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So I put the MOON opamp into the NFB 5.
If there is a difference from stock, sure as hell could've fooled me.
All this has done is convince me that opamps rolling is some placebo effect. It sounds almost the same as ACSS, VERY little difference. MOON was supposed to give a tube-like sound. I'm not getting that whatsoever. ACSS is still clearer, but MOON didn't sound any difference from stock opamp. Guess this was a $25 test that failed. I'll be sticking to ACSS. To anyone that gets the NFB 5, it's a great piece of equipment which I can recommend as an all in one solution. I'd save up and not buy any opamps or magical voodo. The ACSS connection is superior.
Unless you need to change the line out, I wouldn't ever bothering to open the case. the line out stock is set to variable, meaning whatever is connected to the line out is volume controlled by the NFB5, which I don't want since the line out is being fed to the E9 which has it's own volume control). I opened it up, and attached a supplied piece as labeled on the website to set my line out to fixed.
BTW, the DAC/HP button set to 3 and 4 is for the line out. 3 is for ACSS, and 4 is for OPAMP. Again, even with the E9, going from ACSS to Opamp Moon yields very little difference. ACSS is still better.
Okay, so quick comparison between NFB 5 vs E9.
NFB 5 is definitely superior. HOWEVER, talking about a very VERY slight difference with the Q701. So don't expect miracles. You want DEFINITELY better, I suggest a new headphone over amps. The E9 sounds harsher and thinner, where the NFB 5 sounds thicker and more balanced. It is an upgrade, but not one that will have you jumping out of your seat. I'd say it's less than 10% better.
I can't directly A/B E7 vs NFB 5 dacs, as my E7's dock connection is broken. The NFB 5's DAC plays very nice with the E9 though.
If there is a difference from stock, sure as hell could've fooled me.
All this has done is convince me that opamps rolling is some placebo effect. It sounds almost the same as ACSS, VERY little difference. MOON was supposed to give a tube-like sound. I'm not getting that whatsoever. ACSS is still clearer, but MOON didn't sound any difference from stock opamp. Guess this was a $25 test that failed. I'll be sticking to ACSS. To anyone that gets the NFB 5, it's a great piece of equipment which I can recommend as an all in one solution. I'd save up and not buy any opamps or magical voodo. The ACSS connection is superior.
Unless you need to change the line out, I wouldn't ever bothering to open the case. the line out stock is set to variable, meaning whatever is connected to the line out is volume controlled by the NFB5, which I don't want since the line out is being fed to the E9 which has it's own volume control). I opened it up, and attached a supplied piece as labeled on the website to set my line out to fixed.
BTW, the DAC/HP button set to 3 and 4 is for the line out. 3 is for ACSS, and 4 is for OPAMP. Again, even with the E9, going from ACSS to Opamp Moon yields very little difference. ACSS is still better.
Okay, so quick comparison between NFB 5 vs E9.
NFB 5 is definitely superior. HOWEVER, talking about a very VERY slight difference with the Q701. So don't expect miracles. You want DEFINITELY better, I suggest a new headphone over amps. The E9 sounds harsher and thinner, where the NFB 5 sounds thicker and more balanced. It is an upgrade, but not one that will have you jumping out of your seat. I'd say it's less than 10% better.
I can't directly A/B E7 vs NFB 5 dacs, as my E7's dock connection is broken. The NFB 5's DAC plays very nice with the E9 though.