[mitchb]

I found the SF a step above the Niimbus.

 

[centigrade]

It's only been a brief experience, but I think Nimbus and Silverfox are of the same level. I think those with more experience are a little more accurate, but I couldn't feel any difference between the two other than the tonal differences.

There may be some noise that I didn't notice much because I used the susvara as my main device, but I didn't notice it much with the IEM either.

 

[Rasuti]

After some loaner time with SF I must admit it was a big disappointment. I can't understand all the praise for the device. I would not consider it to punch above its price point. At least not in my setup.

Sonically the amp did only very mildly surpass V281, which is half the price. Tonality wise they are quite close. Neutral warm with good staging and nice bass decay.
Most disappointing was the Noisefloor. Using the RCA input resulted in a very audible noisefloor. Also using XLR headphone cable was noisy even with my 300Ohm ZMF headphones. Also TH900 had a Noisefloor with 6.3mm cable. Unacceptable flaws for a solid state.
Only using XLR inputs and 6.3mm cable for my ZMF headphones resulted in a black background.

Violectric Niimbus surpasses the SF in every aspect. Amazing resolution. Airy treble and mids bring forward every small texture in voices, holographic staging better than my tube amps and fast punchy low end. The best amplifier I heard so far.

V281 with a silver interconnection cable would be the best value for the money. Transparent tonality with extended punchy low-end.

Sorry it didn't work out for you in the end, v281 still a solid amp, believe @ken6217 preferred it too, and @Yifang had a similar issue with the noise floor.

I broke out my ADX5000 100db sensitivity 420ohm to see if the noise floor was that bad since I tested this awhile ago but with different HPs and DAC, and to emulate your experience with your ZMF dynamic HPs. I tried BAL and SE, using 6.3mm the noise floor was only really noticeable let alone audible at -9db volume, getting louder from there, found modes didn't really change it.

On BAL I noticed it did change between modes, although marginally. High Impedance/Parallel was lowest, on Low Impedance 1, 2, and 3, it was somehow BTL that was lowest. Noise floor still only starting to be noticeable at -9db, satisfactory volume for music was -30 to -20 depending on modes/dac volume output/song so couldn't perceive any noise.

Overall noise floor was not an issue, in my setup. Not discounting your experience of course, just a data point.

 

[hypnos1]

NIL noise with my Empyreans at ear shattering levels (High resistance, BTL, -5db). Similar findings from 6moons review (whom I rate above most others in hifidom) : "None of my loads unearthed any electrical noise"....https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cen-grand-silverfox/5/

As always, of course...system/environment dependent!

ps. Totally black with no music playing...

 

[TheMiddleSky]

After some loaner time with SF I must admit it was a big disappointment. I can't understand all the praise for the device. I would not consider it to punch above its price point. At least not in my setup.

Sonically the amp did only very mildly surpass V281, which is half the price. Tonality wise they are quite close. Neutral warm with good staging and nice bass decay.
Most disappointing was the Noisefloor. Using the RCA input resulted in a very audible noisefloor. Also using XLR headphone cable was noisy even with my 300Ohm ZMF headphones. Also TH900 had a Noisefloor with 6.3mm cable. Unacceptable flaws for a solid state.
Only using XLR inputs and 6.3mm cable for my ZMF headphones resulted in a black background.

Violectric Niimbus surpasses the SF in every aspect. Amazing resolution. Airy treble and mids bring forward every small texture in voices, holographic staging better than my tube amps and fast punchy low end. The best amplifier I heard so far.

V281 with a silver interconnection cable would be the best value for the money. Transparent tonality with extended punchy low-end.

Silver Fox has several mode and gain, which mode and gain you tried? I found that even with sensitive all Balance Armature drivers IEM, Silver Fox was pretty clean (from noise floor), let alone full size headphone. You can start to try with BTL mode, and Low Impedance 2 for gain. Parallel and Active G mode are noisier.

SIlver Fox (afaik) use balance input topology as default, so if you use rca input, the signal will get convert to balance first (thus, create noisier path).

Sound is pretty subjective (based on preference and synergize to set up). SF is pretty clear a step up from V281 for me, but I haven't heard Nimbus. SF is also better than Holo Bliss to drive Raal Immanis though.

 

[lostumpire]

Hello guys I have a couple of questions.
1. Is it really better than Ferrum stack? I’m deciding it.
2. Is there huge sound difference between the Silver Fox and the Little Silver Fox?

 

[hypnos1]

Hello guys I have a couple of questions.
1. Is it really better than Ferrum stack? I’m deciding it.
2. Is there huge sound difference between the Silver Fox and the Little Silver Fox?

