TOPPING NX1 Portable Headphone Amplifier Impressions Thread

[HairyHeadMara]

Selling my NX1 amp if anyone in Australia is interested. No, not because I don't like it, actually I like it a lot - it's because in this hobby I buy / try / sell gear and accumulate far too much gear.  I've had my time with NX1 and want to continue its journey. This isn't to say I might pick up another one in the future or the NX2.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/726957/topping-nx1-portable-amplifier-free-shipping


I will continue to look after the thread and add impressions to the OP etc.....  

 

I just ordered mine yesterday from eBay seller you recommended on first page T-T

 

[H20Fidelity]

I just ordered mine yesterday from eBay seller you recommended on first page T-T

Mine was gone in about an hour, but please don't worry, for the money you spent NX1 will still bring you much happiness. It has small form factor, excellent run times, above average build for its price point and some might say a specific tone to its sound.

Paired very well with T-Peos H-300 hybrid too for some reason. I'm currently hunting another amp down for us, "the next discovery" though options I'm looking at currently aren't this cheap, and it won't be anytime terribly soon. Enjoy your NX1!

 

[HairyHeadMara]

Thanks a lot H20, and looking forward to your next discovery.

 

[DJScope]

Shall we start some hype up for the SMSL M2? 

 

[H20Fidelity]

  Shall we start some hype up for the SMSL M2? 

There's another amp made by SMSL,  SAP-4 which we considered looking at. The form factor is nice however the only real information I can find is from a source I don't trust and it lacks in features.  By all means someone can jump onboard.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SAP-4S-MAX9722-portable-power-headphone-amplifier-CE-FCC-certification-/281176506665?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item41776d0129

Maybe I'll pick one up eventually.

 

[DJScope]

 

There's another amp made by SMSL,  SAP-4 which we considered looking at. The form factor is nice however the only real information I can find is from a source I don't trust and it lacks in features.  By all means someone can jump onboard.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SAP-4S-MAX9722-portable-power-headphone-amplifier-CE-FCC-certification-/281176506665?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item41776d0129

Maybe I'll pick one up eventually.

 
The SaP-4 is a amp only which is, apparently, comparable to the NX1. 
 
The M2 is a DAC/amp for $60 which is a bargain. But, their hasn't been anyone who has done any reviews and impressions on it. This could be one of those hidden gems.

 

[H20Fidelity]

   
The SaP-4 is a amp only which is, apparently, comparable to the NX1. 
 
The M2 is a DAC/amp for $60 which is a bargain. But, their hasn't been anyone who has done any reviews and impressions on it. This could be one of those hidden gems.

So funny you brought the M2 up as it was in my list of things to consider for the "upcoming". Only last night I was showing a friend and thinking about it. 

I actually had to ask them if they'd told you about it. 

 Anyway, go for it mate if you're keen, NX1 will still make many people happy.

Maybe you get in reach with your contact at Topping and ask for an ETA on NX2 sometime.
 

 

[DJScope]

So funny you brought the M2 up as it was in my list of things to consider for the "upcoming". Only last night I was showing a friend and thinking about it. 


I actually had to ask them if they'd told you about it.   Anyway, go for it mate if you're keen, NX1 will still make many people happy.


Maybe you get in reach with your contact at Topping and ask for an ETA on NX2 sometime.

 

Nah I'm not going to buy it. I've already got the E17 and no expendable cash. I'm just curious to see how good they are. I love value for money things.

I'll shoot Topping an email to see if they've got an ETA on the NX2.

 

[HeadFiend]

What makes you guys think there's an NX2 in the works? Did I miss something?

 

[DJScope]

What makes you guys think there's an NX2 in the works? Did I miss something?

 
Look back in this thread. I've posted my email correspondence with Topping themselves. They were the ones who told me that there is a NX2 on the way. 

 

[DJScope]

 
...

Maybe you get in reach with your contact at Topping and ask for an ETA on NX2 sometime.
 

 
Ok I've received a reply and they said that the current design of the NX2 has fail in the EMC test lab. So they're changing the design to retest it. So no ETA at the moment unfortunately. 
 
I've got my fingers crossed!

 

[H20Fidelity]

   
Ok I've received a reply and they said that the current design of the NX2 has fail in the EMC test lab. So they're changing the design to retest it. So no ETA at the moment unfortunately. 
 
I've got my fingers crossed!

 
Give them time, failure is a good sign they're working hard to achieve the right results. I missed my NX1 tonight, I have a new cable I would have liked to try with it.

Damn seller remorse........

 

[Wokei]

Since we be talking about new amp ...me got me self a new Little Bear B-2 amp with 4 op chip for different sound . So far outta box with the JRC4556 chip ..sound very similar with Topping NX1 ..good clarity n detail ,,,no colourisation ...very flat imho ..me like it very much.

Build quality ..like a tank bigger than NX1 ..similar size to me 2.5" Western Digital 1 TB POERTABLE HD.

Still not try the other two Burr Brown chip and NE5532 ...not familiar with all the chip but will change and try with the other 3 chips supplied much later.

Accesorries ..
Package included:
1x Headphone Amp(with 4 OP chips,JRC4556/BB2604/NE5532/BB2134)
1x Velvet Bag,1x chip bag
1x Power supply,match 110-240V,(defaul is US plug.and we had UK,EU,AU for your choice.please notic which you need model in your Ebay order)
2x rubber band

Bought it for USD54.95 ...via eBay ...so far liking the purchase . Here are some pics...










Will take more pics later for size comparison with NX1.....wooooo hoooooo

 

[Wokei]

More pics of Little Bear B-2 for size comparison with Clip Zip, Topping NX1 and Fiio X3.....enjoy

 

[FInixNOver]

I've received my NX1 two days ago. It really is small!
I haven't used it much so far, but my first impressions is that it widened the sound stage from the songs being streamed by Galaxy Nexus. Also the midtones are brighter. It's my first amp, so I don't have anything else to compare it to, so it's just no amp vs amp situation, and I think it has improved my listening so far.
The first time I used it, was with my Sansa Clip +, but I didn't notice the improvements of having an amp (I don't have any hi end headphones, so that could be one reason), but having to pause the music to remove the amp, and resume play is not ideal... but like I said, once I connected it to my phone I started listening to the advantages of having an amp!!  I'm thinking about building a switchbox to make it easier to swap from no amp to amp and vice-versa (just for the sake of science

).
Another thing I will do is listen to lossless audio, 'cause I've only tried it with mp3.
Overall, I'm pleased with this little guy, if nothing else, by it's portability and battery life (which is still to be measure on mine - I have probably 4h of listening time as of this post, so according to your reports, I still have plenty hours left to go).
 
My audio setup is:
Sources:
Laptop ASUS N56VJ (with audio by Bang & Olufsen) - don't know about the DAC inside it though...
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Sansa Clip +
 
Headphones:
Sony Ericsson MH-1 (re-cabled)
AKG K450 (now working with the drivers from my AKG K420, since one of the 450's drivers died)
MEElectronics Air-Fi AF32
MEElectronics Sport-Fi S6P
 
Now some photos of the Amp