Help with DAC/Amp! - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

I recommend getting better headphones first before all the gear, as then you'll be able to hear the differences as you buy whatever it is.

 

Rolling OPAMPs is really just a form of EQ'ing the sound for the most part (electrical compatiblity to the circuit of the DAC or AMP notwithstanding).  Finding headphones with the "sound" that you like best first I think is a much better plan.

Well, what I have in mind right now is to grab a DAC/amp, followed by new 'phones then flushing it out with a separate amp. My problem right now is that I absolutely hate the sound of onboard audio, it's muddy and weak, and it's even more obvious after my sound card decided to fry a while back. While buying new 'phones would very likely give a higher upgrade, theirs two problems with it currently, A) it's going to be a while before I have a good $500+ for new 'phones, and B) I don't have a convenient audio store nearby, I have too head easily 3-4 hours into the nearest city to just try a pair. This will be much, much easier once (and if) I end up moving to Calgary in a few months time if all goes well.

Currently it's the easiest link to improve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikop 

As someone who ordered the Audio-GD NFB-12, I think you should go there with your D7000 :)

Be a little adventurous.  AGD has great rep, NFB-12 is packed.   On paper and based on rep, it should be head and shoulder above udac2 and  audinst mx1.

No one knows for sure, but a lot of ppl see the NFB-12 as the new sparrow and compete with FUN and they are very well received. Dual wm8741!

It is very tempting, from what I've read it seems that, while not as a loss, it's still being sold at near cost making it highly attractive. On paper it seems like a beast, the company seems to have good rep, just hate the "unknown factor" that's involved, but I'm probably just paranoid!
 

So after even more digging I think I'm going to order the Audio-GD NFB-12. While I can't quite say I'm happy about the wait, the promo price with the January discount make it very attractive, on top of this after reading about the FUN and Sparrow, it seems as though it's a good quality piece. It looks as though it should be a great entry level DAC which should last me quite a while, and should be able to push whatever 'phones I throw at it (once I finally figure out what I want!).

At least with the likely February shipping date I can lie and say it's a birthday gift to myself!

Heh, it took a-many of page readings and more hours then I would like to admit, but in the end I think it will have been worth it.

And while on that note, thanks for the help everyone! Definitely helped out with widening my search range!