Audio-GD NFB-12 - Page 123

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital-Pride 

 

I recently bought the O2 amp and after using it for a bit, I honestly feel I have the high-quality quality amp I'll need to properly drive almost any higher-end headphone I decide to get.  For a source I've been looking at the Centrance Dacport LX and MSII+.  I'll probably go for the MSII+, because it has a slightly warmer, smoother sound(from what I've read).  Still deciding which headphone will be right for me.

How would you compare the O2 to the amp section in the NFB12? Have you had a chance to look at my suggestion in post #1821 above. While you are still deciding which headphone would be right for you, IMHO, check out the modded T50RP's(Fostex). Many headfiers who have modded these compare them to LCD2's, for way less money. There is a WIKI detailing the various mods and sound signatures and an ongoing thread: "Just listened to T50RP's WOW".
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by satwilson 

How would you compare the O2 to the amp section in the NFB12? Have you had a chance to look at my suggestion in post #1821 above. While you are still deciding which headphone would be right for you, IMHO, check out the modded T50RP's(Fostex). Many headfiers who have modded these compare them to LCD2's, for way less money. There is a WIKI detailing the various mods and sound signatures and an ongoing thread: "Just listened to T50RP's WOW".

Thanks.  I think I might just check them out.  Comparing the O2 to the NFB-12's amp section, the O2 is more neutral and linear sounding.  It doesn't have the warmer, slightly laid-back coloration of the NFB-12 and I find it to be more transparent.  The NFB-12's amp seems to have a bit more bass to it though.

Sorry about missing your post.  I agree, the NFB-12's amp section is powerful, if that's what you were suggesting.

I'm auditioning the Nfb 12 paired with the Dynalo (said to be the best "wire-with-gain" design out there). To be honest I find little differences between the Dynalo and the Nfb12 amp.

The most noticeable difference is the treble; the Nfb12 roll off some treble, while the Dynalo retains all of my Dt990 treble. Bass seems to be a tiny bit smoother on the Dynalo too.

Now I'm not sure if the Nfb12 amp section is equivalent to the Dynalo, or my Dt990 doesn't scale too well with amping, or my hearing is crap 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital-Pride 

Thanks.  I think I might just check them out.  Comparing the O2 to the NFB-12's amp section, the O2 is more neutral and linear sounding.  It doesn't have the warmer, slightly laid-back coloration of the NFB-12 and I find it to be more transparent.  The NFB-12's amp seems to have a bit more bass to it though.

 

Sorry about missing your post.  I agree, the NFB-12's amp section is powerful, if that's what you were suggesting.

I appreciate your input regarding the two amps as someone who has owned both. My NFB12 is the first DAC/AMP I have purchased as an upgrade to plain headphones out on my laptop, and for me it opened up a whole new world. I suddenly realized my HD280s weren't enough and have fallen helter skelter into the Headfiers main affliction, Upgradeitus. My main point in referring to the post by LiqTenExp was his opinion regarding the many different types of phones he felt paired well with the NFB12. That being said, these are all personal choices and opinions and we may have different ideas about what is best. Good luck with your current quest for those " higher end phones". Happily for me, my NFB12 and modded T50RPs have left me very satisfied....for now. I think you might really enjoy the T50RPs, and the self satisfaction in modding them yourself, low cost, and resulting "high end sound", is an unbeatable combination. They also pair well with the O2 as people who own both have reported.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by satwilson 

I appreciate your input regarding the two amps as someone who has owned both. My NFB12 is the first DAC/AMP I have purchased as an upgrade to plain headphones out on my laptop, and for me it opened up a whole new world. I suddenly realized my HD280s weren't enough and have fallen helter skelter into the Headfiers main affliction, Upgradeitus. My main point in referring to the post by LiqTenExp was his opinion regarding the many different types of phones he felt paired well with the NFB12. That being said, these are all personal choices and opinions and we may have different ideas about what is best. Good luck with your current quest for those " higher end phones". Happily for me, my NFB12 and modded T50RPs have left me very satisfied....for now. I think you might really enjoy the T50RPs, and the self satisfaction in modding them yourself, low cost, and resulting "high end sound", is an unbeatable combination. They also pair well with the O2 as people who own both have reported.

I just want clarify that "high-end" for me includes the HD650, K701 level headphones.  I have zero interest in any of the thousand dollar flagships.  And I feel the NFB-12 is excellent and would be enough a lot of users.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilpo 

I wonder, do you say this out of experience, or from your ethical principals (for the lack of a better term).

I haven't tried any of the flagships personally, but not many have the sound character I prefer(from what I've read).  If find the upper mid-range (2-500USD) level headphones offer enough technical performance(soundstage, bass quality, detail, overall refinement) that I don't feel tempted to try out the flaqships. 

You're right, I don't think I could justify to myself spending over a grand on one pair of headphones, but that's just me.  I would like to audition one sometime, maybe at a local meet in the not too distant future.

In my experience, the majority of vendors carrying those flagship headphones do not have the setup to make them shine. I'm sure a proper setup with T1 or Hd800 will blow any mid-end setup several milky ways away. But when plugged in onboard/ipod for example; the differences may not be that much (in some cases high end cans even sound worse than mid-end ones =p). Best way is to find someone with those headphones and pm for a (mini) meet. Problem is to find someone with similar taste/preference in music as yours. 

With all that said, I think if you like a certain brand's house sound, it's pretty safe to shoot for their flagship and upgrade later 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilpo 


I do think it is a good think to try one out, just to get a better understanding of what the fuss is all about. Only risk would be realizing a giant difference in performance and then wa.ting to buy one too.
I personally never tried a flagship either, but I definetely plan to try one in the (near) future.

The thing about a flagship headphone today is that in a few years it will be a lot cheaper.  If not that exact headphone, the technology behind the headphone will have dripped down to the lower levels.  We may not see an hd-800 for $700, but we may see a new headphone from sennheiser that features the exotic hd800 driver techonology and sounds just as good as the hd-800 and only costs half as much as an hd-800.  

Like cars: todays lower end cars feature safety, performance, and comfort of more expensive cars only a decade ago.  More and more cars <$20,000 are incorporating bluetooth, navigation and rear-facing cameras, side-impact air bags, traction control, antilock brakes, complex fuel injection technologies, list goes on.  

So I think it makes sense to wait.

Stax was bought by Edifier; maybe in a few years we could see mass-produced stats for $200 each 

The way I see it about high end headphones is most won't dip down below a certain price point. It's been a while but I never saw any T1 dropping below $800; and they're not nearly as popular as Hd800. Maybe 20 years from now we could get T1/Hd800/Ed8 ... for $400 each; or maybe the companies discontinue them and all jump up to ~$1.5k like grado hp1, hp2.

Also several years of enjoyment (providing you got the system for those cans) is worth the extra $$$ saved by purchasing later imo 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilpo 

I do not fully agree.
While there are indeed quote a lot of positive developments in the world of head-fi, it still does not go as fast as other forms of technology.
On the other hand I am hoping that other companies apart from STAX will start producing electrostats.

just the DAC is worth the 200$, I bought the NFB-12 for its dac component but ended up finding out such a high grade Amp within which is a huge bonus. Other than nitpicking on the soundstage being a bit narrow, everything sound good. I'm using it as a dedicated DAC to my monitors so people with headphones might have different opinions.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scannon18 

So at $200 are there any better options for a dac? Ignoring the amp portion of the nfb12 how does the dac stack up to other dacs in this price range?