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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Nuforce uDAC USB DAC AMP with line out and S/PDIF out - Page 12

post #166 of 1841
12/17/09 at 11:43am
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/fir...ml#post6240369
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon uDAC (USB DAC and headphone amp)
$0.00 at
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post #167 of 1841
12/17/09 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonio View Post
A question for you that already received it:
does it come with a usb cable?
From the pics it seems a type B usb connector.
Yes. Every usb dac should come with a usb cable, since they're so cheap. My Icon uDAC arrived yesterday, and I was listening to it through cheap $3 buds. It actually improves those buds a bit over the laptop hp out, which surprised me a little. Still waiting for UPS to knock on the door with an RE0 on hand.
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post #168 of 1841
12/17/09 at 1:19pm
I think I'm going to order a WireWorld USB cable to go with this...
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post #169 of 1841
12/17/09 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by donunus View Post
Hey, any impressions on your uDac yet? How did you get yours so fast by the way ?

Maybe comparisons with the dacmagic and some other dacs you might have???
They shipped by USPS Priority which only took 2 days to arrive.

I haven't tried it as a lineout, only amp/dac.

The way it works is quite similar with my Buffalo32s. Not as powerful and micro-detailed as the B32s but still very engaging. I'm not sure if it has a separate headamp section or uses the output stage of the ESS9022 with the volume control to play a role as headamp.
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post #170 of 1841
12/17/09 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by roker View Post
Larry or Jason,

Do either of you know if it disables the Mac digital volume control? I like to sit on my bed and watch movies and I'd hate to get up to change the volume. Also, is the output level the same between the headphone and RCA out and does plugging in headphones mute the RCA?

I'm sorry if this has been asked already and I appreciate a response.

Thanks

SI!
The Mac's main volume control (on the top of the keyboard) does not affect the uDAC volume (or that of the D4 or Pico DAC). But the volume slider inside iTunes does lower the volume with any DAC.

So, I can use the iTunes volume to lower or raise the volume of music and movies when I can't reach the uDAC and amp that are sitting behind my chair. I have not checked the Mac DVD player app, but if it has it's own volume then it should be able to do the same.

I think I mentioned previously that inserting a headphone into the 1/8" headphone jack disables the RCA output, and you have to shut off the volume completely to enable the S/PDIF RCA output.
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post #171 of 1841
12/17/09 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Knight View Post
They shipped by USPS Priority which only took 2 days to arrive.

I haven't tried it as a lineout, only amp/dac.

The way it works is quite similar with my Buffalo32s. Not as powerful and micro-detailed as the B32s but still very engaging. I'm not sure if it has a separate headamp section or uses the output stage of the ESS9022 with the volume control to play a role as headamp.
The RCA uses the output stage of the ESS9022, and the 1/8" headphone out has an amp (no opamps).
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post #172 of 1841
12/17/09 at 4:18pm
So I have 2 questions:

1) Are there applications for this beyond a laptop or desktop?

2) Is NuForce considering making a USB 3.0 uDac?
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post #173 of 1841
12/17/09 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
The RCA uses the output stage of the ESS9022, and the 1/8" headphone out has an amp (no opamps).
Interesting.

I asked them if I could use the headphone out for lineout, and they said yes.
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post #174 of 1841
12/17/09 at 6:26pm
Would I miss my Pico if I had this ?
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post #175 of 1841
12/17/09 at 6:42pm
um, call me a newb, but how come i don't see the SPDIF output? I know it says "turn off volume to activate" but where is the actually output plug?

Also, do you think this setup of ... netbook -> udac -> LD 1+ -> headphone (SR225, ATH CK300H) is a good setup?
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post #176 of 1841
12/17/09 at 7:06pm
Damn, sabre dac in a sub 100$ box. ****, this thing looks like it's shaping up to be a giant killer. I can't imagine much under 300$ to be competition to this.
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post #177 of 1841
12/17/09 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddyz View Post
um, call me a newb, but how come i don't see the SPDIF output? I know it says "turn off volume to activate" but where is the actually output plug?
ummm... next to the USB input.

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post #178 of 1841
12/17/09 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Knight View Post
ummm... next to the USB input.
ahhh. im too use to the black (one with the plug) SPDIF output.

thanks
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post #179 of 1841
12/17/09 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_Tarlow View Post
Would I miss my Pico if I had this ?
Maybe, maybe not. The Pico and uDAC both have excellent DACs and headphone sections, but they are a little different in their presentation as described in my review.
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post #180 of 1841
12/17/09 at 8:42pm
Larry,
Did you ever compare the ef2 and the udacs headphone jack sound quality?
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon uDAC (USB DAC and headphone amp)
$0.00 at
See it »
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