Digital Drive: REVIEW: Audio GD NFB-8 DAC Processors by jonbee

Model:	NFB-8
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1200
Description:	Async USB DAC w/ Dual Wolfson 1741
Manufacturer URL:	Audio GD
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee on October 25, 2012 at 10:10:44
IP Address: 67.139.104.162 Add Your Review
for the NFB-8

Audio-GD is a Chinese maker of quality audio products, apparently very big in Japan. Unlike many mass produced products, there is a personality (Kingwa) behind these products who is very skilled who is not just a copycat. Head-fi has tons of info on them. Their lower priced ( <$500) DACS and HP amps have a strong following, and their higher end offerings, such as the NFB-8, offering engineering prowess and build quality that is astonishing for the price. The NFB-32 weighs over 30 lbs., and with massive separate power supplies for each fully isolated circuit they look very impressive. I don't usually pay a lot of attention to such techno-wizardry, only the audible results.
Since I built my Ncore amp this summer, I've been trying balanced preamps and cables. I purchased a used 2 box Audio-GD C-3 preamp to test, and when this DAC appeared at a very good price, I bought it too. The NFB-8 uses dual Wolfson WM8741s, and while it has asynch usb ability, I didn't test that.
The NFB-8 is no longer made; current AGD dacs use PCM1704 or ES9018 dacs. (the designer prefers the hard to get 1704).
My current DAC is an Eastern Electric MiniDAC plus (ES9018), with Dexa op amps and no tube. I really like this DAC a lot. The Dexa/no tube configuration is far better than stock, and is very wide range, dynamic, and transparent.
I compared the DACs in my office, where I sit near field, 5 feet from the speakers. I initially begain with my Escalante Juniper speakers, and then decided the higher resolution of the Volent VL-2's ribbon tweeter and wider range overall made for a more microscopic audition of the DACs.
I used coax and toslink cables on both DACS.
I'll make this pretty short. The NFB-8 is a very good sounding DAC. Initially, while I could hear the differences with the EE dac, it took a while to decide which I preferred.
The biggest difference is in bass output. The NFB-8 has more output below 50 hz. I kind of expected that- the massive NFB power supplies are beefier than what's in most amps. Whether this is good or not depends on matchups- the VL-2s have a lot of bass, particularly in my small office, and the NFB-8 added to the surplus. Pretty tight, but just too much. The Escalantes roll off below 50, and I preferred the NFB-8 with them in the bass range. Which is more "accurate", I can't really say.
The other difference is in the overall presentation of the soundstage. The EE dac puts you a bit closer to the events, with a blacker background and more space around the elements, while sounding a bit easier at the same time. Not a huge difference, and the NFB-8 is no slouch in soundstaging, but the EE takes the prize in this area. A cleaner window, if you will. Not day and night, but audible.
Net, I decided to keep the EE dac for my main system- the additional transparency is good, and the bass is wonderful as is in that system.
The NFB-8 cost me half the going price on the Dexa equipped EE, and sounds very nice indeed, so I've decided it will stay in my office system.
I sat and listened for some time late last night and it was very satisfying- nicely presented, with no digital nasties.
Net, at current used prices, these DACS are a great value.
BTW, the current top line AGD dac, the Reference 7, is $1750, and is receiving raves. I'm not surprised.
As a side note, I spent a little time last night with the $1460 list AGD C-3 two box, 50 lb. preamp, and I'm still coming to terms with it. It is without question the fastest, most dynamic and insightful preamp I've ever heard, with astonishing bass depth and slam. All this new information has an effect on the presentation compared to my Bel-Canto PRE3 (and other preamps I've heard), now being more upfront in an already upfront system (the NCore is also upfront). If I keep it there will be more system adjustments to come.

Product Weakness:	Big and heavy. Not quite equal to the best in class in transparency
Product Strengths:	Good soundstage clarity, depth and definition, strong bass. Lots of connectivity options

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Magnum Dynalab MD-208 receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): see review
Speakers: see review
Cables/Interconnects: Anti-ICs, Zu Libtec, glass fiber toslink
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all kinds
Room Size (LxWxH): 10 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: small room- a bit bright,lots of bass
Time Period/Length of Audition: one week
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Magnum Dynalab MD-208 receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	see review
Speakers:	see review
Cables/Interconnects:	Anti-ICs, Zu Libtec, glass fiber toslink
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all kinds
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	small room- a bit bright,lots of bass
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one week
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner