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Calling all Audio-GD owners

76.14.236.117
Posted on June 5, 2020 at 09:07:32
jaydacus
 I just bought a used Master 11(I think) and I'm super confused by the jumper settings.

According to the Audio GD website the same jumpers do completly different things depending of whether I have the NOS 11 or the Master 11. Is there any way to know which one I have? The auction said Master 11, but then he sent me instructions for the NOS 11. I asked and it sounds like even the seller is not sure.

Also what does the "bypass" jumper do. To me bypass suggests that it would bypass all DSP functions, but another forum post suggested that the DSP functions only work with the bypass jumper installed. Super confusing.

 

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RE: Calling all Audio-GD owners, posted on June 5, 2020 at 18:20:07
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Apparently, the bypass jumper when Active (ON) is intended for the HDMI or IIS inputs, jaydacus.

See link:

 

The good news here...., posted on June 7, 2020 at 05:49:50
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 is that either way, you have a great sounding DAC/Headphone amp.

I have the original Master 11 from about 2015 (not the NOS one).

If you can find the serial number and send an email to King Wa in China (email is on the web site) you 'might' get a reply back.

As far as the Jumpers, I've had both the Master 7 and Master 11 and never messed with them.

Both of may DACs came from the factory with jumpers set for 8x oversampling. That said, some say they like the sound of NOS.

If you have the NOS 11 model, it differs in the way they do the DSP firmware especially for non-oversampling. You really hit the jackpot as some say this is the best they ever did with the PCM1704.

But do send the serial number to King Wa and find out what you have.

Oh, and buy the best 'cans' you can afford and don't worry about power, they sell a special cable so you an drive real speakers from the balanced headphone jacks!



First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: The good news here...., posted on June 7, 2020 at 10:07:37
jaydacus
 I looked on the back for the serial number and it actually says "NOS 11".

Sooo as far as I can tell that means that this model ONLY has NOS modes.

The only question remaining is what does the "bypass" jumper that isn't mentioned in the manual do?

King Wa definetely knows, but will I understand his answer through a translator?

 

RE: "King Wa definetely knows..., posted on June 7, 2020 at 12:28:32
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 but will I understand his answer through a translator?"

Part of the beauty of owneing a GREAT piece of gear.

I had the Audio-GD Master 7 and replaced it with the DENAFRIPS Terminator at twice the price.

The Terminator is maybe a BIT better, but not much. Maybe.

I use the Terminator in NOS mode, so an Audio-GD NOS 11 is likely a very fine piece as well being NOS only.

"100 people may had 99 type prefers . We had design two NOS modes in the software for users select. One is the best speed data process, another is applied large algorithm to process the data."

Got to love that Chinese-English!

But King Wa is a dedicated audiophile at heart.

Link below and you are on your way if you can get them to tell you by the serial number whether you have a unit shipped before or after October 12, 2016.

If you have the original box, you might find the ship date on the label?

Link below to the jumpers.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: "King Wa definetely knows..., posted on June 7, 2020 at 20:33:22
jaydacus
 Sent an email and received a response within a couple of hours...

"In the NOS11, the bypass is no function". Okay clear enough for me.

He also said if I sent the SN he could tell me which firmware it has. Apparently it can ee updated, but it requires a USB blaster and new firmware from them.

 

Yes, a USB blaster and a windows PC.., posted on June 8, 2020 at 05:27:38
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 and instructions that one can understand. =:-0


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Yes, a USB blaster and a windows PC.., posted on June 8, 2020 at 07:45:43
jaydacus
 Yes. The instructions looked very daunting and in broken English. I used to modify the original Xbox, the 360, and made my own chips for early Wii mods so I have flashed literally thousands of chips. Even with all of those under my belt the idea of bricking a close to 2k piece of equipment gives me pause.

Fortunately.....

"I found your unit had built in the latest firmware, don't want update"

Yay!

 

Yay! Indeed.., posted on June 8, 2020 at 09:46:33
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Now get the best, hardest to drive, 'cans' you can find, with a balanced cable, and enjoy!




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Yay! Indeed.., posted on June 8, 2020 at 10:49:52
jaydacus
 Any suggestions? I have some $200 Audio Technica which sound pretty good, but I feel like they are the limiting factor in my setup at this point.

 

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