NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC 24bit/96kHz, Preamp), Silver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this for use at my computer because I could connect powered speakers to it as well as my headphones. The headphones are Sennheiser HD650's, and the speakers are Audioengine A5's (chosen to be bit more forgiving of rock and pop recordings which can sometimes sound too harsh on more revealing equipment).My music library is in FLAC format, a combination of CD rips, high-res releases from audiophile labels, and DVD-A rips. I'm using the USB DAC of the HDP.

The DAC is quite good. I don't claim to be a golden-ear who can hear minute differences between mega-priced audio components and cables, but I do care about sound quality. I'm of the belief a DAC should be transparent, not adding its own colorations to the sound (you choose your amp and speakers/headphones for that if desired). The HDP delivers in this regard, with excellent dynamics, deep clean bass, and revealing highs.

The headphone amp is sufficient to drive my 650's louder than I would want to. I usually have volume between 1/2 to 3/4 (depending on source material) when using headphones. That's a bit higher than I would have expected, but means I still have some headroom so I think it's sufficient.The sound is never fatiguing with this combo, even at high volume levels.

In addition to its reputed audio quality, I chose the HDP because of several key features:

- Both headphone and pre-amp outs, with auto switching (speakers disabled when headphones are plugged in).

- High quality analog volume control for both headphone- and preamp-outs. This gives me easy access to a volume control on my desktop (leaving the computer's software volume at 100% where it should be for maximum audio quality), and allows me to leave the volume control on my powered speakers at a high enough level to avoid channel imbalance issues at lower listening levels.

- USB DAC that can handle 24-bit/96khz sound. All the other devices I researched only support up to 24-bit/48khz over USB.

- The USB DAC can auto-switch between output formats when using WASAPI exclusive mode, without the need to go into the Windows Sound settings to change the default output format. So I can seamlessly switch between a CD rip and an high-res FLAC with no extra configuration steps.

My one minor complaint, and the reason I give 4.5 stars instead of 5, is that the USB DAC does not support 24-bit, 88.2khz sampling level. For the few recordings I have in this format, I have to use a re-sampling plugin. I don't see any reason for this format not to be directly supported except simple oversight, given that 24/48, 24/96, and 16/88.2 are all supported.

If all you need is a DAC, the Musical Fidelity V-DAC is probably a better value. But if you also need a headphone amp, multiple outputs, or 24/96 over USB the Icon HDP is worth the price premium IMHO.

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Product Description:
The Nuforce Icon HDP incorporates a full-speed USB DAC and full-function S/PDIF D/A converter, plus a headphone-amplifier circuit and preamp output. Supporting digital USB, S/PDIF in coaxial and 3.5mm optical (3.5mm) modes, along with an analog line input, the HDP's flexibility has been designed to accommodate all manner of audio devices. Icon HDP is expected to compete with other DAC and preamp costing up to several times its price and serve as the heart of a high performance audio system.

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