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Audio GD FUN vs Nuforce Icon HDP

post #1 of 7
10/28/10 at 10:26pm
Thread Starter 

I've been searching the forums for the past hour and I'm really having a hard time deciding between these two.  Both are similarly priced ($400ish USD) and both offer the combo of USB soundcard with a DAC and AMP.  I'm reading that the DAC is better in the Nuforce but the AMP isn't the greatest.  Then I'm hearing the exact opposite with the FUN (great AMP...decent DAC).  Correct me if I'm wrong but the Icon can do 24bit/96Khz out the USB but the FUN cannot right?  Is this really a deal breaker?  I don't think I own any audio that goes higher than 48Khz unless I artificially upsample it.    I'm into my audio but not like some of you guys (no offense) so I'm not that picky but I do appreciate good sound.  My current collection is a Sennheiser HD595 and a Grado SR-80 as you can see I'm just taking baby steps as my toys mostly are in the big speakers wink.gif

 

So anyways I'm contemplating upgrading my headphones too (Denon AHD7000 or the 100th Anniversary cans coming out soon) so which of these two amps would work best with the Denon's (or my current setups)?  I'm not one looking to go with separate DACs and AMPs or anything like that down the road.  How would this compare to what I've heard before at a friend's place (Denon AHD7000 + Benchmark DAC PRE 1)? 

 

Thanks guys!  I'm looking to make a buy soon...so with no plans of upgrading later go with the better DAC (Icon) or the better AMP (Audio GD).  I'm concerned about a "weak AMP" as I enjoy my music loud and don't want something that I have to crank to get up to normal listening levels. 

 

Audio is coming either from a PC or from my Onkyo TX-NR807.  Thanks again!  biggrin.gif

 

EDIT:  Someone alerted me of the Beresford TC-7520 how's this one?  It's cheaper than both of what's above and seems like a quality unit as well. 

 

http://www.beresford-dac.com/


Edited by N0sferatu - 10/29/10 at 9:42am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC, Preamp)
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post #2 of 7
10/30/10 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 

bump...no input?  I'm sort of leaning towards the Audio GD Fun at the moment with AD1852 DIR9001 put in over stock...thoughts?

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post #3 of 7
11/18/10 at 3:33am

In reply to your post about which dac/amp to choose between the Nuforce Icon and the Audio-gd FUN (version B Upgraded).  I have some thoughts that may shed some light or make you want to curse me.  I own both components, with Senns HD600, 595, 280, and AKG 701s. Cardas on the Senns and custom mugamis and neutriks on the other two.

 

in sheer power, speed, detail rendering, and the capacity of the module to suck you in with  musical transparency and musical detail, the Audio-gd takes the cake.  It is simply warmer, deeper in the soundstage, and it rewards your musical thirst with many more details about the music itself, its color and timbric properties.  Audio-gd just hands you another level of dimension and separation that is so solid and sustaining with out breaking up or compromising the individual bouquet and inherent qualities of each level of orchestrated sound.  Listening to Pat Metheny's Letter from Home, Steve Roach's "Strata", and Georg Szell's Schubert symphony #9, one wants to stay and listen for a while.  And there is power to spare on the Audio-gd Fun.  That sheer power translates into long dynamic lines, and very coherent imaging of instrument placing on the listening stage. One can literally point a finger at the position of the Flamenco Guitar in Carlos Heredia's "Duende Y Compás" (Chesky), while the taconeo surrounds the floor and the palmas and olés occasionally rise from the lower left and standing right.

 

I'm listening from a MacBook Pro, Apple lossless files via iTunes, to audio-gd Fun-Cardas cabled Senn HD600.

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post #4 of 7
12/17/10 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 

Ceja thanks for the input...too bad I saw it AFTER I bought my AMP/DAC but the good news...it was the Audio-GD FUN that I went with. 

 

I couldn't agree with you more this AMP has so much power to push the cans it's insane.  Low gain at 50% volume is deafening loud (nevermind high gain).   I have a pretty good DAC in my computer (Auzentech X-Meridian) but the GD FUN is a bit better and detailed.  Details in bass is amazing on the HD595's now. 

 

Next week I'm meeting up with a friend who has the Denon AH-D7000s.  I'm going to try those on my GD FUN and if I like the way they sound I think I'm going to splurge on the LA2000 Lite cans.  How do you think those would complement the FUN?  :)  Thanks for your input and so far I'm happy with my decision.  I've only got about 50-60 hours on the FUN right now and I started hearing better detail after about 30 hours. 

 

I went with the Audio GD FUN Version A with the following...

 

DIR9001
AD1852
Neutrik socket
24K gold RCA sockets
OPA-SUN Module
TE7022 USB Interface
FET Output Buffers
Dale/Vishay resistors

 

 

EDIT:  By the way, this thing is bigger than I expected.  If anyone was wondering here's how it sizes up compared to the HD595.

 

Audio GD FUN


Edited by N0sferatu - 12/17/10 at 11:49am
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post #5 of 7
12/20/10 at 11:09pm

Thrilled to know you will listen to the D7000's through the GD Fun.   I have no exp with the Denons.

Would love to hear your impressions.  

 

 

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post #6 of 7
2/16/11 at 6:47am

Bump!

How would this compare with Yulong D100? And is it true that Audio-gd does not support 24/96 over usb?

The website reports that Version B can, apparently. 

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post #7 of 7
4/20/11 at 3:19am

The version B , modified, does indeed support 24/96 over USB.

It is well worth it

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC, Preamp)
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