NFB-2 VS NFB-1's

The NFB-1 is a balanced DAC which has twice the components except the case so it is worth the $400 on parts alone. Also the balanced output has twice the voltage swing, it will give better S/N ratio and dynamic. So if you are plan to upgrade to balanced amp in the future, a balanced DAC would be better.

May be the NFB-10 would be a better value for you? So you can have a balanced transistor amp in addition to your SE tube amp.

If you are using the amp mainly with the computer, I would say the ES9018 is better because it got a built-in SPDIF interface with jitter reduction algorithm supporting 192kHz. The WM chip requires an external SPDIF chip. There are 2 choices from Audio-gd, the DIR9001 and the WM8805. Where the "better" DIR9001 chip only supports 96kHz.

In my opinion, there is no need to search for the additional smoothness/warmness from a DAC/AMP when using computer as source. There are tons of VST DSP plug-ins where you can add smoothness/warmness/high frequency harmonics to get the same tube amp effect. I have use the NFB-1 (sabre version) over 6 months and never in a moment I find it harsh/digital sounding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrego 

If you are using the amp mainly with the computer, I would say the ES9018 is better because it got a built-in SPDIF interface with jitter reduction algorithm supporting 192kHz. The WM chip requires an external SPDIF chip. There are 2 choices from Audio-gd, the DIR9001 and the WM8805. Where the "better" DIR9001 chip only supports 96kHz.

 

In my opinion, there is no need to search for the additional smoothness/warmness from a DAC/AMP when using computer as source. There are tons of VST DSP plug-ins where you can add smoothness/warmness/high frequency harmonics to get the same tube amp effect. I have use the NFB-1 (sabre version) over 6 months and never in a moment I find it harsh/digital sounding.

Hmmm, I just ordered a NFB 2 to mainly use with my PC.  Although I do listen to high res files, I find it impossible to escape lower res MP3's because there is so much DJ stuff out there to download and it's inevitably taking over a large chunk of my listening time, in between listening to vinyl that is .

With that in mind, I thought that the dual Wolfson WM8741, with DIR9001, would be a bit more forgiving and suitable for MP3 than the Sabre DACs.   Maybe I ought to have a rethink though?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainFood 

Hmmm, I just ordered a NFB 2 to mainly use with my PC.  Although I do listen to high res files, I find it impossible to escape lower res MP3's because there is so much DJ stuff out there to download and it's inevitably taking over a large chunk of my listening time, in between listening to vinyl that is .

 

With that in mind, I thought that the dual Wolfson WM8741, with DIR9001, would be a bit more forgiving and suitable for MP3 than the Sabre DACs.   Maybe I ought to have a rethink though?

At the end of the day I think any choice would be just fine. If you use foobar I highly recommend you try the VST adaptor (http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Foobar2000:Components/VST_adapter) and the BootEQMkII vst plugin (http://audio.tutsplus.com/articles/general/over-90-free-vst-effects-plugins/) if you want to smooth the sound.

On the contrary, there is always the exciter plugin you can use from the link above if you find the recording too dull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrego 

At the end of the day I think any choice would be just fine. If you use foobar I highly recommend you try the VST adaptor (http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Foobar2000:Components/VST_adapter) and the BootEQMkII vst plugin (http://audio.tutsplus.com/articles/general/over-90-free-vst-effects-plugins/) if you want to smooth the sound.

 

On the contrary, there is always the exciter plugin you can use from the link above if you find the recording too dull.

Many thanks for the links, and yes I do use foobar

Thinking seriously now about the Burson HA 160D (with Burr Brown) for an all in one solution.