Audio-GD NFB-12

[Slaughter]

I thought I would start a new thread so the NFB-11 thread doesn't continue to get polluted with NFB-12 talk. It's going to be a long 4 weeks!
 

 
[size=large]Dual WM8741 chips[/size]

[size=x-large]NFB - 12[/size]

[size=small]Dedicated DAC + Headphone amp
(Dedicated DAC with variable and fixed line level output)[/size]

[size=small]24Bit / 96KHz USB input and 24Bit / 192KHz Coaxial /optical input support[/size]
 
[size=small]Applies ACSS [/size]

[size=small]Fully discrete non- feedback amp without any OPAs in signal paths, couple caps, built by exact match transistors.[/size]

 

[vrln]

I am so excited about this... The slightly warm and forgiving (compared to Sabre) Wolfson chip is perfect for a PC rig, especially as most headphones tend to lean on the bright side. I had originally ordered an NFB-11, but then used the money as part payment for a CD7 instead. I think I´ll get one of these soon...

 

[wayward91]

just to clarify, the nfb 11 is more forgiving of a bad transport and jitter ??

 

[vrln]

I believe so, because the Sabre32 chip has a very advanced anti-jitter elimination mechanism. At least if it is enabled in the NFB-11, and I see no reason why it wouldn´t be. The Wolfsons are known to be quite transport-reliable, which is why many use them with a HiFace etc. 

 

[Olias of Sunhillow]

I pre-ordered my NFB-12 this morning. I went with this one over the NFB-11 based solely on Kingwa's descriptions of the two units, which made me conclude that my RS-1s are a better match with the Wolfson chip vs. the Sabre. Somehow, I was able to overcome the temptation to order both and compare...

 

[Slaughter]

Ha, I thought about the same thing and still might order the 11 depending on how much I like the 12. I thought I better wait because the 11 might be all that I need.
 
Quote:

I pre-ordered my NFB-12 this morning. I went with this one over the NFB-11 based solely on Kingwa's descriptions of the two units, which made me conclude that my RS-1s are a better match with the Wolfson chip vs. the Sabre. Somehow, I was able to overcome the temptation to order both and compare...

 

[BuFFys]

 
20 days left to estimated shipping! Does any one know the usual shipping time to wester Europe?
I would love that have it before christmas, so i can listen to it instead of my family!!! (joke.... or is it?)

 

[vrln]

Out of my three packages from Audio-gd: 3 days, 4 days and 12 days (the huge & heavy CD7)... So with some luck yeah, I think it might make it.

 

[BuFFys]

Quote:

Out of my three packages from Audio-gd: 3 days, 4 days and 12 days (the huge & heavy CD7)... So with some luck yeah, I think it might make it.

Nice, i guess you hade DHl shipping?

 

[vrln]

EMS with all packages...

 

[BuFFys]

Ahh...
DHL was the cheapest option on the NFB11/12 to Wester Europe... hopefully it fast, as DHL can be (2 days US to Sweden last time).

 

[vinay]

I am still trying to understand few things about a DAC in general so what does Mono mean in the below table?
Does Dual WM8741 mean each chip for each channel(L-R) ? What is applied to headphone section?

	[size=small]     [/size] [size=small]What's different between these popular chips 　[/size] 　​ [size=x-small]Dual [/size][size=x-small]WM8741[/size]​ [size=x-small]ES9018[/size]​ [size=x-small]AD1955[/size]​ [size=x-small]AD1852[/size]​ [size=x-small]WM8740[/size]​ [size=x-small]SNR[/size]​ [size=x-small]128 DB (Mono)[/size]​ [size=x-small]120 DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]120DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]114DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]117DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]DYNAMIC RANGE[/size]​ [size=x-small]128 DB (Mono)[/size]​ [size=x-small]129 DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]120DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]114DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]117DB[/size]​

 
Is the DAC out similar to audio-gd FUN DAC out? how is it different from Line out of FUN?
 
It would have been nice if there was a option to add a OP-amp in NFB-12 (Not sure of how neutral/musical i like the sound since i listen to all genre of music).
 

 

[Slaughter]

That is for each channel since the NFB-12 uses a dual chip designl. Email Audio-GD and ask about the output. They are honest and should be able to give you a good idea. An opamp would defeat the purpose of this amp design and would have probably made it too similar to the FUN. You could either wait for some reviews of the NFB-11 and 12, or purchase the FUN so you can change the sound.

 
Quote:

I am still trying to understand few things about a DAC in general so what does Mono mean in the below table?
Does Dual WM8741 mean each chip for each channel(L-R) ? What is applied to headphone section?

	[size=small]     [/size][size=small]What's different between these popular chips 　[/size] 　​ [size=x-small]Dual [/size][size=x-small]WM8741[/size]​ [size=x-small]ES9018[/size]​ [size=x-small]AD1955[/size]​ [size=x-small]AD1852[/size]​ [size=x-small]WM8740[/size]​ [size=x-small]SNR[/size]​ [size=x-small]128 DB (Mono)[/size]​ [size=x-small]120 DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]120DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]114DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]117DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]DYNAMIC RANGE[/size]​ [size=x-small]128 DB (Mono)[/size]​ [size=x-small]129 DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]120DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]114DB[/size]​ [size=x-small]117DB[/size]​

 
Is the DAC out similar to audio-gd FUN DAC out? how is it different from Line out of FUN?
 
It would have been nice if there was a option to add a OP-amp in NFB-12 (Not sure of how neutral/musical i like the sound since i listen to all genre of music).
 

 

[vrln]

Kingwa told me the NFB-12 is as good as the FUN in sound quality, but the FUN has the bigger headphone socket + can be customized more. I´d also recommend you to email them, they have very good customer support in my experience. 

 

[eimis]

I asked audio-gd if NFB-12 can beat Compass and FUN in terms of sound quality. Here's what they answered:
 
Quote:

Dear Sir,
Via look about the difference of NFB-11 and NFB-12,you can be know:
 
The NFB-11 has quite high fidelity, its sound signature is absolutely revealing, neutral and faithful and very detailed. It can show how good or how bad a recording is. If you are afraid of flaws being revealed in the music files, other gears like those applying WM8741 will be better. Our gears that apply WM8741 are designed to sound neutral and revealing but with a little smoothness . Like the   FUN     and    Sparrow,   NFB-3/2.
 
The NFB-12 is a twin brother of NFB-11, they were designed and tested at same time. They have the same power supply and ACSS technology support. But for the sound signature design, we changed some parts parameter to keep the sound smoother, and applied the WM8805 as the SPDIF interface, its jitter is only 50PS, sound characteristic is same with the WM8741 which is detailed but smooth, and it can support up to 192KHz input.
NFB-11 has quite high fidelity, its sound signature is absolutely revealing, neutral and faithful and very detailed. It can show how good or how bad a recording is.
On the other hand, the NFB-12 has obvious different sound characteristics compared to the NFB-11. its sound signature is revealing but a bit forgiving of the recording compared to the NFB-11, it has excellent detail and dynamics, but a bit of humanity and richness (sweet), on the warmer side, it allows listeners to pleasantly enjoy the music.
 
Best Regards
[size=10.5pt]Edwin[/size]