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

[DACLadder]

Also how can I tell if my DI-20 is 50ohm or 75ohm. It is a 2016/2017 model (non-HE). I bought it second hand from a friend, so I can still ask him. I was wondering if all DI-20's are the same (like all 50 ohm or all 75 ohm).

You can measure the external 10M termination resistor directly by probing the BNC connector. I measure 47 ohm in my case so 50 ohms. See below...

The default value is 50 ohms for Ext 10M.

 

[PLGA]

I think it's this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/333541364404

DI-20s are all 50 ohm unless modified by the seller. You can tell by the connector.

Yes, that's the clock and yes, it should be 50 ohms.

@Ninja Theory you can ask the Morion seller to customize each clock output impedance to fit your gear. Mine has two 50 ohms outputs for AGD gear and one 75 ohms for my ER.

 

[FredA]

Yes, that's the clock and yes, it should be 50 ohms.

@Ninja Theory you can ask the Morion seller to customize each clock output impedance to fit your gear. Mine has two 50 ohms outputs for AGD gear and one 75 ohms for my ER.

Also, the output level can be customised. 1.7Vpp is optimal. Sine and square outs can also be chosen. Square is recommended for optimal sound quality.

 

[Ninja Theory]

Yes, that's the clock and yes, it should be 50 ohms.

@Ninja Theory you can ask the Morion seller to customize each clock output impedance to fit your gear. Mine has two 50 ohms outputs for AGD gear and one 75 ohms for my ER.

Thanks, and also thanks to PLGA, gimmeheadroom and DACLadder, for the replies. Would there be a recommended cable that is not too expensive? I assume the cable would be the same for 50ohm or 75ohm. Sorry I am new to external clocks and am doing some homework to get ready for my purchase.

 

[PLGA]

Thanks, and also thanks to PLGA, gimmeheadroom and DACLadder, for the replies. Would there be a recommended cable that is not too expensive? I assume the cable would be the same for 50ohm or 75ohm. Sorry I am new to external clocks and am doing some homework to get ready for my purchase.

No, 50 and 75 ohm cables are different.

The Morion seller gave me a nice 75 ohm cable insted the included walwart as I had a Teradak LPS.

By the way guys, has anyone tried different cables for the clock. Do audiophile cables make a difference?

 

[FredA]

A cable like this will be fine:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/172379907208

 

[gimmeheadroom]

No, 50 and 75 ohm cables are different.

The Morion seller gave me a nice 75 ohm cable insted the included walwart as I had a Teradak LPS.

By the way guys, has anyone tried different cables for the clock. Do audiophile cables make a difference?

I buy preterminated coax from audio pro shops designed for clocks. But for 10 MHz you could look into video clock cable. They're cheap and they have to work because of the people who buy them.

I used to make my own coax but I don't need enough of it now to buy the tools again.

 

[Presence]

I wrote Kingwa multiple times pertaining to adding external clock capability to the R8HE. His first reply was that it was dependent on getting an R8 from a Chinese customer to test with. The second said he thought it would be possible but was involved with several projects he needed to get done before he could get to it. The third response was that he was going to do it but decided not to due to there not being space for the BNC on the back panel/ it not being a field-friendly upgrade, and the forth at the beginning of January, after telling him I would be willing to pay for it and also give up the RCA SPDIF or drill a new hole for the BNC, he said he would do it at no cost, but the new code would take several days for him to port to the R8 and he would get to it after he addresses the projects he needed to get done first.
Fingers crossed... I'll make my fifth request after he returns from holiday. I have always found him very generous, open-minded and willing to assist with information and with mods.

Just in:
Kingwa will start the work to add the 10M clock input to the R8 on Monday.
By replacing the coax input with 75ohm BNC the existing feed into the board will accept the 10M clock.
I couldn't be more delighted.

 

[Presence]

Observations on IIS vs. USB into R8HE

System
Antipodes Server/Player > Innuous Phoenix USB Regen >

Either
SingXer SU-2 DDI clocked by Mutec 10M Reference - IIS out to R8HE - very precise image focus and dead black space between instruments

or
USB from Phoenix straight to R8HE -Presentation is more spacious and palpable with less precise focus of instruments

I miss the preciseness of IIS as that is what I've been accustomed to but am finding I'm not analyzing as much and appreciating the experience more with USB

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Observations on IIS vs. USB into R8HE

System
Antipodes Server/Player > Innuous Phoenix USB Regen >

Either
SingXer SU-2 DDI clocked by Mutec 10M Reference - IIS out to R8HE - very precise image focus and dead black space between instruments

or
USB from Phoenix straight to R8HE -Presentation is more spacious and palpable with less precise focus of instruments

I miss the preciseness of IIS as that is what I've been accustomed to but am finding I'm not analyzing as much and appreciating the experience more with USB

I think you can get used to it. When I started listening to my LCD-3F it was fatiguing even though the headphones are not bright. After a while I realized they are so resolving that my brain had too much information to deal with and I didn't think I would enjoy them. They still demand attention, but now I began to really enjoy it. So maybe it will be the same if you spend some time with the newer capabilities of your system. And congrats on the REF10! I would love to have one.

 

[DACLadder]

Just in:
Kingwa will start the work to add the 10M clock input to the R8 on Monday.
By replacing the coax input with 75ohm BNC the existing feed into the board will accept the 10M clock.
I couldn't be more delighted.

Seems like a very logical, quick, and straight forward solution. No hardware changes. If SPDIF coax is not needed, of course...

 

[Ninja Theory]

I sold my sOTM sMS-200 (streamer) and purchased a Lumin U1 Mini. I will have it end Feb. Would I still need the DI-20 in my chain once the Lumin arrives? My DAC is a R7HE 2019 model with the 2021 I2S upgrade (but not the USB upgrade). If I can sell the DI-20, would the SQ be decent going COAX or optical into the R7HE? I don't want to keep the DI-20 unless it is really bringing a worthwhile quality even with the Lumin in my chain.

Edit: Lumin U1 Mini's IO:

 

[FredA]

I sold my sOTM sMS-200 (streamer) and purchased a Lumin U1 Mini. I will have it end Feb. Would I still need the DI-20 in my chain once the Lumin arrives? My DAC is a R7HE 2019 model with the 2021 I2S upgrade (but not the USB upgrade).

Edit: Lumin U1 Mini's IO:

Depends on how good the spdif out is. I don't expect it to beat the di20, but you'll see.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Depends on how good the spdif out is. I don't expect it to beat the di20, but you'll see.

Agreed and also to point out the ACSS and AES out of the DI-20 can be helpful with Audio-gd gear and pro audio gear respectively.

General concept: Never sell any Audio-gd stuff you have!

 

[Ninja Theory]

Yeah.. current thinking is to keep the DI-20 in my chain. Go USB from the Lumin to the DI-20 and I2S from the DI-20 to the R7HE.