Just a heads up: Sabre32 based Reference 8 replacement likely on the way

Has been mentioned 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/517435/audio-gd-nfb-7-sabre32-es9018-dac-opinion-reviews/30#post_7072111

Cheers, 

Dan

This should setlle my choice..... I did not know if I'd go for the Sabre DAC, or a Musical DAC.

I just need to know the price...

Merci !!

Denys

OMG OMG, a new Audio-GD product. Its been awhile! 

Time for some hardcore speculation: having never even heard the chip, I have to say this might just be exactly what the Sabre32 needs! 

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB8/NFB8EN.htm 

I wish Kingwa would make use of the digital volume control functionality on the ES9018. This would be quite a simple inclusion and would make the value proposition of his Sabre DACs so much better since the user could lose his preamp altogether. I'm confident the analog output stages are beefy enough to fully drive amps directly even over long interconnects. Compare the features of the W4S DAC2 in this respect.

Moreover, the lack of a proper async USB 24/192 input is starting to feel a bit like legacy technology now. I'm not saying that Kingwa should slap on a TE7022 chip solution just to add USB functionality but to work out a proper solution that could be housed onboard, even if that means licensing technology from M2Tech or the like (again compare the W4S).

I know Kingwa has been struggling with getting the USB/I2S interface to work with the ES9018 but perhaps he could team up with jkeny (John) to equip the DACs with his latest USB/I2S solution (https://sites.google.com/site/hifacemods/home/announcements/hifacei2s) or I may perhaps just buy the basic DIY unit with the connector and PSU packs and ship to Kingwas for custom inclusion in the DAC8

24th, Nov. :  We can't confirm the date of next batch PCM1704 (Agent said around 12 to 24 weeks ) even though we have ordered the next batch .

It seems that the "Reference Era" is meeting its end

The 6Moons review said the new shipment should last for two years or so. I wouldn´t worry, just a delay... If in doubt, email Kingwa or Edwin. I´m sure they can answer it better than any of us here :) We´re just speculating.

EDIT: Audio-gd website says "agent said around 12 to 24 weeks". So it might take quite a while! NFB-8 is now officially the new flagship for the time being at least!

Good news...

Price is $1,220...

http://www.audio-gd.com/PriceList.htm

Too bad I am leaving the country tomorrow morning..... I'd order one right now !!!

Next week when I'll be back !!!

Denys

Wow, fantastic price!

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal 

Check out the new NFB-8,  it is very very impressive on paper,  if we don't see a matching PCM1704 version I think the end will be near for Audio-gd PCM1704.   I would be surprised if any other AudioGD Dac's could compete with the NFB-8 even with the Sabre handicap,  looks like he went all out on this one.

 Regal,

1. In your view, what is so special or stands out with the REF 8 from a theoretical/technical perspective compared to the other top-of-the-range Audio-GD DACs to make you say that?

2. Again, from a theoretical/technical perspective, how would you say the REF-8 compares or distinguishes itself from a dual-mono build of the TPA Buffalo II with 2 x ES9018 chips + 2 x Legato I/V stages + Placid PSUs + Trident regulators? How does the Legato discrete balanced stage compare to the diamond differential stage?

I agree, now that Kingwa transitions his reference line to use Sabre chips, W4S DAC1 and DAC2 are quite competitive alternatives with superior USB technology. The biggest "ingredient" of Audio-gd was PCM1704UK based DACs that were well-build and affordable. That is not the case anymore, since just by using Sabre chips is not enough to gain an edge over competition. IMHO.

NFB-8 doesn't even have usb input :P.