Audio-gd NFB-1AMP Headphone Amplifier Review

PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION. KZbin won't let me use annotations to post corrections any longer, so they will now be added to the description.
Audio-gd has a long reputation for making good-value, un-colored audio gear. Based on the Master 9, the NFB1AMP packs much of its capability into a smaller case.
Notes: About the volume, I meant "exponential" not "logarithmic". Thanks to the person that pointed that out.
The amp was provided by Audio-gd for review.
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For a written review with pictures, check out hear.audio

[@arthurwatts1680]

Of all the reviews you posted in 2017, this is my favorite : realistically priced gear that's well designed and well received by the majority of owners. Thanks for the vid Amos.

[@jeremyhunter5592]

Hi Amos great review mate. I just ordered this amp last week. Stoked to see you review this amp. Im looking forward to using this with my ZMF Atticus when it gets here in a couple of weeks. cheers

[@abs2fast2furios]

great, hope to see more AGD reviews. IMO the bang for the buck is unmatched

[@graz62]

ive been looking to replace my darkvoice tube headamp with this one , will it be a huge step up or more a sideways move?

[@vmat377]

I've got a Master 11 paired with HE-1000 v1. The M11 also has the latest firmware update. This firmware update transformed the M11 tremendously. Much more dynamic, particularly with the bass impact. Treble is still smooth too. Doesn't make the HE-1000 sound laid back at all. Great review Amos. Would love to see you review the new Singularity line up.

[@Currawong]

Cheers. I have something in the works about those, so stay tuned.

[@NighteeeeeY]

First of all thanks for the review and the little balanced discourse. Maybe you can answer a question I have. Im fairly new to the balanced game so I was wondering if you could make any headphone balanced? Or does this only depend on the cable itself? And if so what makes the difference? Do you always need detachable cables? Or do you need a seperate left and right channel termination? And if not, does the headphone itself has to be designed to be balance cabled? Even if it was shipped with unbalanced cables? Because I was looking at a good entry level headphone/dac/amp system and until a few days ago I was thinking about the HE400S. Which seems to be unbalanced even though it has 2 seperate connectors. The 400i on the other hand seems to be manageable with balanced cables, and there are some available to order. Now since Ive seen some reviews of the new Monoprice M560 and M1060s. In the review of the M560 Zeos talks about how he made possibly the only balanced cable for them, because it uses a regular 3.5mm stereo connector as far as I can tell and it doesnt matter which side you plug in where, cause the headphone itself manages to choose the right channel since on the one side the tip is hot and on the other side the ring of the connector. Is there any chance I could use a "regular" balanced cable someone made with xlr/3.5mm connectors? Or what is so special about that solution Monoprice went with? And the M1060s use MMCX connectors and I found a cheap ($60) cable from Fidue which is a balanced 2.5mm to MMCX cable and I was wondering if I could use this possibly with an XLR to 2.5mm balanced connector as you have one, to make this headphone balanced. Or are there any other criteria I have to watch out for? (I wanted to use them of course with an balanced dac/amp combo. The entry level way to go would be of course the Schiit Jotunheim, which seems to be good value. However I was looking at the fairly new Aune S6. But I heard that it isnt a fully balanced dac (or amp? i forgot) and only uses a balanced output. What would you think of this? (regardless of being true or not) How would you estimate the change in quality by this? I chose it because its more fitting to my desk design than the silver Schiit (which is a bummer because everybody loves it). Soo...yeah. Do you possibly have other suggestions for a good balanced entry level dac/amp combo? If seen people also love the NFB11. Im confused and helpless.) I would really appreciate your help! Thanks anyway. Cheers

[@naznee73]

Hi ...how would u compare the preamp function of this model to their master 1 preamp. Is master 1 significantly a class above?

[@functionaldoc5054]

Great review as always. Love to see you do the NFB-28 and the NOS 11 . It would be great do best $500-$1000 price range desktop balsnced and unbalanced DAC/amp headphone shoot out . Amos are you attending RMAF this year ? Hope if you come like to meet you. Great blanced between opinion and tech data.

[@Currawong]

RMAF is unfortunately during the middle of my busiest work period, so I don't see myself making it. I'm going to miss SoCal this year as well it looks like.

