Topping NX7 - Best Portable Amplifier for Over Ear Planars - Honest Audiophile Impressions
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- A BIG thank you to Apos Audio for providing the Topping NX7 for review, very much appreciated. Is the NX7 the best portable amp for over ear planar headphones?
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Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - bass and percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging, separation, dynamic range
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre
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Видеоклипы
![Jordan Adetunji - KEHLANI REMIX (feat. Kehlani) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EeJ8n5PxFGE/mqdefault.jpg)
Planning to pair this Topping NX7 with my R2R USB DAC HiBy FC6 and my Sundara headphone
Yup, now you know why I love my A30 Pro so much. Toppings NFCA Tech is no joke. IMHO NFCA is a couple levels above THX and the antiseptic sound it creates. I've been eyeing this device for awhile and if I traveled more it would definitely be in my collection. I'm just not away from my desk enough to justify buying it now that I've retired. Thanks for the review Dave as always excellent job...
I was looking for a portable amplifier and did not want to buy an expensive dap. I will be using Topping NX7 at work paired with Shanling ua3 and Questyle m15.Thanks for the review.
Glad I could help. You're welcome for the review.
I have the Topping nx7 for my Fostex T20rp mk3, when we are away! It's a marvellous amplifier!
Glad you enjoy the NX7
I love this amp. I use it everyday with my Aeon Noire on the go
Awesome 👍😎
Between you and Akros, I purchased this yesterday. Thanks!
Cool 😎 Look forward to hearing your impressions.
Great review! Looking to get a portable amp for my ak se180. Seems like this is the one. The price is pretty affordable.
Good morning Dave ☕️☕️
A great product ..but not at another brick to be attached to my phone …ugh.
But if I was to do a “show and tell” with full size headphones ,maybe 🤔 great for that…but I’d like to run my 650’s ..so it would be hard for that.
A great short smooth review.
THANK YOU!
I totally understand about the size Yeah it is somewhat limited in what it can power but it does it so well.
Very nice
Hello Dave ,
Thanks for the clear description in your video .
I would like to have your advice ,
I have a fiio M11 plus ltd .en my iems are fiio fh7 model .
Would the topping nx7 make a upgrade to my gear I have ,would it sound different .
Thanks in advance for your kind answer.
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
Keep in mind I haven't heard the Fiio FH7.
By including the NX7 to the source chain as an amplifier, you should notice an increase in volume output. You might hear a slight difference with note weight, impact, soundstage may be wider and deeper. You shouldn't notice a difference with tone as the NX7 is a clean and accurate amplifier that doesn't color the sound.
Maybe I have to sell my xduoo XD 5 plus to get the NX7. Most of the time I use It as amplifier for my hip dac and Topping NX4, not much as dac/amp. Xduoo as dac/amp has a very dry sound If that makes sense, quite more than the NX4, I don't like It as much. After all the time I got the three, as sound quality favourites goes like this. Topping NX4, hip dac and xduoo. I generally connect either hip dac or NX4 to xduoo's amp portion. Xduoo has a nice amp definitely, makes great sound on the two I mentioned, It's kinda like opens their soundstage, although I believe frequency response alteration gives that open feeling when connecting them to It. I wonder how the sound signature would be like If I'd connect either the NX4's dac portion or hip dac's output(amp/dac, no line out available) to NX7... What do you think? Xduoo amp makes things little wider sounding. What NX7 would make the sound like?
Hi great review as always. I would like to ask you about your opinion choosing NX7 over Topping G5.
I already have decent dac (Questyle M15) and dektop amp (topping L30ll using Marantz PM7000N as a source) but I want to have something on the go (vacation, weekends etc) to power my Neumann NDH20, Sennheiser HD650 and less so my Sennheiser ie600).
So the question is which one sounds better, power wise difference (for my setup), convenience (since I have to connect iphone to dac to nx7 to headphones instead just iphone to G5 to headphone)?
What would you choose if you are in my shoes hypothetically?
Thank you very much, cheers 🍻
Sorry I haven't heard the Topping G5.
