[Bri81]

I'm thinking the earliest they'll start shipping is mid-April. I ordered within hours of Audio-gd announcing the ES9038, and was told 20 days (4 weeks) lead time.

 

[bayareabiker]

I am expecting my 28.38 to be shipped in approximately 10 days. Kingwa said they like to do more testing / burn-in. Thats a good thing - especially for a new product - because I'd hate to ship it back to China due to teething problems

 

[pixelcity]

Good to hear. I guess they made the .38 available a week-ish ago? I was on vacation...

 

[butch111]

the first 6 28.38 are sended

http://www.audio-gd.com/Shipment.htm

 

[pixelcity]

the first 6 28.38 are sended

http://www.audio-gd.com/Shipment.htm

Not mine. Womp.

 

[pixelcity]

28.38 TXH over xlr & frequency response charts added too http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB28.38/NFB28.38EN_Specs.htm

 

[pixelcity]

Not mine. Womp.

Ok mine shipped now. I must have been soon after #6.

 

[Pumba101]

Don't want to stray too much off topic, but I got an unexpected bonus at work. I'm now considering this or the Master 11. How much better do you think the Master 11 would be?

 

[Keirapc]

  Don't want to stray too much off topic, but I got an unexpected bonus at work. I'm now considering this or the Master 11. How much better do you think the Master 11 would be?

Master11 dac part is based from Master 7 which using r2r dac pcm1704. Is sound more analog than Delta sigma 9018. Warmer, smoother, better timbre, but it lack sound stage and airy comparing to 9018 dac.
 
The amp part is better than nfb 28 in my opinion, since its double the part list than nfb 28.
 
If you using a detail, bright headphone such as hd800, stax lambda, or he500 he6, i suggest master 11. Other dark headphone such as lcd 2, lcd 3, hd650... go for nfb27 with es9018.
 
Master 11 sound quite similar to dac19 and C2 stack.
 
In my opinion, es9018 dac is quite lifeless, in comparison with r2r dac

 

[butch111]

Nobody would buy a 9018 at this time , i think. 

 
 
I am very excited how the 9038pro sounds in the nfb28

 

[bayareabiker]

  Nobody would buy a 9018 at this time , i think. 

 
 
I am very excited how the 9038pro sounds in the nfb28

It appears that they've discontinued the 9018 version of NFB-28 (the only remaining 9018 product in their lineup appears to be the entry level NFB-11). Thats a no-brainer because the 9028pro is supposed to be a drop in replacement for the 9018, but the 9038pro requires additional hardware/software changes.
 
The 9038pro version is less than $100 more than the 9028pro version with upgrades. Unless one is on a very tight budget, I don't see why they would go for the 9028pro version.

 

[phthora]

For me the question is more like: should I go for the NFB-28.38 or for a very well-implemented 9028 from someone else, a separate DAC to which I could add a USB interface and ISO regen?

 

[Botudi]

  The 9038pro version is less than $100 more than the 9028pro version with upgrades. Unless one is on a very tight budget, I don't see why they would go for the 9028pro version.

that depends if you can benefit in stereo from the 8 parallel 9028s that the 9038 actually is ..... the 9028 is an improvement on an tried and tested solution (especially from a stereo point of view)....so there are valid points of logic for the 9028 as well.
 
still think a direct comparison would be needed to be sure of anything.....but again, I won't hold my breath

 

[Netherwind]

  For me the question is more like: should I go for the NFB-28.38 or for a very well-implemented 9028 from someone else, a separate DAC to which I could add a USB interface and ISO regen?

Who is the 'someone else'? Most Sabre implementations are garbage.
 
I wouldn't touch those 'regen' things, snake oil IMO.  Waste of your money you could use for other things.
 
Having a USB interface and then a reclock and then the DAC is just being absolutely paranoid for no real reason.  Did you want some $1500 cables too?
 
Just use S/PDIF if you're that concerned about USB.

 

[phthora]

  Who is the 'someone else'? Most Sabre implementations are garbage.
 
I wouldn't touch those 'regen' things, snake oil IMO.  Waste of your money you could use for other things.
 
Having a USB interface and then a reclock and then the DAC is just being absolutely paranoid for no real reason.  Did you want some $1500 cables too?
 
Just use S/PDIF if you're that concerned about USB.

 
My question was more about whether it would be a better choice to go with an all-in-one unit or separate units, so that I could continually update/upgrade pieces of the chain.
 
I don't know much about ISO regen, to be honest, except that it is something people often cite as a means of improving the audio chain and that it's something relatively affordable. But, I was just using it as an example.
 
For DACs, I looking at the Gustard X20 Pro primarily, but also at some options from Matrix, L.K.S., and Oppo.