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

[FredA]

@Lickumms

If you have a clock with multiple outputs and are familiar with rasberry pi-based streamers, there is an ali streamer with clock input well worth getting (ustars c19).

 

[OCC7N]

Don't have the money to do that. The only Dac I was able to compare the R8 to was the NFB-1 dac

Not saying you should waste money, I mean try if you have the opportunity Also if possible from stores with return policy.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Don't have the money to do that. The only Dac I was able to compare the R8 to was the NFB-1 dac

No point in trying anything else. I looked at the builds of the famous so-called R2Rs, many of which are not pure R2R and I said to myself "just no."

If there is any upgrade path from an R8 MK2 it's an R7, and done.

 

[ChJL]

No point in trying anything else.

I find this kind of attitude, suggestions, positive conviction in quite some threads on here.

If you have the possibilty to try other dacs/amps. DO IT!

probably the best advice to give but

Don't have the money to do that.

right, loosing a few 100 €$¥ on each try...

since I'm contemplating on upgrading DAC & Amp within the next year I also consider going full AGD as one possibility so I also would like to know more about

Has anyone compared the Audio-GD R2R dacs with other R2R dacs?

Sonnet Psaithea hearing great things of it or the DAC200 from T+A which, guess where... the according T+A thread, as mentioned by a proponent "the best DAC under 20k."

The newest videos of Andrea Ricci of Spirit Turino feature auto translation into English. Other then that AGD seems to be kind of an "outsider" brand. Definetley not sponsoring professional reviwers.

 

[Louisiana]

Has anyone compared the Audio-GD R2R dacs with other R2R dacs? Also, is the DI-20HE worth adding before my R-8MK2? Would i use the built in clock or the clock on the DI-20HE or just to use the I2S cable?

Hi,
in the last weeks I compared the R28 intensively with the Pontus II as well as the Rockna Wavelight, a few pages back there are also pictures of the devices.
I returned the Pontus II after only 2 weeks, because I simply missed something in the music - no matter with which firmware I used the Pontus.

The Rockna is still with me, and although this is a wonderful DAC, I will stay with Audio-GD.
My plan is to replace the R28 with the R27HE.

Did you come to the conclusion without the U18?

Yes, without U18.
I only bought it to be able to use the R28 with I2s, I do not expect a sound improvement through a DDC.

In my early days I tested so much, and a lot of things are not worth the money, cables for example.
I know many here see it differently, but I could never hear a difference, and that even though I tested cables over 1000€.
These days I buy cables only if I like them visually, as you can see for example here:

The Rockna is connected to a cheap 5€ USB cable from Amazon, the R28 to Audioquest and the U18, and in direct comparison I can't really hear a difference between the devices - Audio GD builds wonderful devices, I like these huge boxes, the "old school style" and I like the company, which is why I also stay with Audio GD

A recommendation for those who really want to get the last out of their device: HQPlayer with these settings:

Wish you all a nice weekend

 

[dougms3]

Has anyone compared the Audio-GD R2R dacs with other R2R dacs? Also, is the DI-20HE worth adding before my R-8MK2? Would i use the built in clock or the clock on the DI-20HE or just to use the I2S cable?

I had the denafrips ares before I upgraded to the r8mk2, every other component was the same.

I use my pc as a source and the di20he made a very noticeable increase in sound quality.

The ock2 also makes a noticeable positive impact in the sound quality. The clock connection to the dac makes a bigger impact than clock connection to the ddc in my setup.

I use the avplay i2s cable, one of these days I'm going to have to upgrade that and the clock cable to the tubulus.

 

[Louisiana]

Something I haven't tested yet is a clock, is it really worth it?
Maybe I'll order one when I bought the R27HE

 

[dougms3]

Something I haven't tested yet is a clock, is it really worth it?
Maybe I'll order one when I bought the R27HE

Yes its worth it.

Just fyi, the cables make a huge difference with the master clock whether you want to believe it or not.

 

[FredA]

Something I haven't tested yet is a clock, is it really worth it?
Maybe I'll order one when I bought the R27HE

Seems like kingwa does not offer the clock input on the r27he. Maybe something he can do if enough demand or on special request. Ask him.

 

[Louisiana]

Seems like kingwa does not offer the clock input on the r27he. Maybe something he can do if enough demand or on special request. Ask him.

Thanks for the info.
I can also connect the clock to my DDC.

Just fyi, the cables make a huge difference with the master clock whether you want to believe it or not.

Thank you.
Because of the cables:
As i wrote above, i tested a lot, but i could never hear a difference, which i'm sure is due to my ears - 30 years of working in the industry leaves its mark.

The other side is this:
The digital signal consists of 0 and 1, what could influence a cable?
I have also never understood this with the power cables, some have cables as thick as elephant trunks, but when I unscrew the device, I see the thinnest and cheapest wire possible.