Thanks and always enjoy your review ！ I’m new in the game if I only use iPhone and this , would I need a dad also to make it sound better ? I prefer a wider and deeper soundstage
A DAC should help to improve sound. All you would need is a dongle DAC. But I haven't heard an iPhone audio autput as I am an PC and Android user.
Thanks, you also rock sir !
@@TC-bz8sm my pleasure, you're welcome.
Hi Dave..really impressed with your review on NX7...I am looking for an amp that can pump up my DAC, Cayin RU6 paired with S12...How does it drive the S12? Does it open up the stage, layering even better with more power? I find the S12 performed technically better with Fiio e10k (3.5 mm - 200 mW at 32 Ohms), similar amp/DAC like Megatron than the RU6 (4.4 mm - 213 mW at 32 Ohms)
Topping NX7 drives the Shuor S12 very well, way better than any dongle or low powered source. I haven't heard the Cayin RU6 or the Fiio E10k.
This Amp seems ideal for people who want an amp that can double as a mobile device and desktop amp since the power is there and it features a balanced 4.4mm output.
In some pictures from Topping this amp is actually displayed with the Sundara which is... ambitious for a mobile amp but the specs match up so they did their job.
Yes it powers the Sundara.
@@TheHonestAudiophile yeah I think its time to upgrade from my little FiiO K3. Sure its "enough" but its just a little 99$ DAC-Amp that I bought because of the good price and convenience. But all it does is 320mW into 16 Ohms and the DAC also cant be the best...
@@alouisschafer7212 look forward to hearing your impressions of the NX7 if you choose to upgrade
cant wait for mytek review
Mytek Liberty DAC ii review will come in a bit. Have a lot on the schedule at the moment.
How would you compare this to the
I have thought about one of these, but it is just a bit larger than I want. I was guessing you would like the sound, the NFCA circuits are very dead neutral, and was guessing the Rhodium with it, would be the Dave approved setup. -- I like the BTR5 I use, but wish I had slightly longer battery life, maybe the upcoming BTR7 will be the solution.
Rhodium and FC4 are amazing dongles to pair with the NX7.
I'm in a doubt for my next equipment upgrade. I have several dacs (hip dac, hidisz dh80s, smsl su8 and musical fidelity v90), as for amps i have a little dot 1+ because i like the tube flavour, big holographic stage and realism of instruments. Now, should i try the topping nx7 to hook up to my smsl su8 for example and put the little dot 1 just after the topping to add some stage/flavour? Or should i skip this setup and go directly to r2r dac stuff like the cayin RU6? Musicality and fluid/natural tonality of instruments and vocals is my goal.
The Topping NX7 isn't really designed to be a preamp like you are intending to use it. For a similar price you can get the Drop THX One Linear that has preamp out and headphone output. I recommend the One Linear over the NX7 because you will get neutral and natural sound with more power and more functionality. Unless you need the portable size of the NX7 the One Linear is the better option.
Hi Dave, I only use my Smasung Note 20 ultra for listening, and Moon River 2 by Moondrop dongle as DAC, will increase the sound quality by adding Topping NX7?
The Topping NX7 will improve the volume levels. You may hear some subtle increase in sonics, like note weight, stage width, depth and layering, more bass authority, that sort of thing. I have no experience with the Note 20 Ultra or Moon River 2.
Thank you Dave, what DAC did you try with it , not counting DAPs, just thinking what to pair it with…❤️🙋♂️
I tried it with all my dongles, DAP and DAC in house.
