NuForce uDAC-2
A must-have laptop companion! Discover digital music's true headphone
potential
NuForce uDAC-2 is a high-performance 24bit/96kHz USB Digital Audio Converter (DAC) that connects your personal computer's audio to your home stereo, desktop sound system, or headphones. The quality and versatility of the uDAC-2's performance belie its diminutive size. With its extensive power supply, filtering capabilities and charge-pump circuit as a foundation, the uDAC-2 processes incoming data via a USB audio receiver. A D/A converter chip then translates the data to a two-volt analog signal. The NuForce uDAC-2's performance equals or exceeds that of a great many audiophile CD players. The unit's exemplary flexibility -- analog RCA, digital coaxial, and high-performance headphone outputs -- is bound to satisfy the needs of the most critical music lover.
As a step above the uDAC, the uDAC-2 boasts a highly linear TOCOS volume control for improved channel tracking at low listening levels in addition to 24bit/96kHz USB DAC and an improved headphone amp.
* iPAD with iOS 4.2.1 works with uDAC-2 provided that a powered USB hub is used between an iPAD and the uDAC-2.
Note1. The uDAC-2 is designed for consumer playback of digital music. It has not been calibrated for professional recording. At the 9 o'clock volume indicator, there is hardly any signal; further, analog pots do not behave reliably. At normal listening levels, the volume tracking is within 1dB.
Note2. The uDAC-2 volume max out at around 0dB input (maximum digital input) with THD+N around 1% is intentional, i.e., targeting the voltage rail limit in order to achieve the loudest possible, yet un-distorted, music playback. Short of 1% THD at 0dB input, we are not fully implementing our voltage limit, which translates in practical terms to a diminished volume range for music.
Features
- Discrete USB audio receiver and D/A converter
- Coaxial S/PDIF output
- Double jitter-reduction mechanism at data level and at oversampling filter stage
- High voltage 2V analog output
- A highly linear TOCOS volume control for improved channel tracking at low listening levels.
- No capacitors in any of the audio signal paths
- USB powered, no external power supply required
- Headphones impedance between 16 ohm to 300 ohm are suitable for use with Icon uDAC-2
Specifications
Input
- USB (USB 1.1, 2.0 compatible)
- USB DAC: USB 1.1, 2.0 compatible. USB native bit rate: 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz, 24-bit
- Maximum sampling rate: 96kHz
- Resolution: 24-bits
- Analog RCA Output = 2Vrms
- Dynamic Range: 90dB
- S/N Ratio: 98dB
- THD+N 0.05%
- Digital Output: coaxial RCA 75-ohm
- Headphone output jack
- Power output: 80mW x 2 @ 16-Ohm
- Headphone impedance 16-300 Ohm
- 20-20kHz
- USB Bus Powered, 80 mA/5V
- Maximum power consumption: 500mW
- 68x38x21mm
Included Accessories
- USB cable (1 meter)
