Reference 7

About the Reference 7

The Audio-GD Reference 7 is a high-end digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that serves as the successor to the Reference 1 flagship DAC. It features eight PCM1704UK DAC chips arranged for balanced and current-mode outputs, delivering a maximum output level of 2.5V on RCA and 5V on XLR. The unit employs a triple-mono power supply design with separate boards, transformers, and power circuitry dedicated to left/right decoding, output stages, and digital input sections. It supports multiple digital inputs including AES, BNC, RCA, and Optical, with a high-performance clock system to ensure stable timing and low jitter. The DAC maxes out at 96kHz/24-bit PCM playback due to the limitations of the PCM1704UK chips. Additional features include a screen, input selector, and five input options (2 coaxial, BNC, optical, AES/EBU). The Reference 7 is noted for its clear and refined sound quality and robust build with R-core transformers and extensive power filtration circuitry. It requires a warm-up period of 30 to 60 minutes for optimal performance.