| | |  | Source (CD, DVD, Digita... | Home » » NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC 24bit/96kHz, Preamp), Silver | | | | | | | 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. | | | Features: | |
• USB 2.0 Full Speed compliant and 1.1 supported, 8-96kHz/16-24-bit
• S/PDIF input: Coaxial up to 192kHz/24-bit or Optical up to 192kHz/24-bit
• Analog input: 3.5mm or RCA input
• Audiophile-grade DA converter
• Low-distortion, high-current headphone amplifier
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 4.02 inches | | Product Width:
| 3.54 inches | | Product Height:
| 5.91 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.99 pounds | | Package Length:
| 13.4 inches | | Package Width:
| 11.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.1 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.2 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 7 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 7 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Almost perfect, 1/2 star deduction for one small criticismAug 04, 2010
By J. Kohn
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.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Very good unit with a few caveatsAug 12, 2010
By K. Hou
I've had the unit for about 3 months now. Overall, I would give it 4.5/5 stars.
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Here were my initial impressions on the first day:
The unit was packaged very nicely when it arrived. What I didn't like was the packaging within the box. The HDP and its accessories were stuffed onto a thin plastic with a velvet texture on one side. It definitely feels cheap, so if I wanted to transport the HDP, I'll probably need to buy a separate case.
The silicon stand that the HDP comes with feels solid and securely holds the HDP in place. What I didn't like is how it smelled like feet (chemical smell) when I got it. I tried washing it with soap, which helped the problem slightly.
With the unit standing upright on the stand with the volume knob at the top, the off position is at 7 o'clock, and the max position is at 5 o'clock. There is no sound that comes from the unit until the knob is turned to 8:45-9 o'clock. The volume will suddenly come up at that point. I can only hear channel imbalance between 8:45-9 o'clock, where you can actually hear the slightest bit of sound from your headphones. Past this, it sounds very even. I use the HDP with my HD650 almost exclusively. There's no turn-on popping sound, and it's completely silent with no music playing until I turn the volume knob to 3 o'clock, where hissing begins. I can't imagine anyone needing to turn it past 12 o'clock, so the hissing isn't an issue.
There is a little bit of play in the USB (type B) plug when it goes into the HDP. It's not a tight fit, and the cord wiggles a little bit.
I wish they designed the power plug that goes into the HDP a little better. The L-shaped male plug fits semi-loosely into the female port on the HDP, so it rotates very freely. Additionally, the plug must be staggered (rotated) with the RCA inputs in order to insert the power plug all the way into the unit.
With my HD650, a normal listening volume for me is at 10 o'clock with my Windows 7 computer sound set at 100% and my Winamp set at 80% sound. If the album is fairly soft like the Head-Fi "Open Your Ears" album, I need to turn it up a little to 11 o'clock.
I plugged in my HiFiMan RE0 IEMs into the unit only to discover that there is hissing -- a very low level amount of hissing. When I unplug it, there's silence, but when I plug in my RE0 1/8"-->the 1/4" provided adapter-->HDP, I can hear a low level amount of background hiss. It's not so much as a hissing sound as it is a low level humming sound. It's definitely there and audible to my ears. When there's music playing, I don't notice it at all because the hum disappears into the background with the music. I guess this is due to the fact that Nuforce designed the HDP to be used with circumaural/high impendance headphones and not IEMs. Apparently the problem can be fixed by buying a 75 ohm high impedence 1/8"-->1/4" adapter.
Occasionally I'll hear the "badada, badada, badada" buzzing sound. I've also heard it with my previous Meier Move. I'm thinking that it's noise generated by my computer associated associated with anything plugged into a computer. It's very intermittent and occurs maybe once an hour for 2 seconds.
In contrast with my HD650 directly plugged into my Sansa Clip+, with my HD650 plugged in using the HDP as a DAC/amp combo, there's definitely a noticeable improvement in the lower frequency response. The sound is cleaner and more crisp, with noticeably more "oomph" in the bass. The midrange and higher frequencies sound noticeably more realistic. I can hear micro-details in the background like the musician counting softly to the band "1, 2, 3, 4" to synchronize before the start of a section or the instant when a violinist stops his vibrato on the ending note to a piece.
