| | |  | Source (CD, DVD, Digita... | Home » » NuForce - Icon - Integrated Desktop Amplifier (Black) | | | | | | | Description: | | The NuForce Icon is an all-in-one desktop amplifier for speakers and headphones. It's a miniature integrated amplifier with a USB DAC and a built-in headphone amp. Icon isn't your typical amp for PCs. The audiophile-grade Icon is a 12-watt Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier featuring two outputs, a 3.5-mm stereo input for connection to an iPod or other portable device, a USB input for operation with a PC or Mac, and standard RCA inputs. It gives you lots of flexibility and has incredibly capable. "The Icon is a 'Now I get it' product for people who think good-sounding audio is expensive and silly... I think I now know why the Icon has a capital I and the other iPod-inspired products don't: It deserves it," says Wes Phillips in Stereophile magazine. For the headphone enthusiast, the Icon also offers a high-performance headphone output. Of particular interest to the computer user, the Icon's line-out functions as a PC or Mac USB-to-analog audio converter or can also be used as a connection to a subwoofer. With the same patented technology that has won a string of prestigious awards, the tiny Icon brings NuForce¡'s celebrated sound quality to the music lover's desktop. As the core of a desktop audio system, the Icon connects to an Ipod, CD player, PC or Mac. To fully utilize the Icon's sonic capabilities, we recommend high-quality monitor speakers with a sensitivity of 87 dB or higher. Via the best, jitter-free USB technology, the Icon operates as a USB DAC for converting a PC or Mac's audio signal to high-quality analog sound. For optimal headphone performance, the Icon includes a discrete, high-performance headphone amplifier. For operation as an audiophile-grade preamplifier, the Icon's linestage can be connected to a power amp or active speakers. As a high-quality auxiliary power amp in a surround-sound setup, the Icon can be used to drive tweeters or rear-channel speakers. | | | Features: | |
• Desktop power amplifier for PCs
• Built-in USB DAC
• Dedicated headphone stage
• Inputs: RCA, USB (USB 1.1, 2.0 compatible), 3.5mm Stereo
• DAC: USB 1.1, 2.0 compatible. USB native bit rate: 32-48kHz, 16-bit
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 6.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 4.5 inches | | Product Height:
| 1.0 inches | | Package Length:
| 13.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 11.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.2 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.25 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 14 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 14 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
 Fantastic Sound, Be Aware of the ConsFeb 01, 2010
By mmc
I've been using my NuForce Icon for over a month now and I am very impressed. The sound is fantastic. The USB input worked perfect for me when connected to a Windows XP Home SP3 computer or to a PC running Ubuntu. I have the Icon paired up with my Polk TSi 100 home stereo speakers (rated at 89db) and am happier with this setup than I was with my 10-year old Adcom amp/Boston Acoustics speakers combo. Using the Icon's rear 3.5mm line-out, I connected a Polk PSW111 sub and now have a small 2-channel system that I am very happy with.
To be fair though, I do think there are some cons that should be discussed:
1) The popping sound at turn-on. It is annoying and it shouldn't be there. It should have been fixed during the design of this integrated amp. Somewhere along the line someone made the decision to leave it, probably to save money.
2) The speaker sensitivity recommendations. This is a low-power amp, 12 watts per channel, so having fairly efficient speakers is a must. NuForce recommend a speaker sensitivity rating of at least 87db. But they also has the following caution on it's Icon website: "Caution: If you have high efficiency speakers with sensitivity > 92db, you might hear high frequency switching noise." So, your speakers should have a sensitivity rating of at least 87db so they will play at a decent volume, but less than 92db or you might here "switching noise". Again, I would have liked to see the high speaker sensitivity/switching noise fixed prior to the models release.
3) There is a note in the user's manual that says "IMPORTANT! If you intend to employ the Icon as a preamp without speakers having been connected, use the Headphone Output on the front panel instead of Line Out on the back panel. Using Line Out without speaker connection could damage an internal filter." Using the line-out on the back panel would be common sense if you wanted to use the Icon as a preamp. But doing that could damage the unit? That is poor design and it shouldn't be that way. Nothing should get damaged if you make a wrong signal-level connection.
With that said, I am still very happy with my Icon. If I had the choice to buy something else or get another Icon, I would get the Icon again. I can live with the popping at turn-on because there isn't anything I can do about it. My speakers fit in the recommended 87-92db range so that doesn't bother me. And I bought the Icon to use as an integrated amp, not a preamp, so that line-out warning doesn't bother me. But none of those three cons should be there. They should have been identified and fixed prior to the Icon being released. Based on sound quality, ease of use, and features for the price, it's a 5-star rating, but I lowered it to a 4-star when you factor in the cons.
