peter
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 19
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Post by peter on Dec 2, 2023 4:53:49 GMT
Hi !
So you all recommend the gd di20he as better than U-18, Mutec and most of the DDCs round there, even without an external clock ?
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peter
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 19
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Post by peter on Dec 2, 2023 5:06:53 GMT
Hi brettj
Can you please share more info on the di20 ? How do you find it now and have you compared it to other DDC ?
Thanks
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 2, 2023 9:43:33 GMT
I've only had the U18 in my system and I've been extremely happy with it.
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Post by John on Dec 2, 2023 10:42:47 GMT
I preferred the gd my only issue is how awkward it is to upgrade the software
Difference is not subtle but adding a clock to the U18 balances that
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peter
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 19
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Post by peter on Dec 3, 2023 1:48:22 GMT
Thank you for the replies !
I understand it`s difficult to update the software John, but if it`s only that and no software issues with the drivers,audible pops/click, glitches ets i can handle that.
I mean, i am looking for the best quality possible, and U-18 + CLOCK is more expensive that only GD, and as far as i understood, if i add CLOCK later to the GD, he will get even better !
I am thinking right, John ?
Thanks everybody 🙂
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Post by John on Dec 3, 2023 9:35:03 GMT
I have not heard the standard audio gd. I have only heard the more expensive di20he
No pops or other issues,lots of detail but a warm presentation. Adding a external clock to the the DDC changes the presentation giving it more clout which I prefer
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Post by John on Dec 3, 2023 9:36:31 GMT
The audio gd di20he with a clock is pretty special
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Post by brettj on Dec 3, 2023 18:47:20 GMT
I'm very happy with my Audio GD DI20HE.
Sent it to Coherent Systems for some mods, to improve things a little.
Also added a Tubulus Argentus I2S cable.
And a Puritan PSM156.
Music is sounding the best I've ever had.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 3, 2023 18:55:20 GMT
...and I'm ecstatic with my Coherent modified U18, which has virtually perfect symbiosis with the X26 Pro when connected via I2S, my external clock feeding both as I2S is designed to do. I couldn't be happier with my DAC/DDC subsystem.
You pays your money...
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peter
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 19
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Post by peter on Dec 3, 2023 22:39:32 GMT
Ok, thank you all very much !
Have you tried different clocks with your DDCs ? Does it have to be something very expensive, to improve the sound quality ?
I heard about these Afterdark clocks the first time from aufiophile forums, but i was thinking more about the GRIMM CC2, which has a nice price and i know from a lot of people that improves the SQ significantly!
And how about these Cybershaft clocks.. are they good ?
What do you think about that ?
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2023 5:29:53 GMT
They all vary and it's very difficult to rank them. If they work, they work well. Even inexpensive Chinese clocks, using recovered mobile mast OCXOs, can give you an uplift. And even within the AfterDark range, I can hear that my Emperor Triple Crown is better than my King.
You generally get what you pay for. If they need a 12V feed, don't forget to price a good LPSU into the overall cost.
