[Olev]

Looking at a-gd site it seems that it is no longer being sold - running the Chinese DAC list page thru google translate it is under "Have to stop selling the products". I'm just curious - was demand too high and they ran out of some critical parts?

 

[slim.a]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not really..it would probably be about half the cost of a ref1 with all those goodies simply cause it needs only half the components of a REf1. This would be strictly SE. The DACs would be in differential mode to minimize distorion and noise to a minimum. WE would then need a differential to SE receiver to convert the signal back to SE. Two ways to do this would be output transformers or a differential receiver, either discrete SS or opamp based would do. THe other main advantages i think would be the VCXO, dual PLL and async USB input. That would make this a killer DAC. Use a Wolfson receiver chip for the digital signal and perhaps have an I2S input as well...

Putting a VCXO and dual PLL would be a great addition. While I think that Audio-gd dacs offer great value for the money, they all seem to lack proper reclocking which make them sensitive to the transport quality.
I have always found curious that even in their flagship DAC, the Ref-1, there is no mention for a high quality quality clock. It seems that the design solely rely on the DSP for dealing with jitter.
The same thing apply for the dac-19mk3. The only clock that was visible to me when I opened it was the one used by the usb input.
The dac-19mk3 sounds great as it is but I cannot stop wondering how it would sound with proper reclocking inside the dac.

 

[slim.a]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olev /img/forum/go_quote.gif Looking at a-gd site it seems that it is no longer being sold - running the Chinese DAC list page thru google translate it is under "Have to stop selling the products". I'm just curious - was demand too high and they ran out of some critical parts?

I found this on audio-gd website : "The USB chips PCM2707 out of stock and difficult to order from TI, the last 100 units Compass for sale."
Since, the dac-19mk3 uses the same pcm2707 chip than the compass, my guess is that they would have the same problem with the dac19mk3.

 

[Currawong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slim.a /img/forum/go_quote.gif Putting a VCXO and dual PLL would be a great addition. While I think that Audio-gd dacs offer great value for the money, they all seem to lack proper reclocking which make them sensitive to the transport quality. I have always found curious that even in their flagship DAC, the Ref-1, there is no mention for a high quality quality clock. It seems that the design solely rely on the DSP for dealing with jitter. The same thing apply for the dac-19mk3. The only clock that was visible to me when I opened it was the one used by the usb input. The dac-19mk3 sounds great as it is but I cannot stop wondering how it would sound with proper reclocking inside the dac.

You'll have to ask Kingwa to explain how the DSP works, as I don't understand it, but I thought the set-up of the DSP took care of clock issues. It's really a pity about the DAC19, but I'm sure he'll find some or other solution instead.

 

[slim.a]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong /img/forum/go_quote.gif You'll have to ask Kingwa to explain how the DSP works, as I don't understand it, but I thought the set-up of the DSP took care of clock issues. It's really a pity about the DAC19, but I'm sure he'll find some or other solution instead.

I have to admit that I don't fully understand the how DSP1 works, however, I looked at the datasheet of the Altera Cyclone II (see here), and it seems that the dsp is not "jitter-free" (page 127 for instance). Also, if the DSP1 took care entirely of clock issues, you shouldn't be able to hear differences between tranpsorts (Mac vs. Ref-3). When looking at the dsp3 on the Ref-3 on the other hand there seems to be a clock on the board ...

While there is a lot more going on the DSP1 (oversampling, ...) or in any other digital filter (df1704, pmd100) for that matter, I find it weird that most high end DACs rely on a separte high accuracy clock and that audio-gd doest not. This makes their DACs very transport dependant. This reminds me about what Dan Lavry said in the usb to spdid shoot out thread : a DAC with superior (re)clocking used with a poor transport will outperform a DAC with average (re)clocking used with a high quality transport.

 

[slim.a]

I have just sent an email to Kingwa asking him if the dac-19mk3 is discontinued and if he plans to make a newer version. I will report back when I get an answer from him.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slim.a /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have just sent an email to Kingwa asking him if the dac-19mk3 is discontinued and if he plans to make a newer version. I will report back when I get an answer from him.

I had the same instinct.

This was his response:

"The DAC19MK3 less PMD100 and DF1704, we want to ask agent when can give us these chips."

 

[slim.a]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shampoosuicide /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had the same instinct. This was his response: "The DAC19MK3 less PMD100 and DF1704, we want to ask agent when can give us these chips."

Thanks for the info, you beat me into it

 

[JulioCat2]

The DAC 19Mk3 has been removed from Audio GD Page !!!!!!!!

 

[slim.a]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulioCat2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The DAC 19Mk3 has been removed from Audio GD Page !!!!!!!!

It only disappeard from the main page. There is still a link when you go to the DAC page (CDתÅÌ/DAC).

 

[Koei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slim.a /img/forum/go_quote.gif It only disappeard from the main page. There is still a link when you go to the DAC page (CDתÅÌ/DAC).

Also gone from the pricelist.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koei /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also gone from the pricelist.

I can still see DAC19Mk3 on the products page but not on the price list. I'm disappointed if he already discontinued it. It only means that there will be a replacement with minor upgrades which can't be resisted and you have to order one.

 

[jeffjazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulioCat2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The DAC 19Mk3 has been removed from Audio GD Page !!!!!!!!

Nope still there!
Looking to possibly purchase one. Did their prices increase?
Do they still honor the 5% discount - not listed on their page anymore?

 

[h.rav]

That gives me a reason to get the Ref1

 

[Koei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffjazz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nope still there! Looking to possibly purchase one. Did their prices increase? Do they still honor the 5% discount - not listed on their page anymore?

What discount?