Golden Gate DAC arrives.

[Audiophile Bill]

Is you GG single or balanced?

I am single ended.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

New pcm much, much better! Although only first impressions late this afternoon and evening it is in my view no contest. I really did not like the previous pcm application but this one is really good!

That is great news, Rudolph. I actually tried to pm you but your inbox is full

Could you elaborate a little further on your impressions?

Thanks so much!

 

[Alrainbow]

My head dac has it and dsd 256. It's not back in my hands as yet.

 

[steve williams]

Can you guys explain what the r2r PCM engine is and how it differs without

 

[Alpinist]

Can you guys explain what the r2r PCM engine is and how it differs without

Hi Steve,

This explanation may help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor_ladder

Best,
Ken

 

[steve williams]

Thanks Ken

Interesting as I knew what the resistor ladder is but didn't know that was the acronym

 

[Audiocrack]

That is great news, Rudolph. I actually tried to pm you but your inbox is full

Could you elaborate a little further on your impressions?

Thanks so much!

I found the previous pcm module in the GG dac never sounding like real musicians making music right in front of you in your listening room. To my ears - and this in great contrast to the dsd module of the GG dac - it was never fluent sounding (in Dutch: it sounded "korrelig") and somewhat dull. Now it sounds clearly more vibrant and liquid. Still prefer the native dsd application as this is more refined and smoother sounding, but the pcm is - like I mentioned yesterday - very good indeed. Please keep in mind that (i) these are my preliminary findings as I only started listening yesterday late afternoon (so actually only a few hours and this week is extremely busy with no chance to do some additional listening) and (ii) my Lampizator server was upgraded together with the GG dac. So I am not sure whether the much better pcm sound can be attributed to the GG update or (maybe partly) to the Lampizator server update. But I guess a large(r) part has to do with the GG dac.

 

[Blizzard]

I found the previous pcm module in the GG dac never sounding like real musicians making music right in front of you in your listening room. To my ears - and this in great contrast to the dsd module of the GG dac - it was never fluent sounding (in Dutch: it sounded "korrelig") and somewhat dull. Now it sounds clearly more vibrant and liquid. Still prefer the native dsd application as this is more refined and smoother sounding, but the pcm is - like I mentioned yesterday - very good indeed. Please keep in mind that (i) these our my preliminary findings as I only started listening yesterday late afternoon (so actually only a few hours and this week is extremely busy with no chance to do some additional listening) and (ii) my Lampizator server was upgraded together with the GG dac. So I am not sure whether the much better pcm sound can be attributed to the GG update or (maybe partly) to the Lampizator server update. But I guess a larg(er) part has to do with the GG dac.

You really should try HQplayer resampling all PCM to DSD 256. I don't think any PCM DAC can beat this technique regardless of price. You can't do better with a DAC than just having a simple lowpass filter. HQplayer does better SRC/SDM than any SDM/SRC built into DAC chips. When you combine the 2 systems, it's hard to beat.

But if you want the holy grail, install this reclocker board with ultra low phase noise clocks on it. This will launch it through the stratosphere. The GG just uses a plain old Amanero with mediocre clocks on it. With pure 1 bit DSD, the quality of the clocks become much more important. 1 bit data is very sensitive to jitter. This reclocker board reclocks the master clock, and filters out any noise coming from the connected computer. The best part is you can choose the quality of clock you want to use to feed straight into the low pass DSD filter in the Amanero. It's not hard to install. He has a version made exactly for the Amanero used in the GG.

The $485 is fully assembled including the Amanero. Since you have a Amanero already, it would be cheaper. He sells the PCB's for only $35 for anyone who can SMD solder.

https://sites.google.com/site/ackodac/home




2CH USB-I2S/DSD Audio Module-AKU384

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/group-buys/227502-amanero-isolator-reclocker-gb.html

View attachment 23560



"High frequency Rogers board"

-HiRes, Bit-Perfect 32bits I2S - 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k, 352.8k and 384k
-DSD 64,128,256 and 512
-Based on Amanero and AKL-S03 Digital Isolator/Re-Clocker
-Dual Ultra-low Phase Noise Synchronous Audio Clocks
-Buffered Outputs on micro coax (u.fl) headers
-Direct connection to most DACs
-Drives ESS DACs in 'Turbo' Sync mode for the highest performance.
-All separate ultra-low noise (1uV rms) power supply and filters on board with very high PSSR
-Ultra pure 3.3V supply (<0.5uV rms noise) for Oscillator section. Options for external supply from batteries, etc
-I2C Port for reading sample rates directly from transport
-Led sample rate indicators on-board.
-Wide input supply 5-12V d.c. Regulated or unregulated
-Gold plated 2oz Rogers 4003 board
-Selection of finest components
-Assembled and tested

- built-to-order only ~4wks lead time

Unit Price: USD 485

 

[spiritofmusic]

New pcm much, much better! Although only first impressions late this afternoon and evening it is in my view no contest. I really did not like the previous pcm application but this one is really good!

Can you see the new impvd GG pcm pushing the Trinity pcm out?

 

[Audiocrack]

Can you see the new impvd GG pcm pushing the Trinity pcm out?

Really no idea Spirit. Just got my amps back after full check up, needed to install all tubes again, dial in again my Halcyonics/Accurion 40 devices and get accustomed to the new server. So things need to stabilize first before I can make any final jugdment. My comments of yesterday were preliminary, although the quality difference between the former and current pcm application of the GG dac was quite obvious.

