[Brick3]

Hi everyone. I'm planning to get a amp/dac to power my q702, hd650 and fidelio x1. Usage will be for games and movies.
I'm currently using astro mixamp but i think with a better amp/dac i could enjoy the sound a lot more as i feel like mixamp is not good enough anymore. The sound doesn't come strong enough.
My only priority is that it must have an optical input.
So what would you recommend me under $400?
And would an amplifier alone enough or do i also need a dac?
Thanks in advance.

 

[dsound]

  Hi everyone. I'm planning to get a amp/dac to power my q702, hd650 and fidelio x1. Usage will be for games and movies.
I'm currently using astro mixamp but i think with a better amp/dac i could enjoy the sound a lot more as i feel like mixamp is not good enough anymore. The sound doesn't come strong enough.
My only priority is that it must have an optical input.
So what would you recommend me under $400?
And would an amplifier alone enough or do i also need a dac?
Thanks in advance.

You may want to take a look at the Audio GD NFB-11.  It's an integrated DAC/amplifier and had a good following here on Head-Fi.
 
Link to NFB-11 thread

 

[Brick3]

  You may want to take a look at the Audio GD NFB-11.  It's an integrated DAC/amplifier and had a good following here on Head-Fi.
 
Link to NFB-11 thread

Thanks, that seems to be a great device. Still i would like to have a few more choices before making the purchase.
 
Any more options?

 

[cel4145]

My dac/amp progression:

O2/ODAC->ODAC/Asgard 2->NFB-11. I don't think you will do better than the NFB-11 for <$400.

 

[Brick3]

My dac/amp progression:

O2/ODAC->ODAC/Asgard 2->NFB-11. I don't think you will do better than the NFB-11 for <$400.

Are you satisfied with your purchase after the others?
 
I would rather not go beyond $400 but if it's worth it i can go up to $500 actually.
 
Btw what is the difference between nfb-11 and nfb-11.32. One is $315 ( http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB112014/NFB112014EN.htm ) and the other is $300 ( http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1132/NFB11.32EN_Tech.htm )

 

[jodgey4]

The $315 NFB-11 2014 version is the only one actively shown on the site. Also, there's the WM8741 Compass 2, which has analog inputs in your price range. I agree with all these people, the AGD products are incredible and clean and powerful and can do darn near anything.

 

[Brick3]

  The $315 NFB-11 2014 version is the only one actively shown on the site. Also, there's the WM8741 Compass 2, which has analog inputs in your price range. I agree with all these people, the AGD products are incredible and clean and powerful and can do darn near anything.

Compass 2 is also in my price range as you said. Which one should i buy. What are their differences?
Now you confused my mind.

 

[jodgey4]

If you want analog inputs for a turntable or an aux input or cd player, then go for the Compass 2. Otherwise, save the money and snag the NFB-11. The Compass 2 WM8741 will be a little more musical sounding due to a different DAC chip (since I don't think you could afford the ES9018 as similarly found in the NFB-11 as that would be 500 before taxes and shipping and duties), but still freaking fantastic.

 

[Brick3]

  If you want analog inputs for a turntable or an aux input or cd player, then go for the Compass 2. Otherwise, save the money and snag the NFB-11. The Compass 2 WM8741 will be a little more musical sounding due to a different DAC chip (since I don't think you could afford the ES9018 as similarly found in the NFB-11 as that would be 500 before taxes and shipping and duties), but still freaking fantastic.

Nah, i don't need those features.
So there's no better deal than nfb-11 under $400 right? I don't need to look further?
And how does it sound? Is it good for movies and games or better for music?

 

[jodgey4]

It's a fantastic all-arounder that for not much more money than the 'industry standard entry level combos' of the Schiit Magni/Modi or O2/ODAC, is said to smoke 'em pretty easily. That's just from what I've read, but I use the NFB-28 myself partly due to all the rave support.

 

[cel4145]

Nah, i don't need those features.
So there's no better deal than nfb-11 under $400 right? I don't need to look further?
And how does it sound? Is it good for movies and games or better for music?

Good amps aren't better for movies and games vs music. They accurately reproduce the sound.

And I don't see how you could do better. The DAC chip in the NFB-11 is a fairly high end model that is typically only found in much more expensive DACs.

 

[Brick3]

Good amps aren't better for movies and games vs music. They accurately reproduce the sound.

And I don't see how you could do better. The DAC chip in the NFB-11 is a fairly high end model that is typically only found in much more expensive DACs.

Hmm, now that got my attention. Thanks for the info. What about the amp? Could it handle hd650 and q701 easily? Is it on the warmer or brighter side? Lastly do i have to install the drivers? Because i don't intend to use it with pc.
 
edit.
And how about this one? (http://www.amazon.com/VERSION-ZERO-637U-192KHZ-amplifier/dp/B00CG05VCO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1409398824&sr=1-2) Is this a nice dac/amp combo? Can it compete with nfb-11?

 

[cel4145]

I have the AKG K612 Pro, which are known to be more difficult to drive than the Q701s. Drives them easily to extremely loud levels.

Never heard of that other amp.

 

[Brick3]

That's more than i need i guess. What about the sound characteristics. I've heard that it's a bit too analytical. Is it true. I personally would like a more fun based device with warm, lush sounding, has a deep bass and a spacious soundstage.

 

[thestoebz]

I second the NFB-11