Price tag of $ 1000 for a stationary digital-to-analog converter with the function of a headphone amplifier is no longer the "top", and many manufacturers scoff at fans of high-quality sound, exposing prices in excess of several thousand. The more valuable in our time is the products that can give good quality at an affordable price. The company Audio-Gd is one of the manufacturers of such devices, and their "harvester" NFB-11 recently updated well, and I'll tell you about it today.
I always take interest in such budget models with interest because they allow to "close the issue" of the source of music for those who have not fallen into the final audiophile and are not ready to spend tons of money. It is especially interesting in the case of budget models from companies offering top solutions, since many "chips" of older models in this case will inevitably pass to the younger ones (as, for example, some ideas of "Formula 1" are introduced over time into the mass automotive industry).
In the case of NFB-11, this feature became a proprietary amplifier circuit from Audio Gd. This combine uses the older DAC from ESS Technologies, Saber 9018. Usually it can be found in much more expensive models ( you can only for 320 dollars). To improve performance, the chip is configured to work with a current output (voltage output is 12 dB worse in terms of signal-to-noise ratio). Usually, in this mode of DAC connection in the amplifier, 3 more OC chips are required. In Audio-Gd, we used our own amplifier circuit without feedback on discrete components. This made it possible to greatly reduce the signal path, and, according to the developers, to provide the most non-colored sound of the Saber 9018.
Also, special attention was paid to power supply, somewhere around half the space inside the device is assigned to a transformer and the necessary harness providing stable power without interference. In the 2015 version, the power of the transformer was increased from 20 to 35 watts.
For those wishing to achieve better sound quality, there is an option of installing improved clock for the DAC and USB chip.
Specifications
- Signal to noise ratio: 118 dB
- Level (headphone output): 10 VRMS
- Level (adjustable line output): 5 VRMS
- Level (unregulated line output): 2.5 VRMS
- Power: 3500 mW @ 25Ω, 1800 mW @ 50Ω, 150 mW @ 600Ω
- Output Impedance: 2Ω
- Maximum sampling rate: 384 kHz USB, 192 KHz Coax, 96 kHz optics
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz (-0.2 dB)
- Power consumption: 12 W
- Dimensions (with legs): 180 mm × 220 mm × 55 mm
- Net weight: 2 kg
Packing and delivery kit
The NFB-11 box is traditionally without any frills, ordinary brown cardboard with foam inserts inside, reliably protecting the device. In the kit, in addition to the combine itself, you will receive a power cord, a USB-cord (the most common one) and a pair of spare self-adhesive legs, if suddenly those that are already pasted will fly off.
Also in the box put a small set of parts, as I understand it, in case of possible repairs (the first time I meet such forethought).
Design and management
For its price this combine is made very well. The case, albeit of thin, but metal with ventilation holes at the top and bottom. Its dimensions are quite compact, so it can easily be placed on the desktop. The device itself is surprisingly light, so you need to ensure it's reliable contact with the table, so the silicone feet will fix it from unwanted movements.
All controls are traditionally located on the back and front panels.
At the rear are the inputs: power connector combined with a switch, USB input, coaxial and optical S / PDIF, as well as a pair of RCA line out connectors. If desired, the RCA connector of the coaxial input can be replaced with a BNC (made by the manufacturer).
The front panel housed the output to the headphones and all controls. The first three-position switch allows you to choose where to output the sound: headphone output, line output with volume control and without it. The following switch is used to select the gain: high or low. Nearby there is a silver volume knob, a good variable ALPS resistor is used, so noise during adjustment and unbalance of channels are practically absent. The last to the right is the three-position input selection switch: USB, optics or "coke".
In principle, the appearance is quite ascetic, but everything is collected well, no noticeable flaws are observed.
In this amplifier Audio-Gd for some reason implemented a hardware switch that turns off the headphones as soon as the input stops receiving an audio signal. This is not a problem, but quiet periodic clicks of the relay can make a little of yourself.
Sound
The following equipment was used to listen to the amplifier:
- MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Headphones Philips Fidelio X1, AKG K702, ZMF Fostex, Fischer Audio FA-003 Bog Oak Limited Edition, Fischer Audio FA-011 Limited Edition Japan, Sennheiser HD800
- Entries in lossless format
I do not know how close to the truth of the developers' statement about "the most accurate transmission of the character Saber 9018", but the sound of this combine is really similar to the one that is usually expected to hear this chip. It is almost neutral, with a slight bias in light sound, the pitch differs in volume, high detail and excellent speed. The noise level is low enough, if you do not take the most sensitive headphones, it is almost not audible.
The bass is collected and neat. Quantitatively it is a lot, but slightly insufficient to correct the nature of light headphones and to satisfy fans of excess LF. There is an excellent speed, texture transfer, all that is necessary for a good bass. Complex instrumental lots of low-frequency instruments NFB-11 unweighed and fed with good control and authority. Drums Ondeokza sound very tight and vital.
The midrange is the sheer edge of this device. Thanks to the excellent resolution and high-speed characteristics, all the nuances of the voice and most instruments are well transferred. All sound sources are well positioned and separated from each other, this contributes to the creation of a three-dimensional imaginary scene. The vocals of Knopfler are transmitted with all the subtle nuances, and the piano recordings make one believe that the listener is really in the concert hall.
The upper frequencies are also perfectly detailed, they are light and long, although they are a little more than necessary (at least for my taste). This problem can be solved by proper selection of headphones, it is enough to choose a model with a darkened feed. The most complicated ligature of special effects Mars Volta - bewitching and completely immerses in music.
Compatibility
Based on the sound handwriting, this device is better suited for dark and neutral headphones. Light models can be unnecessarily bright (although this is already an amateur). Well NFB-11 showed itself with Philips and ZMF, also nicely opened the phishers. AKG K702, despite the very good opening, sounded a little thin. The same Sennheiser to this device is clearly contraindicated.
The combine is quite critical to the records, poor mixing and blemishes of mastering are audible with it very much. Listening to MP3 low bitrates is not possible at all. Genre I would advise him first of all for fans of instrumental music, vocals, live recordings, where resolution, volume and medium frequencies are important.
A few examples of tracks that are well suited to this combine.
Massive Attack - Teardrop. The records of these trip-hop monsters are always good material for tests. In their tracks there is everything, from deep bass to soft percussion. Resolution NFB-11 helps him cope with the introductory theme of the famous TV series.
Tuomas Holopainen - A Lifetime of Adventure. A solo project of "mega-brain" Nightwish clearly showed who is the main composer's talent in the band. A light symphonic poem, pierced with a complicated vocals, is also being revealed by the CAC in full.
Pink Floyd - Sum. Background, almost ambient entry smoothly turns into a typical "Floyd" track that makes you remember the best work of the band, and thanks to NFB-11 Guilmore guitar is recognized from the very first chords.
conclusions
A very good device for those who want to get a DAC on the older Saber with all its features: detail, resolution, speed and light feed with slightly accented midrange and high frequency. In the company's lineup there is almost the same NFB-15 harvester, which is cheaper and uses a Wolfson chip, with the consequences (a more smoothed feed with less granularity), it is also a very interesting option for consideration.
The article is based on materials .
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