FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Nuforce uDAC USB DAC AMP with line out and S/PDIF out - Page 104

I was looking at the Swan D1080MkII 08 and a DAC. Will the Icon uDAC work by it self or does it need the Icon Amp? Or should I just get the Icon? I don't want to spend more than $280.

What a firestorm. I don't have a high-end system, but the µDAC makes a big positive difference for me through my entry-level Grado cans and little speakers. And for only $99. I'll probably upgrade my cans and speakers before looking at another DAC.

You said it wrong. Nobody attacked that guy. It's he who made a lot of attacking posts to other people who like the uDAC. Look back the pages before while he was banned, there was peace, people exchanged impressions smoothly. And then, what happened when the super-duper-userlander come back? Seriously, when I hate something, I just sell it and move on. Why bother coming back and telling people lying or deaf without thinking that his experience with other DACs and headphones is merely zero comparing to other people here. That HotAudio thing must be the discovery of the century because he could hear everything perfectly, even with his KSC75 and PK3.

Yeah, I agree with you that he should leave people here alone.

Disagree, the Swans have an internal amp, so the amp portion won't matter...rather only the DAC portion of either NuForce products, and I'd have to give the upper hand to the uDAC.

Hello everybody!! Cheers from Croatia....

As you can see by my number of posts (this beeing the first) I am new here.

I just wanted to say that I really like this forum and you guys are really helpfull when regarding to hifi gear,esspecially those that goes to your head.

Anyways...i chose to write in this thread because I ordered this little thingy called uDAC. Hope it will meet my expectations at least by 70%...

I sure will come back with my impressions as soon as i get it (which I cant wait ).

I would bet that you reach at least the 70% satisfaction threshold!

Welcome to Head-fi

Just don't put too much hope on the uDac because sometimes it might sound thick, sometimes thin. And in case you like it, remember not to come back here to praise it.

Dangit! I'm already disappointed in the DAC STRAIGHT, and I haven't even received it yet, lol! I hope I like it in my system. I thought it would be suitable because it has no volume pot or headphone out (unnecessary for the setup I have in mind), so the form factor was the determining factor, now I think I should have tried the Ecstasy...

How is the output level on the DAC STRAIGHT? I have noticed that my EF5 needs a somewhat "hot" source with the HE-5s, and I am concerned that I may need a self-powered DAC to achieve this, rather that a USB-powered one.

I really like my uDac, but it's for my laptop rig, and I was hoping for a high-quality DAC-only, plus I like to try different things and didn't want to just get another uDac.

Anyways I hope I like it a little better than you guys (in my setup, and to my ears), but I am already wondering if it will work out in my system, or if I will have to return it and spend 2-3x as much

DAC Straight required a little bit more boost in volume from my amp at the time (EF1, more or less equivalent to EF5 perhaps with bit less power) than the Pico DAC. It is a solid, balanced sounding entry level source, and I don't think you should be disappointed at all in the DAC Straight. However, do try the uDAC also and see if it mates with the HE-5 better for your liking. It's possible that you may like its dynamics and soundstage better over the DAC Straight, but only you will be able to tell.

Another option is to contact and negotiate with Dave at Hotaudio for the DAC-Extasy, which apparently from what userlander has said can be negotiated down to mid $100 range. From the impressions I've been getting from it, it seems more of a Pico DAC equivalent, and that would indeed be a significant upgrade from the DAC Straight. I'm sure Dave would be accomodating to returns/exchanges and such with you if you're not totally happy with your purchase.

Ok great I am gonna get the uDAC when I buy the Swans. Thanks for the help.

I would definitely agree with that. If you like a neutral, balanced sound with better detail in both the upper midrange and the highs than the uDAC ("better detail" not because it's artificially boosted anywhere, but because it's more even, kind of like --------------- compared to --^-----,--,, ), then the DAC-Extasy is what you want. If you prefer the kind of coloration the uDAC provides with less detail (or you need a built in headamp), then the uDAC might be a better choice.

With some set ups, I can imagine some saying the Extasy is a little bright or thin sounding because it is so neutral. But that's only if you are used to artificially boosted lows. In reality it is quite neutral in my estimation, the mids and highs are beautifully balanced, and the bass is very accurate also, not artificially boosted or bloated.