The G1 bridge is in the same room as the headphone setup and a 4M length of quality Canare cable goes from the amplifying splitter near the G1, to the headphone setup. I think the previous noise was caused by a faulty cable. All systems in the house are dead quiet - no interference at all.

 

[PhMZ4]

About Audiosciencereview, Ignore them. They cyclic and repeatingly discrediting some brands with these kind of "quasi measurements". I don't know their agenda but they are hurting hard working people like Kingwa @ Audio-gd. So like most in this business we should continue to ignore them.
/Jan

I’m totally in line with all of you...what counts ultimately is the listening experience and the emotions being vehicled by the system.... our ears/brains are the best measurements !!!

i could recently compare on the same system a DI20HE/R7HE pair to a complete MSB Platimun DacIV Diamond/power supply and have to admit....the Audio-Gd pair is sounding better to my ears.... and my friend purchased immediately the Audio-Gd gear to replace the MSB stack, I think that demonstrates the level these AGD gears have reached now

 

[sajunky]

Not really a multiroom jittery set up.
The G1 bridge is in the same room as the headphone setup and a 4M length of quality Canare cable goes from the amplifying splitter near the G1, to the headphone setup. I think the previous noise was caused by a faulty cable. All systems in the house are dead quiet - no interference at all.

Faulty cable do not cause sudden drop in SQ during playing after a short flawless initial period. It is my main point. However I am not going to argue anymore. Is is a complex setup, I wouldn't be able to assist any further.

If you are happy with, then fine. If you want to compare DACs side-by-side, I suggest a simple setup with all other cables disconnected to avoid multi-room ground loops. From the G1 on a short distance or the laptop using USB using WASAPI exclusive event mode or ASIO. It should be heard a difference after initial 30 minutes warm up. I talking from my experience. My R2R-11 (which has much less protection against ground loops) had an unpleasant sound and it was not improving at all after couple hours. There was no noise, don't be misled by a lack of noise. In my case reversing a laptop figure-8 power brick connection cured a problem. I noticed an immediate difference, allowed to cycle the power of a DAC and since I could observe continous improvements.

 

[PLGA]

I’m totally in line with all of you...what counts ultimately is the listening experience and the emotions being vehicled by the system.... our ears/brains are the best measurements !!!

i could recently compare on the same system a DI20HE/R7HE pair to a complete MSB Platimun DacIV Diamond/power supply and have to admit....the Audio-Gd pair is sounding better to my ears.... and my friend purchased immediately the Audio-Gd gear to replace the MSB stack, I think that demonstrates the level these AGD gears have reached now

I was about to post something similar about the R8 review and "measurements" on this website.

I haven't done any direct comparison with my R8 vs another DAC, but I've heard systems costing like 5 to 6 times mine, not sounding as good as my system. I know the DAC is only a part of the system, but if it sucks the system sucks. And those mega buck systems had uber expensive DACs like Mark Levinson, T+A, etc.

I have a friend, the owner of Hulgich Audio, who is fan of Audio-GD. He has compared the R8 with a DAC costing about four times the R8. Well, the owner of this more expensive DAC couldn't believe that the R8 was significantly better. He was shocked and he wanted to buy one R8 right after the test.

 

[Shahrose]

In another thread, an owner of both did mention he preferred the Holo May DAC over the R7HE. Something to consider, despite the relative value of Audio-gd DACs.

Not sure which firmware or transport he was using, both of which make a significant difference IME.

 

[PLGA]

Yes, there are A LOT of variables that can affect a preference of one piece of gear over another, being your own personal taste the most important.

Nevertheless, I find this website "measurements" and quotes suspicious at best and far from the truth considering the opinions of R8 and another Audio-GD DACs.

 

[FredA]

In another thread, an owner of both did mention he preferred the Holo May DAC over the R7HE. Something to consider, despite the relative value of Audio-gd DACs.

Not sure which firmware or transport he was using, both of which make a significant difference IME.

The May dac is interesting. However, the r7he, when fed an external clock signal, gets to a level where you stop wondering about other dacs. You just enjoy the ride. Ideally, you need the r7he also fed with the same external clock to maximize sound quality.

You rather start thinking about getting the best cables you can get.

 

[ymlee]

Seem like Audio-gd going to obsolete M2H mono block, which I made an appointment for demo.

 

[ToddRaymond]

Seem like Audio-gd going to obsolete M2H mono block, which I made an appointment for demo.

Whaaaaaat!??? I plan to buy one later this year, as soon as the funds become available. I would hate to miss out...

 

[DACLadder]

Rumor has it that Kingwa is revamping the product line. He is closed mouth about it and not letting any details escape. I have a Master 10 and Kingwa told me 6 months ago that he can no longer manufacture the M10 and keep the same price level on that particular amp. Covid has increase lead times for material and manufacturing costs... Just an awesome amp connected by ACSS.

http://www.audio-gd.com/En audio-gd.htm

 

[anroj]

I was about to post something similar about the R8 review and "measurements" on this website.

I haven't done any direct comparison with my R8 vs another DAC, but I've heard systems costing like 5 to 6 times mine, not sounding as good as my system. I know the DAC is only a part of the system, but if it sucks the system sucks. And those mega buck systems had uber expensive DACs like Mark Levinson, T+A, etc.

I have a friend, the owner of Hulgich Audio, who is fan of Audio-GD. He has compared the R8 with a DAC costing about four times the R8. Well, the owner of this more expensive DAC couldn't believe that the R8 was significantly better. He was shocked and he wanted to buy one R8 right after the test.

Rumor has it that Kingwa is revamping the product line. He is closed mouth about it and not letting any details escape. I have a Master 10 and Kingwa told me 6 months ago that he can no longer manufacture the M10 and keep the same price level on that particular amp. Covid has increase lead times for material and manufacturing costs... Just an awesome amp connected by ACSS.

http://www.audio-gd.com/En audio-gd.htm

I was noticing the same the last time I went to the Audio-GD site. I'm glad I got my Master 2H monos before they were discontinued. I'm sure whatever replacements Kingwa comes out with will be spectacular. I have a balanced Vacuum HE1 coming on Monday and will get an LP-1MC to complete my setup. I'm very happy with my Audio-GD products.

 

[PhMZ4]

I’ll be very interested in your listening feedback concerning the MC phono stage....

 

[sajunky]

Prices increases are on the card and more: Someone is buying out some Audio GD stock. Look at the prices on Aliexpress for NFB1-AMP which has no replacement, it is getting crazy:

$665
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000076507855.html
$865
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000000978643.html

It looks like a production of these top attractive DACs will also end:

R2R-11
$415
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000000993068.html
$515
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32996225592.html
$565
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000000965810.html
$753
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001149150435.html

R-28
$1318
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000000965808.html
$1968
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001669311532.html