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[review] NuPrime uDSD

Jun 6, 2016 at 5:34 PM Post #32 of 61
First post on head-fi! Been a long time viewer but never posted anything.
 
Can anyone comment on the uDSD versus the Emotiva Big Ego? I intend to use it only as a DAC to feed a Gustard H10.
 
Are the line levels fixed or variable on the uDSD?
 
Jun 11, 2016 at 10:15 PM Post #33 of 61
I pulled the trigger on the uDSD. My previous DAC was a NuForce Icon DAC (24/96 PCM). The quality difference is clear. I love the uDSD so far. Definitely replacing the Icon DAC.  The Icon had a hiss to it at volume levels over 8 o'clock (but only when using USB DAC function).  The uDSD is dead quiet, no crazy USB "cleaners" or anything. Just a MacBook straight to the uDSD.
 
So far very happy using this to feed the Gustard H10, the pairing works very well. Currently up-sampling all my content to DSD64 using Audirvana, debates aside the up-sampling to uDSD 64 us much more pleasing to the ears. With the $50 rebate I think this is a good deal.
 
Jun 18, 2016 at 9:50 AM Post #34 of 61
I've been using uDSD for 4 weeks, I think this sound better than uDac3, I listen to more details and an increased feeling of soundstage. I am using a powered usb hub (Anker 7-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub: https://www.anker.com/products/A7515111 ), with the hub the bass is improved, I suppose that the usb ports of my computer does not provides enough electric power.

So I have Schiits modi and magni (both version 1). I feel that modi is clearly a better dac than uDSD, when I change the dac from uDSD to modi I experience a more refined sound, I listen human voices with a texture that uDSD doesn't provide and so the image is improved. However it is not a big difference like day and night. modi is better but I still love uDSD. Finallky, regarding magni it is a better amp than uDSD, however in this case the differences are even more difficult to perceive, diffreences are a little more bass and a little deeper soundstaging, but this is something very subtle, and l maybe the differences are just in my mind!

I received yesterday an Audioquest Jitterbug, in some days I'll tell you my impressions with this toy.

I use these heeadphones: Polk Buckle. NAD VISO HP50, Grado 225e and Nuforce NE800M

:D
 
Jul 23, 2016 at 5:06 AM Post #35 of 61
Hi,
 
First of all, thanks for the review done. I used this to make my decision to purchase the Nuprime uDSD.
I purchased the uDSD to replace my Asus Xonar U7 usb DAC. I am really happy with my purchase. I was really surprise by how well it drives my Q701s. I anyway also use the Littledot MK3 as a headphone amp.
 
I purchase a lot of DSD files from Ototoy.jp (Japanese Site) and HDTracks. Ototoy is a pretty cool site and they have some music on there that have been recorded to DSD in different locations, etc. I discovered some new cool bands on there as well, like Roth Bart Baron,etc. This is just some FYI.
 
Anyway, I was looking for a DSD DAC and am just amazed on how good this DAC sounds on all my music compared to onboard audio and U7, especially on the higher resolution tracks. I am really happy with my purchase. Since this DAC is 24 bit, I noticed that playing a 32bit track on JRiver, shows that it is playing natively. Not sure if this is an error with JRiver 20 or just the awesomeness of the DAC.
 
Anyway, here's my setup:
Asus ROG 551 Gaming Laptop (i7, 16gb Ram and Internal 1tb storage and External 1.5tb)
JRiver Media Center 20
Littledot MKiii
Headphones (AKG Q701, AKG Y50, Sony XBA-3, Asus Cerberus Gaming Headset and Sennheiser HD435)
Onkyo NR609 & JBL Balboa 5.1
NuPrime UDSD (I use the RCA to my Littledot MK 3 and the COAX to my Onkyo). Works pretty well.
 
I think this is a great upgrade from either an Onboard audio or cheaper USB audio like an Asus U7 that I used. Really very portable and good for travelling and laptop use. I'll also keep using this, even after I eventually get the ADL Stratos that I want, which is a lot more expensive, or if I win the lotto, the Chord DAVE :)
 
 
Anyway, here are some Pictures:
 

 

 

 

 
beyersmile.png

 
Jul 23, 2016 at 1:07 PM Post #36 of 61
Nice little setup you have there
L3000.gif

 
I use MC20 as well and it also shows 32 bits. I believe this is simply how it handles the files natively and is nothing to worry about.
 
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:14 PM Post #37 of 61
Hello, I have a Nuprime uDSD device, and I can't play DSD files in Foobar. I've followed up the instruction from the the Users Guide from Nuprime, I tried this in Windows 8 and 10.  Does anybody have similar problem, any idea on how to fix this?
 
What I've done:
 
1. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "4. Configure the Output Device"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Playback -> Output, I don't see "Asio foo_dsd_asio" in the device list (see Image 1), I guess and selected the option: "DSD : ASIO : Nuprime ASIO Drive".
 
  I don't know what value should I set for Buffer lenght and if I should select Output format 16, 24 or 32 bit. 
 
Image 1
 
 

 
2. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "5. Configure the ASIO output"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Playback -> Output -> ASIO, again I don't see the foo_dsd_asio (see image 2), so I can't do a double click on it.
  
  I guess and selected "Nuprime ASIO Driver", if I do a double click on it, it opens the "Nuprime Control Panel" (see Image 3), there is nothing to modify her (am I wrong?).
 
Image 2

 
Image 3

 
 
 

 
 
3. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "6. Configure the SACD plugin to play DSD (and not convert from DSD to PCM)"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Tools -> SACD, I seleted Output Mode: DSD, all other options appears as disabled, so I can't modify nothing (see image 4) 
Image 4

 

 
When I try to play any DSD file in Foobar, it seems that foobar is playing it, but there is no sound at all (see image 5).
Image 5
 

 
Finally, I tried all of this in a computer with Windows 8.1 (64 bit) and so tried in 2 different computers Windows 10 (64 bit), the same results in all computers.  I can not play any DSD file!  I tried with 3 different DSD files from different albums and bought at different stores.
 
