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help me head-fi. keep my AGD nfb-12, or go for a nfb-11

post #1 of 8
2/15/11 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 

okay currently i have the nfb-12, love it, but ive heard so much hype about the sabre dac im just so curious.   I havent heard anyone talk down about the sabre 32 chip.  I do like listening to bass heavy music, which ive heard the wolfson dac really excels at.  Im by now means a bass head though. i really do like sparkly treble too though.. also im currently running usb from my laptop. heard the nfb-11 has trouble with this. i can run something from my desktop with integrated sound card i bet though.  im still rather new to hifi. not sure if im a purist or not yet. but i know i do like some eqing. not a ton though. any help is greatly appreciated. thanks!

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post #2 of 8
2/15/11 at 11:36pm

They are both very easy to sell at almost no loss here at the Head-fi for sale forums. Why not buy an NFB-11 and keep the one you prefer? The current NFB-11 does not have USB input though, you will need to use something like an Audio-gd Digital Interface (-30% if you buy an NFB-11 at the same time) or an M2Tech HiFace.

 

You are right though, there is no way to know unless you try :)

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post #3 of 8
2/16/11 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
Haha I was afraid I'd get that response.. am I on a time limit though? How much do you think prices for these dacs will go up once the promo ends?

also the digital interface. that doesn't come with software right? will it make my music sound even better? or is it merely a quality usb to rca bridge?

Would something like this be any different from the AGD digital interface if I only used the card for the optical out?

au.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=16770&nav=1&listby=brand
Edited by hello im sean - 2/16/11 at 4:00pm
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post #4 of 8
2/16/11 at 4:44pm

NFB-12 and NFB-11 are in the same league, just different sound signatures, not really worth it to switch. But as vrln says, it is promo priced, so not as hard on the wallet if you want to experiment.

 

DI doesn't need drivers, but getting some free computer software yourself to ensure bit-perfect may be a good idea. It is supposed to reclock, and option to upsample, things which are supposed to reduce jitter or the audible effects of jitter. Audio-gd recommends it for use with low quality transports, ie the usb output of typical computers, but not with use with high end transports which already have very low jitter. It can also be had 30% off if purchased with the NFB-11. The good thing about the DI is that it can be used with other gear, so it'll always have a place in your audio chain unless you get a high end transport that doesn't benefit from its reclocking or upsampling. If you get the DI, based on a few days of listening I would recommend asking for the $23 clock upgrade for the DI, soldered.

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post #5 of 8
2/16/11 at 7:28pm

i'm worry. im on the same boat as you. i asked poetik on his view of difference between the two as he has both nfb-11 and nfb-12

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post #6 of 8
2/16/11 at 7:44pm
Thread Starter 

ah let me know if he gets back to you on that! im just not sure if i can justify $100+ soley for a usb to rca.. lol considering i can get drivers that do the same thing and a desktop sound card that has an optical out. but would a regular $100 sound card have a decent optical out? or would signal interference come into play here.

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post #7 of 8
2/18/11 at 11:13pm

Link to the promo please? I just broke my sound card so it's time to upgrade.

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post #8 of 8
2/19/11 at 12:14am

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB11.1/NFB11.1EN.htm

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