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Update - 12 Jun 2010,
Just an update to my original review of the Nuforce Icon. After using it for four months I unfortunately have a couple more "cons" to add.
4) If you have the USB input connected to a computer, the computer will automatically select the Nuforce Icon as the default sound device whenever the Icon is turned on - regardless of whether the USB input (Input 3) is selected on the Icon. In my case I am using the Icon as a small integrated amp for my home stereo. I have an MP3 player connected to Input 1, my TV connected to Input 2, and my PC connected to Input 3 via USB. If I turn on the Icon and select Input 2 to listed to my TV through my home stereo speakers, my computer's sound device will automatically change from the built-in sound card to the Nuforce Icon. When it does that I don't get any audio from my built-in sound card/computer speakers even though I don't have the Input 3/USB selected on the Icon. It seems like the computer should only "see" the Icon when the Input 3/USB is selected, not anytime the Icon is powered on. (I'm using WinXP SP3 Home).
5) I watch some HD television programs using my Samsung LCD TV's built-in HD tuner and over-the-air HD reception. On a few of my stations, I clearly get better television reception when my Icon is powered off. For example, today I was trying to tune in HD channel 4.1 and could only get "1 bar" on my TV's signal strength meter no matter how much I messed with the antenna. For my TV, anything below 2-3 bars results in the picture randomly dropping out and looking pixelated. After turning off the Icon, my signal strength instantly went to 4 bars and I had solid reception. Turning the Icon on and off definitely affects my TV reception on some stations. (My Icon is located on the shelf directly below my TV, approximately 8-9 inches away.)
Some good news: I have heard of some USB devices not working very good over long USB cables. I'm happy to say that I have connected my Icon to my PC using 3 USB cables daisy-chained together - about 15 feet - and the Icon is always recogized and plays PC audio perfectly.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 versatility in a small packageDec 18, 2008
By ZoomDoc
As I write this review I'm listening to reggae music with this amp through some Grado 325i headphones. The unit is connected to my computer via the USB connection so the unit does the DAC
work. Very good sound. Now here's the kicker. This will power small external speakers and allows a line in 3.5mm connection. Perfect for ipods. Three different uses all in one small mini amp. An excellent job. Do not get lured in and purchase the portable battery powered headphone amp that nuforce also makes. That product is subpar. This product however is perfect if you need a small footprint and high quality audio. Smooth and full sounding is the best description. I can recommend this product without hesitation.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Perfect selection for desktop/bedroom audio.Sep 01, 2009
By Eric S. Wittman
"Fred Shero"
If you're looking for "headbanging" thunder bass out of a small bookshelf system, this ain't it. I already own audiofile gear (Channel Islands, Arcam, Tyler Acoustics...) and didn't want to drop another $10K for a computer stereo. Caught this while surfing for music purchases here at Amazon. I was very aware of Nuforce and immediately went to research mode. In the end, this and the matching speakers got me out-the-door for $500. I'll spare you the audio speak- This little system rocks, very nice highs and mids, adequate bass, it's portable w/an I-Touch as the source, and the footprint is economical (no small deal with my desk). This little dude is my computer audio for life.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Excellent small form factor PC AmplifierJul 25, 2009
By Christian Schock
I purchased the Icon along with the paired S-1 speakers to replace an aging but very good pairing of Celestion speakers and Denon receiver for use with my high end gaming/entertainment PC. I was happy with the older setup sonically, but the space it took up was prohibitive.
My main attraction, initially, to the Icon/S-1 was the small form factor. The fact that it got high ratings for sound quality was a big bonus as well. I'm not an audiophile, but I do own a fair amount of older near-audiophile audio components including Hafler preamp/tuner, Hafler amplifier and some SAE components so I'm not unfamiliar with "higher end" audio components.
That being said, the audio quality of the Icon/S-1 pairing has really impressed me. The clarity of the sound is excellent, FAR better than I could achieve previously even with a high end sound card (Creative X-Fi) paired with a solid receiver and quite good speakers. The fit and finish of the Icon is very impressive and the matte black looks perfectly in place with my other PC components.
So far, for me, the Icon has more than lived up to its reputation as a low (ish) cost near audiophile desktop sound solution. Well worth the money I paid for it and far, far better than any sound card/powered speaker combination I've ever seen for the PC.
Added note: my Icon and S-1 arrived the day after I placed my order via FedEx though I selected standard shipping. Nice!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Great sound for a great priceAug 28, 2009
By Goods
The Icon has worked exactly as promised from day one. It has been confidently powering my Energy bookshelf speakers and Creative earbuds. I can hear the details in my music clearly and at a reasonable volume. This is a great product I would recommend to anyone looking for a starter music system to consider it. The small footprint works great on my desk next to my laptop. Loads of clean power from this little guy!
See all 14 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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