Audio GD cd-7se transport -- Opinion wanted! Do you own one?

Good day guys! I'm thinking of the above transport. Wondering if anybody in KL already own one. Need your opinion, if you have listened to this cd transport. Below is the link.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/CD7SE/CD7SEEN.htm



Best regards.

I was thinking of that but the digital transport hold me back.

why not consider the hiface or teralink. The readout is a bit slow but it is the best cd player matched to audio gd gears.

so far in KL I know of Ref 1, Ref 8 and Ref 5.

Atm, I'm not yet thinking of using pc as a source. Maybe in the future. Just that I need a transport for all my cd's.

If u own a audio-gd reference series, the cd7se is the best match with Audio-GD dac with the current mode output options. Peete from head-fi owns a unit and u may check with him his review.

Flyboy, thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for an affordable transport for my Levinson DAC. In this day and age it may not be wise to spend a huge amount of money on a super expensive CD transport just in case the days of CDs are really numbered. But of course for those of us with a large collection of CDs, we still need to extract the best from them CDs. The GD CD-7se may just be the ticket. Where is it sold? I reckon it should be around RM3K?

BTW it looks really well built and strangely familiar. Ayon comes to mind.

Hi Chua!

I've tried to find a review in the net, but so far I've found nothing. Do you have a link for Peete's review on the transport?

check this thread. http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/416120/audio-gd-reference-1-dac-56-k-warning/2145#post_6662563

Peete is head-fi supremo and his comments are quite trustworthy but dont let him poison u.

I had my marantz cd63 modded with JZ-1 clock. The output of cd63 as transport compared to even Teralink X2 has big gap. Meaning even the X2 gives difference with the sound and it is noticeable. output now using wasapi.

Now my modded cd63 is meant for tube like playback.

Hi bimmerman!

The cd7 se looks very robust with a r core transformer and a discrete power supply. I can see that it uses quite a good selected parts for digital circuits. From the pictures, I would say it will cost plenty more if it comes from an establish manufacturer. Audio gd has no distributor in Malaysia. The best way is to order direct from them.

Hi Chua!

Thanks for the link! But it is for the REF 1. The best way is still to listen to the unit myself if it is possible here in KL.

For your info, the cd-7se has gone thru few generation of improvement with the latest 3 r-core transformers to giv independent power supply and the current mode digital output. Peete bought the ref 1 and cd transport later. U can use search function in the thread or the best pm him directly.

if u would like to audition the audio-gd product, u are welcome to my place. I can demo the current mode signal transformation with balance bridge signal output DAC and amplifier. If u are keen to buy audio-gd product, pls pm me.

Hi Chua!

Thanks for the offer! Would you mind to tell me what audio gd products that you have?

currently on demo is Audio-GD REF 1 and CIA-400 with CAST cable. Someone had bought REF 5 and soon coming to malaysia is REF 8.

EDIT: someone has brought in REF 5 and CD7SE. Let me help to find out the owner of CD7SE. http://www.audio-gd.com/ConsignmentGlobal.htm

Hopefully he is from KL.

Just realised the CD-7se does not have an AES/EBU output, still, I think it would be interesting if I could audition it with my DAC via BNC and RCA.

bimmerman wrote:Flyboy, thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for an affordable transport for my Levinson DAC. In this day and age it may not be wise to spend a huge amount of money on a super expensive CD transport just in case the days of CDs are really numbered. But of course for those of us with a large collection of CDs, we still need to extract the best from them CDs. The GD CD-7se may just be the ticket. Where is it sold? I reckon it should be around RM3K?

BTW it looks really well built and strangely familiar. Ayon comes to mind.

To match your nice Marky Levin DAC, consider a Nagra CDT lah ...

Anything else would be insulting to the ML DAC already !

Hi bimmerman!

Bnc would be better than rca. Based from what I read, the audio gd designer said that bnc is better than aes/ebu for digital transmission. With the audio gd transport you will have 2 types of digital output module. One is conventional output and another one is current output. I'm interested with the current output. And you also can try either rca or bnc with both modules.

mugenfoo wrote:

bimmerman wrote:Flyboy, thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for an affordable transport for my Levinson DAC. In this day and age it may not be wise to spend a huge amount of money on a super expensive CD transport just in case the days of CDs are really numbered. But of course for those of us with a large collection of CDs, we still need to extract the best from them CDs. The GD CD-7se may just be the ticket. Where is it sold? I reckon it should be around RM3K?

BTW it looks really well built and strangely familiar. Ayon comes to mind.

To match your nice Marky Levin DAC, consider a Nagra CDT lah ...

Anything else would be insulting to the ML DAC already !

Ayoyo Moogen, where to find this nagra CDT lah??? Surely not cheap no? I remember Adrian having some Nagra stuff but can't recall if it was the CDT. If got, you point me there will ya. Cheers!

bimmerman wrote:Flyboy, thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for an affordable transport for my Levinson DAC. In this day and age it may not be wise to spend a huge amount of money on a super expensive CD transport just in case the days of CDs are really numbered. But of course for those of us with a large collection of CDs, we still need to extract the best from them CDs. The GD CD-7se may just be the ticket. Where is it sold? I reckon it should be around RM3K?

