I got a NextDrive SpectraX now, and man, DO I LOVE IT!
Let's get to the First Impressions right away
- First, the package. It is pretty essential, nothing too fancy, but it includes a little leather pouch, and the package itself is nice
- It is a really small device, which is build very well, it has a nice form factor, and it doesn't drain too much power from my smartphone (Xiaomi Mi Max 3)
- The device itself looks and feels nice, it is a bit heavier than you'd expect, but it has a full metal body, with a cable covered in fabric.
- The cable is pretty much as flexible as most cables covered in a fabric jacket, like that of my G810 Logitech keyboard.
- There is a LED to let you know that it is turned on, but there are no buttons, all controls being done from the host device
- I have the Type-C version, it is recognized automatically in both Windows and Android, works with my Mi Max 3 smartphone, worked with Mi Max 2, and also works with my windows machine, no drivers needed
- 3.5mm SE jack, it is a jack of all trades, the audio jack is buit well and tight enough to feel secure
- The sound is, in one word, unbelievable. I can't believe they made an OTG USB Soundcard of this size, sound this good. I am not even joking, I know NextDrive is a new company, or at least it is new to me, and I know they don't have a lot of products right now, so I was expecting them to pull a hard one on us, by creating a device that is worth its asking price, but man, I was not expecting them to defy the laws of physics so much.
- Physically, it is barely larger than any other USB OTG thingy, but the little design elements make it stand out as a "cool" and awesome-looking device.
- You may be wondering what I would recommend pairing it with, and well, it is mostly flagships. It just has that kind of detail and driving power / life / vividness in it to make me use it with Campfire ATLAS, HIFIMAN RE2000 Silver, and (SHOCKING) Audeze LCD-MX4. Yes, it has enough power to not only drive LCD-MX4, but to also keep sounding extremely clear and well defined, even at almost max sound levels, which are incredibly high with LCD-MX4.
- I am quite honestly surprised. Not because it sounds good, but because it can sound good in such a sleek form factor.
- From LCD-MX4, to Crosszone CZ-1, to Ultrasone Signature DXP, it just keeps impressing me with a clean, vivid, and clear sound.
- It is mostly neutral, maybe with a slight bright edge, with a deep and quick bass, and mostly natural overall tone. I think it is very organic and musical, and positions itself above most 100 USD DAC/AMP solutions I heard to date, being in line with most 300 USD DAPs, in terms of detail, resolution, technical ability.
- I even connected it to my speaker system, and used it as a soundcard, and it worked flawlessly, pretty much a dream little device for someone looking for a sleek and stylish solution for their sound
[Full Review Incoming]