nuConnect ampX

Unit type and recommendations for use

The modern hi-fi amplifier should be powerful. Connection-friendly. Comfortable to operate, of course. And a precise sound manager. The nuConnect ampX is all that - and much more! It not only drives a pair of passive speakers with a stable 2 x 110 watts of continuous power, but also acts as a connection centre and interface for the active speakers in our nuPro X series as well as smartphones and tablets. And the icing on the cake: the amazing range of functions and power of this multi-talent fits into an elegant aluminium cabinet in a living room-friendly midi format.

The nuConnect ampX was developed on the digital basis of our excellent nuPro X active series, expanded and adapted for the requirements of a modern integrated amplifier. For example, Nubert's engineers have added a high-quality phono input for turntables to the connection section, which works with both moving magnet and moving coil systems. The power amplifier has been designed for passive speakers with an impedance of 4 to 8 ohms, using the digital amplifier technology familiar from the X-series, so that sound transducers from other manufacturers can be connected in addition to Nubert speakers. The nuConnect ampX benefits from the high-purity signal processing and the functional diversity of the nuPro platform, including the sensitive sound tuning with loudness circuit and equaliser.

Features such as convenient app control or wireless transmission make the nuConnect more than just an integrated amplifier. For example, the ampX can wirelessly receive the signal from two nuPro X speakers and use it to play a pair of passive speakers. In this way, a simple multi-room system can be set up in no time at all and the world of active and passive speakers can be connected.

This unit can be paired with other X-Platform products using Nubert's X-Connect wireless standard. X-Connect transmits sound data in high resolution, securely and with minimal latency. X-Connect is supported by the speakers of the nuPro X series, the ampX amplifier and the subwoofers of the nuSub XW series. Via the nuConnectr trX adapter, hi-fi and home cinema products from other manufacturers can also be integrated into the wireless network. With X-Connect, you can pair master and slave speakers to form a stereo pair in no time at all, conveniently and without annoying cables. You can add a nuSub woofer to a satellite set or a soundboard, which will then play music in sync with the speakers. Or you can set up a simple multi-room system with a nuConnect ampX. The wireless range is typically 15 metres. The possibilities are endless!

You can set up compact systems with a powerful sound that meet high acoustic demands. It acts as a control centre for a wide range of players, from classic radio receivers or CD players to contemporary network streamers and smartphones. The ampX is the ideal drive for a pair of compact bookshelf speakers from our nuBox, nuLine or nuVero series, but with its two 110-watt power amplifiers, in combination with two floor-standing speakers, it can also provide sound for larger rooms and drive party-suitable levels. Of course, the integrated amplifier also works harmoniously with transducers from other manufacturers. Thanks to the subwoofer output, the nuConnect can even be used to set up neatly tuned sub/sat sets.

So the Nubert nuConnect ampX is a full-featured, half-size integrated amplifier at a really tempting price.

Connections

The nuConnnect ampX has two analogue inputs: a pair of stereo RCA sockets for any input player and a second pair specifically for turntables. These can work with both MM and MC pick-ups; the working mode can be switched on the fly. Six inputs are available for digital players: two electrical and two optical S/PDIF connections, plus a USB-B port for computers and a USB-A port that can be used as a power supply output and also accepts modules such as Nubert's HDMI-ARC adapter. Subwoofers can be connected to their own SUB-OUT socket. In addition, the ampX has an internal Bluetooth module that is used to communicate with the Nubert nuRemote control app and to stream music from Bluetooth players such as smartphones or tablets. With active speakers of the nuPro X series, the nuConnnect ampX can communicate either wirelessly or via connecting cable. It can optionally receive the music signal from the X speakers or play a pair of X speakers in a second zone. Passive speakers are connected to the two screw terminals. The two fine-thread screws accept banana plugs and speaker cables up to a cross-section of 4 square millimetres.

Housing and design

The nuConnect ampX comes in the compact design of just over 23 centimetres wide, also known as midi format. A considerable selection of players and other hi-fi components are available in this format. The ampX's cabinet is made of high-quality aluminium with a noble black or white anodised finish. Despite the considerable amplifier power, the nuConnect does not require an active cooling system; heat is dissipated via ventilation slots and cooling fins on the underside of the housing. To ensure high connection quality for the nuPro radio and Bluetooth connections, two supplied screw antennas can be attached to the back of the unit.

Display and operation

The front of the nuConnect ampX is adorned with a large-format OLED display that is clearly legible even from greater distances and viewing angles and provides permanent information about the operating status of the amplifier. The nuConnect can be controlled directly on the unit using the silver aluminium rotary control on the front in conjunction with the adjacent back button and the stand-by button. Alternatively, a high-quality remote control is included in the scope of delivery, which is designed similarly to the signal transmitter of the nuPro X speakers and offers direct access to the most important functions such as volume, input selection and sound control. The third operating option is the Nubert nuRemote app, which is available free of charge for iOS and Android devices and makes even complex and powerful tools such as the 5-band equaliser child's play to use via a graphical interface.

Tone control

The nuConnect ampX has several options for adjusting the playback image to the listener's preferences or to the room conditions. A simple bass and treble control optionally raises or lowers the low or mid and high frequencies by up to ten decibels. This control works according to Nubert's well-known principle of sound balance and preserves the balance and harmony of the original recording. The five-band equaliser, which can be accessed via the app or the control pad, allows more detailed intervention in five frequency bands. In addition, there is an audiologically correct loudness function that gently to moderately increases the bass level depending on the volume and thus compensates for auditory deficits at low listening levels.

App and room measurement

As an alternative to the supplied remote control and the control pad on the unit, the free Nubert X-Remote app for iOS and Android can also be used. The use of the app is particularly recommended for complex operating procedures, as it presents advanced functions such as the equaliser or the setting of the cut-off frequency in a particularly clear way. The programme automatically adapts the menu interface to the equipment of the respective connected device. A speaker from the nuPro X series offers different functions than the nuConnect ampX integrated amplifier, for example.

The app's advanced features include bass equalisation, which enables optimal low-frequency reproduction at the listening position and reliably minimises dreaded room modes. The application is very easy: Start the app, establish the connection with the device and navigate to the entry X-Room Calibration via the main menu in the upper left corner. Now follow the instructions of the app to start the calibration. To do this, simply play and record the test signal (white noise) for one minute; the process is largely automatic. The smartphone or tablet then calculates the best possible tuning curve from the played back test signal and then transmits it to the digital signal processor (DSP) of the playback device, where the calibration is permanently stored. The calibration can be stored in one of the preset locations, so that a comparison between activated optimisation and unchanged playback is possible at any time. The X-Room Calibration function can be used in parallel with the other sound settings.

Attention: For technical reasons, the calibration only works with current iOS devices using on-board tools. Android smartphones and tablets do not provide reliable measurement results due to the large number of microphones used with different parameters. The solution is the optional Nubert XRC Android Interface: a compact plug-in module that connects to the USB input (type C) of the mobile device and gives the X-Remote app access to a precise measurement microphone and a sophisticated analogue-to-digital converter. With this handy USB dongle, the XRC system's measurement tone or room response can be accurately captured, and then the app can calculate the optimal correction curve and transmit it to the signal processor. Further information on the application can be found in the manual.