Octave is First

Ratings

Construction and Design

Packaging and Accessories

Connectivity

Operability

Sound

Quality/Price

Pros

Pure, wide, separate sound with an analytical character, bright mids, and dry, precise, and delicate bass and treble.
High power output from the SE output.
Volume control with 100 steps via buttons.
Play/pause button and physical gain control.
Two colors to choose from.
APP for control and 8-band EQ.
Excellent value for money.

Cons

It doesn’t have the most impressive design.
It could improve its performance when starting songs with Foobar2000.
Headphones must be connected for it to work, which can be an advantage in terms of saving battery life on the source device, but a nuisance when used with a PC.
It does not have ASIO drivers.

Purchase Link

https://nicehck.com/products/nicehck-octave-es9039q2m-flagship-portable-dac

Link to the WEB

https://nicehck.com

Introduction

The well-known AliExpress store was founded in 2015 by HiFi music enthusiasts and acoustic engineers. Over the years, it has focused on research and development, as well as the sale of HiFi IEM headphones, IEM headphone cables, and audio accessories to customers around the world, combining creative design, high performance, superior quality, and affordable prices. It is well known for its excellent customer service worldwide.
Now it is time to launch a flagship dongle (portable DAC amplifier) that uses the ES9039Q2M DAC chip and dual SGM8262 operational amplifiers. It specifies a power output of 550mW at 32Ω and has two audio outputs, a 3.5mm SE and a 4.4mm BAL. It also has the ability to adjust the equalization via a mobile app. It has a 100-step volume control adjustable by physical buttons and a gain selector via a physical button. It is capable of decoding PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD 256. It supports headphones with controls and microphone. It also has a physical play/pause button. It is available in titanium gray and purple. Let’s see what this foray by the NiceHCK brand into the world of dongles has to offer.

Specifications

Name: Octave.
DAC Chip: ES9039Q2M.
Input port: USB Type-C.
Audio outputs: SE 3.5mm, BAL 4.4mm.
Op-Amps Chips: 2 x SGM8262.
Decoded formats: PCM 768kHz/32bit, DSD64/DSD128/DSD256.
Dynamic range: 130dB.
SNR: 130dB.
Frequency response 20Hz-40kHz.
Distortion: 120dB (4.4mm), 120dB (3.5mm), 0.0001%(600Ω).
Output power: 150mW(SE 3.5mm, 32Ω), 550mW(BAL 4.4mm, 32Ω).
Approximate weight: 25g without cable.
Compatible systems: Android / HarmonyOS / Windows 10 & 11 / IOS / MacOS and other systems.
APP compatible with Android.
Starting price: $89.

Packaging

The NiceHCK Octave comes in a small black box measuring 90x101x39mm. On the front, you can see the two color options (purple and titanium) in a realistic photo in the center of the box. The new brand logo is in the upper right corner. In the opposite corner is the model name and a brief product description. In the lower right corner are the two output options and the audio formats it supports. On the back are the product specifications and brand details. Once the protective cellophane and decorative cardboard are removed, you can see a box with a fabric-like texture and the brand logo inscribed in the center. The box opens like a chest, and inside you can see the dongle in a black foam mold. The top is protected by a transparent plastic sheet. In the second layer, there is a black cardboard box with the brand logo in the center that contains the rest of the accessories. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:

The NiceHCK Octave dongle.
A user manual.
A warranty certificate.
A male USB Type-C to male USB Type-C connection cable.
A female USB Type-C to USB Type-A USB adapter.

Both sides are protected by a plastic cover. The connection cable is made of high-purity silver-plated copper with four strands. It does not come with a case. Minimal contents, but the adapter and cable with metal parts matching the dongle are appreciated.
As a gift, the package came with a matching purple faux leather square accessory, which has an elastic band sewn in to create a narrower and wider space. It also comes with a metal plate/ring with adhesive on one side. This is a set for holding the dongle on the back of the smartphone, attached magnetically thanks to the ring. In my case, my phone case already has this metal ring. I don’t know if this will come as standard with all dongles.