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Here are my impressions now:
Letting the silicon stand air out has definitely gotten rid of the smell almost entirely.
The unit will continue drawing power even if the unit is turned off using the knob on the front. I noticed this because the unit stays warm even if it's turned off. In order to cut off power entirely, you must remove the power plug from the back.
I haven't used the RCA input or RCA outputs yet, so I can't really comment on it.
I think I have over 500 hours of time on the unit already. Violin sounds silky smooth, and I can really hear the reverberation when something has been recorded on a stage. I can really hear the biting of the bow into the strings during spicatto.
Listening to Diana Krall - "Live in Paris" album is amazing to listen to. I can hear everything as though I'm there, from the very soft scatting in the background to the last bit of decay in cymbals. Songs like "Take it easy" by "The Eagles" make it hard to resist tapping your feet to the music. Guitar and the human voice in "Simple Man" by Shinedown sound so natural that they send shivers down my spine. Classical music like Itzhak Perlman's 24 Caprices by Paganini sound as though you're getting a private performance.
I was looking for a DAC/Amp all in one solution that is small enough to be transportable while powerful enough to drive full-sized headphones so they sound good, and in my opinion, Nuforce really delivered with their HDP. It should be noted that the unit should really be used with higher-impedance full-sized headphones that require an amplifier to sound their best. With my IEMs, RE0, I can hear a low level hiss, but I haven't used a 75 ohm adapter to fix the issue since I use the unit exclusively with the HD650. I can't really find any fault with the unit performance-wise.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Great Sound, Not So Great Build QualityNov 29, 2011
By metamorphis8
I have used the HDP as a desktop hub for all my computer-based listening for about six months. Its connections and footprint made it the most suitable contender for a high-quality interface to sit on a desktop without taking up too much space. I have it connected to a MacBook Pro and a set of AudioEngine 2 speakers. I use a pair of Sennheiser 535's and Beyerdynamic DT 880' 600 ohm as my primary headphone inputs. All in all, the fidelity of the HDP is excellent given its price point and its size. I own a UDAC2, which is a wonderful and tiny addition to any computer-based music set-up, and the HDP is much better in its sound reproduction. However, my primary reason for giving this device three stars is its build quality, and second, its relatively low power.
At first, the unit appears very well made, with a brushed aluminum cover and solid knobs. However, I often use the device in a darkened environment, and I noticed that light from the internals was leaking from the right side of the faceplate. Upon closer inspection, I could see that the front plate did not align properly with the aluminum case. Moreover, as others have pointed out, the unit stays on, even when the power is turned off. When I powered the unit down, an internal red light came on, and it was clearly visible through the gap in the faceplate. I contacted NuForce service, and they agreed to send out a new unit, but only after they had received my faulty unit. I complied, and had to go without desktop audio for ten days, which is an annoyance, since I use my audio setup for music creation as well as listening. When the second unit arrived, I was dismayed to find that the light bleed was even worse. Back on the phone to customer support, who this time agreed to send me yet a third unit. Guess what? Same problem with the third unit. According to the factory, this known defect is "within the factory tolerances" of this Taiwan-made unit. The Icon HDP that I own does not have this problem.
The other area of concern is the lack of power when it comes to driving high-impedance phones like the DT880's. The unit is a preamp for external speakers, so it either requires active monitors or an amp in the chain. But for headphone use, this device is billed as a Class A amplifier. I don't listen to music that loudly, and I often listen to demanding classical music. There is no doubt that the HDP reproduces sound very well, but it takes turning the volume to well past 3 o'clock on the rotary dial to get the music to that level where it "fills" the cans. For low impedance phones, this is not an issue, but for high impedance cans such as the DT 880's and others of its caliber, it is a major issue. Even at high volume, I never have the sense that the unit is really bringing out the best that the cans can offer. While at that level the amplification is sufficient, there is a sense that the unit is really straining. I had a Fio E9 headphone amp for a short period of time, and though a different beast altogether, it handled the impedance of the DT880's with nary a hiccup. Given that the HDP bills itself as an audiophile-grade headphone amp (and one of the reasons I invested in it), and that the company states that it can handle the most demanding headphones, its lack of power is surprising and off putting. I often get the feeling as I listen to one of my mixes or a demanding piece of music that it is struggling to keep up.
