NICEHCK NK1 Ultra Review: 122mW Dongle DAC Under $30

NICEHCK NK1 Ultra, 122mW Taste with $20 Dongle DAC

If you want a clean, noise-free background and solid amplification output on a budget of under $30, the NICEHCK NK1 Ultra—which physically separates the power supply from the amplifier chip—might be a great choice. While the recent dongle DAC market tends to focus on shrinking sizes down into a single chipset, this device takes the opposite approach by splitting the chipsets to solve the crosstalk issues inherent in direct smartphone connections and solidly boost audio specs.

Packaging Dedicated to Practicality

Opening the box reveals the main unit immediately, with the cable integrated directly into the cushioning packaging. There are no unnecessary cost-increasing elements other than a single adapter. This is a textbook example of the Chifi pragmatism route, concentrating production costs strictly into hardware specs. With its intuitive setup that requires no complex manuals—simply plug it into your smartphone’s Type-C port and it works instantly—there is zero hassle in real-world use.

Rugged Yet Durable Design

The main body is covered in a sturdy metal housing that resists external scratches and friction. Additional convenience features like physical volume control buttons or status LEDs have been stripped away. Instead, everything from the input terminal to the housing with the 3.5mm jack is finished by robustly braiding an 8-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper wire. You can toss it around roughly in your bag or pocket without worrying about cable breakage.

122mW of Power Created by Three Independent Chipsets

It is equipped with the Conexant CX31993 DAC chip. Admittedly, it feels somewhat lacking compared to the precise resolution characteristic of AK, CS, and ES chips mainly used in high-end devices. However, the SGM8262 dedicated amplifier chip—which boosts the sound—and the LM27762 chip—which supplies power—are completely separated. As a result, it secured a large output for its class: 122mW at 32Ω. It naturally supports up to PCM 32bit / 384kHz as a baseline, boasting decent specs with a 115dB DNR and a -98dB THD distortion rate.

1-Minute Decoding Guide for DAC Specs for Audio Beginners: 24-bit? SNR? When scouting new gear, looking at detailed product specs … blog.naver.com

Refer to the article above if reading specifications feels difficult.

First Impressions Heard with Softears Studio4

I directly connected and auditioned my go-to earphones, the Softears Studio4, which I frequently use when I need a reference point. The first thing that catches your ear is the background where the smartphone’s subtle white noise has completely vanished. When the precise and flat sound signature of the Studio4 is paired with a generous driving force of 122mW, the soundstage noticeably expands from left to right, and instrument layers are separated three-dimensionally. It gently smooths out piercing peaks in the high frequencies without ruining the analytical tone, making it very comfortable on the ears.

Performance Difference from the NK1 Max Lower-Tier Model

Comparing it with the lower-end NK1 Max ($19.99), which has a $10 price difference, the upgrade is quite palpable. While the NK1 Max uses the MAX97220 amplifier to output 63mW, the Ultra nearly doubles the physical driving power. It’s not just that the volume got louder; with the addition of the power chip, the DNR figure also improved from 111dB to 115dB. When you plug in gear with higher resistance, you can genuinely tell the difference in pushing power between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Generous output pushing 122mW at 32Ω despite a single 3.5mm unbalanced connection
• Achieved at this price point = The cheapest DAC made by a professional audio brand

Cons

• No 4.4mm balanced terminal support
• Not equipped with CS, AK, or ES chipsets

Conclusion…

While the absence of a 4.4mm balanced jack is a bit disappointing and it falls short of top-tier chipset details, the fantastic price of $29.99 forgives all of this generously. Coming from NICEHCK—a brand with some renown in the audio scene—this is their cheapest DAC yet, giving it an irreplaceable sense of reliability. For those who want solid fundamentals without complex extra features, such as relaxed driving power and a clean background, this option is well worth considering.

NICEHCK NK1 Ultra Type-C to 3.5mm DAC AMP Adapter Cable CX31993 Decoding Chip SGM8262 Op-Amp 32Bit/384kHz For Phones Tablets – AliExpress 44 Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com s.click.aliexpress.com