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Anybody know anything about the NuForce Icon amp's sound?

post #1 of 9
11/13/11 at 10:13pm
Thread Starter 

By Icon amp, I don't mean the amp with the built-in DAC and headamp

that uses RJ-45 plugs. I'm talking about this standalone stereo amp.

I'm looking to put together a small nearfield system in the foreseeable future,

and the Icon is literally the only thing that would fit on my desk, but

I haven't been able to find an actual audiophile description of its sound.

 

As meaningless as audiophile descriptions tend to be, I at least know

what neutrality and detail are. Soundwise, those are the two main things

I'm looking for in an amp. Can anyone who has heard the Icon amp

tell me if it would work for me?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Muffinator

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post #2 of 9
11/14/11 at 2:11pm

Overpriced for SQ - nearfield i would really suggest a T-Amp (TA2020/TK2050) and with a PC Source you can easily pair that with a PCI/PCIe sound card or go external DAC with headphone amp section. Efficient speakers mean lower power to go loud beerchug.gif


Edited by trog - 11/14/11 at 2:16pm
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post #3 of 9
11/14/11 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 

Are you quite sure? I thought T-amps were known for sounding warm and tube-like, not neutral.

The Icon would be just fine for nearfield. It only puts out 18WPC into 8 ohms.

Nothing I've read about the Icon amp elsewhere suggests it's overpriced.

 

I'm also unsure if a T-amp will work for me with regards to form factor.

I'd like to eventually put together a surround sound setup, and I couldn't possibly fit

an elephantine receiver on my desk. I was considering getting three Icons instead

because they're so tiny, and a good Topping amp is not.

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post #4 of 9
11/14/11 at 10:21pm

Why not give it a try. There is a 30 day return policy if you don't like it. :) Here is one review.....

 

https://www.evernote.com/pub/nuforce-marketing/amplifierreview#b=0d378b99-78fc-46dc-949e-f273b8668f47&n=c889fcd4-102a-4cb5-8af2-43c765d963e7

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post #5 of 9
11/14/11 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 

I'm afraid that's a review of the USB integrated amp, not the standalone stereo amp.

It seems everyone's confusing the two different Icons, so I'll reiterate this.

I'm talking about this standalone stereo amp.


Edited by Muffinator - 11/14/11 at 10:41pm
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post #6 of 9
11/16/11 at 5:22pm

TA2020s can be had for $20, TK2050s $100 so i suggest u head down to DIYAudio where peeps have tried all/most T-amps and owned far pricier "branded" stuff and ask them if SQ improvement (if any) and the brand name was worth it? I would, for the same $$ hit T-amp and far far better speakers really tongue_smile.gif 

However seeing you wanting to go surround you should be looking at AVRs/surround sound receivers and $17x in the used market could actually nab a half decent one L3000.gif You can't do true surround with multiple stereo amps w/o Dollby/DTS support, etc


Edited by trog - 11/16/11 at 5:29pm
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post #7 of 9
11/16/11 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 

The amps would be hooked up to the H6 card of an Asus Essence ST, so the codec stuff is taken care of.

I already said I absolutely cannot fit an AVR on my desk, and out of sheer obsessive-compulsiveness

I have to buy everything new. And for such a low cost, you can't honestly tell me I'd be getting anything good.

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post #8 of 9
11/16/11 at 7:03pm

As said i'd rather not come in assuming a $17x 18wpc stereo amp is as good as it gets or assume triple stereo amps working together and spending in access of $500++ on stereo amps would even be a good idea for a surround setup and do a lot more research....have you seen whathifi/avs pros and editors recommending such a solution?


Edited by trog - 11/16/11 at 7:06pm
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post #9 of 9
11/16/11 at 7:30pm
Thread Starter 

I already figured out how suboptimal three separate amps would be, but I hardly have any choice.

It's the only solution that would fit on my desk. To me it seems moronic that I'd have to buy

a separate table just for a mammoth AVR that provides four times more power than I need

for a ~1,000 cubic foot bedroom.


Edited by Muffinator - 11/16/11 at 7:31pm
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