[XVampireX]

so If I were to go for the NFB-10ES2 I would need to go for the Wolfson?

 

[MacedonianHero]

  It's not some complicated word.  Shout, like shout.  Like you do something stupid and someone shouts at you.  Short version, not good.  Nothing to do with tonal balance, more about excessively sharp transients, overshoots.

Exactly....and I would also add the word "glare" to this too. 

 

[kkcc]

so If I were to go for the NFB-10ES2 I would need to go for the Wolfson?

Suggest to check out the nfb10 thread if you haven't. Many good discussions and impressions on the various varient of the nfb10 line.

End of the day sound is highly subject. What sounded smooth and lush to one may sound too boring and muddied to another. OTOH what sounded transparent and powerful to one may sounded glaring and shouty to others.....

 

[nigeljames]

Suggest to check out the nfb10 thread if you haven't. Many good discussions and impressions on the various varient of the nfb10 line.

End of the day sound is highly subject. What sounded smooth and lush to one may sound too boring and muddied to another. OTOH what sounded transparent and powerful to one may sounded glaring and shouty to others.....

 
Totally agree with this.
 
I have heard various Wolfson DAC's that have sounded exactly as you described, muddled overly lush soft and warm.
I have heard various PCM1704 chipped dacs that have sounded dark, distant and laid back.
Personally I much prefer the more vibrant, detailed, exciting sound of a well implemented Sabre32 dac.
 
Each to their own I suppose.

 

[preproman]

  Exactly....and I would also add the word "glare" to this too. 

 
Glare and the ESS Saber ES9018 chip?  You mean detailed right?  

 

[XVampireX]

Detail is good! Though sometimes when the recording is less than perfect, that detail makes things look really bad.
 
Here's an interesting question, I've got the money to get that amp right now, but I'm wondering if I should go straight for the LCD-3 and only then get the amp? Won't the STX be enough for the time being?
 
The shop owner is still waiting for the LCD-3's to ship and I want to listen how they sound, I can probably wait another couple of months for them, since I've got the HD700 atm and they are pretty good!
 
So what would you say, LCD3 or NFB-10ES2 ?

 

[mowglycdb]

I have an STX with  1 LME49710HA and 2 LME49720HA and will get a LCD-3 soon enough, I have the combo Audio GD-1.32 and 6, So I guess I can coment on that, when I recieve the headphones.
 
 
I already have the LCD-2 and the STX and it works.... okay, but not dynamic enough and bass is weak and unarticulate, highs are grainy, plus it starts clipping before 50% volume if you have it on low gain.

 

[XVampireX]

Keep me posted please
 
I'm thinking I'll get the LCD-3 first...

 

[MacedonianHero]

   
Glare and the ESS Saber ES9018 chip?  You mean detailed right?  

 
Nope...glare as in "overly focused, present and shouty". Just to be clear, on the ESS Sabre based chip DACs I've heard - W4S DAC-2, Benchmark DAC2 and the Peachtree DACs. Still very nice DACs overall, but that issue plagued them. Haven't heard the Buffalo III though, so I can't comment on that.

 

[Solude]

I would add that Burson found the same problem so opted to only use 2 of the 8 channels in the Sabre.  Too much of a good thing I suppose.

 

[mowglycdb]

Same question than in the M8 thread, ¿ Has anyone been able to compare GS-X mkii vs the M8 ( With LCD-3 in this case ) ?

 

[Solude]

Both end game so not too likely.  I keep getting the itch to try the Ref 10.32 but probably never will

 

[DarthUnnamed]

Huh, seeing as getting both the LCD3 and the Schiit Mjolnir/Gungnir takes so long for me, how do the LCD-3's sound with the Schiit M&M stack? It'll probably be temporary but i'm tempted.

 

[preproman]

  Both end game so not too likely.  I keep getting the itch to try the Ref 10.32 but probably never will

 
Is that the all in one?  I was looking into that as well.

 

[Solude]

   
Is that the all in one?  I was looking into that as well.

 
All in one 1704.  Same analog section as the Master7, half the DAC. but also half the M8 analog so... who knows.