Audio-GD Sparrow version A or B?

Neither- the NFB12 is a greater value IMO.

Seems like the Fun, Sparrow, and NFB12 all sound similar, with just a difference in the features:

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

I have a friend who's heard both the A and B Sparrow, and he had a decided preference for the B.  I emailed him the link to see if he'd post here.

The NFB12 has dual 8741 chips, more power filtering, digital filtering switching, better caps and a dedicated DAC output for $45 more than the B version Sparrow with single 8741 chip. This is a better value in my book.

I posted on the Sparrow thread (should be pretty close to the end), the B was definitely better than the A.

Also gave my exact configuration since they can be set up with different modules.

I still think that the B is a great value at $160 and great with Grados.

I have heard and compared two different B versions as well as the A directly with the B version.

In your opinion- why do people proclaim personal preferences as universal fact?

In MY opinion.

Also Pacific Valve (two HF members said that the <US distributor of Sparrows> thinks the A version is "smeared" sounding).

Also, mastering engineer who sold me his Benchmark DAC1 and thought that "there must be something wrong with the A unit that was sent to me".

(Kingwa said that there was nothing wrong with the unit when I returned it for a B.)

I had great service from Audio-gd personally and gave my B to a good friend that bought some HF-2.  

Good combo, in my opinion.

So in YOUR opinion, you might like the A...if so, awesome!!!

A little touchy there- still it's an opinion stated as fact. But if the Sparrow with Wolfson is smeared as some feel, the NFB12 which is pretty close in price (and a better value), is not......in my opinion.

^I would love to hear more of Audio-gd's DACs.

I share my opinion because I know some have "heard" Audio-gd's products and not liked them.

If there are some great differences between Audio-gd's offerings (even within the same product), I hope people get a chance to listen to the different versions and come to their own conclusions.

Several folks in my area like the B version.  

Little warmer than the Benchmark and I have had them both side-by-side for periods of time.

It was hard to justify even the used price for the Benchmark, in my opinion.

I like an on/off switch- Sparrow.

I liked USB option though I did not use it- Sparrow.

I like two headphone out to quickly compare phones- Benchmark.

I like the bit of extra extension and clarity from the Benchmark.

I like the $160 price of the Sparrow- Sparrow.

The B, though- and in my opinion (of course)!

It sounds like you enjoy a brighter or maybe dynamic sound. If that's the case, the chip in the B version provides that seemingly. The NFB12 is very good at $200 IMO but I have his higher end gear which is very, very resolving and I have it paired with speakers/ headphones that compliment it (dynamic by nature- bass heavy primarily) to my great enjoyment. My point is that you enjoy that sound signature and I enjoy mine and it's just our personal preference, not fact. And yes I'll toast you as I have a nice glass of wine at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaveRider69 

I ended up calling it a day and just got the FUN    I figure I should be good to go with that for a while, hopefully. :D

 

Mainly I was asking because of course the A version and the NFB-12 look better on paper, but I saw conflicting reports that the B version sounded better while the other was more flat sounding.  I wanted to see what more people thought that actually tried them both, not just made assumptions by looking at specs.

Good call.  The FUN is well, FUN...Line-in, pre-out, rollable HDAMs, great head-amp etc...

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaveRider69 

Brighter more dynamic sound is definitely what I like

I have had the Moon OPA in mine for a long time.  I listen to headphones and speakers with it as well.  I give it good use indeed- pre-in, pre-out, dac-out, line-in, line-out....