Audio-GD NFB-11

I thought I'd may as well make a thread for this, seeing as I haven't seen one/couldn't find one in search.

Essentially, in my opinion, this is probably the best under-$400 (or even $500) amp/DAC combos out there if the NFB-15 is any indication (or the NFB-28 for that matter.) Audio-GD does some magical with their implementation of SABRE that renders it not-crappy and glare-filled. I'm going to have mine tomorrow. Fun times.

 

Should be a solid unit. My NFB28 has served me well in the last year or so that I've had it.

 

It served me well as well...until I sold it to you, haha.

It's been a great unit so far.

 

So Paco, what are your thoughts on this unit? I am considering purchasing one for my secondary setup.

 

It's a great smooth amp with tons of power. Some people find it warm (which is odd for a sabre) but I found it very neutral compared to the wolfson units.

It has a certain impact to it that is quite nice.

 

Strange that there isn't more regarding this superb piece of kit on SBAF.

I have a 2017 NFB-11 (bought in March prior to the June NFB-11.28 version) and I just love it. All the upgrades (TCXO etc).

Not sure what to call it though! Correspondence from Audio-GD stated 11.28 but it does not have the ES9028/Amanero upgrades. And it's not the 11.32 either...?
Anyways, call it what you like it's a brilliant unit feeding my DT990/770 Pro 250 as well as K612 Pro. I have not heard a better performing amp/dac at anywhere near its price. Mid-Fi perhaps but it doesn't sound mid-fi to me. In fact I chose it over the Woo WA3/Modi 2 Uber/uDSD after some serious auditioning. I felt that I did not need to spend more to get the quality I was looking for and I still feel that way.

I listen mainly to Hard Rock/Symphonic Rock/Metal/Classic Rock along with a fair bit of Classical and the NFB-11 works with all of it - a terrific all-rounder.
Source is i5 Win7 Pro - MC20 (ASIO) - AQ Pearl

Be nice to read more feedback and opinions of the NFB-11 on this forum.

 

Incredible, this right here is once-in-a-lifetime level lo-fi.

 

LOL, pervaded dullness is right. Totally dead sounding, with blunted transients and complete lack of micro-dynamics. Listen to some 90s alternative and power riffs sound like porridge. It seems to be most offensive in the upper mids which is also where the ESS nasties reside the most heavily, can't help but wonder if that's intentional. I feel really bad in retrospect that I wasn't harder on the amp section when I reviewed the NFB-28 way back, but I was naive and lacked the experience.

 

The NFB11 is a great sounding unit in my book. This was never intended for publication and comes from a private whatsapp chat, does reflect my thoughts at the time despite many typos and poorly made comments ...

Right some thoughts on the Jotunheim and NFB 11. I had the Jot on loan for a week or so and more recently the 11. The stints were about 3 weeks apart, so no AB listening.
Jot is a very nice amp. No real complaints. It does everything rrasonably well with no obvious shortcomings. I had it on exclusive use for most of the week, and at one point remarked that it could be end game kit for all but the nuttiest of enthusiasts.
However when switching back to more exotic gear I realised what was missing. The subtle graduations in tonality and timbre and loudness that creates a more vivid, emotionally engaging experience is somehow a little compressed and bleached. Having said that in absolute terms the differences are rather small.
The 11 reminded me of the Audeze Deckard. A less powerful Deckard and one that gets ruffled a bit easier, but the same rich and warm yet clear and detailed signature. It has all the soul the Jot doesnt and to my tastes it is the more enjoyable (but not most accurate) of the two. But like the Jot the 11 has shortcomings. At low to medium listening levels it sounds wonderfully composed, but as volune increases dynamics become compressed, images gets blurred, details get glossed over and the illusion snaps out of focus.
As pure DACs I would rate these two equals.
Both are excellent choices and offer sound value for money. I do however think they will appeal to different listeners. Also the Jot's balanced mode is not matched by the 11, the merits of which may end up in another revolving door argument.
In terms of build quality both are very well made but compromises were made ... the Jot has plastic 6.35mm socket and the 11 has facia toggles that look and feel plasticky.

 

Hmm. I have the NFB1 amp, and it sounds pretty good to me with my headphones (HE-6, HE-560, HD-650, LCD-2.2c, E-MU Teak, ...), though I haven't tried nearly as many amps as the folks here have (and basically no "high-end" amps). I also have a Bottlehead Crack w/Speedball, but I really only use that for the HD-650's. Now I'm interested in trying some other amps with my cans, especially if I can get something reasonable that will sound significantly better.

For those that find the NFB1 amp to be dull, would you attribute that to the preamp or amp section (or both)? I ask that question, because I do find the preamp functionality (including the stepped attenuator and remote control) to be very convenient with my active monitors, but if the preamp is underwhelming too, I'd be interested in exploring other options there, as I probably use those speakers as much as I use headphones.

Thanks for any input that can be provided. It's certainly enlightening to hear specific impressions about my amp (even though unfavorable) from folks with greater experience than I have. And here I thought that the NFB1 amp was a good deal for its feature-set...

 

I had the nfb1, didn't reealize how bad it was until my bw2 arrived. I think that why audio gd is so popular on head-fi. What have they heard to compare it to

 

Would love to see some price relevant GD vs Schitt vs xxx blind listening results.

 

Are you saying a blindfold will make the AGD not sound like porridge? Or will it make the Schiit sound like porridge? I'm not sure which alternate reality is more scary.

 

What's xxx blind testing? Sounds like something from 50 Shades of Grados.

 

Damnit, do you know what Guinness does to my sinuses? You bastards. You owe me.

Where the hell did I put my blindfold...

LOL

 

Not sure but I do know a teaspoon full of Schiit destroys a bucket full of porridge despite having an insignificant, practically imeasurable effect Schiit/Nonschiit Ratio.

Now how did we get from pervaded dullness to perverted dildos?