Audio-GD Reference 1 DAC (New)

by **kakibook** Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:31 am

Think this source is expensive. Check the top end specs and you will know it is built for a reason. e.g. http://www.boulderamp.com/pdf/2020DataSheet.pdf , simaudio, GTE (of course GTE has 16xPCM 1704U-K and a whooping EURO 42,000), Krell KPS etc. which typically has a DSP for signal processing.

The Designer has evaluated other products by Accuphase, Krell, etc before coming out with this product. Most importantly, hearing is believing.

Audio-GD Reference 1 DAC (New) Dac7310

Reference One
DSP-1 inside

(Using 8 Pieces of High End PCM1704U-K DAC

and Current Transmission Technology Applied)

(ACSS/XRL/RCA output)

(Truly balance DAC)

Review by overseas forummer.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/audio-gd-reference-1-dac-56-k-warning-416120/#post5546295

DAC Reference One Technical characteristic:
DAC Reference One is an upgrade based on DAC-8; it is also the first product using LSI processor DSP-1.
DSP-1 Devices Characteristics?

http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/DACRE1.htm

1. Features: Digital & Analog / Left & Right Completely Separated Internal Layout, from power transformer and rectifiers etc, the radiating interference are carefully shielded.
?

2. Performance: DAC Reference One has built in DSP-1 processor, which is a Two-channel Digital Interpolation Filter and data in-phase processor for digital audio. This Device offers advanced features for high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) applications up to 250-MHz. Data and Master-clock in-phase processing are without jitters. So DAC Reference One can offer a clear and focused soundstage, apart from accurate and neutral reproduction of the recorded disc/music.

Theoretically when using the DSP1, data will be running parallel, achieving near zero jitter state, no matter the level of CD transport attached, be it hypermarket grade or hi-end level, you will still be getting the best and similar sound quality! Practically, through some experiment, although we could perceive the sound quality difference between differently priced and level of CD transports (as an audiophile, you just can’t just follow pure theory, but you must also venture the practical side too), but final result shows that using entry level CD transport or hypermarket grade DVD player, the improvement of sound quality is huge compared to typical digital processor chip like PMD-100, DF1704 etc.

3. Clock phase noise: Many amateurs are aware that jitter affects the quality of digital and audio circuit, but the biggest effect is on clocking phase noise, this gear has extremely low phase noise due to circuit linearity and our sensible layout design, which guarantees pure power supply as a whole, achieving high transparency, detailed and transient performing sound signal.

4. ACSS output Module : The super scale ACSS module is newly developed with more advance technology and dedicated for DAC Reference One to produce even better sound quality. High precision electronic components are used to guarantee accurate balanced output. All electronic components are highly calibrated products in the circuit board. DAC Reference One has true balance, RCA, and ACSS outputs. Whatever the output chosen, the signal will go through the ACSS processing technique, ensuring the original musical characteristics of PCM1704UK without any kind of coloration.

5. Tin: DAC Reference One uses only One solder which is WBT tin.

6. Vibration and interference resistance: To achieve the best performance of DAC Reference One, heavyweight pure aluminum alloy chaises is used which prevents the eddy current of transformer from interfering with circuit board. The device net- weight is 12.5 Kg without packing. The inner sections are separated using 5MM aluminum boards among digital/analogue left/right channel components, which eliminates interference among the circuits.

7. Input Method: BNC coaxial and RCA coaxial inputs are available. The difference of extra jitter, in excess of what is produced by the transport, between BNC coaxial and RCA coaxial or AES/EBU inputs, is 10 times less in BNC compared to RCA or AES/EBU, and 20 times less than that of TA&T Optical input.

8. Power supply: DAC Reference One uses three different types of power transformers to match different electric circuitry. The power transformers and rectifiers are carefully shielded from the electric field of the power transformers and rectifiers’ frequency transmission. More than 50,000uf audio grade NOVER capacitors are used to ensure ample and smooth power feed. The NOVER capacitors are specially made by U.K. according to Audio GD’s requirement. 20 groups of parallel voltage regulators are combined into two groups of cascade-like parallel voltage regulators to lower the internal resistance and to purify power supply. To achieve Silent operation, the control circuit is powered with separate regulator. Such power supply setup is rare in domestic designs, and more common in Hi-end DACs made by renowned Audiophile Companies, which plays a crucial role in the performance of their DACs.

Specification

Device weight: DAC Reference One approximately 15 Kg

Advice: 1,DAC Reference One has extremely high fidelity; its SQ is neutral, accurate and neutral reproduction of the recorded disc/music.
2, Don’t stack gears one on top of the other.
3, Attention must be given to matching suitable power cable, coaxial cable and output signal cable.

Accessories : One Canare coaxial cable, ( we have BNC->BNC , RCA->RCA and RCA->BNC). This product comes without power cable.

Price : RM 5,650

Contact : PM/Email : tangyauhoh@gmail.com

Delivery by courier throughout malaysia can be arranged

Impressions:

CurraWong
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/audio-gd-reference-1-dac-56-k-warning-416120/index8.html#post5576881

Drosera
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/audio-gd-reference-1-dac-56-k-warning-416120/index9.html#post5581095

Peete
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/audio-gd-reference-1-dac-56-k-warning-416120/index54.html#post5864427