Try this thread by Tyson for a full review http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61764.0
First I am glad to see that quite a few out using Audio GD gears, have just known about them lately, thanks to tyson and his review that introduced and inspired me to go ahead with Audio GD gears, I owe him some impressions but at the moment I am waiting for my B&W 802s to arrive.. I would have gone for the balanced series integrated amp, but due to budget constraints I settled for the CIA400, also because I wanted to include one of their top end DAC with the purchase.. Currently as I await for my 802s I am using the amp to drive my CDM1 speakers, and I am absolutely amazed at the ability of the amp to drive these speakers..
I haven't heard any of their products, but their Compass DAC/headphone amp has been one of the new HeadFi flavors of the month for a budget source/amp.
Well I am not so much into headphones, but recently I seem to have started to like them very much, in fact I am a member of the Head Fi and one of the first 18 (testers) to receive the Compass and I am currently using it with Senns HD600, previously I was using the Zero DAC with Shanling PH100 and K701s, and had an impression that it wasnt my cup of tea, but with Compass and HD600, I have changed my mind and I think I am going to pursue the HP area too.. well, that sums it up about Compass I guess..
Yes, there's a few audio-gd users on AC and I'm one myself.
I can't yet report on the sound but I'm in the process of building a pure class A pre-amp/power amp from Kingwa as a DIY project. It's listed as ST-1 and ST-2 on the the audio-gd site.
Although Kingwa's english isn't perfect I give him top marks for being incredibly responsive and always ready to answer questions. The build quality of the boards is brilliant and the value for money amazing. From the outside the black boxes look plain but there's no skimping internally, where it counts.
Jules
ps I don't know what duty you might have to pay but the cost of shipping comes out lower than the figure you calculate from the [DHL or other] website. Ask Kingwa about that one.
I agree to everything that you say, his English might be wanting but there is no lack of customer service and all his products seem to be built like a tank - quality parts inside and like a rock !..
yes his shipping charges is far cheaper than what is listed in DHL etc. thats because he gets some shipping discounts as he ships in bulk and passes on that discount the buyers, in fact lately I think they have decided to ship from a place where shipping costs are even cheaper, the only problem being since its quite far from his office, he ships only on Mondays and Thursdays.. As far as I know he does under-value the gears for customs, but since I am not from the US I am not in a position for know the local custom related matters..
I just picked up their C-2C headphone amp on a whim, and have been very impressed by it. So much so, that I've been thinking about picking up the CIA400 integrated that you got. It seems like they make very high quality gear at reasonable prices. The headphone amp is musical, yet detailed and dynamic. My only hesitation about the integrated is possible import taxes and of course shipping costs and possible damage. Although I haven't received a import tax bill from DHL, I'm fully expecting one soon. Hopefully it won't be too bad.
Yeah, C2C has got some great reviews in Head-Fi in fact that might be next on line for me too as my wife seems to have fallen for the Compass and HD600, and wants to park them in her office.. Well, I am extremely happy with the CIA400, packaging is fantastic, considering that my amp had to pass through 3 different countries before reaching me and not a scratch or a dent..
Nice looking Integrated........You like?
I love it.. and its only been two days I have received it, and going by tyson, it takes quite a while for the amp to settle down.. and also so I haven't yet gone CAST as I am waiting for the DAC and the cables..
