audio-gd Stellar product

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Master-1
Real Balanced ACSS Pure Class A Preamp

Price: USD1280

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Specs

Technology Detail

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Master 1 can compatible with KRELL amplifiers .
It need an adapt signal cable, one side connect to Master 1 ACSS output, another side connect to KRELL amplifier CAST input .
The ACSS output pins define:
Pin 1, GND
Pin 2, Hot
Pin 3, Cold
The KRELL amplifiers had lower gain than audio-gd Master series amplifiers while CAST connect , so customers can custom order the Master 1 have higher ACSS output gain if expect connect to KRELL amplifiers .

Fully balanced class A design built by discrete analog stages without any OPA and couple caps in the signal channels.
Non- feedback ACSS analog output stage .
Uses three R-core transformers (135W total) separate power supplys for the digital part , right channel and left channel.
More than 50,000uf audio grade NOVER capacitors are used to ensure ample and smooth power feed.
A total of 8 groups of high-quality class A parallel connection PSU, four double-stages for dedicated DC supply. To achieve high S/N, the control circuit is powered with separate regulator.
Uses most Hi-end grade parts and exact match transistors.
Four-channel 99 steps digitally controlled relay-based volume control to avoid channel imbalance and improve sound quality.
5 Channel analog inputs: RCA X2, XLR X2, ACSS X1
Preamp output : XLR / RCA / ACSS
Memorizes all settings and it could resume the last settings when power on.

Sound Characteristics:
    Sound dead neutral.
Note:
                     Master-1 can work with all sources and power amps in the world, but its ACSS output can only work with audio-gd Master series power amps.
Advice: 1, Master-1 has extremely high fidelity; its SQ is neutral. It can show how good or how bad a recording or source is.
                     2, It is better not to stack gear on top of each other, if necessary to stack Master-1 on other gear, place a paper or other insulating material on top of other gear, because Master-1 has conductive aluminium feet.
                     3, Attention must be given to matching suitable power cable and signal cable.
                     4, Master-1 have 3 feet under bottom side for the best balance state , if customers want 4 feet , please ask the custom order .

A review of our preamp and power amp from John Darko.
　

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2011/09/audio-gd-c39-mk3-pre-and-c10-se-power-acss/

The reviews in headfi.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/570722/audio-gd-Master-1-balanced-head-amp-preamp-is-released

Feedback from users (Since 25th May, 2012):

31th May , Maurice from Canada:

         This is the best preamplifier that I ever heard!
         Very neutral and musical. Never aggressive and very detailed. All the small inflections and nuances in the musical message are rendered. I was mostly impressed with the current power it has to control the low frequencies. They are rendered with clarity and detail... in all their nuances. No muddy sounds,
only high precision. The air and space between all the instruments is also quite outstanding.
          I am very pleased and satisfied with my firsts auditions and I will proudly show and recommend your products to my friends.
         Thank you very much again for your professionalism.
          Will Audio-gd produce one day a high end DVD Audio, SACD or CD player? I would buy one without any hesitation.
　

2nd June , Angelo from Canada:

I just wanted to let you know that the Master 1 arrived safely and I have been listening to the system with both the Reference 7.1 and the Master 1 in place and all I can say is thank you so much! I have included a picture of the system with the Audio-gd products in place. My system has always been very revealing (just as I like it to be) and the addition of your equipment has not changed that character, but has improved on it. Bad recordings sound bad. Good recordings sound good, and great recordings make you believe you are in the room with the musicians. Day by day the sound is improving as the equipment breaks in and I and anyone else who has listened to the system is very impressed.
I can't recommend these pieces of equipment highly enough to anyone else who is thinking of buying them! My respect and thanks to you and everyone at your company for producing such fine products and for offering an exceptional level of customer service as well.
　

7nd June , Angelo from Canada:

Hi! I have received 3ft Complement cable set for the ACSSconnection from Peter at DHC cables. After just a couple of days Ihave to tell you I am very impressed. The Master 1 Ref 7.1 combinationis wonderful, but using the ACSS connection is truly special. I wasusing a Monster Cable Sigma Retro Gold 1M XLR set to connect thepreamp and DAC and it works really well, excellent in fact. (as onewould hope from a cable set that sells for nearly $2,000.!) But usingPeter's Complement cables ($599./pr with ACSS connectors) for the ACSSmoves things to a completely different (better!) level.The sound is natural, detailed, sound staging is wide, high anddeep. Bass is taut and powerful when the recording has such but neverbloated. Nothing seems out of place across the frequency range the keyword is balance.These are the things I can say about your components,adding the DHC cables just increases all of the above! You should talkto Peter about offering his cables as standard equipment ( at leastfor the Master series) or perhaps as a "factory" option, they reallyare that good. I am waiting for some parts from Japan so I can make upa couple of AC cords. I made one for my power amp from Furutech cableand Oyaide F1/M1 plugs and they made a big improvement so I am lookingforward to getting them installed. I first used the same cable but theOyaide P-03/C-03 plugs for my subwoofers and despite not being theirtop connectors was also happy with the improvement over the stockcables.Sorry to go on, but I am very happy with how well your componentswork in my system and with the DHC cables added things are evenbetter!
　

13th May. , McIntosh from USA:

My friend Don McIntosh wanted me to relay this message to you and I quote "Congratulations on the monoblocks and stereo amp, they are SENSATIONAL! The chain of Audio-gd gear in my system never sounded so great through my McIntosh XRT2K speakers! Keep up the good work. Your friend (signed) Don McIntosh."

Combo: Master 7 + Master 1 + Master 2
　