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Topping NX3s Headphone Amp
01 / 08
Topping NX3s Headphone Amp
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Product Description
An ideal pairing for your smartphone or portable digital audio player, the Topping NX3s headphone amplifier is designed to drive headphones and IEMs with low distortion and noise. It significantly improves upon the power output of its predecessor, the NX3, with an output of 545 mW at 32 ohms, giving it the ability to drive more demanding full-size cans Read More
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Caiz
23
Oct 14, 2018
Yeap, i'd say for a case where you know the driver VERY WELL; go for it, and a case where the damping factors is such as it is with your sens' the NX3s may be a great deal for that application.., =) As a great and handy low cost solution, or any.. I'm not sure if it' bests the objective 2 however. They both seem to advertise very similar reproduction quality figures, for like high efficiency devices, but clearly the topping has the mobility edge. ;-) The o2 out of Mayflower Electronics while prices almost twice as much; at 100 bucks, however has a 10 year warranty , is made in the U.S.A and has replaceable batteries, and can charge and play at-specs, so might end up costing much less in both the short term (1-3 years) and the long term (1-20), and be more useful, but costs almost twice as much upfront, could be counted on much more. That nx battery will probably not last so long eh. I read about alot of fiio amps batteries dying, but i bet they are replaceable, there is a thread on FiiO E11/A3 with lots of information about batteries, over at headfi.., I suspect topping uses leads soldered to the nx3s pcb to make the battery connection, if you find one replacement (in-spec with overcharge protection built in) which can fit, i'd say it can still be economical.., Just crimp the soldered leads with a dsub pin tool ($30) and "make" an interface, and find the right battery, or let it die... for most people, i'd think the 02 would last at least three times as long as the nx3s, and need lss babysitting. I guess it also depends on the headphone one wants to power =) Are you an owner of this NX3s amplifier Jay? Did you join a drop?
cwelton17
108
Oct 11, 2018
Would this be able to drive my Senn HD6XX? They are the only headphones I have that are difficult to drive. Sometimes I like to sit in my backyard and it'd be nice to not have to drag out my whole amp and the extension cords too. I almost bought the NX4 recently but figured it was too expensive. Would this be worth it for me?
OzzieStream
0
May 9, 2020
cwelton17I have 6xx with Nx3s.
On high gain, 50-75% volume drives them very loud depending on the source hw and source music.
source hardware is either iPad or Fiio BTR5.
The bass boost is handy too - use it all the time
(Edited)
hsdrggr
87
Nov 26, 2018
Just received and unboxed the NX3s from Massdrop. That was fast: Thanks Massdrop!!! Looks like Topping has a winner here for a lightweight portable amp that will drive the HifiMan HE4XX’s well. So far I’ve driven the NX3s with my FiiO X7 Mkii, and the EarStudio ES100 BT DAC/Amp. Obviously both are in amp only mode. Those two combinations drive the HE4XX’s well playing Tidal and HiByMusic player.
I generally listen to my music fairly loud and like some accentuated bass. The NX3s seems to have a slightly warm signature and I didn’t need bass boost to really enjoy it. Bass boost works fine and the HE4XX handles it well. I’m running the NX3s at between 70-100% volume (depending on source) to get the music to my personal listening levels. To me the ES100 supplied by BT from my iPhone 8 produced the cleanest sound and I was able to tweak the sound signature slightly to my likeing with the built-in EarStudio EQ, (adjustable by app). Listening to Tidal I had to push the ES100’s gain up (overdrive) by about 6db to get levels up to where I like them. !00db+ at headphones. When driven by the FiiO X7 Mkii there was plenty of power but I noticed a little distortion at High volumes. Lowering the X7’s output slightly, cleared that up and still produced good clear listening levels.
Right now it looks like my go-to setup will be the iPhone > ES100 > NX3s just because of it’s convenience and portability. Maybe some time with my Hiby R3 too once I try it. For now my X7 Mkii will stay dedicated to my home tube amp, where it pairs nicely.
If if anyone is wondering about how the Topping NX3s compares with the Xduoo XD-05 amp, the XD-05 does win hands down. Much more headroom on gain 3, slightly fuller sound and cleaner. But the XD-05 is a lot of luggage to carry around on my belt or stacked.
So the NX3s will be suiting me very well as my new go-to portable amp for the HE4XX’s along with my Little Bear B4 tube amp (tubiness is just so addictive) rolled with the Burson V5i op amp and Urbanfun’s Transound One berylium driver headphones. I am continuously amazed how exemplary sounding the Transound One headphones are when it comes to detail, bass and fast driver response. (previously U.S. Mfg. RB Sound as the HP-2) Also, it’s combo with the modded Little Bear B4 is absolutely sublime. Cheers
Edit: been listening to Lindsey Stirling with the NX3s, ES100 & HE4XX headphones; OMG they sound so incredible!!! The subbass on the HE4XX’s is amazing. Actually have goosebumps.
