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NuForce Icon uDAC-2 (Black) USB DAC (24bit/96kHz) and Headphone Amplifier

NuForce Icon uDAC-2 (Black) USB DAC (24bit/96kHz) and Headphone Amplifier
alaAverage 3.6

9 reviews

May, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 9 reviews of NuForce Icon uDAC-2 (Black) USB DAC (24bit/96kHz) and Headphone Amplifier. The average rating for this product is 3.6/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews.

On average, users rate this product 71/100.

Review analysis

(Based on 9 reviews)

User Reviews  

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Showing 1 - 9 of 9 Show Reviews: in English

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Good for its size

 

It does a good job as a DAC for my starving student amp. Eventually, I will probably upgrade but it works well enough. It is nice that it powers off of USB and doesn't take up tons of space.

tiny, well built, usb powered

distorts at certain frequencies

Dec, 2013

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Cute design, OK performance, poor QC

 

Any product can fail, so negative reviews are always statistically suspect. However... I have bought SIX of these (including two of the RCA-less uDAC2HP model), over a period of a couple of years, and TWO were DOA. Also, two of the supplied USB cables...

When it works: reasonable sound quality, nice package layout, good value if size is important

Poor QC, mediocre support

Aug, 2013

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Dcent at best

 

This little amp is a surprise. Alone it is actually not that bad with some HD650's. The sound is typical dark, liquid, and pretty nice to listen to if you're into that sort of tubey coloration. Later, when you try to put this DAC into a revealing...

Great sound on its own

Lacks cachet, does not work well with a high end system

Oct, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Just OK, but works if you really need the setup

 

My firs uDAC (v1) fried because of manufacturing problems. I got version 2 as a replacement. What I like about it is the ease of installation and portability. I use it mainly at work where my options are a bit limited. For this purpose the form factor...

Size, plug'n'play

Boring, a bit distorted, sound.

Sep, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

uDac2-HP is nifty

 

Keep in mind that my star rating is weighted against price, and I'm reviewing the uDac2-HP. It sounds just like my laptop's out even though there are legitimate reasons to expect it not to. There's a sense of quality to the unit and its volume knob...

Has a volume knob

cheap USB cable, uneven sound, audio isn't as good as hoped

Jul, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

nice little toy

 

When I first got it I was surprised that the Lavry DA-10 I then had isn't much better. It sounds better than most soundcards, better than usb powered Meier Audio Porta Corda amp+dac.

size, price, last but not least sound

for the price hard to find any

May, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Great first DAC

 

I often make the off color joke that, when i look for audio equipment i want something sturdy enough to club a baby seal to death (in self defense, of course) and still keep on kicking out music as good as the day i bought it. This little box gives me...

Price, Size, USB Powered, Sturdy as a rock, Sounds great.

A little tinny at the upper volume, probably a side effect of being driven off a v5 source.

Feb, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

Great little DAC for an amazing price

 

The NuForce Icon uDAC2 is the first Dac I have ever owned and with that came some unsure expectations and uncertainty. My laptop is a relatively budget one with a noisy headphone out. When using sensitive earphones like my JH5's and CK10's the static...

Small, light, usb powered, affordable, solid build, sound quality

For its retail price, can't think of anything legitimate

Feb, 2011

Consumer review (head-fi.org)

First DAC - uDAC-2

 

Consider this an in progress review, just received the unit yesterday and it is not yet burned in.

Very detailed sound, improved imaging

Not much bass?

Feb, 2011

Price comparison for NuForce Icon uDAC-2 (Black) USB DAC (24bit/96kHz) and Headphone Amplifier

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