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Last call for $250 desktop amp and dac

post #1 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:32am
Thread Starter 
Seeing if anyone has anything else to add?

Im currently set on getting an nfb 12.1. I will also be getting the O2

Any last things i forgot?

Ive taken looks at maverick d1, asgard, matrix d stage, odac, ef5 etc etc(some arent dacs) and for $250 total or $215 for device with recommendations from members I know not to be buyers of snake oil. Anything else to add anyone?

Sorry for the unprofessional spelling. I am on my phone making this last call for suggestions.

Please dont recommend any portable ones. Ive had the E17(superb device) but my priorities have changed.
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post #2 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:51am

What's the NFB 12.1?

 

 

I'd go for the Asahi AK4396 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-2496-AK4396-CS8416-DAC-R-core-Transformer-case-115V-230V-/110747160549

 

He shipped with DHL for free and it never lets me down.  You'll need a USB->COAX device, this one supports USB 3.0, 24/192 all that jazz - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-New-Musiland-Monitor-01-USD-USB-to-SPDIF-for-DAC-ASIO-32bit-384KHz-USB3-0-/290701960246

 

Replace the NE5532 with a higher-end op-amp like - OPA2111KP AD827JN

 

Listen directly from the RCA into your headphones / IEM and adjust the volume in Foobar, or buy an amp.

 

Just my advice. =p

 

kiteki

 

 

Edit:  The reason I bought it is because the AK4396 chip was called the "Miracle DAC" for several reasons when it was released for it's specs.

 

Here is the thread on the diy version - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/186245-dac-2496-ak4393-dac-kit-cs8416-ak4393-5532-a.html


Edited by kiteki - 5/29/12 at 6:58am
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post #3 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:59am

I'd also highly consider the Metrum Acoustics Duo DAC for 199 Euros however I haven't heard that one...........

 

http://www.hifi.nl/recensies/4265/Metrum-Acoustics-NOS-Mini-DACs.html

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post #4 of 29
5/29/12 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 

I don't need a straight DAC so the AK 4396 is out.... I am getting an O2 but I don't know if it will be worth it.

 

I don't need the Musiland and the Metrum does not have enough people that have it for me to get actual information on.

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post #5 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:05pm

The Metrum Duo doesn't have much information but you can find a lot on the Metrum Octave which is a very similar concept, it's pretty much the exact same DAC except 2 chips versus 8 afaik.

 

I recommend you spend at least 30 minutes reading about the Metrum Octave. =)

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post #6 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:13pm

Why are you getting both the 12.1 and the O2?  If you get the NFB, you won't need the O2.

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post #7 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 

Only problem is that I want a combo unit ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)

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post #8 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bowei006 View Post

Only problem is that I want a combo unit ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)

Yep - the NFB-12.1 is a combo unit - good dac, good amp.  So why the O2 as well?  Or am I missing something?

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post #9 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:37pm

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

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post #10 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:37pm

I'm looking seriously at the nuforce icon hdp. It's a little more, but may be what the doctor ordered.wink.gif

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post #11 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:39pm

Matrix M stage (dac version) 

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post #12 of 29
5/29/12 at 6:44pm

Matrix M-Stage is a clone of a European product.  The Metrum Duo is a pure European product with new innovation at a very low price if these are variables.

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post #13 of 29
5/29/12 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackwess View Post

Matrix M stage (dac version) 

I've looked into that. I dropped it off the list due to the fact that it's an amp...and the DAC version has a cheap add on DAC for it.. getting that and then a DAC would be too costly 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kiteki View Post

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

I did give some reads but actual posts on it are far too sparse for me to really know what to expect. I also rely heavily on Head-Fi. That is biased and may call me a Head-Fi phobe but I can't post on the other site threads(that are dead) or even have easy availbility to the stuff you recommended. And the stuff you recommended was not what I was looking for. I needed a full unit that has DAC AND driving opamp operations all in one unit for a good price that is around $230 after shipping.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooko View Post

Yep - the NFB-12.1 is a combo unit - good dac, good amp.  So why the O2 as well?  Or am I missing something?

I am getting the O2 to "learn" and see what the fuss is about with the device. I am getting it for a fantastic price so I thought..why not. And then I will recoup my losses by selling it to another good home :)

 

JUST BOUGHT IT BROOKO :) t(-_-t)

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post #14 of 29
5/29/12 at 7:09pm
Originally Posted by bowei006 View Post
Originally Posted by kiteki View Post

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

I did give some reads but actual posts on it are far too sparse for me to really know what to expect. I also rely heavily on Head-Fi. That is biased and may call me a Head-Fi phobe but I can't post on the other site threads(that are dead) or even have easy availbility to the stuff you recommended. And the stuff you recommended was not what I was looking for. I needed a full unit that has DAC AND driving opamp operations all in one unit for a good price that is around $230 after shipping.

 

1.  I wanted a popular head-fier like you to try the Metrum Duo.

 

2. The Asahi AK4396 DIY DAC is a "DAC and driving op-amp operations all in one unit" for less than that price, since you can listen directly from the RCA like in this picture

 

kiteki Asahi AK4396 DAC LT1028.JPG

 

 

 

Anyway suit yourself and I hope you enjoy the Audio-GD product. =)

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post #15 of 29
5/29/12 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiteki View Post

 

1.  I wanted a popular head-fier like you to try the Metrum Duo.

 

2. The Asahi AK4396 DIY DAC is a "DAC and driving op-amp operations all in one unit" for less than that price, since you can listen directly from the RCA like in this picture

 

 

*snip*

 

 

Anyway suit yourself and I hope you enjoy the Audio-GD product. =)

Number 1:

2Q==

Oh stop it you (´･ω･`) . We are both ranking members but that doesn't let us just go around like idiots.

 

I noticed that it had driving power when you said that about the RCA, but I really need a seperate amp addition that has volume and is a traditional real amp.

 

Yes...if I did get it and liked it...you can be sure that people will surely hear about this device as I am a poster and thread poster for stuff...... but it didn't seem...you know..fit for me.

 

I'll be getting the NFB 12.1 and I'l attempt to popularize(get the word out) it if I feel that the price of $215 is good enough. 

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