Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO: Harman Tuning Mastered? (Feat. Dan Clark!)

[panzerfan]

I wondered the same thing but I think that boat has already sailed with this headphone. Unless Dan surprises us latter, I think the new Noire XO would be the open back E3, because Dan says he doesn't de-feature their headphones, meaning this should have the same technical capabilities (or better) as the E3 but has a slight alternate sound at a cheaper price. I own the E3 and I prefer it to the Stealth for example but I know it comes down mostly to the sound signature because they both have top tier technical capabilities. I think when something very new comes down their pipeline such as a new AMTS system or a completely redesign of their drivers, we won't see anything related to the Ether series again (the E of E3 stands for Ether if I understand correctly). At that point it would be in the form of an E4.

As a side note, as an owner of an E3 I would say that if someone could get 95% of the same headphone at a cheaper price I would absolutely recommend it, whether that is Noire X or the new XO. The E3 made me feel for the first time like every other more expensive headphones will be just a side upgrade to it.

I need to get ahold of E3 one of these days. NX completely floored me to the point that I don't think there is any closed back under its price that I would bother with. I would rather buy kilobuck IEMs. Open back wise, HEKSE is on my radar atm.

 

[Nick24JJ]

@mrspeakers

Could you please confirm whether the FiiO BTR17, when used in Bluetooth mode with its 3.5mm output, has enough power to drive the Noire XO effectively? If not, would the 4.4mm balanced output be sufficient to do so?

BTR17 specifications

Thank you very much!

 

[mrspeakers]

OK, that’s just bananas cool, what a fun project! Hope to see it or hear it when it’s done!

Stealth has some definite technical advantages, particularly distortion and ability to handle very high SPL, but for most use E3, Noire X, and NOIRE XO all put out a big soundstage. Of E3, NX, and NXO though, the XO has staging that comes closest to Stealth, being open back gives it a leg up. If you want closed I’d still look at Stealth or E3 based on tone preference.

 

[mrspeakers]

@mrspeakers

Could you please confirm whether the FiiO BTR17, when used in Bluetooth mode with its 3.5mm output, has enough power to drive the Noire XO effectively? If not, would the 4.4mm balanced output be sufficient to do so?

BTR17 specifications

Thank you very much!

Short answer is yes, 330mW at 16ohms is plenty unless you are trying to recreate a dance club…. The 4.4 would still be my preferred output though, in part because it has more power still, and also because the 4.4mm connector is just better and more reliable. THD on balanced outputs is much lower, though the 3.5 THD is still below any level of concern.

 

[panzerfan]

Short answer is yes, 330mW at 16ohms is plenty unless you are trying to recreate a dance club…. The 4.4 would still be my preferred output though, in part because it has more power still, and also because the 4.4mm connector is just better and more reliable. THD on balanced outputs is much lower, though the 3.5 THD is still below any level of concern.

Can confirm. I used NX with BTR17 for outdoor testing. 4.4mm if you need extra headroom for EQ, 3.5mm is more than enough even for listening in public. And I am talking about just off of Bluetooth, where BTR17 on 3.5mm only goes to 140mW at 32 ohms instead of 280mW.

 

[Nomax]

Yes, the mountains here in Austria are still something beautiful and worth seeing



NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[baseball8793]

so is the XO better than the Austrian Composer and or E3 in your opinion

 

[panzerfan]

so is the XO better than the Austrian Composer and or E3 in your opinion

Yes, the mountains here in Austria are still something beautiful and worth seeing



NOMAX

PS.lol

DMS said that NX and NXO are very similar, even in soundstage. What do you think?

 

[baseball8793]

can someone compare the Abyss Joal with the XO

 

[Charade19]

Yes, the mountains here in Austria are still something beautiful and worth seeing



NOMAX

PS.lol

Not to detract from the thread, but my goodness you have one heck of a view. I am envious.

 

[Nomax]

Not to detract from the thread, but my goodness you have one heck of a view. I am envious.

That's why I hope I'll live to see DCA find a way to make its models easy to drive in the foreseeable future
Not everyone owns a Lotoo with which you can listen to your music on the terrace .... because the XO is even harder to drive than X

NOMAX

PS.but I think even in the US there is a nice place on the beach where you can enjoy your tracks in the morning or at sunset

 

[paramac]

It's a shame. The Noire X and now the XO would be great. The sound (probably, since I haven't been able to form my own opinion yet), the design, and the compactness thanks to the ingenious folding mechanism would also make them attractive for mobile use.

But unfortunately, they are only of limited use as mobile DACs, which is important to me. Then they would definitely be on my shortlist if I needed them.

 

[Beagle]

Looks like yet another winner from DCA. The thought of an open-back E3-like signature makes me quiver with anticipation. I guess it's a must-buy for me.

 

[Viper780]

Which DAC - KHV you are using?
I have a Fosi DS2 with DCA Aeon 2 Noire which are a bit more demanding than the N X and N XO.

If you don't EQ the Bass or listen with very high volume the small Dongle does a very good job on driving the headphone. Not much difference to my larger and powerful desktop setup

 

[mrspeakers]

Off to Munich see you there!