[bowei006]

Seeing if anyone has anything else to add?

Im currently set on getting an nfb 12.1. I will also be getting the O2

Any last things i forgot?

Ive taken looks at maverick d1, asgard, matrix d stage, odac, ef5 etc etc(some arent dacs) and for $250 total or $215 for device with recommendations from members I know not to be buyers of snake oil. Anything else to add anyone?

Sorry for the unprofessional spelling. I am on my phone making this last call for suggestions.

Please dont recommend any portable ones. Ive had the E17(superb device) but my priorities have changed.

 

[kiteki]

What's the NFB 12.1?
 
 
I'd go for the Asahi AK4396 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-2496-AK4396-CS8416-DAC-R-core-Transformer-case-115V-230V-/110747160549
 
He shipped with DHL for free and it never lets me down.  You'll need a USB->COAX device, this one supports USB 3.0, 24/192 all that jazz - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-New-Musiland-Monitor-01-USD-USB-to-SPDIF-for-DAC-ASIO-32bit-384KHz-USB3-0-/290701960246
 
Replace the NE5532 with a higher-end op-amp like - OPA2111KP AD827JN
 
Listen directly from the RCA into your headphones / IEM and adjust the volume in Foobar, or buy an amp.
 
Just my advice. =p
 
kiteki
 

---

 
Edit:  The reason I bought it is because the AK4396 chip was called the "Miracle DAC" for several reasons when it was released for it's specs.
 
Here is the thread on the diy version - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/186245-dac-2496-ak4393-dac-kit-cs8416-ak4393-5532-a.html

 

[kiteki]

I'd also highly consider the Metrum Acoustics Duo DAC for 199 Euros however I haven't heard that one...........
 
http://www.hifi.nl/recensies/4265/Metrum-Acoustics-NOS-Mini-DACs.html

 

[bowei006]

I don't need a straight DAC so the AK 4396 is out.... I am getting an O2 but I don't know if it will be worth it.
 
I don't need the Musiland and the Metrum does not have enough people that have it for me to get actual information on.

 

[kiteki]

The Metrum Duo doesn't have much information but you can find a lot on the Metrum Octave which is a very similar concept, it's pretty much the exact same DAC except 2 chips versus 8 afaik.
 
I recommend you spend at least 30 minutes reading about the Metrum Octave. =)

 

[Brooko]

Why are you getting both the 12.1 and the O2?  If you get the NFB, you won't need the O2.

 

[bowei006]

Only problem is that I want a combo unit [size=medium]

ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)​

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[Brooko]

Quote:

Only problem is that I want a combo unit [size=medium]

ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)​

[/size]

Yep - the NFB-12.1 is a combo unit - good dac, good amp.  So why the O2 as well?  Or am I missing something?

 

[kiteki]

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

 

[MattTCG]

I'm looking seriously at the nuforce icon hdp. It's a little more, but may be what the doctor ordered.

 

[jackwess]

Matrix M stage (dac version) 

 

[kiteki]

Matrix M-Stage is a clone of a European product.  The Metrum Duo is a pure European product with new innovation at a very low price if these are variables.

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Matrix M stage (dac version) 

I've looked into that. I dropped it off the list due to the fact that it's an amp...and the DAC version has a cheap add on DAC for it.. getting that and then a DAC would be too costly 
 
Quote:

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

I did give some reads but actual posts on it are far too sparse for me to really know what to expect. I also rely heavily on Head-Fi. That is biased and may call me a Head-Fi phobe but I can't post on the other site threads(that are dead) or even have easy availbility to the stuff you recommended. And the stuff you recommended was not what I was looking for. I needed a full unit that has DAC AND driving opamp operations all in one unit for a good price that is around $230 after shipping.
 
Quote:

Yep - the NFB-12.1 is a combo unit - good dac, good amp.  So why the O2 as well?  Or am I missing something?

I am getting the O2 to "learn" and see what the fuss is about with the device. I am getting it for a fantastic price so I thought..why not. And then I will recoup my losses by selling it to another good home
 
JUST BOUGHT IT BROOKO  [size=medium]

t(-_-t)​

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[kiteki]

Nothing special about combo units.  Read the review of the Metrum Duo/Octave versus the Audio-GD NFB 7.1 ($2000 USD) before you decide.

I did give some reads but actual posts on it are far too sparse for me to really know what to expect. I also rely heavily on Head-Fi. That is biased and may call me a Head-Fi phobe but I can't post on the other site threads(that are dead) or even have easy availbility to the stuff you recommended. And the stuff you recommended was not what I was looking for. I needed a full unit that has DAC AND driving opamp operations all in one unit for a good price that is around $230 after shipping.

 
1.  I wanted a popular head-fier like you to try the Metrum Duo.
 
2. The Asahi AK4396 DIY DAC is a "DAC and driving op-amp operations all in one unit" for less than that price, since you can listen directly from the RCA like in this picture
 

 
 
 
Anyway suit yourself and I hope you enjoy the Audio-GD product. =)

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

 
1.  I wanted a popular head-fier like you to try the Metrum Duo.
 
2. The Asahi AK4396 DIY DAC is a "DAC and driving op-amp operations all in one unit" for less than that price, since you can listen directly from the RCA like in this picture
 
 
*snip*
 
 
Anyway suit yourself and I hope you enjoy the Audio-GD product. =)

Number 1:

Oh stop it you [size=medium]

(´･ω･`) . We are both ranking members but that doesn't let us just go around like idiots.​

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I noticed that it had driving power when you said that about the RCA, but I really need a seperate amp addition that has volume and is a traditional real amp.
 
Yes...if I did get it and liked it...you can be sure that people will surely hear about this device as I am a poster and thread poster for stuff...... but it didn't seem...you know..fit for me.
 
I'll be getting the NFB 12.1 and I'l attempt to popularize(get the word out) it if I feel that the price of $215 is good enough.