Construction and Design

The NiceHCK Octave has a relatively simple design. It features a body made from a single block of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, fully processed with CNC machinery. The metal body inherently offers excellent anti-interference properties, effectively blocking external electromagnetic noise and creating a “pure shield” for audio signal transmission.
The surface has a delicate matte finish, which feels soft and warm to the touch, is fingerprint-resistant, and provides a solid grip. In the center, double-sided tempered glass plates are fitted into the metal body to create an elegant, minimalist look that balances aesthetics and durability. That’s what the brand says.
The metal plate is designed as a parallelepiped with rounded corners, with a small double step on the side with the three buttons. The first button is full length and the second is closer to the buttons and has a rounded narrow part. On the black tempered glass on this side, you can see the name on the left and the formats it decodes below in gray letters. The old brand logo is in the upper right corner. On the right side are the three buttons: the one closest to the top is the + button, in the center is the play/pause button, and below is the – button. These are rounded buttons with the classic flat/oval shape. They are located in a recessed area of the body on this side. The audio outputs are on the bottom edge, with the 4.4mm BAL with gold-plated connectors on the left. On the right is the 3.5mm SE with a black border. On the other left side is the gain selector, a round button that slides inside an oval/flat shape. It has a slight texture on its surface. The USB Type-C input is located on the top edge. On the bottom is another piece of dark tempered glass with the brand name and slogan in the center.
The connection cable consists of four strands of high-purity silver-plated copper, which are knotted together. The connector housings are metal, matching the color and texture of the dongle surface. They are relatively long and consist of a flattened cylinder with an oval/flat cross-section. The quality looks quite acceptable, and the cable connection to the connector is well protected by translucent plastic funnel-shaped pieces.

Connectivity

Not much to say in this section. Compatible systems are Android / HarmonyOS / Windows 10 & 11 / iOS / macOS. It also notes that it may be compatible with other common systems without specifying which ones.
The app is only compatible with Android.
It does not have ASIO drivers.
The firmware version used in this review was V1.3_20251010.
This update includes:
Fixes for lag, compatibility, and pop noise issues.
Completely rebuilt core logic and system architecture for smoother performance.

Operativity

For the Octave to work, it is not enough to connect it to the USB port; it is essential to connect headphones, either through the SE or BAL port. This can be very useful when using battery-powered devices, so as not to consume power all the time, but it is not ideal when using desktop devices.
It does not have a screen to indicate status or volume, but it does have an LED on the top, near the USB port. This LED indicates the format being played and changes color accordingly.
The buttons are self-explanatory. It has a slider button to adjust the gain mode, low or high.
It is recommended that you lower the volume when connecting to a source so that there are no problems with the connected headphones. However, the Octave remembers the volume position in the firmware version used.
The app is only compatible with Android and must be installed manually. It is called YUANDAO, although it has the NiceHCK logo and name on the icon. It allows you to activate an 8-band parametric equalizer and create your own EQs. Although there is space for preset EQs, there are none available.

Measures

The output power per SE according to specifications is 150mW at 32Ω, which means a voltage of 2.19V RMS and 69mA. How can it give 2.19V output if the maximum voltage is 2V per SE?
The output power per BAL according to specifications is 550mW at 32Ω, which means a voltage of 4.2V RMS and 130mA. The same question applies: if the maximum output without load is 4V RMS, how can the NiceHCK Octave provide 4.2V RMS at 32Ω?
Something strange happened when testing the balanced output: it seems that the Octave demands a lot of current for this output. With certain DAPs or even when connected to a PC, it couldn’t reach a high voltage because the device seemed to be blocked. Finally, I had to resign myself and try to get the maximum output voltage, which was quite lower than with SE.

SE No load

1V RMS Low Gain. 2V RMS High Gain.