[@AresPT]

Great review! I'd love to hear your thoughts on their NFB-28.38. Seems to be a comparable amp to this one, but also has a dac built in

[@RaiseYourFamily]

hello! What is the best way to connect DAP to this amp? thanks!

[@kvn864]

great informational video, thank you

[@JoeyB736]

Great video as always man! I just recently got a hd800 and I am loving it. What would be a more musical amp you would recommend over this nfb-1amp in the $500 range? It will be ran through my parasound zdac v2 which has been running my 800's so far with fairly good warm sound, just need better amplification. Thanks for great content!

[@Currawong]

Hard to say. There are a number of tube amps around in that kind of price range if you want something a bit more euphoric-sounding.

[@steviegene4006]

How does this compare to the Oppo HA1?

[@fatdoi003]

Is it possible to do a comparison of their DACs like Master 7, NFB7.77 and R2R 7?

[@jieranli]

I'm curious what kind of cables do you use for these headphones at the end?

[@darkdrift0r124]

How does the nfb 15.32 compare?

[@vt-head7380]

Very informative review. Great job. Do you think all the current schiit sources(dac) suffer from the same technical problem like you experienced with yggdrasil (shorting inputs)? That's one good reason for schiit users (I am one of them) to avoid this product. Also could you explain a bit more how to change the jumper to handle this issue?

[@Currawong]

It's a bit hard to see in the pictures, but once you take the top off, on either side of the four input switching relays, there are pairs of jumpers, the same as you have in computers. They are labelled for what input they affect. See this picture: cdn.head-fi.org/2/24/24d40cb3_Audio-gd_NFB1AMP-6120.jpeg. One pair is centre bottom just above a red capacitor.

[@eukitkuan8288]

Hey Amos, have been enjoying your reviews immensely, keep it up! One question... If this is the cut down in size of the Master-9? What's the equivalent of the Master-7 and Master-11

[@Currawong]

The mid-sized DACs were the DAC-19, but now it would be the R2R 2, which was released recently. They aren't going to release a mid-sized DAC/amp using the new R2R modules due to the size of the boards inside, but instead give customers a discount if they buy a bundle.

[@eukitkuan8288]

What about the NFB28? What are your thoughts on that?

[@lextr3110]

dont forget to fix the noise in your videos recording.. i've heard a lot these noisy videos these days in audiophile lair.. on estats headphones any weird background noise noise in cheaply recorded videos is like having tinnitus on acid, just saying

[@pedropggPP]

What you are saying about the curve of the volume increment I think you actually meant an exponential increment rather than logarithmic if you check both graphs

[@Currawong]

Yup. Brain fart. Someone else already pointed it out.

[@vapelandvn]

So, is this Audio-gd NFB-1AMP worthy with it's price, sir?

[@roberthodge6711]

Thanks for the video! What DAC would you recommend to use with the 1 amp?

[@Currawong]

If you're buying them together, the R1 maybe? Or just get an R28 which is both in one chassis.

[@claudiecotet7927]

Wishes I could understand, what you are talking about. but I feeel, this is a very interesting video.

[@pietrop8956]

Hi, a question about your GD NFB1 AUDIO preamplifier. Could you tell me if it is possible to use the rca outputs simultaneously with the xlr outputs? The xlr outputs I would like to use to enter a power amp, while the rca outputs I would use them to enter a subwoofer filter. I await yours. Thanks so much.

[@Currawong]

hear.audio/faq

[@toofbar3]

Sir, where did you get that 2.5mm Balanced Xlr adapter?, i have been looking everywhere with no avail.

[@Currawong]

Norne Audio has them.

[@ConnectingAudio]

Great reviews. You've obviously been at this awhile. What's your recommendation if someone has both two-cable and single-cable headphones, which I'm sure are most people? Do we go balanced or unbalanced?

[@Currawong]

If the single-cable headphones are AKG models, which are only unbalanced, that pretty much locks you in there. Otherwise it depends on what gear you want to use.

