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Audio-GD

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Luckbad, Oct 14, 2015.

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  1. MyPetSasquatch

    MyPetSasquatch Friend

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    And actually, I think @Peti bought my old DAC-19 from Will at Linear Tube Audio. Will bought it from me a few months back to use to demo the MicroZOTL 2.0 at audio shows.
     
    MyPetSasquatch, Jun 30, 2016
    #41
  2. Hands

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    @MyPetSasquatch What source were you using on the Gungnir Multibit? USB input?
     
    Hands, Jun 30, 2016
    #42
  3. Rotijon

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    Here's a quick quip by the don of electrostatics (Kevin Gilmore) regarding audio-gd. Changed my perspective quite abit tbh.

    "My point was not that made in china was crappy, it was that made in china is priced such that made in usa cannot compete.

    Audio-GD for example makes ultra high caliber equipment, and at a price that i cannot even buy the parts for. Ksa5 boards now on ebay that are my layout stuffed with parts and assembled and sell for a fair bit less than i can buy the parts for."

    Im personally looking out for audio gd stuff now.
     
    Rotijon, Jun 30, 2016
    #43
  4. MyPetSasquatch

    MyPetSasquatch Friend

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    Yup, it was the USB Gen 2.0 (the latest released for the Gungnir Multibit, I believe) input.

    For the DAC-19 it was the older USB module, the USB32 from VIA. In other words, it wasn't the new Amanero module.
     
    MyPetSasquatch, Jun 30, 2016
    #44
  5. Hands

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    Yeah, the Audio-GD DACs I've heard had a more syrupy sound to them, though I never used the USB inputs on them. I tend to not trust most built-in USB inputs, no matter how well they measure, and prefer to use my own SPDIF sources. I've more or less given up on USB and use the Soundaware D100 or a good CD player, but some of the best USB->SPDIF converters get close. Either way, I've been using USB->SPDIF or straight SPDIF sources for a few years now on my DACs.

    The Gungnir Multibit sees surprisingly large gains if you use a good USB->SPDIF converter. I am not exaggerating when I say it's almost mind boggling how much of a difference it can make compared to straight USB or even USB with something like a Wyrd or Regen in front. Others can back me up on that.

    I found the Gungnir Multibit to bit a bit dry and grainy with USB. A good USB->SPDIF converter into BNC really smoothed out the sound, making it sound much more liquid and analog in the best possible way. Extension increased on both ends without any detriment (i.e. not overly bassy, treble was more extended but smoother and more detailed, if that makes sense). Slam increased. Staging almost multiplied by 2 or 3 times in width.

    Like I said, others can back me up, having heard the same effects. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend trying the Gungnir Multibit with that sort of setup. Not saying you'll prefer it over Audio-GD still for your own purposes, but you might find it interesting at least!
     
    Hands, Jun 30, 2016
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  6. Gravity

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    This is very nice to hear since I am considering to buy Gungnir Multibit (if they make a black version) but was worried about the USB.
     
    Gravity, Jun 30, 2016
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  7. MyPetSasquatch

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    Makes total sense. I stupidly forgot to mention I was actually using a Wyrd with both DACs, but I really do want to get my hands on a decent converter or other transport at some point to hear the difference. Since I'm springing for a Master 11, I should probably shell out the dosh for something like a Regen.

    "Syrupy" is a not-inaccurate way to describe the DAC-19. I still think the Gungnir Multibit was probably the better of the two for anyone who prefers a more neutral sound signature, and a DAC with a more incisive nature, but I must getting soft with my musical preferences as of late to prefer Kingwa's PCM1704 implementation.
     
    MyPetSasquatch, Jun 30, 2016
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  8. Gravity

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    I'm wondering if a Intona usb isolator will work with USB instead of using SPDIF?
     
    Gravity, Jun 30, 2016
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  9. Clemmaster

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    Why did you have to say this?!
    I sold my Gungnir Multibit and kept the Basic IIIa because the later is smoother and less dry (albeit still a bit dry in the midrange, compared to the other golden era DACs I own, including its bigger brother Gen V).

    I've always had the feeling that avoiding a digital cable was the preferred option, so I don't recall ever using the Gungnir Multibit with S/PDiF (I had an AES source for the other DACs, which the Gungnir Multibit lacks).

    Now with the Rednet 3, I don't feel like ever going back to USB, despite having some good successes with the Sonicorbiter or the microRendu and the Singxer F-1 board.
     
    Clemmaster, Jun 30, 2016
    #49
  10. Hands

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    LOL! Sorry, @Clemmaster. Not like you won't ever have a chance to hear a Gungnir Multibit with a good SPDIF source and potential switch back if it tickles your fancy, nor will you necessarily feel like it's still enough compared to Basic IIIa. Let's be honest, the vintage DACs still have a certain charm to them.

    @MyPetSasquatch It could be you prefer that Audio-GD 1704 sound. Nothing wrong with that. For any DAC, if you want to maximize it, try to look beyond Wyrds and Regens. I don't think they match up to something like a Mutec 1.2 or 3+ USB, Transient Mk2, of which the 3+ is the best, or if you want to ditch USB entirely, various SPDIF/AES PCIe cards, something like the RedNet (supposedly, based on impressions), or full blown digital audio transports like the Soundaware D100 or Aurender, the latter if you just have way too much money to burn. Worth a thought as you build your system, regardless of what decent DAC you use, and you might come away surprised!
     
    Hands, Jun 30, 2016
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  11. lukeap69

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    @MyPetSasquatch

    I am still using DAC-19 (10th Anniversary) feeding my Ragnarok and Glenn OTL Darna. I have recently changed my music transport from PC/Mac via Wyrd and/or DI-U8 to Soundaware D100 Pro. As I have mentioned in the other thread (@Hands review of Soundaware D100 Pro) that I didn't realise before how much DAC-19 is more capable of. For years, I have not been extracting the best of DAC-19's capability because of my source. I reckon this is true for other DAC's like the Gungnir Multibit. Good luck with your M11 journey - you may want to read up on NOS11 as well.
     
    lukeap69, Jun 30, 2016
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  12. MyPetSasquatch

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    Damn, this makes me feel like I've been missing out just settling for USB. I'll have to check out some other options. I'm interested in the NOS Audio-GD products, but not having heard it firsthand I'll probably use jumpers to test it out on the Master 11 temporarily, even with the channel imbalance.
     
    MyPetSasquatch, Jul 1, 2016
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  13. MyPetSasquatch

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    Thanks for the suggestions. Looked up the Mutec products and the 1.2 seems decently affordable, although that 3+USB feature set looks damn impressive. Luckbad's impressions of the 3+ really has me interested now.

    Out of curiosity, do you find that the conversion is fairly instantaneous, similar to the built-in USB card? I use my DAC for general PC gaming use, so any delay in the conversion might be an issue.
     
    MyPetSasquatch, Jul 1, 2016
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  14. Hands

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    Hm, I'm sure there is bound to be some delay going through devices like that. Some DACs alone will add more delay than others. How much, though, I have no idea. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure for your setup is to try it.
     
    Hands, Jul 1, 2016
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  15. Gravity

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    Hands have you any experience with Intona usb isolator? I'm wondering if I should use something like that with Gungnir Multibit usb, or if SPDIF would be better.
     
    Gravity, Jul 1, 2016
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  16. Aklegal

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    I love my AGD Master 9 and Master 3 amp. I have a few local audiophile buddies who stopped their merry go round of expensive mono tube amps from companies like Cary and Rogue Audio and expensive passive linestages to Audio GD amps and pres and they haven't looked back. I got to hear alot of expensive equipment in their setups before then :)

    I would love to try out a Schiit speaker amp/preamp though but the Raggys is a no go b/c it lacks a remote. If i ever see a Raggy with a remote or Schiit amp/preamp separates with a remote I will buy it/them immediately. AudioGD and Schiit are the two best values in audio right now imho.
     
    Aklegal, Jul 1, 2016
    #56
  17. Hands

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    Have not tried the Intona. My advice on Gungnir Multibit is to find a way to feed a good SPDIF signal via BNC to the DAC, whether that be a nice USB->SPDIF converter, digital audio transport like D100 or pricier options, SPDIF PCIe cards (not the cheap ones), or a good CD player.
     
    Hands, Jul 1, 2016
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  18. Gravity

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    If I don't have any jitter with USB does all of this even matter? I don't know if that's gonna be the case with the Gungnir Multibit, since I don't own it yet, but I don't have any jitter with my DAC-19 amenero and I'm using USB.

    Allright, I'm gonna look into the options once I actually buy it.
     
    Gravity, Jul 1, 2016
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  19. Hands

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    Gungnir Multibit direct USB in measures great with jitter. And yet something like a Mutec 1.2 as a USB->SPDIF converter, feeding Gungnir Multibit via BNC, sounds noticeably better.
     
    Hands, Jul 1, 2016
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  20. Gravity

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    If Schiit hasn't made USB gen3 for it once I buy I'm gonna take your word for it and go SPDIF then :) Wonder if they are gonna upgrade to another chip also like they have done with M2U.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2016
    Gravity, Jul 1, 2016
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