Audio-gd R2R DAC Thread

[gLer]

Audio-gd R2R 1 or Chord Qutest? Just ordered, and I’ve heard it’s shipped *Yay!*, NFB-1AMP and now the thoughts of a better dac are setting in. I’ve been more than happy with my Chord Mojo, but with the balanced amp, a balanced resistor ladder sounds like just the ticket. But I love the Chord sound. Any thoughts on Audio-gd vs. Chord qualities for pleasure in listening with my LCD-3s?

As far as I know the NFB-1 phase splits SE input so you get the full benefit of the balanced circuit even with an SE dac. Probably not exactly the same benefit as with a fully balanced dac, but close enough. Check out Currawong’s review on YouTube if you haven’t already.

 

[catmoderne]

Yes, I believe that the discrete balanced nature of the amp is unaffected by a SE input, although the idea of ACES between components is very attractive.

Yes, I have indeed read Amos’ review, the direct result was my order for the amp, great reviews Amos.

I guess my question is very subjective, Chords have the voodoo for me, and r2r DACA have their own voodoo. It’s a question of detail and imaging, but less of specs and more of musicality, I wish there was someplace to listen side by side, sadly not though. Opinions welcome.

As far as I know the NFB-1 phase splits SE input so you get the full benefit of the balanced circuit even with an SE dac. Probably not exactly the same benefit as with a fully balanced dac, but close enough. Check out Currawong’s review on YouTube if you haven’t already.

 

[TiborM]

Audio-gd R2R 1 or Chord Qutest? Just ordered, and I’ve heard it’s shipped *Yay!*, NFB-1AMP and now the thoughts of a better dac are setting in. I’ve been more than happy with my Chord Mojo, but with the balanced amp, a balanced resistor ladder sounds like just the ticket. But I love the Chord sound. Any thoughts on Audio-gd vs. Chord qualities for pleasure in listening with my LCD-3s?

Hi, share your thoughts on r2r VS Mojo once received please
Cheers

 

[bballas]

Audio-gd R2R 1 or Chord Qutest? Just ordered, and I’ve heard it’s shipped *Yay!*, NFB-1AMP and now the thoughts of a better dac are setting in. I’ve been more than happy with my Chord Mojo, but with the balanced amp, a balanced resistor ladder sounds like just the ticket. But I love the Chord sound. Any thoughts on Audio-gd vs. Chord qualities for pleasure in listening with my LCD-3s?

Regenerated AC,isolated analog-digital,isolated L-R,high quality clocks,high quality source,dedicated power for all stages,extra short usb cables.......Really Matters!!!

 

[FredA]

Hello guys. Maybe somebody would help me. I'm currently changing my audio-gd nfb-2 DAC. And there is question which one would be a better option:
-Audio-gd R2R 1 (I can borrow this one for test in my setup)
-Chord 2qute (this one I have no option to borrow for tests)
I can have both for almost the same price (brand new). My current headphone amp is audio-gd NFB-1 amp, using it with hifiman he560 trough xlr connection
Maybe someone could compare these two dacs.

I have the nfb-1amp r2r 7 combination. It works great with the he560. Can't go wrong with the r2r 1. I also have the r2r 11. Sounds great. It's yet another valid option to match with the nfb-1amp.

 

[FredA]

In fact, i think the safest, most logical choice is the r2r 1. You get many sound flavors to choose from, and even on the fly between 2 flavors. Even better than that, playing dsd, you get yet another flavor, more like a delta-sygma dac. Like having 3 dacs in one.

 

[gLer]

I have the nfb-1amp r2r 7 combination. It works great with the he560. Can't go wrong with the r2r 1. I also have the r2r 11. Sounds great. It's yet another valid option to match with the nfb-1amp.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m thinking of getting a more powerful amp to complement an LCD-3F and ZMF Atticus, even though the R2R-11 drives both beautifully. What do you think I’d gain, if anything, by adding an NFB-1 to the mix?

 

[FredA]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m thinking of getting a more powerful amp to complement an LCD-3F and ZMF Atticus, even though the R2R-11 drives both beautifully. What do you think I’d gain, if anything, by adding an NFB-1 to the mix?

The nfb-1amp has a lower output impedance. With it, i get better bass (goes lower, more controled), unless the difference comes from my source (r2r 7 vs r2r 11). Can't be totally sure but i assume the difference is from the amp. It's 2ohms vs 1ohm output impedance. If you need an amp that sounds smooth with plenty of power and accuracy, the nfb-1amp is a very good choice. If you don't intend to use balanced cables, the c-2 is a better choice. Then you have to get a decent interconnect.

 

[gLer]

The nfb-1amp has a lower output impedance. With it, i get better bass (goes lower, more controled), unless the difference comes from my source (r2r 7 vs r2r 11). Can't be totally sure but i assume the difference is from the amp. It's 2ohms vs 1ohm output impedance. If you need an amp that sounds smooth with plenty of power and accuracy, the nfb-1amp is a very good choice. If you don't intend to use balanced cables, the c-2 is a better choice. Then you have to get a decent interconnect.

Thanks for this. There's only one way to find out if it's the amp or dac - hook up both the R2R7 and R2R-11 to the NFB-1 and listen for the differences

 

[maellen]

Any noticeable difference between XLR vs ACSS if I were to connect R2R 1 to NFB1AMP?

 

[FredA]

I forgot to mention another advantage. With the nfb-1amp, you can bypass the pot on the r2r 11 (fixed mode) and get also better volume control, better left-right balance, easier to adjust levels. Ladder volume controls are more transparent as well.

 

[FredA]

Thanks for this. There's only one way to find out if it's the amp or dac - hook up both the R2R7 and R2R-11 to the NFB-1 and listen for the differences

Yes. The r2r 11 is at the office so can't do it now.

 

[FredA]

Any noticeable difference between XLR vs ACSS if I were to connect R2R 1 to NFB1AMP?

Can only speak of connections to the master-1. Acss is slighty more transparent/clean given same cable quality. You can achieve better with xlr using a superior cable.

 

[arielext]

In case anyone is wondering; the R2R-1DAC can 'shut off' the display as well, though it is never mentioned anywhere on the audio-gd site.
Jos from magnahifi helped me out and I'll share it here; just place a jumper on the 2 pins as seen below.

Now my audio-gd stack just shows 2 simple '-' until it is time to change anything

 

[Pharmaboy]

In case anyone is wondering; the R2R-1DAC can 'shut off' the display as well, though it is never mentioned anywhere on the audio-gd site.
Jos from magnahifi helped me out and I'll share it here; just place a jumper on the 2 pins as seen below.

Now my audio-gd stack just shows 2 simple '-' until it is time to change anything

Just curious...why do you want to shut off the display?

My Audio GD DACs don't have displays (DAC-19; NOS 19), but their headphone amp, the SA-31SE, definitely does. I find the display rather inoffensive (also very informative).

Maybe the R2R 1 DAC is brighter or something I'm not getting here...?