FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Nuforce uDAC USB DAC AMP with line out and S/PDIF out - Page 99

Don't let nuforce hear you - they might not send you any more gear to "review."

But seriously, I don't know why no one is allowed to say anything negative about the precious uDAC without being made to feel like some kind of pariah. I hate to tell you, but the fact that this forum seems to think this is some great sounding dac doesn't say much for the credibility of head-fi, either. :-o

I feel that the udac is also an improvement coming from the ipod 5.5g also. This is why it seems very unlikely to me that even a sansa clip can beat the udac. I should buy a sansa just for the heck of it and see what userlander is saying. I'll try the sansa with hd580s first to see how they fare

I agree that the uDac is overrated, however for what it is (A $99 USB DAC/Headphone Amp) it sounds quite good. I'd hardly say that it sounds bad. I know of no other product even remotely close in price that even comes close as far as sound quality and features goes.

It's a $99 toy that is small and easily fits in any computer case, and it absolutely destroys the SQ of the headphone jack on every laptop I've ever used.

I'm sorry but does a Fuze have the functionality of the uDac? So in my hotel room I can use the Fuze with my laptop to listen to music that I have stored, or listen to streaming radio over the hotels WiFi? Wow! the Fuze must be something special.

sansa's not going to drive a HD580 adequately. ;-) Then again, neither does the uDAC, really, although it obviously will have more power. But the clip/fuse are pretty clearly intended for IEM/low impedance only. The sansa SQ will be better, though - more neutral, natural, accurate, etc. Like I said, it doesn't have those uDAC flaws, unless you dial them in yourself with the EQ.

The uDAC undoubtedly is better than any regular laptop output, that much is pretty certain. But even then, you could probably do better for the money if you wanted something uncolored and neutral.

But comparing to the fuze, you are comparing two different things with different intended functions. No, the Fuze can't do what the uDAC does, but the uDAC can't do what the fuze does, either. They are two different products. The other poster was just asking for a comparison of the sound, not of the functionality.

hehehe userlander is to the udac as I am to the k701. cheers hehehe anyway I really like this udac. I don't find it colored when compared even to an ipod so saying that a sansa clip is more neutral says a lot about the sansa clip since the darn thing is so inexpensive I'll get one anyway for jogging use one of these days and see what this neutral sound you speak of is

Thanks guys. I was just trying to get a sense of how dedicated DACs compared to DAPs in terms of sound, as I'm an audio noob. Carrying around a laptop and an affordable, small DAC like the uDac would be an acceptable portable alternative to carrying around a Fuze/iTouch for me so I was just wondering if maybe dedicated sources would significantly outclass portable players in the same price ranges.

Since according to you guys, the sound is comparable, I guess I'll just stick with putting music on my Fuze and then playing it, rather than playing it straight from my laptop.

Definitely - you can probably get a little one like 2gb pretty cheap these days.

If you do get one, listen/compare especially to those areas I highlighted: mid-bass, recessed mids, and the highs. I think you will hear the difference - I don't see how anyone couldn't, in fact.

LOL, nice move, Larry. Better to accept it to have peace.

I have to agree with HA on this one, my uDac sounds great from my laptop with lossless files, and can drive anything from my HD600s to any of my IEMs very well. It does have a bit of "flavor" compared to some DACs, but the SQ is better that any portable player I've heard (not the clip, but many phones and iPods, amped and unamped).

But why are we comparing the proverbial apples and oranges anyways? These products aren't even in the same category; one is a portable music player, and the other is a desktop DAC/amp/spdif converter

General USB Q:
Do all USB based sound systems suffer from noises from computer operation (like suffering the web)? When my spk system was coax based, I didn't hear any PC generated glitches.

How does this DAC handle PC related noises?

Or, does everyone just listen too music only?

Thanks.

its seemless on my windows 7 lenovo laptop too. My belkin gold did give the udac a high pitched ringing sound maybe due to interference because of its length but I get no such problem with the stock usb cable it is bundled with.

BIG thanks guys!!!
I've learned a new word (term): "seamless".
That in itself is enough too help me track down "my" problem.

Thanks for the review; for this "neverending" hobby!