I gave serious thought to returning the third unit, primarily because I believe that a device that bills itself as audiophile quality and costs $450 ought to be constructed sufficiently well so that odd lights and gaps don't reveal themselves. In the end, I kept the unit, primarily because the sound quality is excellent, and primarily because I could not find another device at this price that does what the HDP does in terms of its simple interface and useful connectivity. The combination of its headphone amp quality (though underpowered), its DAC for computer-based applications, and its high quality preamp ultimately compelled me to keep it. Just barely.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Versatile product with solid performanceNov 20, 2010
By Ryan P. Moser
I use the NuForce HDP as both a headphone amplifier and a preamp. It performs well in both roles. As a headphone amplifier, it makes a great pairing with the Sennheiser HD650, a model notorious for its amplification requirements. I also tried them with a pair of Ultimate Ears designed specifically to work without an amplifier - unfortunately, the HDP has so much output, it was too loud with these even on the lowest setting with a -10db inline pad! Not the fault of the HDP, given the design of the IEMs.
It is also very effective as a preamp. There is a bit of noise at very low levels of gain, but the noise floor is almost nonexistant past 9 o'clock on the volume dial. The sound is incredibly detailed compared to direct output from a computer, especially with high resolution tracks. The wide range of inputs are very helpful - being able to keep three components plugged in is convenient.
Finally, it looks great and feels well built. Pretty hard to go wrong given the price/performance of the HDP.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Audiophile Quality from an iPod Using Digital OutMar 10, 2011
By mysticriver
I am a long-time lover of classical music who upgraded my home stereo equipment last year to audiophile grade equipment including a Violectric V800 DAC and V181 headphone amplifier. While these changes were quite costly, the improvement in listening experience over my previous configuration (PC soundcard) has made an enormous difference in my enjoyment of music.
After upgrading my home system, listening to my iPod Classic 160gb at work was seriously disappointing. I wanted a rich, detailed listening experience similar to what I was getting from my home system, without spending an arm and a leg to get it.
With further research and listening tests using my home equipment, I realized that the only way to get quality sound out of my iPod was to completely bypass the internal DAC and amplifier. The iPod is great for storing and retrieving digital files, but the analog circuitry is not designed to audiophile standards.
Bypassing the iPod DAC is possible by using a device that plugs into the dock connector and outputs a digital signal. Wadeia has provided such a device for several years now, but at a cost of $379. The Onkyo ND-S1 is a similar product for about $200, but I happily settled on a Pure i-20 for $99.
When I received the Pure i-20, I was able to confirm that outputting data from the iPod through the i-20 digital coax out into my Violectric equipment produced the same excellent results as I was getting by using the USB feed from my PC into the Violectric. I should mention that the DAC in the i-20 is not any better than the iPod DAC to my ears, so only the digital output is worth using. Now all I needed was to find a DAC/headphone amplifier suitable for taking to work.
There are some tempting DAC/headphone amp products available direct from China which have gotten a lot of commentary in the audiophile forums, but I decided to steer clear of them after reading mixed reviews and cautionary tales of service problems. Frankly I am not an electronics nut and will not be opening up my equipment to roll the op-amps or whatever. I just want reliable, quality equipment at a reasonable price.
When I became aware of the Nuforce Icon HDP, I read as many reviews as I could find. I was struck by the fact that there were no negatives. I was also impressed by Nuforce's claim that the HDP DAC was the same as the one in their $1600 CD deck and the HDP preamp is similar to their audiophile preamp product. Since I could order it from Amazon with a money-back guarantee, it was a slam dunk, even at $449. Some of the reviews I read pointed out that this little unit has no equals under $1,000. I cannot testify to the competition, but my experience with the HDP has been wonderful.
To make a long story short, I have been completely satisfied with my iPod Classic -> Pure i-20 -> Nuforce Icon HDP setup and can't believe I could ever have lived without it!
See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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