BTW it looks really well built and strangely familiar. Ayon comes to mind.

Yeah.. casing looks similar to Ayon but that's bout it. Different transport, output stage, power supply, ie. everything.. DAC not mentioned.

flyboi wrote:Hi bimmerman!

Bnc would be better than rca. Based from what I read, the audio gd designer said that bnc is better than aes/ebu for digital transmission. With the audio gd transport you will have 2 types of digital output module. One is conventional output and another one is current output. I'm interested with the current output. And you also can try either rca or bnc with both modules.

Hey Flyboy,

Agreed! My own listening test using 2 pairs of DH Labs Silversonic 75ohm digital cable of identical lengths, one cable terminated with BNC/RCA and the other RCA/RCA confirms that BNC is indeed superior to RCA. Quite a night and day difference actually.

I don't know if the reason was because the WBT 0144 RCA plugs I used were not true 75ohms. Had I used RCA plugs of true 75 ohms rating, the outcome could have been different.

I have not tried AES/EBU because my CD player does not have it but judging by the performance of BNC i'm getting now I'm totally comfortable with BNC.

llsaw wrote:

bimmerman wrote:Flyboy, thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for an affordable transport for my Levinson DAC. In this day and age it may not be wise to spend a huge amount of money on a super expensive CD transport just in case the days of CDs are really numbered. But of course for those of us with a large collection of CDs, we still need to extract the best from them CDs. The GD CD-7se may just be the ticket. Where is it sold? I reckon it should be around RM3K?

BTW it looks really well built and strangely familiar. Ayon comes to mind.

Yeah.. casing looks similar to Ayon but that's bout it. Different transport, output stage, power supply, ie. everything.. DAC not mentioned.

and not forgetting the Ayon is top loading

nagra cdt is like $13grand US dollar beb

Yup, whaddaya you expect, it's a Mooganfoo class A component beb!!

what the heck, google ebay ade a few options for transport from UK. Nak tak nak je. Apollo cdt100 looks nice, can match your dac i reckon. or want be ganas besides nagra, you can always walap mbl 1621A slightly cheaper than negro.. piss

Yeah the Apollo looks nice but sonically may not be up to par with the Nagra, Krell, Levinson, etc. Have you checked out the Audio GD website Azri? Alot of solid engineering inside. The CD-7se has the makings of something special beb. If only I can audition it with my DAC.

This is another interesting product at around the same price (a few hundred ringgit cheaper perhaps). The April Music Stello CDT100 Transport. Does not seem to boast the multiple transformers and engineering prowess of the AudioGD and possibly inferior sounding too but looks very well made, is top loading, has AES/EBU and an interesting alternative nonetheless. US$940 including shipping from ebay.

Pictured with matching DAC

azri wrote:nagra cdt is like $13grand US dollar beb

bimmerman wrote:Yup, whaddaya you expect, it's a Mooganfoo class A component beb!!

of coz mah, good thing no cheap, cheap thing no good !

Hey Moofoo, what about the Stello? What do you think? And what do you think about the Audio GD R Core transformers and CAST current driven output thingy?

Hey Moofoo, nice new logo. Root means square izzit???

Hi Guys,
I just need to find out why we still prefer those current related transmission on Digital data, since Optical is available. Technically, Optical doesnt get effected with EMI and RFI at all compare to those that still require metal medium for transmission.

Anyway, I havent really try out the different from by Audio-GD DAC. But I like to listen to you guys experience. Thanks.

Hi all,

For Stello, you can refer to his comments: http://hifi-unlimited.blogspot.com/search/label/Stello, it;s really a good buy transport.

Thanks perlis1977

Adrian, Toslink optical is considered inferior to RCA and BNC and should be the last resort connection according to the Mark Levinson user manual. Although Toslink transmits light and is not succeptable to EMI/RFI/Eddy currents etc. the conversion process of electrical to light pulses and back to electrical is the culprit here. Unless your gear has the ST Optical or also known as the AT&T optical used for high bandwidth fibre optic network connections and this, according to Mark Levinson, is a contender to AES/EBU which the Marky folks consider the best. Different schools of thoughts exist and perhaps someone else can explain it better than I can.

Mugenfoo, where are you???

Rave systems is a distributor for the stello product in Malaysia. You might get a better price from them plus the local warranty. I've considered the stello. It has a good sound and better value based from most of the reviews in the net n mags. But I'm more inclined towards the audio gd because of the technical details. With this type of design in this audio gd transport it will cost much more from the asking price.

this is getting interesting. current mode in digital transmission will ring a lot of bells.

the followig are the collection of articles written by designer of audio-gd himself. only for chinese read, u may use translate.google.com for some cumbersome read.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Article.htm

It talks about all kinds of product design philisophy such as Accuphase, Mark Levinsons, Krell etc and how the current mode transmission remains as its main product lineup.

