[OctavianH]

Hi guys,
 
Since my last PC upgrade I cannot use anymore my Xonar Essence STX II because all PCIe slots are covered by the Cooler or video cards. So I am looking for an external amp for my speakers or at least my headphone (which are Beyerdynamic T5p). I do not want it because I own high impedance headphones (maybe in the future), but for sound quality. I think the best solution is an amp with optical input. Can someone recommend one for me? Thanks!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Amplifiers are analog and would not have a optical (digital) input.
External DACs (Digital to Analog Converter) would come with a optical input.
So I'm assuming what your looking for is an external DAC and external amplifier or a combined all in one DAC/amp.
 
It would help if you listed a budget for the external DAC/amp?
 
As you have nice headphones, I would say to check out the Audio-GD NFB-11, external DAC/amp.
You looking at around $370-$410 to have it arrive at your front door.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB112014/NFB112014EN.htm

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hi guys,
 
Since my last PC upgrade I cannot use anymore my Xonar Essence STX II because all PCIe slots are covered by the Cooler or video cards. So I am looking for an external amp for my speakers or at least my headphone (which are Beyerdynamic T5p). I do not want it because I own high impedance headphones (maybe in the future), but for sound quality. I think the best solution is an amp with optical input. Can someone recommend one for me? Thanks!

 
AudioGD NFB-15

 

[OctavianH]

Thans for suggestions, I will definitely check AudioGD NFB-15.
 
I was looking also at iFi Audio Micro iDAC2 but I am not sure it is what I need.

 

[OctavianH]

Yep, after some googling, I could not find any local shop or amazon link for AudioGD NFB-11 or 15. It seems it can be bought only directly from the vendor?

 

[swannie007]

Check out the Beresford Bushmaster Mk II which is a combo dac and headphone amp which also has optical inputs as well as spdf. 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Yep, after some googling, I could not find any local shop or amazon link for AudioGD NFB-11 or 15. It seems it can be bought only directly from the vendor?

 
Can't find it on their site any more either but the NFB-11 is still  around.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB112014/NFB112014EN.htm
 
How to order:
http://www.audio-gd.com/Shop-EN.htm
 
Some countries also have dealers (near the top of the page):
http://www.audio-gd.com/Products-EN.htm
 
Also, if you aren'tcomfortable with that order process even with PayPal, or you won't spend any more for the NFB-11, you can get this for $99 from Amazon. Haven't started on the review and comparo but so far it's close enough to how I remember my Cantate.2 (which isn't working right now and the guy who was going to fix it was busy the past few weeks, as I was), unlike the sharp treble on the first back up amp I got. Note though that if this was selling for its original $250 price I'd much rather get the AudioGD, or Schiit.
http://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00TA6Z8XY

 

[PurpleAngel]

   
AudioGD NFB-15

 
Audio-GD no longer makes the NFB-15.

 

[OctavianH]

I think that I would need beside the headphone amp also an RCA output to pass the sound to my speakers. The integrated soundcard si not comparable to my previous Xonar Essence so I think that I would better find a solution for both speakers / headphones. The speakers are active.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Audio-GD no longer makes the NFB-15.

 

Already addressed that one post above that. 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctavianH /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I think that I would need beside the headphone amp also an RCA output to pass the sound to my speakers. The integrated soundcard si not comparable to my previous Xonar Essence so I think that I would better find a solution for both speakers / headphones. The speakers are active.

 

AudioGD NFB-11 has a switch in the front to select output, no need to pull the headphone out of its socket if you want to switch to speakers. The only alternative for all your requirements within that price range would be the Schiit Magni2 Uber and Modi2 Uber together. If you don't mind used products, look for AudioGDs, or the NuForce Icon HDP.

 

[OctavianH]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Please consider that I need to link this device to a PC. So via SP/DIF or USB it has to work with a Win 10 PC where I store all my FLAC files.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctavianH /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Thank you all for your suggestions. Please consider that I need to link this device to a PC. So via SP/DIF or USB it has to work with a Win 10 PC where I store all my FLAC files.

 

Windows is all that I'm sure it works with as it doesn't work with Androids, however I'm not sure if it's already working with no issues on Win10. Check in threads like the one below and ask if anyone's had any issues on Win10. In any case if there is it's very rare that such problems arise with SPDIF - these are almost exclusively a problem with USB.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/624517/audio-gd-nfb-11-32-nfb-11-2014-delivery-impression-thread

 

[OctavianH]

OK, I wrote to Audio-GD for a quote related to NFB11 and shipment to my country. The input will be digital (optical) from my existing motherboard and the plan is to use the RCA out to some active speakers I am currently using. Beside them, I will use my headphones (Beyerdynamic T5p and Grado 325is).

 

[OctavianH]

OK, NFB11 was ordered and paid. Now I wait for the guys to send it... and let's hope I will not wait too much.
 
In the meantime I saw something interesting from Marantz:
http://www.stereolife.eu/reviews/item/1044-marantz-hd-dac1
 
Has anyone tried it? Seems really nice at that price range, and it has a lot of connectivity.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  OK, NFB11 was ordered and paid. Now I wait for the guys to send it... and let's hope I will not wait too much.
 
In the meantime I saw something interesting from Marantz:
http://www.stereolife.eu/reviews/item/1044-marantz-hd-dac1
 
Has anyone tried it? Seems really nice at that price range, and it has a lot of connectivity.

 
It took 5 days from the time i paid for my NFB-15, for it to arrive at my front door, in California.