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Advice (reassurance really) wanted on amp / dac combo - NFB-12

post #1 of 3
9/3/11 at 4:34am
Thread Starter 

Hello all.  Looking for some advice on what I think will be an upgrade (for me at least).  I currently own the Fiio E7/E9 amp/dac combo - which I use exclusively with my desktop.  I pretty much swap my current cans around with it (Shure SRH940, Beyer DT 880 250ohm, and modded Alessandro MS1is).  My current source is PC - via USB to the E7/E9.  I have the option from my motherboard to run coaxial S/PDIF out.

 

I got to hear a tube amp recently, and was blown away by what it did to both my Beyers and Alessandros.  This was just a portable tube amp (GoVibe PortaTube) - but it left me really wanting more. 

 

I am also pulling the trigger on an HD600 early next week.

 

After a lot of searching on head-fi, and reading a lot of reviews, I'm pretty sure I want to go NFB-12 (good dac, good value, ss amp ability) + also look at getting a tube amp - which I can connect via the NFB's DAC line-outs.  My thoughts so far tending toward a Little Dot MkIII.

 

So I guess all up, the budget is looking around $500 USD - but that needs to cover off shipping to NZ as well.

 

Questions - 

 

  1. Am I right thinking the NFB-12 is going to be a viable upgrade to the current E7/E9 combo (mainly thinking of the DAC)?
  2. Is the NFB-12 a good choice for the HD600s?
  3. Is the LD Mk3 a good choice to pair with the NFB-12?
  4. Are there any other combos I should be looking at within my current budget?

 

Thanks in advance for anyone who is able to answer.  I could really use the help with this one.

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post #2 of 3
9/3/11 at 9:13am

NFB-12 with little dot amps sound amazing. I am currently using the nfb-12 through optical input and the Little Dot I+ amp. My Grados Sr325i sounds really good. As far as i know, the amp is more than enough to power the HD600 with no problem. IMO nfb-12 and little dot amps are bang for the buck.

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post #3 of 3
11/3/11 at 7:14pm

Question ecliipes,   are you still loving the sound of the NFB-12  with your grado's?

I seriously think I ought to upgrade my DAC with the NFB-12 and I am definitely sticking with the 325's. they are heavenly.

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