[@ConnectingAudio]

Currawong Thanks, mate. My other cans are TBD as I am currently trying to decide on a pair less than a grand. Otherwise, I have some old Bose QC 3's, Philips SHP9500's, Status Audio CB1's, some HDxxx's coming in December from Massdrop and, again, researching a higher end pair. So many options. Any suggestions? I want them to be "fast" and "out of the way." I like punchy bass, but not Bose bass. I have some hearing loss from DJ'ing in clubs for a decade so things are more muffled for me to begin with. Do I stick with something like Beyers 880, 770 pros or something else in that range or do I save for some Elears or get some Stax with a Woo Wee amp to allow me to use the Stax with my NFB 11.28 amp that's on its way to me? Is the improvement from sub $700 to ones for $1.000 worth the difference? Whatever I buy will be the only one I buy. My use is strictly for music listening sessions, no studio. Thanks for your time and videos!

[@bamboobourgeois]

Could you kindly suggest which interconnects xlr cable I should use with NFB 1-AMP? My dac is on the warm side (TEAC UD-501) and I'd like to maintain the warm sound.

[@Currawong]

I don't have many suggestions for ICs. I usually either buy them from headphone cable makers or I buy second-hand Van Den Hul cables, because from way back that is the brand I have been familiar with.

[@bamboobourgeois]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions

[@BARTSKI75]

How is this preamp with power amp and speakers .. .?

[@Currawong]

I've only used it with active speakers and it has been good.

[@matthewvanlunen5480]

Any comments on it as a balanced preamplifier driving standard xlr (not ACSS)?

[@Currawong]

I only used it with the XLR output.

[@brianpacheco1927]

How do you think it compares to the Schiit Jotunheim?

[@Currawong]

I've zero experience with the Jotunheim. It's a good idea to check the list of gear on the "About" page on my site -- hear.reviews -- first to see if I have experience with something. :)

[@SLSAMG]

What's that big black tube amp called? I must know :)

[@Currawong]

ALO Audio Studio Six

[@bjornnylander1777]

Hey love youre reviews do you have any tips about what dac/amp that would sound great with my Audeze lcd-3?

[@Currawong]

I haven't spent any good amount of time with the LCD-3s unfortunately. However nowadays you can even get relatively inexpensive amps with enough power for most planars. Depending on budget, the LCD-3s will scale pretty far.

[@bjornnylander1777]

i have a chord mojo and i planing i think bying a schiit audio joutenheim for my home setup, resonable?

[@kevinrumley1242]

thanks for the great review. what is that stand you have it placed on?

[@Currawong]

The wood ones in the background are from Codia in Korea. They sell them on eBay, or did last I looked. I have Koss, Sennheiser and Audio Technica hangers on my wood rack.

[@kevinrumley1242]

Thanks so much! You are the best. I love your reviews. And find myself going to you before I make any purchase:) It looks like in this review video that you keep resting the NFB-1 amp on a black metal articulating platform. Is that a codia- cheers

[@Currawong]

It was an old HeadRoom speaker stand for their near-field system. Sadly no longer made.

[@peterjohnson3334]

Hi Currawong, did you have to clear customs or something like that in order to receive the amp?

[@Currawong]

Yes. If buying a product from overseas in pretty much any country it will have to clear customs.

[@peterjohnson3334]

Thanks for answering! Just another question then, how is the procediment to do that? it's complicated?

[@Currawong]

Depends on the country you are in. It tends only to get complicated if you have to pay for customs clearance.

[@TheWretchedWorld]

is the amp section of this the same as the one nfb 28.38? I assume it would be.

[@Currawong]

I don't know about the actual output stage, but the amp is more substantial than the amp in the 28.38 because it doesn't have to share the power supply with a DAC.

[@TheWretchedWorld]

I might just opt for a master 9, use it with my dac1 until I have enough money to buy a higher end dac. Not a fan of combo units as DAC technology is constantly changing/improving. I'm always skeptical of compromise with all in one units.

[@tocotaku4787]

When I spoke with Kingwa about the NFB1 in comparison to the amp of the NFB 28 he said that they are very close to similar sound quality. Which I own the nfb 28 I just use it for it's amp with my balanced dac.

[@brainache555]

One thing i dont understand about this amplifier the corresponding inputs and outputs L and R channel seems to be far apart?

[@Currawong]

It's because internally the Audio-gd products have each channel completely separate. In the largest Audio-gd components, each channel is literally a separate component with an individual board and power supply. The mid-range models, like the NFB-1AMP, combine the power supplies to some degree.

[@flyingdutchman28]

You have a Curta!

[@ultradude5410]

AGD lists its output impedance as 10 ohms, how does that play with the Andromedas?

