""R8 DAC, my law of diminishing return Audio-GD DAC""
Hi guys, I've got a few days ago a 2018 model R7-HE (with the 2021 HDMI upgrade), that I bought from a fellow audiophile from here, to replace my R8 DAC. Here are my impressions.
First, let me clarify some things:
A) I consider my system pretty revealing (all of it) and I've really took care of the digital signal the following way (before the DAC):
1. Modem without WiFi (the WiFi affects pretty much the signal)
2. Ubiquiti Networks Er-x-sfp 5 Router
3. Uptone Etherregen switch
4. SOtM SMS-200 Ultra Neo SE
5. Audioquest Jitterbug
6. Wyred4Sound USB Reclocker
7. Audio-GD DI-20 DDC
Accesories: vibrapods all over, Supra CAT8 ethernet cables, Curious Evolved USB cable and BJ Belden HDMI cable.
Also I have a dedicated AC line for the system, a Holton DC Blocker and the Audioquest Niagara 1200 power filter.
All of them made improvements in sound quality. Some more than others, but all of them did it somehow.
B) My 2018 R8 DAC does not have the 2021 HDMI input upgrade, so with it I prefered the AES/EBU connection and I couldn't compare both DACs with the same HDMI upgrade.
C) I've tried the DACs on different days, not to long apart, so I couldn't make a direct A/B comparison and it's impossible for me to do it without unistalling half of the system eadh time as the DAC goes underneath 1/2 of the system. Nevertheless, I've been listening to the R8 and the same test tracks for the last couple of years and I'm pretty sure I know how they sound very well.
My experience:
First, after plugging the R7-HE with the AES/EBU cable, I left it playing music for about half an hour to warm it up. After it, my first reaction was, it's a very nice DAC, same flavor as the R8, of course better than the R8, but not as much as I was expecting. It was mostly smoother, with a little darker background, maybe with a little more analog sound. I mean, I was better, sure, but... does it justify the price gap? I'm not pretty sure.
As the HDMI/I2S upgrade was new, I was told to burn it for a few days, and considering my experience with the R8, I wasn't expecting much from this input. Nevertheless, as I was not floored by the AES/EBU connection, I gave it a try. And then, with almost no burning time, I felt the difference. NOW things were CONSIDERABLY better. Same Audio-GD flavor, but really better on every aspect: more resolved, darker background, better tone, stronger bass, more analog, better 3D image, etc. I'm very happy with the R7-HE with HDMI connection.
To finish, a couple of thoughts:
1. I totally recomend the 2021 HDMI upgrade to every AGD DAC. I believe it's a noticeable improvement.
2. I would have LOVED to test both DACs with the HDMI upgrade with a direct (or semi-direct) A/B test as it would have raised the R8 level, I'm sure. And that's why, I'm pretty sure the R8 is where the law of diminishing return starts with AGD DACs. It has an amazing price to perfomance ratio.
3. It's very likely that the difference between the DACs is bigger connecting both DACs to a regular AC line of the house (not a dedicated one) and with few to no filtering. I'm pretty sure. And maybe also with a less conditioned/tweaked digital signal.
Hope it helps. Cheers,
PS: sorry for my english!