Chua, i'm keen on the CD-7SE. If you got jalan or I can get a unit from you to test synergy with my Levinson DAC, do let me know.

rm6.6k with dac. wonder how much its cost just for the transport? must be half or more. i do aim this but hopefully manage to grab lite dac-ah 1st. i see recommendation from mr lampizatur on this dac, very good to run without any upgrading needed.

Azri, FYI the Stello Transport and DAC is RM3.3K each from that Unker/Aunty shop at Darby Park.

bimmerman wrote:Azri, FYI the Stello Transport and DAC is RM3.3K each from that Unker/Aunty shop at Darby Park.

its Uncle "Edwin" and aunty "Agnes" ....

Hi bimmerman,

I'm considering the transport as well. In contact with the designer atm with few mails. They even have a custom order transport(cd7he) with separate power supply. The power supply is something like the top mark levinson's pre amp regenerative power supply. But have to pay almost 850usd extra.

Regenerative power supply is another highlight of the products. Mark Levin emphasize the importance of such thingy in its DAC too. The regenerative power supply also available in the Reference series DAC.

Flyboy, comparing the specifications of the CD-7SE and the Stello CDT100, my guess is that the CD-7SE is the superior one. But when it comes to availability and possibility of auditioning one of them, it would be the Stello as there are no CD-7SEs available in the country to audition yet.

I have no doubt that the CD-7SE could be a giant killer but then again how it sounds with my DAC would be another matter to consider as the cost of my stupid crazy DAC is forcing me to make it a permanent fixture in my system. As such, my entire Hi-fi universe would have to revolve around my DAC being the most expensive component I own.

Unless a CD-7SE turns up for audition soon I may just have to settle for the Stello. I read somewhere that Mr. Levinson had a part in designing the Stello CDT100.

Maybe when you get the CD-7SE and (if) I get the Stello, we could meet up for a listening session. Then again maybe not as I may be hit hard with buyer's remorse after listening to your CD-7SE.

I hope it is not the other way around.

My opinion is if aint good, it aint sells. It will be flooded with your terms 'remorse'

I don't think so Chua. Looking at the components, technology and technique involved in making the CD-7SE, there is no way the Stello can be better. Sure the Stello is designed with Mark Levinson's input and reviewers rate it highly but I'm pretty sure the CD-7SE will be the stronger performer here.

Looking at this:


and then compare with this:


I think it's quite clear to see who the winner is

its clearly cd7se shows it all, but the cdt100 tells the tale racun.. racun..

Wish that CD-7SE comes with a glass top and can keep looking at the internal for days.

With the cd7se, you have 2 outputs. So 2 different flavours .

kakibook wrote:Wish that CD-7SE comes with a glass top and can keep looking at the internal for days.

Maybe if u ask Kingwa he will oblige.

bimmerman wrote:I don't think so Chua. Looking at the components, technology and technique involved in making the CD-7SE, there is no way the Stello can be better. Sure the Stello is designed with Mark Levinson's input and reviewers rate it highly but I'm pretty sure the CD-7SE will be the stronger performer here.

I think it's quite clear to see who the winner is

Its dangerous to judge just based on looks alone. Here's a real-world example:

Krell KAV-300i. whats the Toroidal rated to ? 400VA ? Capacitor bank is XXXX uF ? vs. a KAV-400xi with much larger Toroidal, & bigger capacitor bank rating. Even the 400xi has a beefier and heavier chassis than the KAV-300i. The KAV-400xi totally feels like a denser and heavier piece of hardware than the KAV-300i.

But the laughter stops when the 2 amps are placed side by side and they are tested in the bass and slam/dynamics dept.

Those few people who've made this side-by-side comparison will know what I'm referring to.

Moral of the story: You don't know until u test them out and have a listen... & don't write off any piece of equipment just on looks alone, although its perfectly human to judge a book by its cover. Happens to the best of us.

Fully agreed with MF, there are many equipments with 'heavy' components and more advanced technology being outperformed sonically by some 'underrated' equipments.
It's too dangerous to judge a book by its cover especially in Hifi. Only on-field comparisons do the judgement.

what are the reasons of having such circuit in a transport where in the end the dac that colors the sound, not to mention the amplifier?? will there be variations on all those raw output?

I'm pretty sure my DAC will not colour the sound Azri. But agree with MooFoo about judging without first listening. Which I why I cannot blindly order the CD-7SE based on reputation alone. I really need to hear it first. Hope to test the Stello soon if uncle Edwin and Aunty Agnes allows. Will report...

MooFoo, as for the 300i vs 400xi, it's been reported that the 400xi although being more powerful on paper, gives the perception of less power because it channels it's power towards other areas of the audible spectrum which contributes to refinement. Bass less distorted thus less slammy for instance, so says most of the reviews.

Me, i'm happy with the 300i mini-godzilla factor.