NiceHCK Octave dongle DAC

[Matias]

New dongle DAC just released, based on ESS ES9039Q2M DAC with both 4.4 and 3.5 mm outputs, very powerful, mic support and PEQ for 90 usd list price. I just bought one, let's see.

NICEHCK Octave ES9039Q2M Flagship Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier |

NICEHCK Octave ES9039Q2M DAC AMP portable headphone amplifier dual SGM8262 op-amp 550mW 32Ω 3.5mm 4.4mm PCM768 DSD256 EQ APP Android iOS Windows MacOS

nicehck.com

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[Luciferium]

BGVP MX1 = CrinEar Protocol Max
CrinEar Protocol Max = BGVP MX1

The same PCB, other case

Guys if you love buttons configuration, also look NiceHCK Octave

 

[mc.god]

Guys if you love buttons configuration, also look NiceHCK Octave

Looks good, ES9039Q2M + SGM8262 should measure very well, it seems to have peq and adc for calls, plenty of features at good price

 

[Matias]

Guys if you love buttons configuration, also look NiceHCK Octave

What a beast of a dongle, does it all for 90 usd. Impressive.

 

[mc.god]

What a beast of a dongle, does it all for 90 usd. Impressive.

Now with Aliexpress coupons you can get one for €74, really tempting...

 

[Matias]

Now with Aliexpress coupons you can get one for €74, really tempting...

Just bought one - edit: order cancelled as the app has GEQ and not PEQ. Deal break for me.

 

[mc.god]

Just bought one - edit: order cancelled as the app has GEQ and not PEQ. Deal break for me.

is it GEQ? Where did you get the info? I can only see the advertising picture of the app that is low res and not clear, and there is a row that seems "Q" parameter to me.

Thank you.

 

[Matias]

is it GEQ? Where did you get the info? I can only see the advertising picture of the app that is low res and not clear, and there is a row that seems "Q" parameter to me.

View attachment 473700


Thank you.

Yes, it may be, or not. There is no specific mention of *parametric* EQ in the marketing images and specs. I am going to wait some more reviews before committing.

 

[mc.god]

Yes, it may be, or not. There is no specific mention of *parametric* EQ in the marketing images and specs. I am going to wait some more reviews before committing.

Yes, it's not clearly stated anywhere and I cannot find where to install it just in case you can see the eq section even without device connected.
Anyway my bet is it's PEQ and that it's a new TTGK board you can also control with WalkPlay app.

 

[SlowLife]

Yes, it's not clearly stated anywhere and I cannot find where to install it just in case you can see the eq section even without device connected.
Anyway my bet is it's PEQ and that it's a new TTGK board you can also control with WalkPlay app.

Yes, it's the TTGK TT39039F01 PRO MAX, supports 10-band PEQ.
The one I have is FW V0.8, and it's very buggy.
- No volume memory and the default is MAX. (Fixed in FW V0.9 update via the WalkPlay app)
- Popping sounds when changing songs / PCM / DSD.
- Sometimes when starting a song, it stutters and I have to restart the song

 

[mc.god]

Yes, it's the TTGK TT39039F01 PRO, supports 10-band PEQ.
The one I have is FW V0.8, and it's very buggy.
- No volume memory and the default is MAX. (Fixed in FW V0.9 update via the WalkPlay app)
- Popping sounds when changing songs / PCM / DSD.
- Sometimes when starting a song, it stutters and I have to restart the song
View attachment 473704View attachment 473705View attachment 473706View attachment 473707View attachment 473708View attachment 473709View attachment 473710View attachment 473713View attachment 473714View attachment 473715View attachment 473716View attachment 473717

Thank you, very informative!

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Interesting, please @Matias report back when you receive it how is the PEQ working and volume rocker.
I'm wondering if I can hold + - and increase/decrease volume or I have to click it instantly as it is with Fosi DS2 - it drives me crazy

I was considering buying Qudelix T71 but considering price difference... Octave seems to be a very very good option.

 

[Matias]

Apparently it does it all for 90 usd, impressive indeed. Let's see when I receive mine. Plus I bet there will be firmware upgrades to fix this and that afterwards, as it is common nowadays.

 

[Jeromeof]

Impressive power output from the 4.4mm. It is very interesting that they seem to have their own App - so I wonder if Walkplay are white labeling their App?

 

[SlowLife]

Interesting, please @Matias report back when you receive it how is the PEQ working and volume rocker.
I'm wondering if I can hold + - and increase/decrease volume or I have to click it instantly as it is with Fosi DS2 - it drives me crazy

I was considering buying Qudelix T71 but considering price difference... Octave seems to be a very very good option.

Octave can hold + - to increase/decrease volume and when reaching minimum/maximum level the light will flash white.

NICEHCK Octave NEW FW V0.9

Sina Visitor System

This method requires a computer to flash.
I tried flashing my BUGGY Octave, and I think it's the same FW I previously updated via WalkPlay App.

Spoiler: How to flash.

 

[Matias]

Let's see which firmware version mine will arrive.

I am also curious to see which other clones based on TTGK TT39039F01 PRO MAX will be launched. AFAIK there is no exclusivity, any brand can add a different case and release it, right?

 

[jkim]

A review sample has been requested. Will see how they respond. If it performs just as its components indicate along with 10-band PEQ, there should be substantial demand from portable audio enthusiasts. It should be backed up by measurements, of course. So, I think it's their chance to absorb the demand with this first clone of some that may come later.

I see great potential of TTGK's PEQ solution. Although there are some filter types and app features that need to be improved, my measurements tell the PEQ response is textbook clean. Unlike Topping's solution, there's zero added nonlinear distortion. I have to more carefully look into FiiO's PEQ performance, too---I suspect FiiO bought TTGK's DSP chip technology. I am planning to do an extensive, comparison review of multiple devices' (including some well-regarded ones) PEQ performance in terms of accuracy and nonlinear distortion.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

I wonder why there is only 8PEQ bands in nicehck app when TTGK supports 10 band

 

[SlowLife]

I wonder why there is only 8PEQ bands in nicehck app when TTGK supports 10 band

YUANDAO App (nicehck) can adjust 10 bands.

 

[Matias]

Marketing people forgot to add 2 bands and forgot to specify them as parametric EQ....