[Falconetti]

I like the Sabre sound, it adds nothing nor takes away anything from the music, you hear it as the producer intended. The STX might be a good value and give you more time to decide what you want.

 
Have you tried it with headphones similar to the Beyers that are more bright ?

 

[richbass]

STX has BB dac. its very bassy and musical.

 

[jodgey4]

My AKG Q701's have incredible detail and neutrality with the Sabre sound. You could go for the NFB-15 which is the same as the NFB-11 but with a more musical DAC chip (dual WM8741). It's also quite a bit cheaper. That might be a really safe option.

 

[Falconetti]

  STX has BB dac. its very bassy and musical.

 
 

My AKG Q701's have incredible detail and neutrality with the Sabre sound. You could go for the NFB-15 which is the same as the NFB-11 but with a more musical DAC chip (dual WM8741). It's also quite a bit cheaper. That might be a really safe option.

 
It's either the NFB-11 or a STXII for me, just have to make up my mind if I gonna gamble on ordering a NFB-11 and pair it with the T70's. I actually like it to be very high detail and neutrality, but im afraid it's gonna be so bright that it's gonna sound harsh/sharp together with the T70's. I mostly gonna play games and watch movies/series with it, but also some music like classical, 80's pop/rock, ambient and some modern Pop/R&B.

 

[jodgey4]

The NFB-11 won't make anything brighter than it is naturally. It is not a thin sounding DAC/amp. It's just that relative to the warmer NFB-15, one might possibly call it 'bright', when in reality it's not.

 

[Clemmaster]

If anything, all audio-gd gears learn towards warmth. The Sabre DACs are the least warm, but still ever so slightly warm.

 

[Falconetti]

  The NFB-11 won't make anything brighter than it is naturally. It is not a thin sounding DAC/amp. It's just that relative to the warmer NFB-15, one might possibly call it 'bright', when in reality it's not.

 
 

  If anything, all audio-gd gears learn towards warmth. The Sabre DACs are the least warm, but still ever so slightly warm.

 
I have no problems with that as long as the DAC/amp isn't sharp/harsh sounding together with the T70's

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Warm sources will pair up better with a lot more than neutral/dry ones which will make brighter headphones, and/or neutral ones sound a little lifeless. I prefer having a small margin of error where everything will still sound a little more musical.

The Compass 2 with ES9018 just made certain headphones sound...lacking.

Had the NFB5, as well as SA-31. Both were more suited for me and made headphones sound better than the Sabre equipped Compass 2, IMHO.

 

[Falconetti]

Warm sources will pair up better with a lot more than neutral/dry ones which will make brighter headphones, and/or neutral ones sound a little lifeless. I prefer having a small margin of error where everything will still sound a little more musical.

The Compass 2 with ES9018 just made certain headphones sound...lacking.

Had the NFB5, as well as SA-31. Both were more suited for me and made headphones sound better than the Sabre equipped Compass 2, IMHO.

 
Well it can't be worse then the combo I have right now. I got a HDA X-plosion soundcard from 2005 paired together right now with cheap Creative Fatal1ty headphones.
 
Btw, genclaymore in the dedicated NFB-11 thread found the 15.32 to be too warm for his T90's. As they are pretty similair to the T70's, might be worth to take a chance on the NFB-11 after all?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/624517/audio-gd-nfb-11-32-nfb-11-2014-delivery-impression-thread/1245#post_10583567

 

[richbass]

Generally, Burr Brown, Wolfson and AKM are musical/warm dacs

 

[Ron12]

For those interested in WM8741 + ES9018 Compass2 within EU: http://www.head-fi.org/t/739434/fs-ft-audio-gd-compass2-2x-tcxo-bnc-wm8741-es9018-dac-boards-eu-only

 

[SaLX]

Looks like the Compass 2 has gone from the line-up: http://www.audio-gd.com/Products-EN.htm. I'll still be using this thing for many years to come so **** it.

 

[DecentLevi]

Hello everyone, I'm hoping someone can give me some quick advice about the Audio-gd Compass 2 (amp/DAC).
 
What I'm looking for in a DAC is a good flat / neutral FR, good soundstage / instrument placement, textured / detailed highs yet not overly harsh.
 
The DACs I'm considering are the HRT microStreamer or HRT Music Streamer III, the Peachtree Audio DAC-iT, or the  Audio-gd Compass 2. There are all approx. $200 (give or take), and somebody recommended the Compass 2 as better than the NFB 15 I believe. So would anybody care to elaborate on why the Compass 2 is better, or would recommend another of these DACs, or even another one altogether? Thanks much in advance!

 

[jodgey4]

Better power supply over the 15, IIRC. It's a whole new DAC section, actually, IIRC. Those would all be good, but I think only the Compass 2 if it has the ES9018 chip. The WM8741 might be too warm/musical.

 

[Luckbad]

I wish I knew about this unit when it was available. Anyone want to sell one?