Mytek Liberty DAC ii
Periodic Audio Rhodium
NextDrive Spectra X
xDuoo Link V2
xDuoo Link
Hiby FC4
Hiby FC3
Shanling UM3
Lav Audio DS100
ADV-Sound Access Port Lite
VE Odyssey HD
Razer DAC/AMP
Audeze Deckard
SMSL DO100
Aune X1s GT
Sony WM1a
Sony NWa105
Hidizs AP80 Pro
That's a looong list thank you, was there any particular pairing you really liked above the others...?👍🙋♂️
I preferred the Mytek Liberty DAC ii, Periodic Audio Rhodium and Hiby FC4
Thank you Dave for another solid and good review. As you well know, Topping do produce some nice desktop amplifiers too. The NX7 may occupy less space than these, but it has a significant advantage in providing its own DC power in the form of a battery. Apart from the portability that this affords, it has an additional benefit in starting with a DC voltage supply, which the desktop models try to achieve using an AC source. I am not surprised, therefore, that you are so impressed with the NX7. I like (in my affordability range) the Topping A30 Pro using the D30 Pro as DAC. I would like to compare the NX7 and the A30 Pro with the same audio source and the D30 Pro DAC. Of course these two would not appeal as a portable set-up, but it would be a good test of your statement regarding the appeal of this little amplifier compared with other Topping amplifiers. I’m sure that the NX7 will make an excellent portable combination with a low power USB or Lightening DAC, as you have demonstrated. Another great review Dave. Well done 👍🏼😀.
It would be an interesting comparison for sure.
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
Considering they both use NFCA tech for their amplification and the A30 Pro is more powerful with a very clean internal power supply I think it would come out on top but mainly because of the output power difference. I'm betting they actually present the sound very similarly with the A30 Pro being just that little bit fuller with more note weight...
have you ever tried the g5? I'd be interested in hearing your opinion about it :)
Sorry I haven't heard the Topping G5
It has a high res sticker so is gotta sound good
For the headphones it had difficulty driving, did you use the balanced or single-ended output?
I tried with both
Hi there , I am new to headphones and have acquired quad era 1 second hand , I am totally at a loss or without knowledge , would this be a good buy . Would I need a dac in the chain , connecting to a tablet or phone or could you recommend a dac amp that will power the quads , many thanks
I have no experience with the Quad ERA-1 headphone but I believe they're planar. The NX7 is probably not the best option to drive them.
What is your budget? Do you currently have a DAC or amp? What do you use as your music source?
@@TheHonestAudiophile hi I have been using the amp in my roksan attessa streaming amp and built in dac , not really knowing much about gain and ohm etc , I seem to have it on the highest gain to get any real volume , I suppose I can go to 300 hundred quid . Thanks for your reply
Aune X1s GT
iFi Audio Zen DAC V2
I prefer the Aune sound but I am not sure if the power would be enough as I've not paired with the Quad.
@@TheHonestAudiophile hi thanks again. I will take a look
My pleasure, you're welcome
Hey Dave. Can I run my phone as my media source (USB Audio Player Pro) to a Dongle (Cayin RU-6, E1DA 9038S) to the Topping? Or is the amping from the dongle to the amp an issue? Thanks!
Yes you can use a dongle from your phone just fine.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks. Didn't want to get in trouble with double amping, but a Dongle isn't exactly pushing out much power.
@@davidwalsvig2959 I had no issues at all with the various dongles I used
@@davidwalsvig2959 Be careful with the e1da. That is a balanced output.
@@strompel3666 thanks. I realized that after I commented. I won't be using that one.
I've been looking for a portable amp for my hd6xx and hifiman he4xx, would this amp power them? Thank you for the review
Topping NX7 is a solid option for the 6xx and 4xx in a portable capacity.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thank you!
@@bigdave216 my pleasure, you're welcome.
Dave I'm torn between this and a Ifi ex demo xcan for the bluetooth that I could use with my tv. Is the topping much better than the xcan? I want to drive my 8 ohm ied and right up to 250 ohm beyers if possible but not essential I got lower impedance beyers.
The NX7 doesn't have Bluetooth capability. The iFi Audio has a little better resolution. Other than that I think they are fairly similar. Keep in mind I've not heard either since I reviewed them.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks Dave I grabbed it before someone else did. As long as it was a similar level its a little more compact and a better shrouded volume knob too I just hope they keep supporting it for a while.
Look forward to hearing your impressions.
im currently using a dac/amp combo (Topping Dx7 pro). if this is the better amp, can i pair it with the dx7 pro?
Sorry haven't heard the DX7 Pro
Yes and yes to answer your questions. You can simply feed this with an L/R RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable and hook the two RCA ends to your DX7 just like you would any other amp, set it to line out and then use the NX7 as you would any other amp. I own a DX7s basically the same as the Pro version you have. I also own the Topping A30 Pro which uses the same NFCA Tech that's inside the NX7. I can tell you the A30 Pro is a better sounding amp than the DX7s because of that NFCA Tech which also beats the sterile antiseptic sound of THX amps. Hope that helps...