But as I said, probably I just hear badly, I can not even perceive a difference between the Rockna and the R28

 

[dougms3]

Thanks for the info.
I can also connect the clock to my DDC.



Thank you.
Because of the cables:
As i wrote above, i tested a lot, but i could never hear a difference, which i'm sure is due to my ears - 30 years of working in the industry leaves its mark.

The other side is this:
The digital signal consists of 0 and 1, what could influence a cable?
I have also never understood this with the power cables, some have cables as thick as elephant trunks, but when I unscrew the device, I see the thinnest and cheapest wire possible.

But as I said, probably I just hear badly, I can not even perceive a difference between the Rockna and the R28

Let me stop you right there because it looks like you're looking for a discussion.

If you don't believe in cables then don't buy it, you're not going to convince me of anything because I have cables that influence the sound. If you can't hear any difference then save your money.

Really that 0s and 1s argument is ridiculous, please dont regurgitate that trash here. I could say the same thing about TVs, refuse to look at it and say they'[re all the same because its just 0s and 1s.

 

[OCC7N]

Hi,
in the last weeks I compared the R28 intensively with the Pontus II as well as the Rockna Wavelight, a few pages back there are also pictures of the devices.
I returned the Pontus II after only 2 weeks, because I simply missed something in the music - no matter with which firmware I used the Pontus.

The Rockna is still with me, and although this is a wonderful DAC, I will stay with Audio-GD.
My plan is to replace the R28 with the R27HE.

Yes, without U18.
I only bought it to be able to use the R28 with I2s, I do not expect a sound improvement through a DDC.

In my early days I tested so much, and a lot of things are not worth the money, cables for example.
I know many here see it differently, but I could never hear a difference, and that even though I tested cables over 1000€.
These days I buy cables only if I like them visually, as you can see for example here:

The Rockna is connected to a cheap 5€ USB cable from Amazon, the R28 to Audioquest and the U18, and in direct comparison I can't really hear a difference between the devices - Audio GD builds wonderful devices, I like these huge boxes, the "old school style" and I like the company, which is why I also stay with Audio GD

A recommendation for those who really want to get the last out of their device: HQPlayer with these settings:
Wish you all a nice weekend

I have probably said this atleast 5 times. DI20HE is not your typical DDC, in fact I would not call it just a DDC/Bridge. Audition a used/burned-in one and hear for yourself. If you also have speakers it will separate music more into the room. It needs a good 14days and you will see it for yourself. I have a R1N and I like it over my R8H2 sometimes, it is hard to recommend anything when these two dacs sounds so good in their own way. I am not saying you shouldn´t buy the R27HE its your money.
---
Going from Matrix SPDIF2 to DI20HE was not just about resolution - a motherboard in a pc has the same resolution - but rather time and separation, it changes the character of the DAC in such a way that it falls out of the DDC category for me. It should have its own category.
--
One thing that is important for me when moving up high-end is not resolution. Maybe a little 3D/holographic, but most importantly time. Every DAC has its own time/clock. I think the most special implementation, the secret is here(not talking about masterclock). Most people are not ready for what high-end really sounds like, in fact high-end is not for those who have been lead by noise/distortion as the illusion of more resolution.
. . .

Higher-end is scary, because most people can´t handle how lonely they get with the music, they wan´t the noise/distortion to not feel alone as the illusion of better sound.

 

[Louisiana]

Let me stop you right there because it looks like you're looking for a discussion.

don't take yourself so seriously, my dear
i'm not looking for a discussion, because i know that i can't explain the nonsense of cable sound to people like you.
I just said that I could never hear a difference, that's all - I did not expect an answer from you, especially in such a rude way

 

[Louisiana]

One thing that is important for me when moving up high-end is not resolution. Maybe a little 3D/holographic, but most importantly time. Every DAC has its own time/clock. I think the most special implementation, the secret is here(not talking about masterclock). Most people are not ready for what high-end really sounds like, in fact high-end is not for those who have been lead by noise/distortion as the illusion of more resolution.

I don't worry about such things.
when i get home, i turn on my tube amps to get them up to temperature, sit down, and enjoy the music i'm in the mood for.
if i like it "romantic", i listen with my ZMF headphones, if i like it more detailed, i take my HEKSE

but anyway, I'll leave you here again among yourselves, obviously I lack the technical understanding to be able to write

 

[dougms3]

don't take yourself so seriously, my dear
i'm not looking for a discussion, because i know that i can't explain the nonsense of cable sound to people like you.
I just said that I could never hear a difference, that's all - I did not expect an answer from you, especially in such a rude way

Not taking anything seriously darling

You're bringing up a topic thats intended to start an argument and I'm the rude one? Rude begets rude, don't start it then act like the victim.

If you can't hear a difference or dont want to spend the money on cables, then don't. Not sure why you feel the need to tell everyone your beliefs on 0s and 1s and why you think it doesn't make a difference.