[ljnew]

Any other initial impressions? Did you also get the power supply? Does it drive your hard-to-drive cans well? If you can, can you say where you bought it and what the buying experience was like? Just curious as there aren't a lot of reviews out there!

Ok very source dependant. Switched between n3pro, topping n30 2 and desktop tube amp.

With e30 2 more analytical, much bigger stage. Sounds like desktop amp more so than n3pro.

On desktop tube amp, stage evn bigger imho. Sounds like a real tube. Like the desktop tube. With the desktop dacs, sounds like i definitely don't need the psu, although the psu might be more beneficial.

N3pro tube > desktop tube > kaei super intimate tube sound.



N3Pro ss > KAEI with desktop tube amp sounds phenomenal. I'm impressed. Laid back smooth

 

[ljnew]

Any other initial impressions? Did you also get the power supply? Does it drive your hard-to-drive cans well? If you can, can you say where you bought it and what the buying experience was like? Just curious as there aren't a lot of reviews out there!

In fact. On a budget, i would just get the amp without psu and spend the $100 saved from psu on desktop tube amp from other source, especially if you're into fun and playing with eq on desktop tube amp.

Or you could get the topping e30 2, but sounds better with tube imho.

Or get topping and desktop tube into Kaei

This might be one of the best tube combinations I've heard.

 

[Sharppain]

Is it just me, but it doesn't sound that "tubey" or like a traditional very warm tube? This is only my first impressions though on battery powered

Yes, I have same impressions (longterm) - it is not the warm, top-rolled down, full of plenty harmonics sound reproduction. It is like a hybrid b/w solid state and tube. Very much resembles the tube performance of iFi Pro iDSD.

 

[ljnew]

Yes, I have same impressions (longterm) - it is not the warm, top-rolled down, full of plenty harmonics sound reproduction. It is like a hybrid b/w solid state and tube. Very much resembles the tube performance of iFi Pro iDSD.

Sounds like a super tube when paired with a desktop tubey sound. But don't see a point in having a tube amp that sounds like a smooth ss. Smsl D300 with Rohm sounds like a tube amp to me too.

But tap1s sounds phenomenal with tubey source.

 

[BobSmith8901]

In fact. On a budget, i would just get the amp without psu and spend the $100 saved from psu on desktop tube amp from other source, especially if you're into fun and playing with eq on desktop tube amp.

Or you could get the topping e30 2, but sounds better with tube imho.

Or get topping and desktop tube into Kaei

This might be one of the best tube combinations I've heard.

Thanks for you impressions, really appreciated! I guess my goals are fairly simplistic. I'm just trying to get a semi-portable amp that is able to power some harder to drive headphones like HiFIMan planars and a set of HD-6XX's. If they can do that well and the sound is decent, that would fit the bill. My source would mainly be a Shanling M6 Pro 21 DAP using its 4.4mm output in line-out mode.

 

[ljnew]

Thanks for you impressions, really appreciated! I guess my goals are fairly simplistic. I'm just trying to get a semi-portable amp that is able to power some harder to drive headphones like HiFIMan planars and a set of HD-6XX's. If they can do that well and the sound is decent, that would fit the bill. My source would mainly be a Shanling M6 Pro 21 DAP using its 4.4mm output in line-out mode.

S

Hiby RS6 (is good with HD6XX but not LCD2C) and Cowon PM2. NX7 powers LCD2C better than any portable AMP (XD-05 plus and balanced, ifi xcan, gryphon) I had very recently.

Wondering if anyone test the output power on battery.

Seems like the NX7 might be just as powerful maybe more on battery power but on paper NX7 is supposed to have half the power.

These are initial impressions testing between the two.

Edit:

Maybe I'm reading it wrong and NX7 should have more power because it says times 2?

• 1200mW x2 @16Ω THD+N<0.1%
• 1400mW x2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1%

 

[dsrk]

S

Wondering if anyone test the output power on battery.

Seems like the NX7 might be just as powerful maybe more on battery power but on paper NX7 is supposed to have half the power.

These are initial impressions testing between the two.

Edit:

Maybe I'm reading it wrong and NX7 should have more power because it says times 2?

• 1200mW x2 @16Ω THD+N<0.1%
• 1400mW x2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1%

On battery power NX7 does have more power @32 ohms 1.4w against 1.05w of TAP-1. But @300ohms it is more power 225mW against 180mW of NX7.
It's all on paper, as you have both you can clearly say which one has more power.

 

[ljnew]

On battery power NX7 does have more power @32 ohms 1.4w against 1.05w of TAP-1. But @300ohms it is more power 225mW against 180mW of NX7.
It's all on paper, as you have both you can clearly say which one has more power.

It says it should have tap-1 balanced 2 watts at 32 ohms on battery. Am i missing something? I'm supposed to divide by two?


Maximum Output Power (L+R):
1. Battery Mode (Portable Mode):
Balanced Single-Ended
3000mw (16Ω) 1200mw (16Ω)
2100mw (32Ω) 700mw (32Ω)
1100mw (100Ω) 440mw (100Ω)
450mw (300Ω) 200mw (300Ω) 2. Desktop Mode:

 

[dsrk]

It says it should have tap-1 balanced 2 watts at 32 ohms on battery. Am i missing something? I'm supposed to divide by two?

Yes, they are combined numbers for both left and right.

 

[ljnew]

Yes, they are combined numbers for both left and right.

Wow. NX7 is like half the size but more power in most cases. I also have l30 2 e30 2 stack. E30 2 by itself is meh.. But that combo is amazing. Bests even my m17 imho which is 5 times the price. Especially with mest mkii. Makes me want to buy the G5. G5 has more power as well.

 

[ljnew]

Btw, does the KAEI hiss/hum or is it dead quiet when your IEM/headphones are plugged in but not playing any tracks?

Hum noise from tubes

 

[ljnew]

BTW, the Zing Noise will disappear or will be noticed in the background, after 15 minutes when the tube already warm...
0 dB Gain (Hi gain), ZMF VO become more enjoyable...

TGIF...

Does the tube need 15 minutes to notice a sound difference?

 

[ljnew]

How so ? I was just looking into it! An interesting set for sure

Does anyone know the voltage out on the PSU ?

Do you know if i can use a different psu? Was going to buy one on Amazon.

 

[Whitigir]

Do you know if i can use a different psu? Was going to buy one on Amazon.

Nope, I have not

 

[Sharppain]

No hissing