Got a package - will there be a NX-02 inside? (warning: pic inside)

[Cris]

Hi

Yesterday I received this little package:


guess what's inside:



ok, ok no more secrets

:



More impressions when time allows it...

 

[Cris]

Ok, here some of my first sound impressions.

Setup
I compared the NX-02 with the only other amp I have - a PortaCorda MKIII USB. This is not a fair comparison but the best one I can provide. Please also note that the NX-02 is connected with a K1 while the PortaCorda is only interconnected with a cheap cable.
I assume that the source is the weakest link but I have no idea how good or bad the Sony CDP CX-455 really is.
Oh - and the cans of course: I used my Ultrasone Proline 750.

The Sound
There is more airiness in the sound of the NX-02 (not as compressed as with the PC). Picking out details is more easy and the instruments and voices seem to be wider apart. The PortaCorda has a warmer sound in opposite to the little brighter sound of the NX-02. What I found remarkable is that the sound got wider and still was more engaging without putting the midrange to the back.
The only flaw I found so far is, that the somewhat bright sound is not that pleasing with some of the rock titles. But I still have to verify this because it also could be because of the bright recording of these tracks.
This is the part that confuses me a little bit because the NX-02 / PL750 combo should be very pleasing for rock. But the rock tracks where the only ones where I missed the WOW effect.
So far I could not detect a difference in bass performance (but have not yet found a suitable track to really test it).

So over-all I am very pleased with the performance of NX-02. I didn't expect a so noticeable difference. I still have to find out how the NX-02 handles rock music and have a closer look at the bass.

Music I used:
So far I listened to Rebecca Pidgeon, Vivaldi Flute Concertos OP3, HipHop (e.g. Absolute Beginner), and different rock titles.

 

[Solude]

Give it time to burn/settle. After 100 hours it should have more bottom end and a smoother top end. That's generally what I experience with electronic device burn in.

Got to love the size of the Rudi stuff though. Nothing dinky about them

 

[Andrea]

Hi Cris,

Congrats on your new setup

(and the nice looks of it

)


May I ask you what kind of power supply you used for the Porta Corda when comparing it to the NX-02 ? Would be helpful for me, thanks!

 

[Cris]

@Solude:
Hi
Rudi told me that there is no need for any additional burn in time. But maybe my ears need a little time to adapt

.

@Andrea:
Thanks,
Yes it's great looking - it is so cool when the front plate reflects the colors of the surrounding.

Yesterday I used an old power supply from a mobile phone charger (I thing about 12V). But today I received the new power supply (product,thread ) with regulated 24V. Don't know if there will be a noticeable difference.

 

[Jahn]

Um, it's blue. and so are your cans! Funky! Nice impressions, it's good to hear reviews of amps we haven't discussed to death yet!

 

[Cris]

@Jahn:
Yes, Rudi built a version of the NX-02 especially for the Ultrasone PL2500. So this is the reason why there is a blue front plate available. The standard version is black.

 

[Oski]

Wow, congrats Cris. Thanks for the impressions and the pictures too. It's great to be able to get more information on Rudistor's products which there is a dearth of here on Head-Fi. Keep up updated with further impressions when the amp settles in and you've gotten adjusted to the sound.

 

[gpalmer]

Wow, it's very blue!