Nuforce Icon iDo - a low cost competitor to Fostex HP-P1?

[marcusd]

OK so its not mobile so dont worry high rollers but at $250 the Nuforce Icon iDo maybe the way of things to come for a true ipod DAC and amp combined and I rather like the look of this thing Sorry Erwin

NuForce took the unusual approach Thursday of making a headphone amp tailored just to iOS users. The Icon iDo links to the Dock Connector on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod and takes over the DAC process itself, extracting sound as though it were a USB device. The amp effect also helps boost high-end headphones that often need need much more power to be driven properly, with support ranging to as low as 12mW at 300Ohm to 130mW at 18Ohm.

The small breakout box is intended for use at home and doesn't have a battery, instead relying on wall power to both address the sound as well as charge iOS devices while attached. Listeners can attach directly with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as RCA stereo or co-ax. An infrared remote can talk directly to an iOS device for basic music controls.

Four colors are available for the Icon iDo, which is already available online for $249.





Jason Lim the CEO of NuForce explains:

“We’re thrilled to bring our knowledge and understanding of the high-end audio market direct to Apple enthusiasts,” – “Apple products are becoming the hub of a person’s entire music and audio collection, so improving the audio quality produced by these devices is key. The Icon iDo delivers on that at very affordable price point.”



The NuForce Icon iDo iOS amp measures 6 x 4 ½ x 1 inches and has been specifically designed to work with Apple’s iTunes and iPod software

[Daysleeper]

From what I gather, this works like the CLAS / Fostex, only stationary, much like the iDecco / Peachtree offerings? I think Mochan has something similar.  Me wants one. BAD. 

[mbc0528]

this seems similar to the pure i20.
but less the amp.

[jcruiz]

this one's kind of a noob question but since it works like a pure i20 but less an amp then can i use the apple's dock for my ipad and connect it in the iDo?

[Mochan]

I personally think the Pure is a better choice. It is almost a third of the price, and has optical out to boot, and serves as a very nice dock for our iPod/iPhone/iPad.  This one has no dock stand, no video, has less output options, and is way more expensive. Its only advantage is a headphone amp and a *maybe* better sounding DAC implementation (need to test).

I've never been a fan of NuForce as well, I don;t know if I'll like the sound of this DAC and/or amp, but you never know. But I weighed the pros and cons of this and the i20 and went with Pure for bang-for-buck reasons, and my innate distaste for NuForce.

Personally I'd rather buy my own amp of choice (or DAC of choice) to use with the i20 than be saddled with the amp of this one at a much higher cost. Realistically, you can get both the i20 AND the E9 for less than the iDo.

And unlike the CLAS or Pure, it is intended to be an all-in-one Amp DAC solution, though thankfully it can output analog to an amp. This is more like the CLAS though than the Pure.  It looks like a great deal compared to the CLAS -- but it looks like a poor deal compared to the Pure. The CLAS, of course, is overpriced against both, but is portable and battery-operated.

Of course, if the iDO happens to sound really good (both DAC and Amp component) then maybe it is the better buy over the iDo as you would have both a great DAC and Amp. Hard to say without a Vs. Battle test run! Someone take one for the team. Marcus?

[Mochan]

this one's kind of a noob question but since it works like a pure i20 but less an amp then can i use the apple's dock for my ipad and connect it in the iDo?

Yup, attach the USB to the dock, then to the iDo, and put your iPad on the dock, you're good to go.

[marcusd]

I personally think the Pure is a better choice. It is almost a third of the price, and has optical out to boot, and serves as a very nice dock for our iPod/iPhone/iPad.  This one has no dock stand, no video, has less output options, and is way more expensive. Its only advantage is a headphone amp and a *maybe* better sounding DAC implementation (need to test).

I've never been a fan of NuForce as well, I don;t know if I'll like the sound of this DAC and/or amp, but you never know. But I weighed the pros and cons of this and the i20 and went with Pure for bang-for-buck reasons, and my innate distaste for NuForce.

Personally I'd rather buy my own amp of choice (or DAC of choice) to use with the i20 than be saddled with the amp of this one at a much higher cost. Realistically, you can get both the i20 AND the E9 for less than the iDo.

And unlike the CLAS or Pure, it is intended to be an all-in-one Amp DAC solution, though thankfully it can output analog to an amp. This is more like the CLAS though than the Pure.  It looks like a great deal compared to the CLAS -- but it looks like a poor deal compared to the Pure. The CLAS, of course, is overpriced against both, but is portable and battery-operated.

Of course, if the iDO happens to sound really good (both DAC and Amp component) then maybe it is the better buy over the iDo as you would have both a great DAC and Amp. Hard to say without a Vs. Battle test run! Someone take one for the team. Marcus?

The team reached out and took one erwin we could have a serious 'i' battle this Dec 4th

[soullinker20]

Yup, attach the USB to the dock, then to the iDo, and put your iPad on the dock, you're good to go.

get one for the team sir Mochan hehe

I wish I could get one but i think is gonna be too soon...


I intend to have these because of the DAC only since i did like the NU Force icon i auditioned at the Rockwell (very similar to MacBook's SQ)

I hope this one has more improvements...

[sanjay]

The NuForce iDo will be available in Manila by middle of November.

[marcusd]

The NuForce iDo will be available in Manila by middle of November.

Nice Sanjay - any indication on price?

[eargo]

this is also comparable to the HRT iStreamer since it seems to do the same things. price is also quite similar with the iStreamer checking in at $199

EDIT: the iDo has an amp and the iStreamer doesn't! so thats great value

[sanjay]

Prices of NuForce models in the Philippines will be the same as US retail prices.

[marcusd]

I have yet to see if it does exactly the same as the CLAS - have we any detail on asynchronous delivery systems in the data stream and conversion in the ido or is the same as the iPure but on a slightly higher level?

[soullinker20]

i'm not sure if the price will be the same here since the Nu Force that i've seen on rockwell acoustic dimension has a price of P6,995 which only costs $100 @ amazon..

I guess the iDo for $249 will range from 12-13k here

since the ipod @ $249 also has that kind of price tag...

[Mochan]

I have no tech spec data.  We will have to use our ears to judge this one.

I'm not even convinced of any advantage in the CLAS over the Pure or any other transport dock. Bit Perfect, if it's what they are advertising it to be, is Bit Perfect and same as any other Bit Perfect.

A showdown is in order!