Review and Measurements of Topping NX4 DSD Dac and Portable Headphone Amplifier

[BDWoody]

I bought an NX4 earlier this year only to have it rattling on arrival. I cracked it to see what was up and found that there was a spring-loaded chassis ground pin that had liberated from the board. So, I warrantied it.

Upon receiving a second, the same failure happened within weeks. So, I've returned that one.

Has anyone else had problems with this component or rattling NX4s? I'm shopping for a new solution, but it feels like the alternatives at this price point all come with compromises.

That's the only listening test I give my DAC's... Does it rattle when you shake it.

Sorry yours have been failing!

 

[aka]

Happy to report my NX4 is rattle free!
Exceptional unit - truly exceeds my expectations.
Ordered from Apos (Oakland California - US Topping distributor) - cannot recommend their customer service highly enough (no affiliation).

 

[aka]

Has anyone found little round stick-on rubber feet (similar to the included velcro stickers) - just something to make the bottom a little less slick...?

 

[bakker_be]

Has anyone found little round stick-on rubber feet (similar to the included velcro stickers) - just something to make the bottom a little less slick...?

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Cabinet-bumpers-Cabinet-hardware-Hardware/4294518253

 

[tomaszffffff]

Has anyone tried NX4 with Google Pixel 3a? Does it work without UAPP app?

 

[vkvedam]

Did you measure IMD on this Amir?

 

[ricmuz_]

Pardon my noob question, but what is the difference between this model and the DX3 Pro? They seem to have the same power output for 300 ohm headphones (around 120mv). What does the DX3 have that the NX4 hasn't?

 

[vkvedam]

Pardon my noob question, but what is the difference between this model and the DX3 Pro? They seem to have the same power output for 300 ohm headphones (around 120mv). What does the DX3 have that the NX4 hasn't?

Hi ricmuz

DX3 Pro is a desktop product with few more inputs and it comes with a remote as well. It's suited for non PC environments as well such as your HiFi system etc. And if you have power hungry headphones which would make use of that extra bit of power you get from it then it's a better choice. Having said that NX4DSD is quite powerful, I have to use my 75 ohm inline attenuator all the time with IEMs and my Yamahas, I listen to quite low volume levels.

 

[vkvedam]

Fellow veteran owners, I have received my NX4DSD couple of days ago. Could you please answer my queries?

1. Is it safe to leave it plugged in all the time for charge?
2. How do I go about getting ASIO to work with Windows 7 using foobar2000? Right now I am not getting that option, I managed to configure WASAPI Push/Event but I would prefer the ASIO if I can. (Figured out)

Many thanks, Ven!

 

[tmenzzz]

Has anyone tried using this as a DAC for the Nintendo Switch?

 

[Pablo11]

@vkvedam I've just received my NX4 DSD and cannot get it to work on Windows 7. How did you resolve your issue?
I've emailed Topping and they said I had installed the wrong driver. So far I cannot find one for Windows 7... And initially installed the driver they have now suggested I use!

Going to upgrade to Windows 10 very soon so hopefully it will soon be a non issue.

Aside from this, the unit works very well with my DT880's and my K271's on my android phone. Very happy with that side of things

 

[Veri]

@vkvedam I've just received my NX4 DSD and cannot get it to work on Windows 7. How did you resolve your issue?
I've emailed Topping and they said I had installed the wrong driver. So far I cannot find one for Windows 7... And initially installed the driver they have now suggested I use!

Going to upgrade to Windows 10 very soon so hopefully it will soon be a non issue.

Definitely there's no driver problems on Windows 10

 

[Pablo11]

Looks like I'll need to upgrade sooner than later in that case!!

Does anyone use this device or similar in conjunction with a DAW? That's my intention, using ASIO4ALL, which I also find to be very good.

 

[vkvedam]

@vkvedam I've just received my NX4 DSD and cannot get it to work on Windows 7. How did you resolve your issue?
I've emailed Topping and they said I had installed the wrong driver. So far I cannot find one for Windows 7... And initially installed the driver they have now suggested I use!

Going to upgrade to Windows 10 very soon so hopefully it will soon be a non issue.

Aside from this, the unit works very well with my DT880's and my K271's on my android phone. Very happy with that side of things

Hi, don't use the installer package. Extract all the contents into a location, go through the 'Device Manager' and update the driver by guiding the installer to the unzipped location. ASIO4ALL V2 works brilliantly by the way for foobar2000 etc.
Good luck, Ven.

 

[Pablo11]

Hi, don't use the installer package. Extract all the contents into a location, go through the 'Device Manager' and update the driver by guiding the installer to the unzipped location. ASIO4ALL V2 works brilliantly by the way for foobar2000 etc.
Good luck, Ven.

So I upgraded to win10 and had no issues installing the device. Very happy with it now, absolutely no problems!
But thanks for the suggestion all the same

 

[Bronco]

Have we had any portable DAC/amp combos that measure here better than the NX4?

For the purposes of this discussion, let’s please exclude the Hugo/Hugo 2 due to its size and battery life constraints.

 

[Bronco]

Have we had any portable DAC/amp combos that measure here better than the NX4?

For the purposes of this discussion, let’s please exclude the Hugo/Hugo 2 due to its size and battery life constraints.

@amirm are there any that come to mind?

 

[amirm]

I think the ifi Black Label did well too.

 

[Sinquito]

The ifi micro BL, right? I think the nano was underpowered. It's almost 6 months with my NX4 and I am very happy with it.

 

[GeorgeWalk]

I have been using the NX4 for about two months now with Windows 10 and Mac. I have tried it with Sennheiser HD 660s, PCX 550, and 599 as well as Beyerdynamic DT880, and MEE Audio Pinnacle P1 IEMs. So far, I like it a lot. I travel frequently so I like to have it with me in my briefcase all the time.

I especially prefer the NX4 with the HD 660s headphones. Great sounding combination.