All in one balanced amp/dac

[escknx]

Looking for universal and versatile, clean and wide detailed sounding headphone amp/dac combo.

I use Burson Conductor 9018 and it is awesome device, but I'm lacking few things.

Front facing power button and balanced out.

So I need is the same or better sounding amp/dac with USB/Toslink/RCA ins, RCA out, 6.3mm and 4pinbalanced out, all in one with RCA in and solid amp section, for future DACs experiments, so I don't want AMP to be limiting factor.

I was looking at
Aune S6 and Topping DX7, both are missing RCA in for external DAC
Oppo HA1 - been given idea that the amp section is worse that Burson's
Questyle cma600i fits the bill but China made, might sound worse that Burson, still considering it

Looks like Massdrop may come up with Cavalli Liquid Carb X + SDAC, but not sure when and it may be lacking Optical in, which is mandatory for me.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

AudioGD NFB-28

 

[escknx]

AudioGD NFB-28

Thanks
I just dont get its RCA's placement, they're not placed in pairs for L and R channels. Or its not regular RCAs there?
All of them are white color and just marked as OUT/OUT/IN3/IN5/IN5

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Thanks
I just dont get its RCA's placement, they're not placed in pairs for L and R channels. Or its not regular RCAs there?
All of them are white color and just marked as OUT/OUT/IN3/IN5/IN5

If you look at it vs the lay out on other amps/DAC-HPamps, it has a lay out similar to a dual mono design. Except they don't call it "dual mono" because a true dual mono design doesn't just put left and right analogue circuits on separate sides of the PCB away from each other for increased channel separation, but also with separate power supplies so the output stage on each side can in theory be more nimble in delivering current.*

Look at how symmetrical it is inside - they even put the digital inputs between the analogue L and R circuits since they're going for physical separation for those anyway.

Here's another example - NFB-1 amplifier

Contrast the layout to the NFB-11 which has no analogue inputs and being the entry level product, isn't really designed anywhere near the others. Does not mean it will suck vs the others.

Here is a dual mono design with separate PCB's, power supply, and an offset mount for the capacitors (look closely and they have six on each bank, likely because there's no space to mount them in a symmetrical lay out).

Here's a dual mono integrated amp with digital inputs. DAC board is on a raised daughter board above where the power cable socket goes to the power supplies.

Some dual mono amps have enough space on the PCB and the case to move the sockets around so it's easy to see which L+R sockets are for the same input, but again, it's partly a packaging issue - the benefits of separating the circuits don't absolutely require the less straightforward layout but it dependso n how much space is available on every part concerned.

*Think of that like how warships can have two or three engines - full power to all for full straight line speed, or bias power to one side when turning. Even with nuke turbines some ships can have more than one prop, or in the case of the newer stealth destroyers, waterjets. This isn't always applicable though, not even within mechanical engineering - in planes for example multiple engines are more for total thrust and redundancy in case of bird shot (or flak/missile shrapnel damage) taking out just one engine, and in planes that have the engine on either wing, handling becomes tricky. When it comes to amps having two smaller power supplies with separate capacitor banks isn't necessarily better than one large power supply with left + right capacitor banks, kind of like how a computer PSU only really needs one good12v rail that it can stabilize at 12v regardless of CPU and GPU load than two but one drops voltage more than other.

 

[escknx]

Well looks like a really smart design, but I didn't get on how to use that analog IN3.
There are pair of unbalanced outs, pair of inputs as IN5. And single sitting IN3. Is that just simply mono input #3?

And would you suggest this Audio GD over Questyle cma600i ? I understand this is pretty subjective matter, but just your opinion?
If you may have auditioned any of them..

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Well looks like a really smart design, but I didn't get on how to use that analog IN3.
There are pair of unbalanced outs, pair of inputs as IN5. And single sitting IN3. Is that just simply mono input #3?

SPDIF Coaxial, then BNC

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB28/NFB28EN_Use.htm

And would you suggest this Audio GD over Questyle cma600i ? I understand this is pretty subjective matter, but just your opinion?
If you may have auditioned any of them..

Specs-wise I'd go either way but I'd be partial to the AudioGD since I haven't heard any Questyle products at all.

 

[escknx]

Oh that was coax, my bad I could've read that.

I assume that you've heard Burson Conductor, since you were the one who suggested me that brilliant sounding amp..

Is there any advantage from the Burson's side here to AudioGD that you're aware of? Except nice aluminum finish...
What I love in Burson that is wide airy signature, and exceptionally detailed and rich sound on low volumes paired with TH900.

 

[ostewart]

Also take a look at the new Keces S3, only just got mine but so far I'm really enjoying it.

http://keces-audio-usa.com/products/S-3

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I assume that you've heard Burson Conductor, since you were the one who suggested me that brilliant sounding amp..

Is there any advantage from the Burson's side here to AudioGD that you're aware of? Except nice aluminum finish...

Lots of clean power either way. I'd go based on whichever you can afford.

 

[Matez]

Lots of clean power either way. I'd go based on whichever you can afford.

+1

 

[escknx]

Lots of clean power either way. I'd go based on whichever you can afford.

I can afford both, already owe Burson Conductor 9018 and will be keeping it anyways, its very good.
Is it worth upgrading to AudioGD from Burson or it will be basically the same story?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I can afford both, already owe Burson Conductor 9018 and will be keeping it anyways, its very good.
Is it worth upgrading to AudioGD from Burson or it will be basically the same story?

If it won't screw up your finances to try the AudioGD then maybe get it and then keep whichever you prefer.

AudioGD volume pot also isn't stepped, so you have finer adjustments, in case that was a problem with the Burson on some of your headphones.

 

[escknx]

If it won't screw up your finances to try the AudioGD then maybe get it and then keep whichever you prefer.

AudioGD volume pot also isn't stepped, so you have finer adjustments, in case that was a problem with the Burson on some of your headphones.

I've had Virtuoso w stepped but sold it.
Now I use regular Conductor SL 9018 with fixed DAC out and its not stepped and I like it over Virtuoso.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I've had Virtuoso w stepped but sold it.
Now I use regular Conductor SL 9018 with fixed DAC out and its not stepped and I like it over Virtuoso.

You have one less reason to get the AudioGD then.

But why are you even looking to upgrade? The Bursons have practically all the power you'll ever need anyway.

 

[escknx]

Its not about power, It drives low impedance TH900 and high ones HD800 plus planars I've thrown it easily.

I just want 4 pin balanced out, since I have balanced cable for Fostex. Never even tried it yet cause have nothing to plug it in.