New ESS Sabre32 (ES9018) based DAC from Audio-gd....the NFB-1 - Page 2

Ok which one should I buy, the AudioGD Sabre DAC or the W4S DAC1 Sabre DAC?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 

I wonder what the sound signature is compared to the 1704 without DSP (this does not seem to have the DSP chip)? This must be due to the 1704 chip being out of production.

The PCM1704 is NOT out of production!  Why are people always saying this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynobot 

Ok which one should I buy, the AudioGD Sabre DAC or the W4S DAC1 Sabre DAC?

 

Go go AudioGD Sabre DAC!  Be the first guinea pig....its fun! ;)

I looked at the page just now and notice it says there will be some circuitry differences between this test version and the final version, 5 group psu instead of 4, and a different motherboard.

I bring this up here because this latest change contradicts this statement which was on the page for most of its time up.

I will send Kingwa an email and try to get this worked out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ 

The PCM1704 is NOT out of production!  Why are people always saying this?

So what are the advantages/disadvantages of the sabre chip compared to PCM1704?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydneyaudio 

So what are the advantages/disadvantages of the sabre chip compared to PCM1704?

Well according to legend the Sabre dac chip is supposed to be the best sounding chip ever created by man-kind.  Some even say that humans didn't create it at all, and that in fact it was reverse engineered from Alien technology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydneyaudio 

So what are the advantages/disadvantages of the sabre chip compared to PCM1704?

One advantage: It can process 176.2 & 192kHz input signal & is cheaper

One disadvantage: It does not sound as good as PCM1704 (Does anyone remember why we bought A-gd DACs in the first place?)

I have to agree with Audio Bling on this one in my opinion.  I have the OppoSE, which uses the ESS Sabre 9018 dac and its a great, without a doubt.  Its more neutral sounding than my A-GD Dac3SE.

However, i was looking for a more 'musical' dac and the Dac3SE fit the bill right.  To me the PCM1704 sounds better in my setup than the Oppo, but the difference is small. abiet with more 'warmth' in the sound from the DAC3 rather than the Oppo.

I suspect the analog output stage has more to play in the implementation rather than the actual 'dac' chipset so to say..

Quote:

Originally Posted by haloxt 

I looked at the page just now and notice it says there will be some circuitry differences between this test version and the final version, 5 group psu instead of 4, and a different motherboard.

 

I bring this up here because this latest change contradicts this statement which was on the page for most of its time up.

 

 

 

I will send Kingwa an email and try to get this worked out.

I noticed this today as well...a replacement module similar to Sparrow would have been nice (for me anyway) 2 DACS in one...maybe one musical and the other with possibly more details (or at least a different voicing).
 

That would be several modules- there are 8 chips vs. one in the Sparrow. This won't happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 

I wonder what the sound signature is compared to the 1704 without DSP (this does not seem to have the DSP chip)? This must be due to the 1704 chip being out of production.

Also, is the price $850 minus 10% or is $850 the discounted price, which is the same price as the Ref-5 non-DSP.

I thought the ESS chips already had stuff like a jitter eliminator and all that jazz implemented?

the DSP as an audio GD thing to complement the 1704, so its only natural they would not have to use it for the ESS.

Really makes me wonder if I should buy that BDP-83SE I have been looking to get...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 

[..] This must be due to the 1704 chip being out of production.

[..]

Whoa, there Trigger..

What is your justification for saying this?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynobot 

Ok which one should I buy, the AudioGD Sabre DAC or the W4S DAC1 Sabre DAC?

 

I was thinking the exact same thing.

One advantage with Wyred is they are stateside, I can call them and have REAL conversation.

This Audio GD unit looks intriguing. Thankfully it's not called something tacky like "FUN" or "WOW" or "OH BOY!"

Just when I think I  may just may buy my first Audio gd product, I read more from their website. Condcutive then makes me think, is the quality control really there? Suggesting "paper", why not just change the feet??

It is better not to stack gear on top of each other, if one must stack DAC NFB-1  on other gear, place a paper or some other insulating material on top of other gears' top board, because DAC NFB-1  has condcutive aluminium feet .

Quote:

Originally Posted by muad 

The preorder is up, it's $850 and begins shipping mid september!

 

I really wish I was richer, but i guess I should be thankful for what I have :P

Pre-order is STILL available through September 5th. $765 before shipping per email from Kingwa