Audio-GD NFB-11.32 & NFB-11 (2014) (Delivery & Impression Thread)!!!

[Saraugie]

Quote:

 
So you have finally been introduced to the HD-600 "Sennheiser veil" and laid back sound signature...

 
 
...because it's impedance is like 3x - 5x higher than great majority of other headphones...
 
 
...and, I'm afraid, you very likely are into bright(er) headphones... Try K-701 that you've mentioned, try HE-x orthos, try HD-800... not so much LCD-x.
 
NFB-11.32 sound will settle, but it will never change so much to substantially change headphone "signature".
 
All IMO.

I have heard of the "Sennheiser veil" and it is also present in the IEMs FWI read. And as Fau pointed are not getting that bright and clear SS with the HD-600 however you are in your other phones. Which means that it is a good possibility its the headphones.

 

[Warrax]

Quote:

 
So you have finally been introduced to the HD-600 "Sennheiser veil" and laid back sound signature...

Oh, I already was
http://www.head-fi.org/t/611862/hp-for-orchestra-opera-voice-soundtracks-classic
 
but it's other story on NFB12.1.
That veil fits sound signature of NFB12.1 good... in my opinion, it was supporting it.
 
But in this case, i think, these two sound signatures collide a little. It's like, one want to go east, and other west.
To the reduced volume thing, I didn't think overall volume level.. i was speaking only about highs... of course I know, they are more demanding. Read my first theme, there I've tested all headphones, but now I see, on other DAC can it be different story...

 

[Kingwa]

The tool guide had update, please redownload it .
Few users have feedback succeed the operate , wish they can share the experience how to use the tool.

 

[PeterCraig]

This morning I noticed Audio-gd had posted a USB-32 firmware tool.  I had to leave for work in 10 minutes but thought “what the heck”…..
 
I had it up and working in about 5-7 minutes.  I’m running Windows 7 on a Netbook.
 
Without going into too much detail, here are the steps to update to USB-32 Firmware ver 3 and Driver ver 1.1:
 

• Connect your computer to your Audio-gd device.  The update won’t work unless it is connected.
• Download the "USB-32 drivers v1.1" to your PC from the Audio-gd website.  This is a RAR file so it needs to be extracted.  Will create folder “audio-gdUSB32forwin384”.
• Download the "USB-32 firmware tool".  Also a RAR file; extract the files and folder “USB32firmware” will be created.
• Now upgrade to Firmware #3 ==> in your “USB32firmware” folder, find the ViaDfuTool.exe program in the “Firmware download tool” folder and click on it.  (a) Click "File" in the menu and select "Open Image" (b) At the bottom of the pop-up window change “Files of type” to “All files *.*”. (c) Then choose “Firmware 3.dfu” (d) and click the "Start" button.  It takes just a moment to complete.
• *** Restart your Audio-gd device ***
• Remove driver ver 1.0.  If you have an older version driver ver 1.0 it is best remove this driver before installing the new one.  Not sure if all versions allow uninstall, but try running your Setup file for the USB-32 driver V1.0 (in folder “Audio-gdUSB32forwindows”) and remove the previous driver if it allows you.
• *** Restart your computer ***
• Install new driver ver 1.1: again click on Setup in the USB-32 driver V1.1 folder “audio-gdUSB32forwin384” and install the drivers.  It is pretty easy.

 
Please read the "Tool Guide" included with the USB32firmware tool to ensure the steps match what I have described. 
 
Change your HIEND USB SOUND Deck program to 384K and 32bit.  Make any changes necessary in Foobar or whatever you are running for your music files.  And you should be good to go.
 
If I missed anything, please chime in and add some helpful hints.

 

[Warrax]

Quote:

Without going into too much detail, here are the steps to update to USB-32 Firmware ver 3 and Driver ver 1.1:
 
...

 
Now I don't understand, when I am running firmware #1 and drivers V1.0, should I first remove drivers, and then run firmware update, or vice versa?

