Audio-GD Master-10 impressions

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by Alex Defender, Jul 21, 2020.

  1. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    How much is the original Dartzeel NHB-108 and not the clone?
     
  2. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,735
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Canada
    Just buy the best used Hegel you can afford then. They’re all well aligned with the sound you’re looking for, just more power and transparency the higher you go up. In fact, the 160 or 190 might have a bit more of the warmth that you’re looking for vs. the 360. And you can still use your Ares 2 DAC with the balanced inputs on the Hegel. Or find an older H200 that doesn’t have a DAC built in.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Call dealers and see who will cave and get you the best price. It's often possible to get one used. A friend who was looking to upgrade got it. I half-jokingly mentioned the Dartzeel given his requirements, and he just got it. I would say that expectations were not only met but exceeded. He used to run an EAR tube power amp. The NHB-108 does everything better than the EAR: it has an inherent warmth, isn't overtly warmpoo, full bodied mids, smooth highs (even smoother than the EAR - the EAR was harsh with his ceramic mids and diamond tweeters), a fuckton of slam, gripped the drivers like testicles in a vice, great dynamics, and didn't miss a beat in terms of microdetail. For a fairly high power amp, 150W into 8-ohms, 225W into 4-ohms, I have not heard better yet. It's a really good balance of technical performance while incorporating listenable aspects without imparting a strong signature or goo in the sound.

    I dislike the A-GD house sound - and there is a strong AG-D house sound with all Kingwa's headamps, amps and preamps. They all impart this murky underwater and smoothed-over warmy-swarmy deal (a result of the NFB and unacceptably high distortion). Not much microdetail. Plenty of heft though. Mids will be nice and full bodied - maybe too much so, but that's about it. I am exaggerating the effects a little bit, but they are all there. The preamps are especially bad. While I understand preamps imparting coloration, that is committing sins of commission where they can enhance or be pleasant (it was still too much), preamps should not be committing such major sins of omission.

    Expect to cough up $10-$12k for the Dartzeel. But you never have to look back.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  4. Greg121986

    Greg121986 Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    388
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, MI
    I would support the choice of Hegel as well. I tried an H190 at one point in time and it's dramatically better than the Audio-GD Master 10. The Hegel would have been on my short list had I not been able to obtain the Audia Flight stuff I have now. You might be able to find an Accuphase E-270 used for a decent price, but I liked the Hegel H190 overall a bit better than the Accuphase. I agree it is annoying that they include a DAC when you actually do not really need or want it. But, it is still a nice amp and desirable enough that they should retain their resale value in addition to remaining reliable for years to come.

    Generally, the consensus is that the Audio-GD Master 10 is not a very good amp and you need to remove it from your list of options.
     
  5. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    That was the feedback I needed to read from you about the audio-gd sound, rather the sarcasm of the comments above...
    Imo 10-12k for an amp, as good as it may sound, it's for crazy or idiot people.
     
  6. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    Have you auditioned Hegel 190 and Master 10 side by side in the same setup?
     
  7. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,171
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Virginia, USA
    Then you are in the wrong hobby. I would avoid stating that people who have the income to spend on a 10-12k amp are crazy or idiots. It is about the perceived value and how much disposable income one has.

    Just because you don't have the financial means nor the want to buy one doesn't mean those who do are crazy or idiots.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    It's less crazy or idiot than it seems as it avoids side-grading a dozen times with much time and money wasted going in circles (researching, buying, selling, humming and hawing, etc.) when the time could have been spent concentrating on finding content.
     
  9. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    All right then spend $1,000 for a power cord, $1,000 for a multi-plug.. $5.000 for a new CD player.. why don't you spend $1,000 on a new pair of eardrums, too?
    Because yeah man, a $1000 copper screened cable sounds 10 times better than a $100 copper screened cable, the details, the bass, the resolution is 10 times better.
    I'm pretty sure that over a budget like $2,000-2,500 is all about business and cheating...
    Tell me why some people spend 1-2k just on cables "to listen better"? The same goes for 10k speakers or 10k amps.
    That said, if you like to gift money to hifi houses... that's a different story.
     
  10. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    Don't worry about my financial situation, I'm pretty good. Why don't you think just about your finances?
     
  11. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    May 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,667
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    You okay, man?
     
  12. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    Naw. Someone on the internet said something mean, and he's gone full Karen-mode with rage and irrational arguments. We should lock the door on this tool shed now.
     
  13. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    I'm pretty ok, thanks
     
  14. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    If you can't argue, that's ok, then lock the door on this tool shed now..
     
  15. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    Anyway, I thank everyone who shared their opinion on this Audio-gd master 10.
    If anyone else would like to add their honest thoughts, I will be happy to read it and to continue this thread... it might also be helpful to other people interested in audio-gd products like me.
     
  16. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Forest
    Meow
     
  17. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    woof woof
     
  18. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,129
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Did a quick google. Love the eyes and nose. If I was stinking rich I'd definitely buy this just so I could show people one of the most expensive jokes in the world. And if it really does sound that good too... irresistible.
     
  19. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,518
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    Sounds like a typical Audio-GD product, well, this thread at least.
     
  20. Alex Defender

    Alex Defender New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Italy
    hahahah what a funny friend of mine.
    On the other hand, you sound like when I'm in the bath.
     

Share This Page