[@Currawong]

The output impedance is listed as 1 Ohm, here: www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1AMP/NFB1AMPEN_Specs.htm

[@ultradude5410]

Hm, I don't know where I was looking. Thanks for clearing that up! In that case, it seems this amp may be in my future, you've sold me on it!

[@almoskosz7461]

The volume increase you described isn't a logarithmic graph, that would be quite the opposite, it's an exponential one!

[@Currawong]

My mistake, and something I've added to the description as I can't use annotations on the video any longer.

[@hvskyline1368]

My end game setup would probably be the Aries II balanced r2r dac run into the schiit Freya output 1 would be a NFB-1 amp as my solid state then through the nfb1 pre amp into a Tor audio tube amplifier and through output 2 would be my speaker amp with speakers 2 subs and super tweeters im kinda new into the speaker game but so far thats what im gonna work up to haha

[@cdimi13]

can I use iphone 5se as source to headphones or do I need a dac as well?

[@Currawong]

You could use it directly with headphones, but if you listen other than at quiet volumes it will be somewhat lacklustre.

[@cdimi13]

using the iphone as dac through the NFB would be okay?

[@glumfish6862]

cdimi13 It would work but the sound quality would not be as good as the amp. A good DAC is really needed if you want good sound quality.

[@fatdoi003]

can you do a comparison between NFB-1 to M9?

[@Currawong]

Can do. I've been slow reviewing the M9 but I indeed do need to get off my rear-end, pull it out of the rack, take photos and shoot a review.

[@fatdoi003]

great, looking forward to it

[@richbroth3580]

yes please

[@c_o_l_m]

I'd enjoy that comparison. He does imply in this video that the M9 is better but I'd like to hear if he thinks the price difference is justified.

[@lolwutjoe]

Any update on this? I've been using NFB1-AMP for 3 years and plan to upgrade to M9. Been wondering how significant the improvement going to be?

[@MrDobermann79]

Hi whose is the Ether cable?

[@Currawong]

I'd have to go back and check what was on them in the video, but I have a Moon Audio Silver dragon (grey in colour) and a Norne Audio cable (red/brown).

[@MrDobermann79]

thank you. I noticed in your video the master 9, I would like to take it .. do you feel comfortable with him? You notice big differences with the NFB-1?

[@juancamilojaramillomanjarr4239]

Taking into account the sound only, is this amp better than the Jotunheim?

[@Currawong]

I've zero experience with the Jotunheim, sorry.

[@toofbar3]

I have the Jotunheim and am very happy with the sound, the seperation and detail is amazing, sound stage is impressive but you will need good headphones to truely appreciate the Jotunheim, regarding whether these are better than the Jotunheim, the lesser priced NF 11 made by Audio GD are said to be better in detail compared to the Jotunheim and has a stronger amp capable of higher volumes, i would imagine this Dac/Amp would definitely be far better compared to the Jotunheim however the price disparity is something to consider.

[@brainache555]

The jotenheim does not have relay based digital volume control? That alone will prob make this amp sound better.

[@juancamilojaramillomanjarr4239]

In the end I got the NFB1AMP. I am feeding a Focal Elear and a HD800S with it and I am quite impressed with the sound.

[@taiefmiah]

this is a much more powerful amp. the jot is actually outputting about 2+watts.

[@lextr3110]

there is a low noise in the video

[@Currawong]

My mic sux. Sorry.

[@Quimet93]

What about NFB 11.28

[@Currawong]

That's on my list of things, since it was just updated. I need to get through some other stuff first and maybe sort out some mid-range headphones to review it with.

[@Quimet93]

I bought the NFB 11.28 two days ago, now they're selling some units with a discount. I cannot wait to try it out. The updated version uses a better usb interface solving all old driver installation issues.

[@frostzxs]

Just got this amp, noisy... At volume 50 i can hear noise in right channel, at 75-80 noise in both channels. Changing headphones, inputs, outputs, dacs cant solve this... :/ Heavy big box with so much things inside... and so noisy, wtf? 0_0

[@Currawong]

Have you contacted Audio-gd?

[@nizodizo9549]

Your Microphone is making noise.

[@billkillernic]

Strange for a guy with so much audio equipment having so much noise in his video lol

[@Currawong]

No, it's a bad mic.