Today, Lynn reviews the ddHiFi Nyx Pro, which is a modular 25.4AWG 4-wire silver and monocrystalline copper aftermarket cable for IEM users. It is priced at $499.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank ddHiFi for their support.
You can read about previous ddHiFi products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics here.
Note, that this article follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read up on here.
For almost seven years, ddHiFi has produced exceptionally looking and performing audiophile-grade IEM, cables and adapters such as the Janus series and the TC44Pro.
I found the innovative aspect of including both 2-pin and MMCX a wonderful offering on the Janus. No more limitations if you want to change cables but use the same IEM.
The BC130 Pro or ‘Nyx Pro’ cable continues that innovation by not only making interchangeable jacks (mini-XLR 4-pin) but also making connections available in both 2-pin 0.78mm and MMCX.
Added to that feature, the 2-pin comes in 3.0mm and 3.5mm for long or recessed needs, and the company seemingly continues its role as one, which does not stand still.
Features
The Nyx Pro is a 4-wire aftermarket audio cable for IEM users with a predominantly single monocrystalline copper wire, and an additional pure silver core with a slightly larger diameter.
The overall ratio is 1:3 silver/copper, with 7 strands of silver, and 56 strands of copper in a Type 2 Litz configuration. Differing diameters of each (0.08mm silver, 0.05mm copper) make that 1:3 ratio possible.
The wire gauge chosen is 25.4 AWG, making it fall right near the middle regarding tactility and pliability.
The Nyx Pro wire shielding is where the unique part comes into play. It is not a traditional metal conductor but instead uses a silver-coated conductive fiber material, which is placed between the inner and outer insulation through weaving.
That central core wire is wrapped in the soft conductive fiber, helping to isolate potential electromagnetic interference while depicting what ddHiFi calls, “how darkness always comes to light.”
Design
The Nyx Pro is another good-looking cable from ddHiFi. Its silver outer coloring is neither bright nor dull making for a subtly-silver and appealing look. I found it laid well when connected and with generous ear hook sheathing.
The color scheme of burnished gold and silver looks elegant and somewhat understated. The somewhat tight braiding also plays into the good looks as shadows work their way through the cable giving an “S-look” to the hole inside the shadow. Unintended I am sure, but still elegant.
A change for the jacks is to use a square shape instead of a round one. The Nyx Pro jacks are quite large, but to me easier to grab in this shape. I did not run into the problem of it being too large for the devices I used, but this could occur.
A white “L” or “R” on the inside of each Nyx Pro connection point helps delineate each side as well.
Connection Options
The Nyx Pro continues the innovation with the Mini-XLR 4-pin jack developed in conjunction with Eletech.
Purportedly meeting lossless audio standards, the internal connecting line of the plug carries a custom conductor designed to balance the sound quality deviations caused by soldering materials.
Coming with both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced jacks, the right-angled plugs work quite well, with one of the easiest (and best) workings I have seen. The plugs are available in both straight and L-shape meaning you can buy the plugs and PE connectors separately.
Using a push/pull plug there is even an arrow laden with “NYX” to guide you in proper alignment. The connection is snug, and only time will tell if that connection loosens.
The Nyx Pro MMCX/2-pin connections are a mixed bag to me. While I love the versatility of having both (all three) readily available, switching to one or the other is an exercise in miniature.
The threaded silver ring comes off readily, but the connection itself is quite hard to separate from the cable. Working my nail carefully under one edge I was able to separate the two. And without shooting the connection across the room.
Much care must be given when changing out the connections, ensuring they are seated well and in the best direction. There may or may not be a dedicated direction (I doubt it), but you will be able to see when the connection is properly seated.
If you find it hard to change the connectors, ddHiFi has a small tool to assist with connections. I am told it is free of charge, just pay for the shipping.
Handling
Some ddHiFi cables of the past have been overly stiff making them functional, but not as nice to handle. Compared to the BC130B copper, which is an excellent cable but quite stiff, the Nyx Pro handles much easier with minimal microphonics to boot.
That square jack not only looks good but functions well when grabbing it too. Yes, it is large, but due to the square shape seemingly does not hinder any connection I used. This shape is easier for me to grasp as well.
