REVIEW (in progress) - Nuforce HDP 24/96 USB-Optical 24/192 Coax DAC Preamp and Headphone Amp - Page 5

No, I wont do that as it would be a faulty comparison. I compared the TOPAZ to D10 and Micro DAC and via optical input I felt they were on a similar level. That is as far as I want to speculate about it.

I'm confused. Can you show me where I suggested DACport sacrifices quality?

The HDP and DACport with 24/96 native files are a clear upgrade over the uDAC in micro-detail, ambience, depth space and soundstage, and like the D4 they have less tonal coloration and clearer highs when using the headphone out. The D4 seems crisper sounding like the HDP or DACport or Pico.

The D10 with topkit highs are slightly recessed like the uDAC, but it's pretty close to the uDAC although not quite as warm sounding either.

They all have a little bit of their own flavor, and it's too early for me to nail it down yet. I can say that if the UE11Pro were my only IEM then the HDP, DACport and uDAC would be a better pick than the D4 or D10, for some strange synergy reason that goes beyond simple sound signature matching. With ES3X the uDAC, D4 and then D10 are a better match.

So, picking will depend on your phones and preferences.

Don't have a Headroom Desktop amp/dac. I hope to compare to the Micro DAC/amp later.

Probably HD600 or UE11Pro, or W3 over UM3X. PS3 should have optical out, right?

I typically don't like the HD650, and prefer the HD600. I have owned HD650 for a month or two, and tried them at meets, and I still prefer HD600. You could find a used pair for $250 or less, and new for just under $300.

Yes.

It's too soon in my evaluation to say for sure. I don't know all the choices out there in this price range, and can only speak about what I have tried; but for what you want (USB, optical, headphone amp, line out) and in this price range, the HDP makes perfect sense.

A used Micro DAC with Micro Amp would be about $500 and would sound very good, but it's not 24/96 USB although USB works well for me. I can't say if the Micro Stack and HDP are on the same level, because I haven't gotten that far.

An iBasso D10 would also do the trick, but with less headphone amp power than HDP or Micro Amp, so not as good for 300 ohm phones. The DAC seems to be on par with the Micro DAC, but I have not compared to the HDP which is still burning in.

Apogee Mini-DAC is another one, but you'd have to find a used one, and doubtful for under $600-700. You need a computer with Firewire for the 24/96 (or optical), since they dropped USB.

I would pick the HDP over the StyleAudio CARAT-TOPAZ, which falls in your price range and features, except if you already the had the TOPAZ you'd find the HD600 work better with it than other phones do.

USB and optical can accept anything below and up to 24/96, so for example you can play 16/44.1 CDs, or 24/88 and 24/96 hi-res downloads. Coax can do anything below and up to 24/192 (for example downloads and rips, CD or DVD).

I think they would do fine, based on using the HF-2 with it. The HDP is not as warm as some tube hybrids or my WA6, but it's not chilly with Grado's either. I would tend to use it as a stepping stone up to the WA6 or ZDT (like the Apogee mini-DAC), where it would then serve as the source when you upgrade.

HD600 are more transparent and less colored. The HD650 tend to be tilted toward the bass with less highs.

Karnak the Magnificent, a seer known for his great predictions, died with Johnny Carson, sorry.

NEWS: Nuforce also has plans for a 12Vdc linear power supply upgrade that can be used on CDP08 and the HDP. I know it can work with 12-16v and I was considering trying my 12v Sigma 11 PSU with it some day. I was going to ask if a 14 cell/16.8v AA NiMH battery pack could drive it or it that is too high, as I have one of those coming from RWAudio, but I forgot.

Also, the HDP DA circuit is identical as that of the more expensive CDP08.

Finally, some of my testing and suggestions have resulted in a power increase, and possibly better performance. We don't have new power specs yet, sorry. I will have a newer "shipping" unit sent out to me to hear it for myself. I can't elaborate more right now.