NFB-8 or NFB-7 ???

[Denys]

Hello everyone....
 
With the sell of my DAC tomorrow night, I will have to make a choice faster than expected..... I need to choose between the NFB-8 or the NFB-7.....
 
I already own the REF-5 so I know about the Audio-GD products.....and I will also ask Kingwa for his thoughts......
 
I will use the next DAC with two tube amps... one to drive my speakers and the other one is a headphone amp.... Now, should I go with the Sabre chip or the Wolfson chip ???? considering both amps are tube amp......
 
I know the Sabre DAC  retrieve a lot of details and the Wolfson is more forgiving.....which one would you suggest ? Also, do I need the DI as well ? All my music is ALAC on my PC, but I may either use the Optical cable or the USB....
 
Any help would be appreciated...
 
Denys

 

[FauDrei]

In NFB-7/8 league and having PC based music I reckon a good USB-SPDIF converter is required. Make it BNC if feasible. It makes more difference than on lower-fi gear.
 
As for 7 or 8 dilemma, with tube amps I'd definitely go 7 (ESS).

 

[axw]

I agree with FauDrei, 7 seems like a better match with tubes. And do not save money on USB converters, NFB-7 is very sensitive to signal quality. It has no DSP as Ref5 and no receiver as 8, just spdif straight to the Sabre chip. Its potential is wasted if it's not paried with something at least on the level of Audiophilleo. I would stay away from DI and M2Techs. The improvement from Audiophilleo (compared to M2Tech Evo) is more substantial than from migrating to NFB-7 from NFB-10ES, btw..

 

[tim3320070]

The 7 especially if you have warm speakers or headphones.

 

[Denys]

Quote:

The 7 especially if you have warm speakers or headphones.

My headphones are HD800... the tube amps are 807, 6SN7 tube and Woo WA6SE with Sophia Princess.
 
Still NFB-7 ??? Or Wyred 4 Sound 2, while we're there !!!
 
Denys

 

[tim3320070]

It's just a guess really, I'm sure either would sound great- they have what anyone needs, a black background and super-high fidelity.

 

[borrego]

Quote:

My headphones are HD800... the tube amps are 807, 6SN7 tube and Woo WA6SE with Sophia Princess.
 
Still NFB-7 ??? Or Wyred 4 Sound 2, while we're there !!!
 
Denys

Although I am an Audio-gd fan (own a NFB-1, DI and waiting for the delivery of an Master 1 preamp), I would say for price the Wyred4Sound Dac 2 will be a better value especially you don't plan to use the NFB-7's ACSS output. Please note that the Wyred4Sound Dac2 uses all the capabilities of the Sabre chip: like the ability to change the digital filter to change the sound flavor, use the digital volume control, I2S input etc. Also the shipping cost of the NFB-7 from China could be dear.