SE 15Ω

The NiceHCK Octave can reach full volume and voltage via SE at 15Ω. 1.968V, which equates to 240mW of power and 120mA of current. Superb.

SE 33Ω

Similarly, full voltage is reached at 33Ω. 1.991V, giving 120mW and 60mA. It is impossible to reach the specified 150mW, but this is the maximum.

SE 100Ω

No problems handling this impedance. 1.972V, which is 39mW and 20mA.

BAL No load

2V RMS Low Gain. 4V RMS High Gain.

BAL 15Ω

As I mentioned, I was only able to reach 1.239V RMS per BAL with 15Ω. The result isn’t too bad, 100mW and 83mA. But it’s far from the values achieved by SE.

BAL 33Ω

A much more appropriate value is achieved with 33Ω, although it seems that the Octave could achieve more. 2.655V RMS to reach a power of 210mW and 80mA. Great values in any case, but far from those unattainable 550mW.

BAL 100Ω

Full unrestricted peak voltage for 100Ω. 160mW and 40mA.

Frequency Response

As can be seen in all the graphs, there is no appreciable voltage loss in any of the measurements or across the entire audible frequency range, so the frequency response is clearly flat.

Sound

The NiceHCK Octave’s profile is quite neutral and clean, without being bright or clearly analytical.
Starting with the low end, the Octave persists in that idea of cleanliness and neutrality. The bass is powerful, concise, very well executed, precise, with very low decay, a fairly smooth surface, little rough texture, but a forceful punch, as well as a great sense of punch and good volume. It feels fast, with a very good level of speed and very little residue. In the very low frequency pure tone test, it is capable of executing notes very cleanly, without color, with very low undulation/vibration. It feels dark and has a sufficient level of physicality.
In the dirty, complex, and unfiltered bass test, it demonstrates a great deal of control and smoothness in execution, generating passages with a very restrained and well-defined texture. There are no undesirable vibrations, more pronounced than usual, or artificial ones. The execution feels very pure and realistic. But perhaps some may be looking for a somewhat rawer and more vivid sound.
In the midrange, the timbre feels neutral and natural. The feeling of transparency and purity is a clear example of this range. The informative capacity is rich, generating an expansive and volumetric sensation. The neutrality of the sound prevails, but it is true that it offers a certain sensation of sharpness and thinner notes, something that reveals a certain more analytical aspect in the midrange. In this way, this range moves away from any sensation of warmth, appearing richer, more precise, finer, and more articulate than musical, smooth, or round.
In this way, the midrange is very well represented, with extensive exposure of the elements, while remaining rigorous in its design. The vocals follow this pattern and, at the limit, can be a little more abrupt with colder, more analytical headphones, as they can enhance this finer, more decisive aspect of the Octave.
The upper range of the Octave seems somewhat contradictory. One might think that it could be a more powerful and noticeable range, but this is not the case. It is clear that it remains very precise, but perhaps because of that feeling of fineness, it is also more delicate, less wide, and more concise. Finer notes are higher, but the whole seems calmer and with a sharper spark, but just right, as if it had more control over the upper range. The high notes are high, but they are not muddy or crowded. In other dongles, the combination of many high notes can create a stronger and flatter sensation, but one that is more noticeable as a whole. In the case of the Octave, this sensation is very well controlled and gives the impression that the treble has more resolution, more amplitude, extension, but also more space to express itself and sound purer, without the need for more presence or energy.
The Octave is very competent on a technical level, with that ambivalent capacity of each range, those two sides of its analytical capacity, precision on the one hand and finesse and delicacy on the other.
It has a good expansive capacity that projects a great sense of volume, transparency, openness, and extension, with a light, volatile, and gaseous sensation, thanks to the vapor of its midrange notes and the finesse of its treble. The capacity for separation and distance also helps in this regard, but it does not become too out-of-head sound, instead possessing good attachment, thanks to a firm but also very controlled base, with a smooth but meticulous surface. It does not come across as a dense dongle; it is polished and precise in the positioning of the image and the elements. It is dark in its background and separated in the notes.
The speed of the Octave gives it a very good impression of dynamic movement.

