Quote:
Originally Posted by holyharry /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Soundinista, fantastic work on starting such a thread, excellent review. Having spent more time with the amps can you elaborate on the statement quoted above, specifically in reference to the D5000's; and also, would you say the same of the NX-03 paired with the Denon AH-D7000?
Thanks.
|
Thank you much for the kind words! And sorry about the belated response.
When I wrote that review, I had already noticed that there’s good synergy between the NX-03 and both the D5000 and the DT990-600. I meant to convey the idea that the NX-03 was a much tougher competitor against the RPX33 if mated with one of those headphones. Several months later, I can confirm that the claim still seems right to me. In fact, one of the surprises in my Rudi experience is that the DT990-600 sounds better through the NX-03 than through the larger amp. These phones are dark-sounding. Their sound is not in any way improved by that bit of warmth, that bit of lushness in the RPX33’s sound.
But that’s as far as the advantage of the smaller amp over the larger one goes. For all my other phones, the RPX33 is clearly better overall. (So, to your question: For both Denon’s, I prefer the larger amp.) But do notice the “overall” there. The RPX33 is more extended in the highs than the NX-03. And the D7000 is as extended in the highs as they come; very “refined” highs, to be sure, but extended, merciless. Unlike the DX1000, the D7000 doesn’t sugarcoat anything up top. If the recording is perfect, there will be nothing to complain about. Otherwise… So, if you like a little sugarcoating in the highs (I do), just a bit of “insurance” against treble-fatigue, you may prefer the NX-03 for the D7000. But that choice will come at a price. The RPX33 is consistently more three-dimensional than my other amps, with a somewhat wider soundstage.
There’s also this interesting discovery in the last few weeks: The RPX33 responds more clearly to a power-cord upgrade. The stock cord is clearly inadequate for this amp. Anyone thinking of buying the RPX33 should set some cash aside for a good power cord. (SleepyOne has made the same claim in a NeoVibe thread. We’ve both experimented with power cords recently and have come to the same conclusion.) No fancy stuff required; but no less than a 14awg cord either. (I think the stock cord is an unshielded 18awg.) I was so impressed with the gains afforded by a fairly humble 14awg cord that I’ve decide to try out some fancy cords (just received).
