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Ref 5 or NFB 1 ...which one

post #1 of 7
1/4/11 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

Which one would you choose, knowing you can't listen to either one of them before purchase ???

 

Ref 5 is $1010 USD and NFB1 is $780 USD....

 

I do not know the PCM1704 chip, and I only know the 8740 Wolfson with the DacMagic....

 

I should order sometimes in January, but I am still confused as I wanted the Sabre DAC in the first place... REF 7 is too expensive

 

I have no intention on going balanced, and I use Sennheiser HD800 and WooAudio 6SE as headphone amp.

 

Just don't want to make a mistake..

 

Thanks for your time

 

Denys

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post #2 of 7
1/4/11 at 6:43am

Hello Denys, happy new year.

 

A lot of people think that the HD 800 is very revealing, very clear, for some there is a little too much treble.

 

Do you think your tube amp is enough to tame it ? If yes, you need a very neutral DAC, REF 5 is a good choice.

 

If not, if you think there is still a little problem with the highs with some recordings, NFB 1 is a better choice, more forgiving. Personnaly, i would go that way, it is safer.

 

And if you like tube and dream about a sabre dac, why not the Eastern Electric dac ?

 

Pascal.


Edited by pasgod - 1/4/11 at 7:00am
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post #3 of 7
1/6/11 at 8:06am
Thread Starter 



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by pasgod View Post

Hello Denys, happy new year.

 

A lot of people think that the HD 800 is very revealing, very clear, for some there is a little too much treble.

 

Do you think your tube amp is enough to tame it ? If yes, you need a very neutral DAC, REF 5 is a good choice.

 

If not, if you think there is still a little problem with the highs with some recordings, NFB 1 is a better choice, more forgiving. Personnaly, i would go that way, it is safer.

 

And if you like tube and dream about a sabre dac, why not the Eastern Electric dac ?

 

Pascal.


Hi Pascal,

 

Thank you for your reply. The Eastern Electric Dac has only one output, and I need a minimum of two, preferably three. I contacted Bill of Morning Audio Star and confirmed that they do not make DAC upon personnal requests. Therefore, EE is out of the way. 

 

NFB1 seems a reasonable choice. I'll ask Kingwa if the difference between NFB 1 and NFB8 is worth the 50% difference in price...confused_face_2.gif I want to buy a DAC for a long time !!!

 

Denys

 


 

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post #4 of 7
1/6/11 at 8:34am
Denys, i also would be interested in Kingwa's feedback for the NFB1 vs NFB8 comparison. Would be glad if you can share it once you have an answer.
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post #5 of 7
1/6/11 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertigo72 View Post

Denys, i also would be interested in Kingwa's feedback for the NFB1 vs NFB8 comparison. Would be glad if you can share it once you have an answer.


 We'll do for sure.... i figure thet if I buy a DAC for the next 10 years or so... might as well trying to get the right picture, considering I won't have the chance of listening to it prior the purchase...

 

Denys

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post #6 of 7
1/6/11 at 8:48am

I have another idea for you : Audiolab 8200 cd or cdq or dq.The 8200 cd is a cd player using the Sabre chip, it has USB, optical and coaxial inputs for the dac part, so it can be used as a dac, and RCA and XLR outputs. The cdq has a pre and a better power supply. The dq is the same as cdq but without the cd player, only dac and pre. CD and cdq are available now and there is a dealer for Canada, dq will be available later, at the end of winter or springtime.

 

 Very good review in What HIFI

 

http://whathifi.com/Review/Audiolab-8200CD

 

But first, be sure of what kind of sound you need with your tube amp+HD800 : something very neutral or a little dark. The Audiolab seems to be neutral and smooth, which is good.

You are in Montreal, do you speak french ? I am french, i live near Paris.

 

Pascal

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post #7 of 7
1/6/11 at 9:10am

I'm also waiting for the NFB-1 and looking for a CD player. I also like the Saber chip. I also need a USB input which the NFB-1 doesn't have. So the Audiolab 8200CD would be the ticket for me.
Pas, thanks for the info.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pasgod View Post

I have another idea for you : Audiolab 8200 cd or cdq or dq.The 8200 cd is a cd player using the Sabre chip, it has USB, optical and coaxial inputs for the dac part, so it can be used as a dac, and RCA and XLR outputs. The cdq has a pre and a better power supply. The dq is the same as cdq but without the cd player, only dac and pre. CD and cdq are available now and there is a dealer for Canada, dq will be available later, at the end of winter or springtime.

 

 Very good review in What HIFI

 

http://whathifi.com/Review/Audiolab-8200CD

 

But first, be sure of what kind of sound you need with your tube amp+HD800 : something very neutral or a little dark. The Audiolab seems to be neutral and smooth, which is good.

You are in Montreal, do you speak french ? I am french, i live near Paris.

 

Pascal


Edited by wuwhere - 1/6/11 at 1:34pm
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