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Audio-GD NFB-10SE and NFB-2 DACs

post #1 of 17
10/13/11 at 7:56pm
Thread Starter 

What's the big difference between the *DAC part* in the Audio-gd NFB-10SE and the NFB-2? Is the NFB-2 just better with the same DAC chips because it is discrete and with a better power supply (I'd assume it does have a better one being separate)? If the 10SE is only that much more with the same DAC quality, I might get it to test the waters with a SS amp (only owned a single tube amp). Specifically with the Senn HD650s.

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post #2 of 17
10/13/11 at 10:44pm

I like to compare to the as the air intake (single end) and turbo (XLR).

If with a high performance XLR amp, the XLR source can bring out more potential.

 

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post #3 of 17
10/14/11 at 9:30am
Thread Starter 

My amp is a Darkvoice 337, RCA connectors, so nope on that. I am mainly wondering whether I should pay $50 more for the NFB-10SE for the amp to try it out, and if the DAC is the same quality as the NFB-2 I will. I am wondering which has the higher quality DAC.

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post #4 of 17
10/14/11 at 10:47am

NFB-2 cleaner power supply ... (class A and don't share power with an amp) but it's not night and day . it's a small margin .


Edited by HaVoC-28 - 10/14/11 at 10:48am
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post #5 of 17
10/14/11 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 

So just with Senn HD650s I probably would hardly hear the difference if at all?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HaVoC-28 View Post

NFB-2 cleaner power supply ... (class A and don't share power with an amp) but it's not night and day . it's a small margin .



 

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post #6 of 17
10/14/11 at 11:17am

i think you can hear a difference but small if you don't pay attention you will not hear difference i guess .

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post #7 of 17
10/14/11 at 1:47pm

I think getting the 650's balanced would be better than the potential difference of the DAC's. 650 balanced is very good. Personally, I would do the 10SE balanced vs the C2/C2.2 single ended, but Kingwa might answer that better.


Edited by tim3320070 - 10/14/11 at 1:49pm
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post #8 of 17
10/14/11 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 

I didn't realize that the 10SE is balanced. What improvements does balanced bring? I might just have to get them balanced Cardas for Christmas :)

also, do you think I would like it better (balanced 10SE) than my Darkvoice 337? It seems just a bit too warm for my tastes. If only the highs were just a little bit more detailed and extended...
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by tim3320070 View Post

I think getting the 650's balanced would be better than the potential difference of the DAC's. 650 balanced is very good. Personally, I would do the 10SE balanced vs the C2/C2.2 single ended, but Kingwa might answer that better.



 

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post #9 of 17
10/14/11 at 2:22pm

yeah with HD650 balanced NFB-10SE should be better than NFB-2 +C2/C2.1/C2.2 but not all headphones respond well to balanced operation . HD650 respond well soo :p , it bring something like better dynamique , better soundstage , more power etc .

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post #10 of 17
10/14/11 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HaVoC-28 View Post

yeah with HD650 balanced NFB-10SE should be better than NFB-2 +C2/C2.1/C2.2 but not all headphones respond well to balanced operation . HD650 respond well soo :p , it bring something like better dynamique , better soundstage , more power etc .



How about HD800? Do you think HD800 is good for going to balanced operation?

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post #11 of 17
10/14/11 at 3:00pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kccheng View Post

How about HD800? Do you think HD800 is good for going to balanced operation?



Sorry never heard a HD800 unbalanced or balanced can't comment on it :( . You should find here at head fi easely this kind of informations ;)

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post #12 of 17
10/14/11 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 

I guess I'll order the NFB-10SE sometime and try out balanced! Great!

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post #13 of 17
10/14/11 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 

I doubt I would hear the difference then considering I would not have heard them both?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HaVoC-28 View Post

i think you can hear a difference but small if you don't pay attention you will not hear difference i guess .



 

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post #14 of 17
10/14/11 at 6:26pm

Don't bother with a Cardas cable- this is a waste of money IMO. Just reterminate the existing cable per the instructions on the AGD website- it's easy. Read up on balanced amps, do your research.

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post #15 of 17
12/4/11 at 10:25am

Did the OP ever determine if the NFB-10SE's dac was better or equal to the NFB-2? Im interested in this, and the answer was vague.

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