NiceHCK Octave dongle DAC

[irenicus]

I would like to see some actual measurements of the 3.5 mm output, as I’m fairly sure I can hear unusual sound coloration coming from it (easily reproducible with at least 5 different ciem/iems/headphones I tried). It’s particularly noticeable on vocals, which sound unnatural and seem to have a kind of slow decay, though it’s hard for me to describe what happens precisely. I haven’t experienced this with any other source I’ve tried recently. That said, it could also be an issue specific to my unit.

 

[Matias]

A review sample of Octave sent by Nice HCK is on my test bench. An actual review may take time, though, as I found weird PEQ behavior and contacted Nice HCK to ask how to proceed. If they want to address it before I write a review, I will let them do that.

hi any news about that?

 

[aewyli]

I would like to see some actual measurements of the 3.5 mm output

I only uses the 3.5mm, on the Dune soundtrack I can easily hear the distortion on medium listening level particularly awful on the third drop. It is actually more audible than my other cheap dongles.

Actually even some regular tracks I can hear some feint distortions on loud volume listening. Even after tinkering with Low/High gain, the discrete volume and applying -db preamp on EAPO, it didn't matter as either way it only produces superb clean sound only on low volume for me. I ended up just using High gain and -25db preamp, it gives this good fidelity and distortion free then. I'm on latest firmware v1.5, Fast-PC filter.

 

[aewyli]

This is an edit to my previous post

While it's true that I able to hear distortions on low rumble. This can be minimized with the discrete volume control, I just realized this is what it supposed to do.

I have since use Octave with multiple drivers and each one need different kind of adjustments so giving out one settings here is totally useless. Though, I still apply -10db preamp on PC to prevent clipping on Windows mixer. Now it just a matter of how I'd like the volume output after the calibration.

 

[Donuts123]

Firmware version 1.6 is out now, anyone know what changes they made?

 

[Matias]

I just updated the firmware to 260113 and checked that it succeeded by looking at the firmware version on Win11 - Device Manager - Octave - Properties - Parent. Working normally on both Win11 and Android, but apparently the low level ticking when idle disappeared, it is perfectly silent now. This is checking with 3.5 mm output into Truthear Zero Red, later I will double check with 4.4 mm balanced output into my Truthear Pure. Edit: works fine too.

Great news! Thanks @Donuts123 for letting us know.

Edit: the low level ticking never happened during playback, I tested very silent music and never heard anything. Just when idling.

 

[Matias]

After the apparent success of the Topping DX1 II desktop mini DAC + PEQ + HP amp, I was thinking that NiceHCK (or TTGK) could also get into a similar competing device based on the Octave. They are already half way there, only needing to add more power, line outs, Toslink in/out and some additional features.