Portgirl
29
Dec 6, 2018
Make sure at Analog you go for a single, as they bulk package them in like 50. I'd try a sample there , if you just want to buy I'd try Mouser or Digikey as they sell singles..
BigDogs
43
Nov 8, 2018
Has anyone else noticed how similar this is physically to my xduoo xp2, which I rather like although it has been pointed out that all recharables trend toward doorstops/paperweights ultimately
Portgirl
29
Nov 20, 2018
BigDogsBattery in this thing is user replaceable, I've swapped out op amps and noticed the battery is plug in style (Molex)
JBiser
31
Oct 24, 2018
I verified 5 ohm output impedance with topping customer support. However, there are some language issues- I also asked whether OPA 1688 would be a good chip to roll (I believe used in nx4s and also super cmoy project) and they replied not useable because amp uses output transistors, which is wrong.
Anyway, should work great for 50 ohm and above, probably Ok down to 32 ohm.
What no one has mentioned, if global feedback is used, then equivalent output impedance should be lower.
The chip used has high bandwidth and slew. Usually designers add output resistance for stability, like with Topping A30. This is the trade-off. Up until a few years ago, no one would think of designing an amp without some output impedance. I think that owners of 16 ohm Iems or multi-driver iems with poorly designed crossovers, should look at something like O2. Of course, the result of using those with this amp would be flabby boosted bass, which some people like anyway. Also, if there is feedback, maybe this won't happen.
Anyway, should work great for 50 ohm and above, probably Ok down to 32 ohm.
What no one has mentioned, if global feedback is used, then equivalent output impedance should be lower.
The chip used has high bandwidth and slew. Usually designers add output resistance for stability, like with Topping A30. This is the trade-off. Up until a few years ago, no one would think of designing an amp without some output impedance. I think that owners of 16 ohm Iems or multi-driver iems with poorly designed crossovers, should look at something like O2. Of course, the result of using those with this amp would be flabby boosted bass, which some people like anyway. Also, if there is feedback, maybe this won't happen.
JBiser
31
Nov 9, 2018
Hi there. What a detailed and thoughtful response. I'm still digesting this. Please don't think that I am some kind of expert, but like you, have been trying to inform myself, mostly because audio interest me. That said, we're kind of comparing two things - a desktop amp (O2) with a portable one. Even though O2 has the portable option, its runtime is short. This unit, I would say, is more optimized for portable operation, has relay switching to minimize turn on/off "pops", and better cutoff of the circuit when the batteries get low than the O2. I really do view the O2 as a desktop amp. Conversely, as a desktop unit, the Nx3s has a volume control that is not so easy to get at, nor am I sure that you can operate it continuously off the charger, or would want to. (I myself would).
I don't know about any quality issues with Topping, and actually they have been designing well engineered designs, are honest and complete in their published specs, are reaching out to reviewers and others, who for example are developing Linux drivers for their DACs. They appear to be be a real audio company, as opposed to one-man boutique operations. Check out audiosciencereview.com It is difficult to implement a DAC correctly. They seem to nail it every time.
This product is certified to the Japanese Hi-Rez standard. It used to be that anything around 98DB THD+Noise was good enough for CD audio, but people are using Hi-Rez formats nowadays. If you see a measurment in the range of -115DB, by the time they A-weight it, it is in the ballpark of 120DB. This is what everyone is shooting for. This is an order of magnitude better (or more?) than any headphones it will be driving.
NWAVGuy designed the O2 to be used with CD audio. The IC's are much older. The O2 output is slew-rate limited about 3V/uV. Is this a problem? Probably not. He was also designing for stability and purposely did not use the ultra-fast chip available at the time, because he needed to fit a lot of stuff in a relatively small box, and genuinely did not believe any audio signal needs the higher slew. His amp is stable with a low output impedance. Job well done.
The Topping NX4 DSD, this amp's big brother basically measures like a desktop amp, give or take. This one should measure just as well. It appears to be that quality, minus the DAC.
For $50? It is a great time to be an audiophile.
I would like to know what Massdrop's warrantee policy is, though.
JBiser
31
Nov 9, 2018
Let me add: Expect 50 - 70 clean mW output at 300 ohms. That is one "limitation". Also, despite prodigious output at 32 ohm, we have the output impedance issue. Or maybe non-issue. Anyway, I'm only interested in 300 ohm, so not an issue for me. If you are using on a desk, a desktop amp is definitely better. May I also suggest Topping A30, again with the output impedance issue, but otherwise great.
JBiser
31
Nov 12, 2018
I have received my unit. With HD650, loud enough on low gain (pegged). On max gain, I was using at about 1:00 position. Nice power boost (and headroom increase) when used with my SMSL Idea dac/amp, which outputs at a good line level (approx 2VRMS). So by extension, at Gain=1, at same loudness IDEA, now with headroom. With weak laptop output (not using external DAC), am left wanting for more power.
I have no experience with amps with ample power, this is my first. Bass incredibly more defined, rest of spectrum seems clean. I think unit has good noise spec. Funny how now that bass is where it should be, I am noticing the veil on the other end more. I need to adjust to this. Also, so far listening on with youtube videos, so don't count me as an expert. Will try with flac files later, don't have on my chromebook.
