NICEHCK NK1 Ultra puts a headphone amp in a compact USB-C adapter

NICEHCK’s NK1 Ultra arrives in Japan on October 30, 2026, as a compact USB-C DAC/headphone amplifier cable for listeners who want to keep using their 3.5mm wired headphones. It puts the audio conversion and amplification circuitry in a small adapter between the source device and your headphones.

Separate DAC and amp chips, with more output than the NK1 MAX

A Conexant CX31993 DAC handles digital-to-analogue conversion, while a separate SGM8262 op-amp provides amplification.

The manufacturer rates maximum output at 122mW into 32 ohms. PHILEWEB reports that this is close to double the NK1 MAX’s output, but that does not mean twice the perceived loudness or sound quality. Usable volume also depends on headphone impedance and sensitivity, along with the source device’s limits.

A window into the circuitry

The faceted aluminium-alloy body has a window that exposes the internal circuitry. A short, eight-core silver-plated OCC copper cable links the body to the USB-C connector.

PCM decoding supports up to 32-bit/384kHz. That ceiling describes the digital audio formats it can handle; it does not guarantee that every music file will sound better.

An expected ¥5,900 street price in Japan

PHILEWEB puts the expected Japanese street price at around ¥5,900 including tax. That is an estimate, not a fixed official retail price.

If your current adapter already provides enough volume, a higher output rating alone does not make an upgrade necessary. Before buying, check that your headphones use a 3.5mm plug and that the NK1 Ultra is compatible with the USB-C device you plan to connect.