Hi everyone. My first post here
so I would like to start with a thanks to
@amirm for doing these reviews and measurements. I've read the review for this unit as well as a few others, and I've also read the guide on what is audible and what isn't and I think the NX4 is the device for me but I thought I'd just check one or two things before biting the bullet (I'd be importing into my country, so I always want to double check, it isn't as easy as buying and returning unfortunately).
From what I've seen above and based on the measurements for the NX4, is there any reason why I should get something like the JDS Labs Atom and seperate DAC instead? Sure the Atom measures better but from what I gather in this review it would not be an audible difference. Also, I never play my headphones loud (e.g. I can plug my DT 990s 250 Ohm which have a high imedance and a low sensitivity into my iPhone and not play at full volume). My current dac/amp is a sound blaster E3 portable unit. So from what I gather other than needing input selection there would be no benefit to me in getting a DX3 Pro or even splashing out for those THX units because any improvement is either inaudible or would be for more power/wattage which I dont need. Maybe they would have a flatter response but looks like the slight droop is negligble (I'm 37).
In fact with my E3 I had to use an app to set a negative 12dB gain in Windows 10 because it is too loud! I needed to set the -12dB so I could use the windows volume range from around 4 to 12, out of 100. When using Bluetooth to the E3 I use the lowest or second lowest volume setting on the E3.
So either the E3 is far more powerful than rated (supposedly 2Vrms) or I just don't listen to loud music.
So yes, sorry for digressing, but I just wanted to confirm with everyone here whether my assesment is correct and any benefit from a more powerful or better unit (specifically the Atom would be my choice) is negligble and unless I get 600 Ohm headphones with 80dB sensitivity I really wouldn't need it?
EDIT: and of course the Atom isn't portable, I don't need a portable unit, I do have the E3, it's just that this unit seems perfect, despite being portable (which is a bonus).