Rating  - Little Giant
I've owned several different audio amplifiers from high quality solid state and tube amps to the Sonic Impact T-amp. The NuForce Icon is well worth the purchase price and for a D-class amplifier has excellent sound quality. Bonuses include the incredibly small form factor, the built-in DAC and 12w per channel which is more than one of my tube amps. I used it in my regular audio system with some stand-mount monitors and it delivered as expected. When I plugged the USB cable into my computer the OS recognized it immediately and it was up and playing in no time. The only draw-back is the far-too-short Cat5 speaker cables. I have no problem making my own longer cables but it would be nice if NuForce had an option available. On a side-note, the amp produces a small "pop" when first powered on which, while not a "problem", is a bit disconcerting. If the choice is between eliminating the "pop" and reducing the sound quality, I'll take the "pop".
Rating  - Revolutionary product at an amazing price
From the moment you open up the package and give the Icon a try, you just get a feeling that you are holding something that has "it". It provides amazing sound quality, but also provides you with extreme flexibility in terms of usage, all in a cool running, cool looking, highly efficient little box. Oh yea, its only $250. Insane!
The most obvious use for the Icon is as a USB DAC and amplifier for the NuForce S-1 Speaker. This lets the Icon handle the very important task of converting the digital source into the analog output, and is something that a computer just isn't designed to do well. But, you can also use the Icon with any other "regular" speaker, as it includes the necessary cables to do so (the Icon connects to the S-1 using an ethernet cable...the Icon connects to standard speakers using the included CAT5/Banana Plug cable). Longer lengths are available from NuForce, and they also provide the pinout on their website so you can make your own if you wish. Furthermore, they offer the NuForce RJ45CX which is a breakout box so you can use your favorite, "regular" speaker cables. Again, versatility is the key here.
But, if you don't want to take advantage of the stellar DAC included in this unit, you can use either the standard RCA stereo inputs or the mini-plug input (for an MP3 player or similar unit). There is no reason why you couldn't just put the Icon and S-1 in your bedroom and hook up your CD player directly to it. Or take it to work and make everybody jealous (did I mention the built-in headphone amplifier on this thing? Well, the office is a great place to make use of it). Its the audio equivalent to a Swiss Army knife.
The sound is clean, clear, and effortless. Very transparent. It does not seem to leave too much of its own imprint on the music...it just amplifies what you give it. Bass is strong and deep, and the highs are extended but not overbearing. Sounds like fresh air, if that makes any sense.
Two minor caveats...when you turn on the Icon it will make a minor "pop" noise. This is supposed to happen and won't hurt anything. Also, be sure you have your system optimized for best sound quality. On my iMac I had it up and running in about 30 seconds (plug it into a USB jack, change the sound output in System Preferences to "USB DAC", and you are done). But, make sure you let the Icon do all the work...maximize the sound output on the computer and use the Icon's volume control. There are other tips floating around the web, and are worth a look if you want to get every last bit of potential out of it. Also note the 42W PSU...it is likely of better use with conventional/more inefficient speakers, but with the Icon it provided a subtle increase in dynamic reach and "speed" of the sound.
This really is an amazing product. It does so much (and does it so well), that I continue to be dumbfounded by the price. Its perfect for teens getting their first taste of home audio, all the way to veterans with elaborate home setups wanting something new/different. It makes great sounding music in any room of your house...that is the bottom line. NuForce have managed to take the high-quality home stereo experience and scale it down for use on a desktop. Truly awesome!
Rating - Great product, tremendous value
I just got my Icon, and it sounds so good that I just cannot stop listening to iTunes! I meant to turn it on just for a quick test run, but the music sounded so compelling, with so much background detail, and with such clearer highs and lows, that I wound up listening for about 2 hours before I reluctantly pulled myself away.
I've tried a wide range of sound cards, but let's face it: computers simply aren't meant or designed to power speakers. That just isn't their job. A separate outboard DAC, however, IS meant to power speakers. And for nearfield desktop listening, the Icon accomplishes this task with an impressive combination of power, finesse, and aplomb. Not too shabby for $249, especially when you consider the cost of many similar products on the market.
If anything, the Icon has revealed the limitations of my mediocre Klipsch ProAudio 2.1 system. The quality of Nuforce's product really warrants an upgrade to higher quality speakers and better cabling, so I'm in the midst of procuring such items (Mackie powered speakers and Purist Audio interconnects).
I have had positive experiences with buying high quality power supplies with other home audio products in the past, so I'm strongly considering a purchase of the Nuforce 42W PSU. Often, a better power supply means more open and fluid sound, and is often worthwhile from my personal experience, and at $45 the Nuforce PSU seems reasonably priced compared to the overall cost of the Icon.
Finally, Nuforce customer service is almost unimaginably great to deal with. Their level of personal contact, over both e-mail and phone (without the dreaded "computerized voice jail" that plagues many other companies' so-called "service" centers) was as impressive as the product itself.
All in all, this was a true 5 star experience, and I expect that to continue throughout the lifespan of my Nuforce Icon.
Rating - Perfect office setup, great service
My first Icon quickly fried itself (overheated to oblivion), but NuForce took care of everything quickly and I now enjoy it daily. This thing will make amazing sounds come out of your speakers.
The bass is AMAZINGLY deep and detailed, and I am listening to it through bookshelf speakers (listening to Massive Attack was like a sharp stick to the back reminding me to give some positive feedback - bass bliss!) It even has a pre-out if you need subwoofer bass. Frankly I cannot imagine that need.
This thing is very fast and detailed without being analytical. The detail allows me to listen at lower volumes without the music turning to mud, so I don't constantly feel the need to crank it up (office, remember?)
Most of my listening is via the USB DAC. It can sometimes show some veil in low rent streams, especially in the mids - but keep in mind that I have pretty cheap speakers. Hook this to some nice Atoms and you would be in heaven.
The Icon is not super loud, but it is plenty for an office or bedroom environment. This leads me to my primary peeve - the speaker cables are entirely too tiny. You can roll your own, but you will need to crimp RJ45 (network) connectors. This also means that if you are the type to prefer cryogenically treated copper (or other exotic cabling) you may feel limited by the network connector. I used an RJ45 female to female and a network cable laying around the office to fix my cabling issues (cable snobs insert cringe here).
There is a minor pop upon powering up. Fit and finish are exceptional. The foot seems to be silicone.
I have not heard the other minor chip amps out there (T-Amp based) but I would believe it if you said this one trumped them. Given the USB DAC, 2 line in, pre-out, head-amp and amazing fit and finish, I think this to be the perfect office setup.
Rating - Fantastic Sound
I purchased the Nuforce Icon to use in my office to play music from the computer or the radio. I use a Tivoli Audio Model One as a tuner with the interconnect going to the headphone outlet. The PC is connected via a USB cable to the Nuforce USB coonection which has it's own internal DAC. The speakers are Tekton with Fostek single full range drivers.
The sound from lossless FLAC files ripped from my favorite CD's is incredible. It is truly approaching high end audiophile quality sound. People remark that it sounds like a live performance.
The little Icon integrated amplifier would also be perfect for a bedroom or main system with efficient speakers.
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Customer Reviews for Nuforce,Icon,895029002025,0895029002025,B0016U2J52, |
