Nuforce Icon HDP vs. Eastern Electric DAC ?
Jun 21, 2010 at 7:57 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13
Jodet

Jodet

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I need a pre-amp to run a Monarchy SM70 Pro in a 'second system'.  I'm using a Nuforce Icon as a pre-amp now and like it, so was thinking of upgrading to the HDP.   Seems like that would be a pretty decent upgrade.
 
For another three hundred bucks there's the new Eastern Electric DAC with a passive pre-amp.
 
Has anyone heard both? 
 
All comments welcome.
 
 
 
 
 
Jul 6, 2010 at 8:31 PM Post #2 of 13
I´m VERY interested in anyone who can answer/comment this!!! These are 2 attractive DACs!
 
I seem to prefer EE for speaker audio equipment (using RCA outs), where it will mostly be used, and HDP for 24/96 USB resolution and great headphone amp, two bonus, but not really fundamental.
 
If the HDP performs equal or better through RCA outputs than the EE, it´s the clear winner. If it sounds very slightly worse, it might be the winner and would be a difficult choice. If HDP is not in the same level as the EE through RCA outs, EE is the winner.
 
Can anyone post on this subject?
 
Jul 16, 2010 at 1:28 PM Post #4 of 13
Well I own the Eastern Electric cd player and am way more than satisfied with it's performance. The HDP got a rave review from Sarajan from 6Moons, as did my MiniMax. I would imagine that the EE DAC would outperform my cd player, and the HDP has the clear edge in price. If no one else chimes in, go read the 6moons reviews and see if they help.
 
Jul 17, 2010 at 4:24 PM Post #8 of 13


Quote:
jodet said:
I need a pre-amp to run a Monarchy SM70 Pro in a 'second system'.  I'm using a Nuforce Icon as a pre-amp now and like it, so was thinking of upgrading to the HDP.   Seems like that would be a pretty decent upgrade.
 
For another three hundred bucks there's the new Eastern Electric DAC with a passive pre-amp.
 
Has anyone heard both? 
 
All comments welcome.
 
 
 
 
Click to expand...




I haven't heard either of those units but I have heard the Monarchy amp. IMO a passive pre would not be a good match for it. I would recommend a Proceed PRE or one of the older Classe or Audio Research pre-amps.
Quote:
downsize said:
I own the EE DAC, and it outperforms ANY other DAC I have ever owned or heard, and I have had several DACs costing up to $6500.
Click to expand...


Interesting. What dacs have you owned?
 
Jul 17, 2010 at 11:06 PM Post #9 of 13

 
Quote:
computerparts said:
I haven't heard either of those units but I have heard the Monarchy amp. IMO a passive pre would not be a good match for it. I would recommend a Proceed PRE or one of the older Classe or Audio Research pre-amps.

Interesting. What dacs have you owned?
Click to expand...


I have owned the Accuphase DC-801, Theta Pro Gen V, Bel Canto's e.One DAC3, Mark Levinson No.360, and probably 20 other DACs in the past 10 years.
 
The EE DAC sounds more natural, and is more dynamic than any DAC I have heard so far. TONS of micro and macro detail.
 
Jul 18, 2010 at 5:34 AM Post #10 of 13
While that may true, it doesn't mean there is nothing around the same performance of the EE DAC for the same price or less even though you say it bests more expensive DACs you've tried. Just something to keep it mind so we don't all just automatically assume that because X DAC bests expensive DACs that everything below X DAC must be worse than all of the above.
 
Nobody can (or should) make the call between the HDP and EE without owning both, slim chance of that possibility I'd say.
 
Jul 18, 2010 at 3:50 PM Post #11 of 13

 
Quote:
kite7 said:
While that may true, it doesn't mean there is nothing around the same performance of the EE DAC for the same price or less even though you say it bests more expensive DACs you've tried. Just something to keep it mind so we don't all just automatically assume that because X DAC bests expensive DACs that everything below X DAC must be worse than all of the above.
 
Nobody can (or should) make the call between the HDP and EE without owning both, slim chance of that possibility I'd say.
Click to expand...


Holy Moses are you picky !  All I said was the EE DAC is the best DAC I have ever heard, regardless of owning a high end audio store, and having been in the business since 1983. That is my opinion, and I am exercising my right to say so.  Sheesh !
 
Jul 28, 2010 at 9:11 PM Post #13 of 13
Hmm wow that's huge praise for the EE Dac.  It would probably be better to compare the EE Dac to something in it's price range like the DAC19 DSP or something else. 
 
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