 

[Geardaddy]

You really should try HQplayer resampling all PCM to DSD 256. I don't think any PCM DAC can beat this technique regardless of price. You can't do better with a DAC than just having a simple lowpass filter. HQplayer does better SRC/SDM than any SDM/SRC built into DAC chips. When you combine the 2 systems, it's hard to beat.

But if you want the holy grail, install this reclocker board with ultra low phase noise clocks on it. This will launch it through the stratosphere. The GG just uses a plain old Amanero with mediocre clocks on it. With pure 1 bit DSD, the quality of the clocks become much more important. 1 bit data is very sensitive to jitter. This reclocker board reclocks the master clock, and filters out any noise coming from the connected computer. The best part is you can choose the quality of clock you want to use to feed straight into the low pass DSD filter in the Amanero. It's not hard to install. He has a version made exactly for the Amanero used in the GG.

The $485 is fully assembled including the Amanero. Since you have a Amanero already, it would be cheaper. He sells the PCB's for only $35 for anyone who can SMD solder.

https://sites.google.com/site/ackodac/home




2CH USB-I2S/DSD Audio Module-AKU384

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/group-buys/227502-amanero-isolator-reclocker-gb.html

View attachment 23560



"High frequency Rogers board"

-HiRes, Bit-Perfect 32bits I2S - 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k, 352.8k and 384k
-DSD 64,128,256 and 512
-Based on Amanero and AKL-S03 Digital Isolator/Re-Clocker
-Dual Ultra-low Phase Noise Synchronous Audio Clocks
-Buffered Outputs on micro coax (u.fl) headers
-Direct connection to most DACs
-Drives ESS DACs in 'Turbo' Sync mode for the highest performance.
-All separate ultra-low noise (1uV rms) power supply and filters on board with very high PSSR
-Ultra pure 3.3V supply (<0.5uV rms noise) for Oscillator section. Options for external supply from batteries, etc
-I2C Port for reading sample rates directly from transport
-Led sample rate indicators on-board.
-Wide input supply 5-12V d.c. Regulated or unregulated
-Gold plated 2oz Rogers 4003 board
-Selection of finest components
-Assembled and tested

- built-to-order only ~4wks lead time

Unit Price: USD 485

I think you have made some very good points, and I personally believe (without a foundation of knowledge...just pure intuition) that manipulation in the digital domain is more efficacious. Peter at Phasure has preached and practiced this for years, and he (outside of Steve Nugent at Empirical Audio) has the finest computer/digital pedigree around. His software, like HQplayer, makes a lot of sense. I am just lazy and have always liked my simple streamers (Zardoz...modded Airport Express and now Auralic Aries)....

 

[wisnon]

The $485 is fully assembled including the Amanero. Since you have a Amanero already, it would be cheaper. He sells the PCB's for only $35 for anyone who can SMD solder.

https://sites.google.com/site/ackodac/home

-Assembled and tested

- built-to-order only ~4wks lead time

Unit Price: USD 485

Bliz, there is no $35 PCB on that site and in any case, Clocks are not cheap, so not sure how much you ultimately save… 4 weeks backlog if anyone wants to try the full kit.

I have heard upconverted DSD256 feeding Bughead (with lowly JRiver) and cant imagine it getting better than that.

 

[Sablon Audio]

Blizzard's recommendation of the Acko card is interesting and something I have had my eye on for quite some time. Even recommended it to Lukasz several months ago. Hope to try it out sometime in my GG.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Blizzard's recommendation of the Acko card is interesting and something I have had my eye on for quite some time. Even recommended it to Lukasz several months ago. Hope to try it out sometime in my GG.

Interesting Mark. I would happily test this if it were a straightforward operation.

 

[wisnon]

Blizzard's recommendation of the Acko card is interesting and something I have had my eye on for quite some time. Even recommended it to Lukasz several months ago. Hope to try it out sometime in my GG.

It is indeed, but I am not sure the stock Amanero is a big weak link. Theoretically a better clock cant hurt and will likely only be better. I am not hearing any signs of Jitter on my DSD, for example, so a $500 Amanero upgrade, plus the work to solder the tiny point (PITA, as I have done it once) is a bit of a job.
i would certainly like to hear feedback from anyone who tried this!

 

[wisnon]

Interesting Mark. I would happily test this if it were a straightforward operation.

Its straight forward if you are comfortable with small solder points (like the guys who repair cellphones). I had to do it once and it was a miracle that it worked. Serious solder skillz needed. I think even the Lampi guys mess up 1 in 5 or so. LoL

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Its straight forward if you are comfortable with small solder points (like the guys who repair cellphones). I had to do it once and it was a miracle that it worked. Serious solder skillz needed. I think even the Lampi guys mess up 1 in 5 or so. LoL

Will not be doing that then! Will get Lukasz on the case at some point then I guess.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

R2r

So I have my GG warming up in the music room on really quiet as my baby is sleeping and needs! to wake for his feed

Suspense is killing me - just need to hear the R2R PCM...

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I don't want to jump to any brief listening conclusions but I have a very wide smile on my face...

 

[Blizzard]

Bliz, there is no $35 PCB on that site and in any case, Clocks are not cheap, so not sure how much you ultimately save… 4 weeks backlog if anyone wants to try the full kit.

I have heard upconverted DSD256 feeding Bughead (with lowly JRiver) and cant imagine it getting better than that.

There's boards for sale on the diyaudio forum link. Yes clocks can be expensive. For instance the clocks used for the critical clocking the GG uses from the Amanero, cost about $1 a piece. Where premium clocks like a Crystek 957 can cost 30 times that @ $30 a piece. This may be a deal breaker for someone with $15500 into a DAC.