This unit sure is cute.
JBiser
31
Nov 12, 2018
JBiserAmend to say, with weak laptop output, now have enough volume, but....not much headroom left over. Also, to clarify, the veil I was referring to is that of Sennheiser. Anyway veil is a stupid moniker. Headphone is soft at high end - noticeable more so with poor recordings (Youtube) which are themselves attenuated at high end. With good recordings, sounds just right.
Caiz
23
Oct 14, 2018
chucktdriscollI was told the output impedance is 5ohms, 5 times higher than a FiiO A3, A5 or Objective2, afaik, but inline with the higher output impedance of topping offerings, like the Nx1s(3.5ohms), and A30(10ohms&30ohms). So, maybe not the most suitable for typical "consumer" spec headphones, at 32ohms,. sadly. If it were like 1ohm output impedance, i'd have probably snapped it up by now.., ;-)
Caiz
23
Oct 14, 2018
while this NX3S looks like an interesting product, i looked it up awhile ago online, but found that the output impedance is 5ohms, (unless "2 people" lied to me or were somehow mistaken) which I feel, sadly makes it unsuitable for general system implementation, since it's out of spec for most headphones for achieving a good damping factor.. Certainly worse then a modern creative Soundcards 1ohm output impedance or a FiiO A5... Like, it's a shame they have that figure, otherwise I'd probably be in., Also, as an Nx5 owner, Also, i think the build quality of topping offerings isnt nearly to the same level as a FiiO like A5., there are reports especially on the flagship NX5 model, if you go to amazon japan, (where topping is more sold than amazon America) you'll find lots of complaints about the NX5 headphone jack and USB jacks shorting, with mild use.,, not saying that effects all their models, but effects their top shelf models, and I'd trade my NX5 for an A5, just knowing this. They have more low star reviews where i seen on the amazon page of certified purchases, they have more 1 and 2 star reviews than 5 star reviews.,, And that's a red flag for me.. The FiiO A5 has reinforcements made to the TRS jacks, to suspend them in-place mechanically, to prevent the failure of electrical connections made by mechanical stresses, while the NX5 has reportedly insufficient mechanical enforcement to protect the electrical connections, and that all mechanical enforcement of those common jacks might actually just be the electrical connection.., which i say is largely a concerning thing., Which is one reason i think the A5 has a much better build quality then the less popular Topping offerings. That said, the NX3s is a newer product than the NX5, so those design issues maybe have been addressed, or might not surface here. I personally inquired about the NX3s's output impedance, and was reported by a retailer to be 5ohms, now the person trying to sell it to me might be lying, however, it makes sense given the output impedance's of their other products, like the nx1s being 3.5+ohms and the Topping A30 desktop amp being 10ohms and 30ohms output.. Good for certain headphones maybe, but limited implementation certainly I'd say. The Benchmark DAC company says aim for a 20 damping factor if possible, to ensure an unknown implementation should be well, so I'm not sure i could vest myself here unless i was looking to support a very specific headphone.., it would suck to buy the device, and then buy a new headphone but then need another amp/., Generally I'd rather loose a bit of SNR to gain that flexibility in implementation.. Certainly cant properly pair this with sensitive low impedance iems eh, But certainly i'd think it should be good for a number of headphones =) Just saying, it would suck to buy this amp, and then 3 months later need to shop again an almost identical one but for a low impedance headphone. this is one reason i differed from the NX3s so far.. not even talking about the money so much as the hassle and the money., lol The second being concerned about topping builds compared with say the competition; FiiO. That said i read one person say the Topping portable amp flagship NX5 has an output impedance us below 1ohm, but i read elsewhere it was 8ohm, I have not the tools atm, or time to measure, but i think i'll be pairing it with a 250ohm headphone for a single application anyhow.., just food for thought fellow people, on the nx3s. You might not realize, it doesn't have an under 1 ohm output impedance, it's 5 shopper. At least, thats what was told to me, Topping only advertises the output impedance of the NX4s, which is below 1ohm, but imo; actively hides the figures for their other offerings., is this who you want to give money to and support? Where is it specified here on massdrop?! I don't think it's responsible as a consumer, in that sense to give money to a company(topping) which seeks to mislead consumers.. They should be listing even their challenging specs, so that a consumer can make a sound choice, and not try to make every sale and hoodwink those uninformed into a possibly poor implementation., but serving goods which to deliver strong results. i duno if you can support a company which deos that. Also, i read the nx5 has no overcharge safety off,.. so is a fire hazard., I'm not making this up, i'm just the messenger as a witness for my fellow. The nx5 is a few year older product i think, however.
supercitcit
3
Feb 6, 2019
Just received and tried it out for 4-6 hours.
Quality of the package is good and the device itselves seems solid but the sound is crapy with lots of cracklings and background noises (like capacitor charging), whatever headphones and wires I try.
I'm very disappointed and do not recommand this device.
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