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Post by John on Dec 4, 2023 8:58:44 GMT
Some of the cheap Chinese clocks stay away from
I have not compared different clocks so will avoid making recommendations
Stellabagpus would have a bit more experience around clocks, so he might have a interesting take on this
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 4, 2023 9:14:51 GMT
Not impressed by the Cybershaft website - there is a very complex returns policy but absolutely no info about who they are. Very strange for the amount of money being asked.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Dec 4, 2023 13:08:24 GMT
Some of the cheap Chinese clocks stay away from I have not compared different clocks so will avoid making recommendations Stellabagpus would have a bit more experience around clocks, so he might have a interesting take on this Sadly my experience stopped at the Leo Bodnar, but l believe it really depends on lots of factors, l run a R26 and the with the LB,it's an incredible match. lt basically lead me to sell on my AD clock, as ultimately it sounded so much better with the LB clock. Of course in theory the AD clock l had should have out performed the LB if your looking into specs. Somewhere on a thread on TAS, it was discussed, and l believe Tony or John, said it due to the smooth spurs of the signal, rather than a superior clock. You could describe the LB as a happy discovery, as it more of a Radio Ham product, it's only because Tony is a clock collector, we discovered what amazing VFM. When the new LB gets released, l believe it will be awesome, the price, that's another topic. Back to the DDC question, l was running, SMSL M400, when l purchased a U18, out of the box, yes it brought an improvement, l then adding the AD clock, again another improvement. Then l sent my U18 to Tony "Coherent" big improvement. lt was when we compared the Audio GD DI-20HE to my modded U18, using the AD clocks, with John and Vic present, the U18 wasn't terrible, it was just the DI20HE was better,especially on the lower end. l lived with this for a few months, then my love affair ended with the Audio GD it was not compatible via i2s with the R26, and then the Audio GD started playing up, so l ended up replacing the digital board,and selling on. Ultimately l have moved on,and the R26 LB in my view, totally out performs my past set up, you just have to put the work in, and now use LAN in via FMC, again ending my love affair with USB and i2s. lt worth mentioning, l only know of the LB being used with Gustard DACs, and when John tried it on the Audio GD, he found it made no difference,where as the AD clock did, but to add to the confusion, everyone including John wasn't away of Sleep Mode, and the fine tuning of parameters at the time. John like myself had moved on from DDC,so perhaps further down the line John can revist our mate Vic,as he is still enjoying his AUDIO GD DI-20HE. |
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bencat
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 353
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Post by bencat on Dec 4, 2023 13:21:50 GMT
On other forums I have had people say that there is no such thing as a cheap clock if you want great sound quality . In particular they say the LB on its specifications is an inferior clock and could be easily improved with better options .
I bought the LB because of the heads up from Tony and the fact that being retired I am restricted in my purchase power with no real options to boost this with work . After a talk with Tony over the phone his words to me was that in his view and following extensive testing he thought the LB just worked and often gave you 95% of the uplift that other much more expensive clocks did and that included the Denafrips 10 . As Tony explained to me it is not just the reduction in noise that makes things sound better . Clock,s have to be accurate but also very stable , the LB is slaved to the clocks on GPS satellites which are incredibly accurate and when the right PLL settings are made the LB is incredibly stable . If LB would get their finger out and enable us to easily shut the CPU down then it would improve things still further.
Do I think the LB is best and most accurate clock out there , no I do not it is like all things a compromise . Do I think it is good enough for my system , ues I certainly do . I also know that to greatly improve on it then I am going to have to spend considerable money to get something better . So for me I would say currently the LB clock is the best sounding bang for your buck on the market . If you have system that it can plug in to then it will improve the sound of that system way beyond what you think £180 can do . It is a really great starting point and in my case probably a great finishing point as well .
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Post by stellabagpuss on Dec 4, 2023 13:41:00 GMT
I agree with you Bencat, the way it's going, l can see me getting the new LB before a DAC.. You wouldn't have said that two years ago.
As it stands, l am more than happy, but l also like to play around. But your correct,for £180 you could transform a old dac if it has a clock input.
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Post by John on Dec 4, 2023 14:14:32 GMT
Some great posts
If your DAC has a external clock connection then my first step would be a clock. Like Damien and myself you might not feel the need for anything else.
The LB was not a improvement on the audio gd, Stellabagpus after dark clock was. But as Damien said we didn't know about altering settings at the time.
Our friend Vic still uses the Audio gd and has a great sound from his system.
So your upgrade options is going to depend on your DAC
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2023 15:41:33 GMT
The AD may not be preferred with some combinations because it's a sinewave clock. In my experiments so far, I prefer a sinewave clock but then, my system is not shy in coming forward. Squarewave clocks were just too much. Two sinewave clocks and I have the perfect balance of detail, soundstage and non-harsh presentation. It's been a long road but you just have to keep honing your system in the direction you want.
I have heard too many stories of AudioGD firmware issues to ever want to trust one.
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Post by brettj on Dec 4, 2023 18:18:56 GMT
I tried an LHY OCK-1 clock on my DI20HE.
Was not impressed.
One of my worst purchases.
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peter
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 19
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Post by peter on Dec 4, 2023 22:21:31 GMT
DI20HE is discounted now, and his new successor will be released in the begining of the next year. No successor for the DI20 tho !
I was told by a trusted guy that works in an audiophile shop and his boss contacted the owner of GD personally.
So, i am definitely going for the new unit, i hope it will sound better and no firmware issues will appear.
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