Audio-gd Singularity

Seems like Kingwa finally upgraded the Master-7: meet the M7 Singularity.

They finally moved away from the off-the-shelf S/PDIF receivers and implemented their own receivers in 2x CPLDs with proper dual clocking for 44.1 and 48 multiples.

Probably a huge improvement over the crappy S/PDIF inputs on other Audio-gd DACs.

I recently performed the DSP upgrade on my Reference 10.32 and must say the sound is greatly improved. Kingwa finally got to focus on a proper digital implementation, starting with the main DSP that does the Overampling and LR data splitting.

This is the next step, where the whole receiver(s) -> clocking -> DSP chain is programmable (and upgradable), to go beyond what off-the-shelf parts can provide.

They improved the analog section, as well. More neutral.

Price is steep, though: $2480 + ~$120 shipping.

 

Right .
They're playing the shortage card again. Xmas is approaching.

 

I would love to hear this. I too hated how the Master 7 would sound sometimes dramatically different depending upon which input you chose to use. A long overdue upgrade.

 

Someone in SoCal buy one so I can hear it.

 

He totally has been. I wonder how far back you can go on archive.org and read that.

 

I'm sure it's just me, but not being much of a PCM1704 fan (I liked the 1702 better, as well as the 56 and 63) every time I read "Built in 8 PCs top grade R-2R PCM1704UK" I always imagine it comes as a big alarm sticker on the box: "Warning 8x PCM1704UK Inside!"

The last thing I want to buy is a component that uses aging NOS parts that may wind up being un-replaceable in the event of a failure.

 

What exactly is going on with the 1704uk anyway? Is it out of production or in production but in limited quantities? Or is it down to NOS?

I think there is a chance that this thing sounds better than the old Master 7 though. I've only heard for myself or read reviews of I2S to the Master 7 with USB somewhere in the chain like the Offramp or Transient. I heard a comparison of the Audio GD SA-2 when fed I2S from a Perfect Wave transport and my media server and the Perfect wave implementation was better.

In any event, it might be a good choice if you love the 1704. I've owned the Master 7, Lite DAC 83, Monarchy NM 24 and a couple of the lower tier Audio GD 1704 dacs and the negatives and positives were always the same just varying in degree.

 

It's OOP now, but I'd bet a lot of money that there's literally a warehouse in Shenzhen full of the damn things. It's like some of the old jfets (2sk170 comes to mind), where nostalgia and name recognition keep the demand up.