[jodgey4]

The 9028 and 9038 were released together last year. The 9028 was meant to easily replace the 9018 in various applications while offering improvements, while the 9038 is hailed as the new king (per say) but requires different implementation.

Thanks so much!

 

[pixelcity]

Ordered the nfb-28.38, in silver no less. First 30 get a 5% discount - mentioned earlier that new models have a promo price but not sure if details were posted yet.

I only learned of the discount upon emailing for a quote.

 

[Netherwind]

What's the wait like on the new 38's? I am feeling the source upgrade itch now that I bought my Eikons..

 

[sheeshon]

Quick question someone help:
 
Audio-gd NFB 28.38 vs Reference 10.32?\
 
Will be listening on Stax 3100 system

 

[Keirapc]

  Quick question someone help:
 
Audio-gd NFB 28.38 vs Reference 10.32?\
 
Will be listening on Stax 3100 system

 Reference 10.32. R2R dac always better than Delta Sigma on a Stax system

 

[jodgey4]

http://audio-gd.com/Master/Master-11/M11EN.htm The Master 11 also uses an R2R chip and is their current latest DAC/amp combo. If you just want an R2R DAC, I'd look at the DAC-19.

 

[marcussmj]

Question: Is it worth buying a 2014 version that is used? Or save up for at least a 2016?

 

[MadSounds]

Question: Is it worth buying a 2014 version that is used? Or save up for at least a 2016?

Generally speaking you can't go wrong with used Audio-gd as all their products are made to last 10 years plus. the only 2 real differences between 2014 and 2016 units. First clock upgrades were optional before the 2015 version, so they may or my not be included. second the USB interface has changed. IMO the clock upgrade is something worth having but i wouldn't mind a older USB version if the price was right. I think if you have a decent source on the other end of your USB the interface in the dac isn't so important. I have a motherboard with a USB port just for DAC's, so i personally dont find a ton of value here, but if you have a sub par laptop it might be worth while.


All the above is regarding the ES9018 based units, very recently they have come out with new models with recently released dac chips. I haven't looked into these products at all, but if I were buying a delta sigma dac I would be looking at the newer model(NFB-28.38). That being said im sure any improvement will be marginal and if you see a deal on a NFB-28 for ~400$ I would snap it up and keep the savings for the next upgrade itch.

The 9028 and 9038 were released together last year. The 9028 was meant to easily replace the 9018 in various applications while offering improvements, while the 9038 is hailed as the new king (per say) but requires different implementation.

 

[jodgey4]

Question: Is it worth buying a 2014 version that is used? Or save up for at least a 2016?

After the 2014 version, @Kingwa added more shielding between the DAC and amp to help with noise issues. I complained on my 2014 version with regards to noise issues, and in '15 more shielding was added (so I like to pretend I'm important and had something to do with that ).

The 2014 model is great, but for sensitive gear I'm not sure I could recommend it. If you wanna use sensitive gear, I'd look into 2015+ models.

Also depending on how good the new shielding is, you could maybe shoot for the NFB-29 (as the balanced 28 should have lower noise, though 2x the amp section and thus more cost).

 

[sheeshon]

  http://audio-gd.com/Master/Master-11/M11EN.htm The Master 11 also uses an R2R chip and is their current latest DAC/amp combo. If you just want an R2R DAC, I'd look at the DAC-19.

Since the Stax 252s driver is a balanced unit, do you think that the Dac-19 being single ended would be a disadvantage versus the Nfb-28? 

 

[jodgey4]

Oh, my mistake. The Master 7 would be the AGD balanced R2R DAC. You could even consider the fully discrete Singularity version (the SE seems to have a S/N below what I'd like to see).

The delta-sigma products from AGD are no joke. My 2014 NFB-28 is an amazing DAC/pre.

 

[marcussmj]

Generally speaking you can't go wrong with used Audio-gd as all their products are made to last 10 years plus. the only 2 real differences between 2014 and 2016 units. First clock upgrades were optional before the 2015 version, so they may or my not be included. second the USB interface has changed. IMO the clock upgrade is something worth having but i wouldn't mind a older USB version if the price was right. I think if you have a decent source on the other end of your USB the interface in the dac isn't so important. I have a motherboard with a USB port just for DAC's, so i personally dont find a ton of value here, but if you have a sub par laptop it might be worth while.


All the above is regarding the ES9018 based units, very recently they have come out with new models with recently released dac chips. I haven't looked into these products at all, but if I were buying a delta sigma dac I would be looking at the newer model(NFB-28.38). That being said im sure any improvement will be marginal and if you see a deal on a NFB-28 for ~400$ I would snap it up and keep the savings for the next upgrade itch.

The 9028 and 9038 were released together last year. The 9028 was meant to easily replace the 9018 in various applications while offering improvements, while the 9038 is hailed as the new king (per say) but requires different implementation.

I see. The seller did have the clock upgrades and such. The 2 headphones I have are the LCD-X and the HD650. Think the 2014 version should be good enough right? Another option was to get a NFB-1AMP and then consider a cheaper DAC in the 200-300 dollar range... I don't know so I could use some more advice.

 

[marcussmj]

  After the 2014 version, @Kingwa added more shielding between the DAC and amp to help with noise issues. I complained on my 2014 version with regards to noise issues, and in '15 more shielding was added (so I like to pretend I'm important and had something to do with that ).

The 2014 model is great, but for sensitive gear I'm not sure I could recommend it. If you wanna use sensitive gear, I'd look into 2015+ models.

Also depending on how good the new shielding is, you could maybe shoot for the NFB-29 (as the balanced 28 should have lower noise, though 2x the amp section and thus more cost).

I will be using it with the LCD-X and HD650. Also would like the balanced outs cause I plan to get custom cables to be used with it.

 

[Botudi]

would be nice to see a comparison between the .28 and .38........although I think it's really hard that something like that would happen

 

[pixelcity]

Anyone who bought a .38 hear any news from Kingwa? Patiently awaiting some update on mine.