I'm very interested in these dacs as I like the sound of the ES9018 chip as my previous source was an NFB-10ES. I wonder how well those compete as they are similarly priced. How do they sound and most importantly which one is implemented better?
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Anedio D1 vs NFB-7 or NFB-1
- borrego
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Both the NFB-7 and the ES9018 version of the NFB-1 were discontinued.
You may want looking into the Wyred4Sound DAC2 if you want a Sabre32 DAC
- ohhgourami
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Those were supposed to be "viable" options assuming I could find a used one.
Although I will look up the Wyred4Sound DAC2
Anedio.
- ohhgourami
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The Anedio seems like a very good DAC but there are no comparisons to it the NFB-7. On paper, the NFB-7 seems like a better DAC, it is fully discrete and balanced. Both dacs reduce jitter in their own ways and I really want to know which is better.
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I have the NFB-7 and its a brilliant DAC. Seems to have all the strengths of the Sabre chip with none of the supposed weaknesses.
Have not heard the other dacs mentioned so can't comment on them but if you find a second hand NFB-7 (probabaly unlikely) then I would snap it up. Just make sure you have plenty of space for it because its a beast!
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I have the NFB-7 and its a brilliant DAC. Seems to have all the strengths of the Sabre chip with none of the supposed weaknesses.
Have not heard the other dacs mentioned so can't comment on them but if you find a second hand NFB-7 (probabaly unlikely) then I would snap it up. Just make sure you have plenty of space for it because its a beast!
Yes, I've been searching multiple times daily on the FS section for one. I'm certain this DAC is absolute beast.
After reading more and more, it seems the D1 doesn't seem as good.
I've also been reading up on the Lite DAC-83 which also seems as good but a bit different. I can also get it new for a good price so this might just be my next DAC.
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Yes, I've been searching multiple times daily on the FS section for one. I'm certain this DAC is absolute beast.
After reading more and more, it seems the D1 doesn't seem as good.
I've also been reading up on the Lite DAC-83 which also seems as good but a bit different. I can also get it new for a good price so this might just be my next DAC.
When I was looking for a DAC I did read up and seriously considered the D1. It had good reviews and was a neat size for me so I was seriously tempted. However I was left feeling 'how could the Anedio D1 possibly be better than the NFB-7?'
In the end there was no area of the D1's design that could beat the NFB-7's design. So my rational was that the NFB-7 must be at least as good as the D1 and probably better given a fully balanced system.
I intend to sell my beloved ROC and replace with the Master-6 amp next year (barring a change of mind) to really bring out the best of the NFB-7. It sounds superb even single ended into my Woo6se/Beyer T1's.
I also had a mild interest in the Lite Dac-83 but did not really want the PCM1704 chip and had read a couple of opinions rating the Audio-gd Ref 7.1 as clearly superior and the NFB-7 is as good (according to Audio-gd) as the Ref7.1.
Good luck in your choice.
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When I was looking for a DAC I did read up and seriously considered the D1. It had good reviews and was a neat size for me so I was seriously tempted. However I was left feeling 'how could the Anedio D1 possibly be better than the NFB-7?'
In the end there was no area of the D1's design that could beat the NFB-7's design. So my rational was that the NFB-7 must be at least as good as the D1 and probably better given a fully balanced system.
I intend to sell my beloved ROC and replace with the Master-6 amp next year (barring a change of mind) to really bring out the best of the NFB-7. It sounds superb even single ended into my Woo6se/Beyer T1's.
I also had a mild interest in the Lite Dac-83 but did not really want the PCM1704 chip and had read a couple of opinions rating the Audio-gd Ref 7.1 as clearly superior and the NFB-7 is as good (according to Audio-gd) as the Ref7.1.
Good luck in your choice.
Yes from looking at the design and approach of the D1, it seems inferior to the NFB-7 in every way possible. From what I have read, the Dac-83 is almost as good as the Ref7.1. The NFB-7 still is on the top of my list but the chances of obtaining one are slim that I have no other choice but to consider the Dac-83.
The Master-6 also intrigues me (sadly I cannot afford). It is about time you got an amp that drove your HE-6 to its full potential. I love how the T1 sounds too but a properly driven HE-6 is a new level!