 

[PeterCraig]

I have done it a number of different ways and it seems to work properly most of the time.
 
But the official guide states:
(1) Update to Firmware 3 then restart Audio-gd
(2) Remove drivers 1.0 then restart PC
(3) Install drivers 1.1.
 
I would follow the guide's steps.....and remember to restart the gear.

 

[Uberzone]

Quote:

Today, I've recieved HD600.
 
From initial listening, I have feeling, as I've expected, dark headphones doesn't fit very well to this DAC. They take out most of it's strongest part... nice shiny crystal clear details and highs. Highs are like lost in background... they are still nice, you hear that quality, but they are covered with that veil of darkness, it's volume is like reduced, and they are not shiny and highlighted anymore. Like they are behind the wall. I would say, this DAC needs brightess to shine. I'm enjoying sound characteristic of SR850 more, although sound quality and soundstage is of course worse in comparation of HD600. But they nice highlight those details and result is crystal clear characteristic, they just shine. When I change SR850 to HD600, I hear there something, that I don't like... like something would stand in the way, which should not be there. It's like, when you are lying on the beach and taking sunbath, and some person is going next to you, and he cast shadow on you... you find it as disturbing, as he blocks those nice warmh shiny energy from sun. That's it, when I change SR850 to HD600, I have feeling, like some shadow is blocking the sun.
So, maybe DT880, SRH 940/1440/1840 or AKG701 would fit more to this DAC. Unfortunately, I cannot test it. Now, I would like to have these headphones borrowed again.
 
Another point is, as Uberzone has above my post suggested, the sound characteristic of this device can change a little bit, and my NFB11.32 is very new (it has maybe 20-25 hours of playing). So maybe, it will start to fit HD600 more after some time, and I will like it more.
 
Uberzone, what's your expected time, to get rid of excessive bass and brightness?

80 hours or so. Gone the extra bass, the unit will play cleaner, I'm sure you will enjoy give it time

 

[Warrax]

I've found this note, on the page with NFB 1.32:
 
[size=x-small]  One other thing I wanted to let you know. The USB32 is powered by the Dac and does not need the +5v from the USB cable to work. In my case I cut the +5v line in my USB cable, the results were a much smoother sound, more relaxed and clear. Removing the +5v is a benefit to the Dac. I am not sure the USB32 needs the +5v line active. Because the Dac powers the USB32 chip it does not need power for the source.[/size]
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB1.32/NFB1.32EN.htm
 
Can someone comment it, if NFB11.32 can be improved this way too?

 

[kevb]

My NFB-11.32 is in North America....will post impressions once I get it.  Looking forward to this!  

 

[xtreme4099]

I've found this note, on the page with NFB 1.32:

  One other thing I wanted to let you know. The USB32 is powered by the Dac and does not need the +5v from the USB cable to work. In my case I cut the +5v line in my USB cable, the results were a much smoother sound, more relaxed and clear. Removing the +5v is a benefit to the Dac. I am not sure the USB32 needs the +5v line active. Because the Dac powers the USB32 chip it does not need power for the source.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB1.32/NFB1.32EN.htm

Can someone comment it, if NFB11.32 can be improved this way too?

Both products have the same usb32 chip, i dont see why it wouldnt work, im running my nfb 1.32 this way, i just took a small sliver of black electric tape over pin 1 on the flat usb connector connected to your pc, see connector diagram here : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/USB.svg/700px-USB.svg.png - the one on the left.

Also the upgrade to firmware 3 is painless, kingwa includes instructions with screenshots in his tool guide.doc.

 

[PeterCraig]

I tried the tape tweak on the USB cable as noted by xtreme4099 - worked like a charm.


EDIT: I had a ground loop problem with my Netbook. Instead of modifying my USB cable I have now removed the ground from my laptop wall plug and silence reins.

You can test this by running your gear with no audio file playing, and then adjust your volume control to full volume. If there is any noise over your most sensitive headphones, reduce the volume, unplug the charger cable from your laptop allowing it to run from battery power, and turn the volume back up. If the noise is now gone, you may have an issue with your power source.