It seems that any transgressions of previous models whether real or potential customer complaints were dealt with; and the Nyx Pro is quite good in the handling department.
Packaging & Accessories
ddHiFi started by using renewable bamboo boxes for their adaptors. I still have several finding them useful for keeping an assortment of tips. The Nyx Pro is much more mainstream in packaging, but still thorough while being upscale.
The inner cardboard box houses the fantastic case, which can be used for storing many items well beyond the cable and your IEM.
This is typical ddHiFi thinking to me. Find a solution to a problem we did not know existed. The typical ddHiFi flapped square case resides inside the zippered case, as does a durable pouch, both of which sit below a flap that can carry more gear.
Four mesh pouches reside on the underside of the lid, making it easy to carry multiple adaptors, tips, and IEMs with you, along with a DAP if you desire. This is a case, that will see much use in my world.
Performance Impressions
All performance impressions of the Nyx Pro were completed using a mixture of IEMs including the Campfire Solaris 2020, Campfire Audio Supermoon custom, HiBy x f.audio Project ACE, and the Spirit Torino Twin Pulse Beryllium IEM.
The sources used were the HiBy R4 and a combination of the FiiO K9 Pro ESS and a MacBook Pro.
Summary
This is the most ambitious cable offering from ddHiFi and it shows the lengths they will go when combining with Eletech to present a mid-fi cable offering.
I found the Nyx Pro to provide excellent detail retrieval while providing a very good separation of the instruments. It became quite easy to hear instrument placement as a result, with very good clarity.
Timbre
The addition of the silver strands to the Nyx Pro construction has led to an opening up of the signature when compared to the Nyx Silver (BC130A) and the Ocean Copper (BC125A).
The enhanced low end makes itself heard, without bleeding into the lower mids, giving good weight to the notes. The result is a richer signature offering that also carries very good clarity to the notes.
Extension up top adds to the excitement, but some sibilance could be heard on certain songs. I suspect this was more a song recording issue than a presentation of the music through the cable.
The background was not quite as black as I might expect either. This came through more on the Supermoon than the other offerings, which can be attributed to the IEM as much as the cable.
Staging & Dynamics
I would not say that the Nyx Pro adds soundstage in any direction, but rather fills in the spaces more while expanding the height (in treble note) a bit.
Enhanced dynamics down low give the illusion of a deeper basement, but instead, I found it to be simply a better representation of what was coming through.
Adding a bit more flair (and corresponding clarity) to the top end gives the illusion of that increase in height.
While I won’t say this to be an expansion of soundstage, the Nyx Pro comes across rather as delivering a more fulfilling soundstage, without becoming cumbersome or cluttered. I enjoy the presentation of the Nyx Pro across many genres and IEMs.
Synergy
Some cables are more specific in their combination with IEMs or headphones. That would (mostly) not be the case with the Nyx Pro.
I found it paired equally well across the board with the assortment of IEMs chosen from lower-midrange to near-flagship models. I did find that the better the IEM, the more likely it was for the Nyx Pro to present an improvement over the “stock” cables included.
I found the Nyx Pro pairing with the HiBy x f.audio Project ACE was a bit too much due to the increase on the high end in terms of energy. This could be a case of a cable that simply outperforms the IEM to which it is attached.
Conversely, the Solaris 2020 came across as melodic with a nice bit of added vibrancy to the tonality. Bass has always been a strong point of Campfire Audio IEMs, and when combined with the Nyx Pro, the Solaris 2020 low-end is brought under better control. This was my favorite pairing.
The Spirit Torino Twin Pulse Beryllium ran a close second, to the Solaris 2020. I enjoy the smooth signature of the Spirit Torino model, but there are times when it could use a bit more vim and vigor.
The Nyx Pro keeps that smoothness to the signature while enhancing the level of detail retrieval. The pairing made for a rich, more energetic signature making me appreciate both the cable, but especially the IEM even more.
The CFA Supermoon is known for a bit of a hot end up top, and the Nyx Pro tames that ungainliness a bit. There is still a bit of sibilance to certain songs, but the Nyx Pro has brought the signature under good control. Detail retrieval was still excellent while controlling the low end nicely.