Comparisons

EPZ TP50

The EPZ TP50 is priced at $110 and the NiceHCK Octave at $89. The TP50 uses a CS43198 Dual DAC and two RT6863 Op-Amps. The NiceHCK uses an ES9039Q2M DAC and two SGM8262 Op-Amps. Both have great specifications.
The Octave is more powerful than the TP50 in terms of SE for low impedances, while it is equal to the TP50 in terms of BAL.
The design of both is nothing to write home about; both models are very solid, with aluminum alloy casings, but the TP50 has the advantage of a screen for controlling and displaying all functions. However, it does not have a control app for 8-band EQ like the Octave does.
The size is very similar on both devices, with the TP50 being slightly wider.
The TP50 has a broad but controlled sound. It has a little more body and texture in the bass. The very low frequency pure tone test offers very similar performance, but the Octave has a little more darkness, while there is a slight hint of color in the TP50, which is barely noticeable. The TP50 has slightly more volume and body and is a little more expansive. The Octave is cleaner, more concise, and faster, with less residue in the low end. But the TP50 has superior physical components.
In the dirty, complex, unfiltered bass test, the Octave is smoother and more precise, softer in the notes, but also very fast. The TP50 is somewhat rawer, rougher, and a bit more visceral, without ever losing control of the situation, but the Octave feels more refined and neutral, yet less vivid.
In the midrange, the Octave’s attack is faster and the notes feel thinner, finer, but also sharper and brighter. The TP50 is smoother, gentler, and more musical, without implying that it has less informative capacity, much less inferior detail. In that respect, they are on par. But the edges of the notes and the shaping of the forms are different, more friendly, polite, and rounded on the TP50. There is a little more separation in the Octave’s midrange, but the TP50’s vocals sound more pleasant and less sharp than on the Octave. The TP50 feels more musical, while the Octave is more critical and sharp.
In the upper range of the Octave, something curious happens with respect to the TP50. It might seem that the Octave would be more pronounced and present in the high frequencies than the TP50, but in fact the opposite is true. The presentation of the high frequencies in the Octave is slightly below that of the TP50, where they are more prominent and present. The Octave’s treble is finer, higher, and more precise, while the TP50’s sound is somewhat flatter, with a little more emphasis on the lower treble and a little more energy. The Octave’s sense of energy is a notch below and seems to have more control and precision in these high notes. On the other hand, the TP50 seems more penetrating and less delicate.
The TP50 is denser, with good volume, but less expansive and gaseous than the Octave. The Octave’s greater sense of speed energizes the scene, while the TP50 is more cohesive, with a slightly heavier base due to the body of the bass and its roughness. The energy of the treble seems to flatten the sense of expansion of the soundstage, making its projection more controlled. The Octave is freer in this respect and creates a more transparent and open atmosphere.

Conclusion

Octave is NiceHCK’s first flagship dongle. It’s a commendable approach to bringing the Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC to the masses for only $89. The NiceHCK Octave also features two SGM8262 Op-Amps and can decode up to PCM 768kHz/32bit, DSD64/DSD128/DSD256. It has volume control buttons with 100 steps, play/pause, and low/high gain selector. There is even an app to control an eight-band equalizer.
The Octave’s sound is excellent for the price. It has a very neutral tendency in the bass and treble and is slightly brighter in the midrange. It has a pure profile with an analytical tendency, very detailed, open, transparent, clean, and separate. It is a very powerful device due to its SE output and more common due to its BAL output. Its aesthetic design may not be the most striking, it does not have a screen like other slightly more expensive dongles, but it has a solid construction, with adequate and quality accessories. It is undoubtedly a very reliable product with an outstanding quality/price ratio.