DI20HE Measurements by GoldenSound
Dutch Review by AudioEnzo
https://www.audioenzo.nl/audio-gd-di20he/
HIGHLIGHTS
- High-End Digital USB (Amanero based) Converter
- S/PDIF Reclocker (S/PDIF input available)
- Support for Windows, Apple and Linux
- PCM Sample rate / DSD rate shown on display
- 10MHz external Master Clock input
- High speed 150Mbps isolator to separate USB input
- FPGA processes data and clock, and support SQ upgrade-able
- R core and 13 groups ultra PSU linear power supplies
- Support up to PCM384K / DSD512 and DoP 256 over S/PDIF.
- 2nd generation ACSS S/PDIF output design (compatible with standard S/PDIF inputs)
DIGITAL INPUTS
INPUT S/PDIF
RCA 75 Ohm coaxial audio input (0.5VPP @ 75 Ohm) .
INPUT 10MHz
External 10MHz clock input (0.3VPP -3VPP @ 50 Ohm)
INPUT USB
USB audio input?USB2.0/USB3.0)
UPDATE PORT 10 pins port
To connect the Altera Blaster and proceed with an FPGA firmware update from Windows, using the Altera programming software. These updates are meant for upgrading the functionality and/or sound quality .
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
AES/EBU OUT
AES/EBU output connector?5VPP @ 110 Ohm)
S/PDIF OUT STD
Standard coaxial output connector, with built-in silver wire isolation transformer. (0.5VPP @ 75 Ohm
S/PDIF OUT ACSS
Output using current transmission technology over coaxial 0.5VPP @ 75 Ohm
This output applies the 2nd generation coaxial ACSS technology, which offers even further reduced signal degradation and better sound quality over a coaxial cable .
IIS OUT
IIS signal over HDMI output (3.3V LVDS @ 110 Ohm). It only can work with DACs with an HDMI input supporting I2S audio signals HDMI. It can NOT work with mainstream audio/video devices featuring HDMI inputs.
CLK OUT
Outputs 256fs main clock or LRCK/WCLK (3.3V LVDS @ 50 Ohm) . User selectable .
REGENERATIVE POWER SUPPLY
Integrated regenerative power supply is a proprietary electric generator built into the unit to eliminate noise from main power and deliver ultra-low noise and clean AC wave to feed the DDC. It will regenerate the main power and block noise from the power line , this will lead to most neutral and analog sound you can imagine.
A discrete balanced regenerative wave generator produces the new ultra-low noise wave form at 400Hz. The 400Hz frequency was chosen because they have better efficiency compared to traditional 50Hz and at this frequency, 400Hz, it will boost the sound to reproduce real and pleasant analog sound. The balanced gain amps with powerful output stages are driving the regenerative transformers to produce the extreme clean AC power. The extreme regenerated clean AC power is send to separate class A PSUs power supplies for both left and right channel.
| Specifications might subject to change without prior notice for product improvement. | |
| 10M external clock | 50MHz 0.3Vpp- 3Vpp |
| S/Pdif input | 0.5 Vp-p @75 Ohms |
| USB input | USB2.0 – USB3.0 |
| HDMI-IIS output | 3.3V LDVS @ 100 ohms |
| S/Pdif output | 0.5 Vp-p @75 Ohms |
| AES/EBU output | 5Vp-p @110 ohms |
| Clock output | 256fs clock |
| Support operate system (USB) | Windows, OSX, Linux, ISO |
| Support sampling | USB : 44.1kHz – 384kHz /32Bit DSD64-512 Coaxial input: 44.1kHz – 192kHz / Dop Coaxial output: 44.1kHz – 192kHz |
| Power Requirement | Version 1: 100-120V AC 50/60 Hz Version 2: 220-240V AC 50/60 Hz? |
| Power Consumption | 20W |
| Package Weight | Approximately 5KG |
| Dimensions | W240 X L240 X H85 (MM, with feet, Fully aluminium ) |
| Accessories | USB Cable USB Blaster (Firmware Updates) |
Olivier (verified owner) –
Le DI20HE est exceptionnel !
Très réactif aux changements de câbles : c’est bon signe.
Plus de détail, mais sans être agressif car tout en douceur. La matière est là également, et associé à la dynamique très significative, le résultat est très vivant. Et pourtant entre un gros steamer et un très bon DAC (APL), le gain est incroyable. Merci à Magna pour la rapidité de livraison, et surtout à JOS pour sa patience pour régler quelques soucis avec un Lumin A1.
G.K. (verified owner) –
After 200 hours of burning in, DI20he sounds amazing! Thank you so much for your great recommendation!!
Anton (verified owner) –
Best DDC I have ever had! The 10Mhz Master Clock input is a big plus. Lot of other features like spdif input and reclocker onboard. The display could be a bit more modern , I am ok with it.
Radu (verified owner) –
A substantial improvement was felt after the first 24 hours of continuous operation. The bass area has improved and the detail here is already much bigger and deeper.
Now it’s probably close to 100 hours of burn-in and I can judge at its true value.
The improvement has exceeded my expectations. Not in the “small” area, on the contrary ! It’s so big
Pedro Nunes (verified owner) –
Good product the Audio-GD DI20HE, is a very good DDC and a good improvement over the Singxer SU6.
Ash (verified owner) –
Excellent DDC! Prior to purchasing, I used the Gustard U18, Singxer SU-6 and M2TECH hiFace Two. Audio-GD’s DI-20HE ranks above them all! Take note that you’ll need around 200 hours for the device to ‘burn in’ and fully settle. You will notice qualitative improvements within that period.
MagnaHifi’s customer service has been courteous and knowledgeable! They install the latest firmware on units prior to shipping and include a USB Blaster dongle for future firmware ‘rolling’. Delivery to my doorstep (USA) was within the week of ordering, which is impressive considering the unit shipped from the other side of the planet!
Look no further if you seek a top-of-the-line DDC. :)
Rob (verified owner) –
Thank you very much for great opportunity to get my system to the higher level of SQ. It works phenomenally much more than I´ve expected. I was very satisfied with my older DDC but this is another level of performance!
Michele (verified owner) –
Cold out of the box (RCA in and out, basic power cable) I am extremely pleased of what I am hearing: tonal accuracy, lower noise floor, taller and deeper soundstage, more articulate bass.
And still there is wide room for improvements: longer burn in, use of usb input and acss output, quality power cable, a good external master clock may be.…
A big jump closer to the best analogue reproduction!
Gerard –
In all my listening the main benefits of the DI20HE became very clear: detail, coherence, wide and deep stereo image. It is also definitely an upgrade in terms of noise and background (black). Fantastic three-dimensional soundstage. This upgrade is significant for my USB source! Many thanks!
Piotr –
I compared DI-20HE with Gustard U16, strongly modified Singxer SU-1, Singxer SU-6. Definitely Audio-GD is the best among them. The best structure/order on soundstange (feeling that everything is corret compared to another devices, sound is the most natural), great resolution and sounds are the most filled. Worth to spend money on it, better to wait and buy it.
Laurent –
4 letters : OMFG, i’m speechless…..
As expected, the DIHE20 (not burned in yet ofc) is putting the 7.77 in non reached level so far……soundstage is huge, and bass are so perfect…….
Just a little black side sound, the DIHE20 must burnin i suppose
TY Jos!!