Audio-GD NFB-2 & NFB-3 Delivery & Impression Thread

[abhijollyguy]

Quote:

Sorry, now I've read the post and got the point.
 
Yes, adding a dac in the chain will substantially improve the sound of your setup.
As good as the Sonar is, it cannot compare to an external dedicated dac.

Thanks, I am moving more towards the V-DAC, how is V-DAC as compared to NFB-3?

 

[donluca]

I don't know, sorry, I only know the NFB-2... look for some online reviews to get at least some info on how the v-dac is supposed to sound and try to have an audition.

 

[dealaddict]

Quote:

I am very very much confused I want to buy DAC and have chosen some options - Musical Fidelity V-DAC, CA DACMagic and Audio-GD NFB-2/3. Which one is the best among these in sound? I need it for my NAD Amplifier and PSB Image B6 Bookshelves/Standmounts. Currently my source is WD TV Live and I will connect a DAC to the WD TV Live optical out. My AMP and bookshelves sound is neutral to warm. I can say my speakers tend to show what really is there in a recording without adding anything of it's own.

 

One thing more I would like to know from all of u as u are much more experienced. My WD TV live costs $120 so Will adding DAC in the chain will result in better sound quality? I am asking this because I have ASUS Xonar DX Sound Card and using ASUS Xonar DX as a source to my NAD haven't given me any improvement over my WD TV Live analogue outs. Xonar DX and WD TV Live both sounded me the same. WD TV Live uses Sigma Designs SMP8654 Chip which do all the audio and video processing. WD TV Live don't have any standalone DAC Chip.

 

So adding standalone DAC in the chain will give me substantial improvement in sound? I am very very much confused.

 

Thank You all

 
if you are looking for better sound, adding a DAC would not be my first thing to do.  Is your NAD a power amplifier or an integrated amplifier?  I guess it is integrated.  For the biggest bang for the buck, I recommend you to replace your NAD with a preamp and power amp, that will give you bigger improvement over adding a DAC in the chain.
 
 

 

[abhijollyguy]

Quote:

I don't know, sorry, I only know the NFB-2... look for some online reviews to get at least some info on how the v-dac is supposed to sound and try to have an audition.

V-DAC has the sound signature I am luking for but I also need some opinion that Will I be able to notice the improvement if i add the DAC in a chain.

 

[abhijollyguy]

Quote:

 
if you are looking for better sound, adding a DAC would not be my first thing to do.  Is your NAD a power amplifier or an integrated amplifier?  I guess it is integrated.  For the biggest bang for the buck, I recommend you to replace your NAD with a preamp and power amp, that will give you bigger improvement over adding a DAC in the chain.
 
 

As far as I am not running out of power so why should I luk for Power AMP and my present AMP is more than enough to drive my standmounts with ease. Ppl used to buy CDP's with such set-up for the improvement in SQ coz CDP has a DAC and has been designed for such purpose only. The reason I am not going for CDP's coz the most of my music collection is in digital format so thinking of buy DAC rather than going for a CDP route.
 
Thank You.

 

[dealaddict]

Quote:

As far as I am not running out of power so why should I luk for Power AMP and my present AMP is more than enough to drive my standmounts with ease. Ppl used to buy CDP's with such set-up for the improvement in SQ coz CDP has a DAC and has been designed for such purpose only. The reason I am not going for CDP's coz the most of my music collection is in digital format so thinking of buy DAC rather than going for a CDP route.
 
Thank You.

It's not just about power.  Of course I don't know how good your NAD is.  I start with a Denon receiver, then upgrade to a Rotel receiver, than go for a Adcom preamp and Rotel power amp.  The improve going pre-post set up is night and day.  Then I upgrade my Rotel power amp to McCormack DNA-1, almost no difference.  Then I went through a couple preamp, each one give me a different and better sound.  I don't know the technical reason behind, I am only sharing my experience.  Going from integrated to pre-post gives me the biggest improvement in sound quality even with a cheapy Adcom preamp.  And changing preamp has bigger impact than changing power amp.
 
And your question is similar to using a CD player output directly to the NAD, versus adding a DAC in between.  I use a cheapy Sony Blu-ray player, adding a DAC, in my experience, has only subtle improvement.  Of course, YMMV. 
 