And be careful to remember to reduce volume again before playing any music!!

 

[Saraugie]

It's been a few days that I have been listening to the 11.32
 
My home setup: Music ALAC & MP3 > MBP > iTunes > AG 11.32 > FitEar 334
 
For MBP:       Sound effects and alerts to internal speakers; 
iTunes:          Volume in set to highest position, EQ off, Sound enhancer off, sound check off.
MIDI settings: Format 88200  2ch-32bit Integer
 
I did not have this set up for the first couple of days......then found an online guide which suggested to set up a USB DAC this way with MBP & iTunes.
The guide said for ALAC 88200 was best and 24 bit. The DAC it was referring to was not capable of 32 so I decided 32 instead of 24.
 
For you folks who know are these settings correct?
 
Sometimes the 11.32 sounds so cold, analytical. I can hear all the instruments, they seem to be playing at the right speed but what I am hearing is not a collaboration resulting in a song. Does that make sense?  Does the 11.32 need to warm up? I have read all the posts and I think maybe one said it did. 
 
Just now two songs back to back, diff artists diff albums, both ALAC one sounded good the other discombobulated. And I A/B (same song) with my portable rig and it sounded better on it. I'm confused.......and a newbie ....which maybe explains why LOL
 
I had been using the GO DAP X as a USB setup for two weeks prior to getting the 11.32. I thought the 11.32 would blow away the portable USB powered GO DAP X........and for SQ it does not. More power for sure, but I don't need power with the IEMs. 
 
Any thoughts?

 

[Saraugie]

Quote:

It's been a few days that I have been listening to the 11.32
 
My home setup: Music ALAC & MP3 > MBP > iTunes > AG 11.32 > FitEar 334
 
For MBP:       Sound effects and alerts to internal speakers; 
iTunes:          Volume in set to highest position, EQ off, Sound enhancer off, sound check off.
MIDI settings: Format 88200  2ch-32bit Integer
 
I did not have this set up for the first couple of days......then found an online guide which suggested to set up a USB DAC this way with MBP & iTunes.
The guide said for ALAC 88200 was best and 24 bit. The DAC it was referring to was not capable of 32 so I decided 32 instead of 24.
 
For you folks who know are these settings correct?
 
Sometimes the 11.32 sounds so cold, analytical. I can hear all the instruments, they seem to be playing at the right speed but what I am hearing is not a collaboration resulting in a song. Does that make sense?  Does the 11.32 need to warm up? I have read all the posts and I think maybe one said it did. 
 
Just now two songs back to back, diff artists diff albums, both ALAC one sounded good the other discombobulated. And I A/B (same song) with my portable rig and it sounded better on it. I'm confused.......and a newbie ....which maybe explains why LOL
 
I had been using the GO DAP X as a USB setup for two weeks prior to getting the 11.32. I thought the 11.32 would blow away the portable USB powered GO DAP X........and for SQ it does not. More power for sure, but I don't need power with the IEMs. 
 
Any thoughts?

I just added Aurdivana Plus to get better sound......I left all the settings to default so that it is overriding the MIDI settings.
 
Reading owners manual.......any advice or comments appreciated.

 

[Kingwa]

[size=10.5pt]If user use the PC , please connect the USB port which is built on the mother board ( usually is on the computer rear) , if connect to the USB port on front, some case the USB port connect long wires to the mother board and maybe cause the download have interrupt .  ( The USB audio device always connect to the USB port built on mother board have better sound , some times take care on the USB port select rather than upgrade the gear. ).[/size]

 

[kevb]

Well, got the NFB-11.32 this afternoon.  So far, very impressive....I am really enjoying the sound of this - especially from USB.  I am currently using the Pure I-20 and my iPod Touch (uncompressed files) as the source for putting on the hours.  Very clear, detailed sound early on in this process.  The 24/192 files via USB sounded superb.  Installation went without any problems....
 
Will post more as time goes on....impressive for the price to say the least.