This is the software I have installed (see image 6):
  • foobar2000 v1.3.10
  • foo_input_sacd-0.9.8.zip
  • foo_out_asio.fb2k-component

 
Image 6

 
 
 
Nuprime uDSD manual guide:
http://www.nuprimeaudio.com/index.php/products/downloads/send/7-udsd/10-udsd-manual-doc.html
 
 
 
Note:
After several tries and some very confusing configurations, I can play DSD files in JRiver Media Center in Windows 8, however the same settings does not works in Windows 10.
 
Aug 3, 2016 at 1:14 PM Post #38 of 61
Sorry, I only have Win7 and use JRiver to play music. Perhaps @jasonl can help out here?
 
Aug 14, 2016 at 4:40 PM Post #40 of 61
Hey, came across this thread as I'm looking for an easy portable setup for my in ears. Has anyone been able to compare this to the Dragonfly Red? I've heard the noise floor is dead silent for ciems on the Dragonfly Red which is important to me as my Mojo isn't silent and has noise floor. Otherwise I wouldn't be looking for another option.

Noise floor with sensitive iems comes first for me on this new setup and I would like to know how the uDSD fares in regards to that. And also how it compares to the Dragonfly Red in overall technical performance.
 
Aug 25, 2016 at 8:50 AM Post #41 of 61
relayercr said:
  Hello, I have a Nuprime uDSD device, and I can't play DSD files in Foobar. I've followed up the instruction from the the Users Guide from Nuprime, I tried this in Windows 8 and 10.  Does anybody have similar problem, any idea on how to fix this?
 
What I've done:
 
1. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "4. Configure the Output Device"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Playback -> Output, I don't see "Asio foo_dsd_asio" in the device list (see Image 1), I guess and selected the option: "DSD : ASIO : Nuprime ASIO Drive".
 
  I don't know what value should I set for Buffer lenght and if I should select Output format 16, 24 or 32 bit. 
 
Image 1
 
 

 
2. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "5. Configure the ASIO output"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Playback -> Output -> ASIO, again I don't see the foo_dsd_asio (see image 2), so I can't do a double click on it.
  
  I guess and selected "Nuprime ASIO Driver", if I do a double click on it, it opens the "Nuprime Control Panel" (see Image 3), there is nothing to modify her (am I wrong?).
 
Image 2

 
Image 3

 
 
 

 
 
3. For step (from Nuprime Manual Guide) "6. Configure the SACD plugin to play DSD (and not convert from DSD to PCM)"
  In Foobar File -> Preferences -> Tools -> SACD, I seleted Output Mode: DSD, all other options appears as disabled, so I can't modify nothing (see image 4) 
Image 4

 

 
When I try to play any DSD file in Foobar, it seems that foobar is playing it, but there is no sound at all (see image 5).
Image 5
 

 
Finally, I tried all of this in a computer with Windows 8.1 (64 bit) and so tried in 2 different computers Windows 10 (64 bit), the same results in all computers.  I can not play any DSD file!  I tried with 3 different DSD files from different albums and bought at different stores.
 
This is the software I have installed (see image 6):
  • foobar2000 v1.3.10
  • foo_input_sacd-0.9.8.zip
  • foo_out_asio.fb2k-component

 
Image 6

 
 
 
Nuprime uDSD manual guide:
http://www.nuprimeaudio.com/index.php/products/downloads/send/7-udsd/10-udsd-manual-doc.html
 
 
 
Note:
After several tries and some very confusing configurations, I can play DSD files in JRiver Media Center in Windows 8, however the same settings does not works in Windows 10.
Click to expand...

 
It seems I have the same problem as you. Did Nuprime get back to you? For me its worse. I can play the DSD file in JRiver but the player has PCM light on instead of the DSD. I already did the bitstreaming change as suggested by a previous post but to no avail. Any advice?
 
Sep 16, 2016 at 1:24 AM Post #45 of 61
Please see if this set of instructions work. I have managed to get the uDSD play very nicely with foobar. The uDSD really excels in DSD playback and it's worth playing around with the PCM to DSD features of the latest ASIOProxy. I'm unable to attach the screenshots here, so if anyone needs them please drop me a pm.
 

1. Install the Foobar media player (use the stable version)
http://www.foobar2000.org/download
 
2. Install the NuPrime ASIO Driver
http://nuprimeaudio.com/index.php/products/downloads/download/15-ida-8/19-nuprime-driversetup-v6-55-exe-4.html
 
3. Download the ‘SACD’ plugins
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/files/latest/download
a. To install, in Foobar goto File->Preferences and select Components
b. Click the Install... button
c. Select the zip file
d. Click Apply (foobar will restart)
 
4. Download the ASIO plugin from
http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_asio
                a. Install the plugin
b. Click Apply (foobar will restart)
 
5. Download the ASIOProxy from
https://sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/files/foo_dsd_asio
                a. Install the exe in the zip file
b. Restart foobar
 
6. Configure the Output Device
a. Goto Playback->Output
b. Select the Device: ASIO : foo_dsd_asio
 

7. Configure the ASIO output
a. Goto Playback->Output->ASIO, double-click on foo_dsd_asio
b. Select the NuPrime ASIO Driver
 
8. Configure the SACD plugin to play DSD (and not convert from DSD to PCM)
a. Goto Tools->SACD
b. Set ASIO Driver Mode to DSD
c. Set PCM Sample Rate to 352800 (only can be changed if output mode is PCM)
 
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