@@PastorwithoutaPulpit thanks :) oh, and after hooking up the Dx7 Pro and the NX7, which of them do i connect the headphone to?
How is this compared to the Fiio A5 amp and ifi xcan?
Compared to Fiio A5. The A5 is a little warmer, slightly less detailed and resolved.
I haven't heard the iFi XCan in a very long time and don't recall enough to compare, Sorry.
Is it work well if we pairing to bluetooth DAC Amp like UP5, FiIo BTR series ?
I didn't use a Bluetooth DAC with the NX7 but I don't see a reason why it wouldn't.
Dave, Can you give some comparison with other amps. I'm looking for something that some audiophiles call "organic or natural" sounding or like tubes but in solid state. Not a wire with gain. Not a joke. I will like to experience that sound but with no tubes!!!!! Yes, I know that it is a type of distortion. iFi???
Thanks.
The only other portable amp that i have in house is the Fiio A5. A5 has less power, a bass boost that is not as well defined, and an overall warmer sound. I haven't heard or used many other portable amps. As for other amps to compare, iFi, Burson and Matrix, would be house sounds that would be more on the organic sound leaning toward tube sound; some including tube options. Amps that are on the neutral and natural are the Drop THX One Linear, HeadAmp GS-X Mini. I prefer a neutral , natural tuning hence reason I use the Drop THX One Linear and GS-X Mini as my reference gear. I think that both of those amps are the best I have heard at reproducing an accurate and correct sound signature, revealing differences in DAC without coloring the sound all the while maintaining an naturalism and realism.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for your answer. Ah, I have NX6.
@@EngrRomero my pleasure you're welcome.
Hi Dave..Can I use my fiio KA3 as a dac with topping nx7?
I have no experience with KA3 but if it has 3.5mm output you should be able to
Will it be considered as double amping if I hook NX7 on my dongle, they don't have line out?
Kinda, sorta but shouldn't be an issue. Most dongles do have an amplifier built-in.
Hi Dave, i really like the natural sound of my 660s but I'm going to buy something better. please tell me something under 1500€ (naturalness of sound is important for me)
Audeze LCD-X and Hifiman Arya Stealth are excellent options. If you want something closed the Audeze LCD 2 Closed. Hifiman Ananda are another solid option.
@@TheHonestAudiophile i would second the arya, ananda had a bit of a plastic sound imo.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks Dave, which of them are more Natural sounding? I
💕👍
👍👍
How do I use nx7 with my one plus 7 pro mobile which doesn't have a 3.5mm jack.
USB C dongle
What about 3.5mm input, is it compatible with coaxial cable?
I believe it is only compatible with 3.5mm input.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks friend 👍
My pleasure, you're welcome
The best amplifier you've heard from Topping, meaning also better than desktop Topping amplifiers, right? Some saying NX7 sounds similar to A90? BTW, I recently had a good deal on eBay and ordered the red one(the seller hadn't in stock black or silver, had red and blue), seems like a worthy amp for someone who has some other amp/dacs to test their dacs with.
It sounds similar to A90 Discrete not the original A90.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Discrete A90 is better than original A90? Or quite similar performance?
Here are links to my reviews:
A90D: ruclips.net/video/SH6FNIK9_08/видео.html
A90: ruclips.net/video/OLyMNfMtmzs/видео.html
@@TheHonestAudiophile Watched the reviews. Good news NX7 is more similar to A90 Discrete.
ps: 3.5 in and out 👏👏👏
I’m confused. How can an amp and DAC and headphone all be described as having a wide soundstage? Surely they’re each supposed to perform specific tasks. It feels like saying an engine provides good grip, or a chassis good torque. Though I appreciate both the location of the engine, which impacts on the centre of gravity, and the stiffness of the chassis on grip, which translates to improved handling, I’m not convinced some of the audio terms relate in the way often described.
U would have to listen to desktop amp.
@@nellatl What’s your point exactly? I own a desktop amp.