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Yes from looking at the design and approach of the D1, it seems inferior to the NFB-7 in every way possible. From what I have read, the Dac-83 is almost as good as the Ref7.1. The NFB-7 still is on the top of my list but the chances of obtaining one are slim that I have no other choice but to consider the Dac-83.
The Master-6 also intrigues me (sadly I cannot afford). It is about time you got an amp that drove your HE-6 to its full potential. I love how the T1 sounds too but a properly driven HE-6 is a new level!
Maybe you could wait for the better Schilt dacs to hit the market although I don't know what chips they will use.
Actually the Roc drives the HE-6 pretty well. Goes plenty loud with no obvious signs that its struggling and sounds very good as well but yes I an very curious as to what a better and more powerful amp will do 
Forgot to mention that I have written a review if you have not already read it. http://www.head-fi.org/t/572385/review-audio-gd-nfb-7
Edited by nigeljames - 11/22/11 at 3:48am
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Maybe you could wait for the better Schilt dacs to hit the market although I don't know what chips they will use.
Actually the Roc drives the HE-6 pretty well. Goes plenty loud with no obvious signs that its struggling and sounds very good as well but yes I an very curious as to what a better and more powerful amp will do 
Forgot to mention that I have written a review if you have not already read it. http://www.head-fi.org/t/572385/review-audio-gd-nfb-7
I stumbled upon your review while doing some more research on the NFB-7. Great review!
I actually don't want to wait much longer so I'll probably make a purchase within the next week or two. I had listened to the Lyr and wasn't all that impressed with it. Tubes just aren't for me. And the chips they will use is another big question. I've heard the HE-6 on another persons Roc before (had a Ref One too) and it drove the HE-6 ok. I would say it was only a little better than my setup as the time since I felt the Roc didn't quite have enough power. If it were a ROC SA, that would have totally destroyed my setup. Believe me, that extra power matters a lot for the HE-6. And this is coming from a guy who feels that source is more important than the amp (assuming enough power is provided). Have you considered getting the EF6 when it comes out? I believe it will be ~900 USD. The Master-6 would probably be much better except it cost 700 more when you include shipping to the cost.
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I stumbled upon your review while doing some more research on the NFB-7. Great review!
I actually don't want to wait much longer so I'll probably make a purchase within the next week or two. I had listened to the Lyr and wasn't all that impressed with it. Tubes just aren't for me. And the chips they will use is another big question. I've heard the HE-6 on another persons Roc before (had a Ref One too) and it drove the HE-6 ok. I would say it was only a little better than my setup as the time since I felt the Roc didn't quite have enough power. If it were a ROC SA, that would have totally destroyed my setup. Believe me, that extra power matters a lot for the HE-6. And this is coming from a guy who feels that source is more important than the amp (assuming enough power is provided). Have you considered getting the EF6 when it comes out? I believe it will be ~900 USD. The Master-6 would probably be much better except it cost 700 more when you include shipping to the cost.
Nice to know I can expect big improvements with the Master-6 then 
Although I have not heard the Lyr I don't expect it to be anything special, its only selling point is the power output.
I heard the EF6 would be in the €1200!! price range, although that was quoted a few months ago so it has probably changed by now. I did have an interest in it but initial reports are not very flattering and the Master-6 has 40% more power at 50 ohms! and is properly balanced. The Master-6 also has ACSS so I could have XLR outputs from the DAC free to use in a balanced tube amp if I go that route in the future.
I choose (although it could still change) the Master-6 because I love the NFB7 and the Roc and the Master-5 seems to be a level above the Phoenix (so 2 levels above the Roc) with easy to drive phones. So the Master-6 will have an even bigger advantage over the Roc with the HE6 and probably the LCD-2's as well.
The Master-6 just seems a no brainer and a guarenteed improvement.
- ohhgourami
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Yup, do expect a significant improvement with the Master-6. I just hope my soon to be vintage amp will do close to it (has 25W class A!!!). Only "problem" is that its not balanced.
I think by the time you get the Master-6 and listen to your HE-6 with it, you might not want your other headphones anymore 
- customcoco
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what about a lite dac83 ?
- Anedio D1 vs NFB-7 or NFB-1
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