Hi L.
Apologies for repeating my own previous findings re. Silver Fox vs Ferrum stack, but after a good length of time living with this beauty now (always necessary to get a true picture of what's happening), I can confirm beyond question that in my system the SF performs to a much higher level in all areas of delivery...full stop. Much more so than I ever anticipated in fact...

 

[lostumpire]

Hi L.
Apologies for repeating my own previous findings re. Silver Fox vs Ferrum stack, but after a good length of time living with this beauty now (always necessary to get a true picture of what's happening), I can confirm beyond question that in my system the SF performs to a much higher level in all areas of delivery...full stop. Much more so than I ever anticipated in fact...

Hi, np Thanks for reminding me.
Is there a “soul” in the Silver Fox?

 

[shwnwllms]

For anyone looking join the Silver Fox club, mine is up for sale in the classifieds (priced to move)

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/cen-grand-9i-906-silver-fox.79039/

 

[hypnos1]

Hi, np Thanks for reminding me.
Is there a “soul” in the Silver Fox?

Well, L, let me put it this way.... For a long time I was hoping an SS amp might come along that could tempt me away from the smooth, fluid, 'organic','with soul' character synonymous with good tube amps/tubes, but also incorporating SS's best qualities. I had thought my Ferrum stack hit the jackpot...until I heard this Silver Fox. And a bitter-sweet revelation it was. I think I've described my own findings ad nauseum (to some, no doubt) enough already lol! ...

 

[mitchb]

I love my SF. I had a Niimbus but when I heard the SF next to it I traded my Niimbus for the SF. I think it’s glorious. It likes the purple fuse I put in it.

 

[lostumpire]

Well, L, let me put it this way.... For a long time I was hoping an SS amp might come along that could tempt me away from the smooth, fluid, 'organic','with soul' character synonymous with good tube amps/tubes, but also incorporating SS's best qualities. I had thought my Ferrum stack hit the jackpot...until I heard this Silver Fox. And a bitter-sweet revelation it was. I think I've described my own findings ad nauseum (to some, no doubt) enough already lol! ...

I love my SF. I had a Niimbus but when I heard the SF next to it I traded my Niimbus for the SF. I think it’s glorious. It likes the purple fuse I put in it.

I am planning to get the Little Silver Fox. Do you guys think the Little one is okay?

 

[hypnos1]

I am planning to get the Little Silver Fox. Do you guys think the Little one is okay?

More than "OK" no doubt, l! At half the price it must represent tremendous value for money. Comparison has been mentioned earlier in this thread, but can't remember by whom - @project86 or @Slim1970 perhaps?

As always, diminishing returns kicks in big time at this high level, and difficult decisions have to be made. Finances depending, I personally now (in my old age) try to go the extra mile when obviously superior components are in the mix, particularly in the power sections, including volume control (far better in SF IMHO).

I myself also like SF's large toroidal transformer over that in LSF, along with the massive space inside the unit...(I now) don't like components crammed inside smaller enclosures lol! (eg as with Violectric and Zahl even). I also like the extra ventilation through both SF's sides...nice touch . But then, its size might just not be suitable for some setups!

All in all, with Big Brother I feel I'm in possession of something extra special and which, of course, also brings that additional psychological/emotional factor to the listening/enjoyment experience....in just the same way as with my much more expensive Denon DCD A110 over my modded 1600NE. The difference in performance isn't huge (especially via digital out), but I don't regret the hit to the wallet one little bit.

And so, as ever...choices, choices... GOOD LUCK!

 

[project86]

Both the big and little Silver Fox devices sound excellent.

Obviously the big model is superior, but whether or not it is worth the extra money is a subjective thing. I would say if you have, or intend to have, a really great DAC, and high level headphones, and tend to listen to better recordings most of the time, you'll appreciate the difference enough to where the OG Silver Fox is worth the price jump.

If you listen to mainly average or low quality recordings (aka potentially great music but not always the best recording/mastering, as is the case with many many albums these days), have mostly midrange level headphones, and a good but not quite amazing DAC, the Little Silver Fox will be just as good as the OG but for significantly less money.

That said, I have used the Little Silver Fox in various $20k+ audio systems and it never disappoints. Is the big version better? Yes. But the Little gets you a huge portion of that same performance at a smaller cost.

 

[mitchb]

I find that the SF make my much less expensive headphones sound good. Although my $10k headphones and cable sound best my $200 headphones sound good. I am using a modified PS Audio DSD Mk1 which of course helps.