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RMAA: NextDrive Spectra X 24-bit

November 6, 2018 ohm
NextDrive Spectra X-1.jpg

Disclaimer: NextDrive sent me Spectra X to test here at ohm, to blab about at Fauxtaku Lounge, and to review at Headfonia. I didn’t pay anything for it. Many thanks, NextDrive. I haven’t the foggiest idea of how much it will cost when available, but I do know that it will be available soon. For more information: Spectra X: The Portable Concert Hall.

Relevant links:

RMAA: MST Audio Chord Mojo-Kai (balanced) 24-bit
RMAA: Chord Mojo 24-bit
RMAA: nextDrive Spectra 24-bit
RMAA: Onkyo DP-S1 rubato 24-bit
RMAA: iPhone SE 24-bit
RMAA: Apple iPhone 7 24-bit
RMAA: 2012 27" iMac 24-bit

Spectra X is better than is predecessor. It measures better, sends less amp noise to headphones, filters better, and comes in the same slim package. It’s quite the update/upgrade from the same company within a year. The good news is that the original Spectra was so good that if you have it, you’re golden. If you don’t, X is a worthy investment. 

NextDrive Spectra X-2.jpg

It is in particular a great upgrade over even good computer sound cards. In fact, depending on the source, it is more powerful than an Onkyo DP-S1, and tests almost as good. In fact, it pushes pretty close to Ryuzoh’s balanced Chord Mojo Kai mod. 

NextDrive Spectra X-3.jpg

There’s no noise from its amp even through Campfire Audio’s sensitive Atlas. It’s eminently suited for sensitive earphones, even at high listening volumes. At extremely high levels (testing levels), signal sheers are obvious and intense, but you’d never listen to those volume levels anyway. It powers an HD600 as well as an Onkyo DP-S1, which puts out a good 6dB more than an iPhone. If that means anything to you, good on me. If not, it’s loud enough for me and then some.

DAC/amp: NextDrive Spectra X
ADC: Lynx Studio HILO LT-TB
Source: 2017 iPad Pro 12,9”
Cables: 1,5m Hosa Pro 3,5mm stereo to dual 3-pin XLR (around 8$)

NL - no load
SM2 - Earsonics SM2
ES7 - Audio Technica ES7
DT880 - Beyerdynamic DT880/600

24-bit single ended @+6dB - all targets

iPP17-Spectra-X-+6dB-24-44-all-targets.png

24-bit single ended @+6dB - all targets

iPP17-Spectra-X-+6dB-24-44-NL-summary.png

End words

Spectra X is great. That’s it. 

In DAC Tags nextDrive, RMAA
← RMAA: iMac Pro 2017 24-bitRMAA: Radsone EarStudio ES100 24-bit →

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