 

 

[abhijollyguy]

Quote:

It's not just about power.  Of course I don't know how good your NAD is.  I start with a Denon receiver, then upgrade to a Rotel receiver, than go for a Adcom preamp and Rotel power amp.  The improve going pre-post set up is night and day.  Then I upgrade my Rotel power amp to McCormack DNA-1, almost no difference.  Then I went through a couple preamp, each one give me a different and better sound.  I don't know the technical reason behind, I am only sharing my experience.  Going from integrated to pre-post gives me the biggest improvement in sound quality even with a cheapy Adcom preamp.  And changing preamp has bigger impact than changing power amp.
 
And your question is similar to using a CD player output directly to the NAD, versus adding a DAC in between.  I use a cheapy Sony Blu-ray player, adding a DAC, in my experience, has only subtle improvement.  Of course, YMMV. 
 
 

As far as I am not running out of power so upgrade to power/pre combo is wothless coz my room size is merely 156 sq/ft and also I don't listen too loud. Now come to ur scenario u saw big difference just because u have came from receiver to pre-power combo. As receiver is not designed for stereo listening whereas Integrated AMP or Pre/Power combo has been dedicatedly designed for such purpose and this is the only reason u have seen big improvement over ur receiver. Now u said me sell ur integrated AMP and buy Pre/Power Combo, well If one has an Integrated AMP so he doesn't need to sell his Integrated AMP to buy Pre/Power Combo. In this case one can always buy only Power AMP and connect it via Pre-AMP port of Integrated AMP and by doing this Integrated AMP will become only Pre-AMP and the volume Control will be operated by the Power-AMP only. 
 

 

[macrog]

I think comparing the pre/power amp versus integrated amplifier to cd transport/DAC versus CD player is a very relevant analogy.
 
Integrated components are more compromised than dedicated ones i.e. Just having the power supply split between the DAC and CD transport in a CD Player is a compromise. Then there is EFI contamination etc etc
 
Separate components of equal design quality to an integrated component are always going to sound better.
 
Regards
 
Macrog

 

[NobleSix]

just ordered an NFB-2.. cant wait

 

[abhijollyguy]

Just ordered the Musical Fidelity V-DAC with True Colours Industries Coral optical cable and Chord Crimson plus Analogue RCA Cable. Thank you all for ur kind suggestions

 

[jeff119]

Ordered my NFB-3 last wednesday.
Recieved it today.
A pleasant experience with Audio Gd.
 
Currently doing the burn-in process.

Compared to my x-fi forte, the most noticable thing is the much superior soundstage .
But i am hoping that the micro details would come out after the burn-in. 

 

[murphythecat]

"Separate components of equal design quality to an integrated component are always going to sound better." I strongly disagree here, especially when we talk about DAC VS CDplayer. A CDplayer is meant to be with his dac, so their will be in general, way more jitter with two separate components.
 
 
 
Quote:

I think comparing the pre/power amp versus integrated amplifier to cd transport/DAC versus CD player is a very relevant analogy.
 
Integrated components are more compromised than dedicated ones i.e. Just having the power supply split between the DAC and CD transport in a CD Player is a compromise. Then there is EFI contamination etc etc
 
Separate components of equal design quality to an integrated component are always going to sound better.
 
Regards
 
Macrog

 

 

[macrog]

Can you think of a single example of a manufacturer that makes integrated components where the integrated component e.g. CD Player sounds better than the discrete components manufactured by the same manufacturer of at least the same value?
 
If so is this the exception or the rule?
 
Jitter is only one factor in CD player design, what about power supply, output stage, EMI?
 
Macrog

 

[sesshin]

Just received my NFB-2 today. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but first thing I noticed were some pretty decently sized gashes and chunks in the case.
 
 
 

 

[sesshin]

 
 
 

Now I know blemishes in the appearance shouldn't have an effect on the sound quality, but it kind of disappoints me. I want equipment that looks nice. Plus if I ever decide to sell it down the road the buyer will think the damage is from me and I'll have to try and convince them Audio-gd sent it to me that way.
 
Has anyone else received product from Audio-gd with damage in it? Is this an example of Chinese quality control? I'm half a mind to send it back for a refund, but I'm not sure if I want to hassle myself with shipping to China if the DAC works fine.