NuForce icon uDAC 2 - usb powered small hi end DAC

[edsamac]

Is that the digital volume control on the OS and the media player? If so I think it's best to leave them maxed out, save of course for the albums that have too much gain, but then the proper way of dealing with those is to level that out when you rip. Even when you use an analog connection via the headphone out the computers usually have no real analog output volume control, save for the soundcards now that have dedicated headphone amps (I think one even has an analog potentiometer) in the circuit or on a separate board that mounts to the front of the CPU but is still dependent on the main power supply.

Oh yeah, huh... I forgot about the volume control on the media player... that makes 4 different volume levels, lul.

Yeah, I left them maxed out by default.  They don't seem to contribute much in terms of distortion and whatnot, because I think there's a ceiling level of sorts that's built into the audio card, such that distortion is only apparent if, like you mentioned, a certain album has too much gain on it.  That isn't really much of a problem for much of my tracks.

Thanks for the tips, again.  It's really enlightening.

[Mochan]

I've been experimenting with the uDAC-II, and I was just wondering...

I'm currently using it as the DAC for my MBP, using the RCA out to an H/K AVR 145, so basically the uDAC-II is acting as a sole DAC (as per its function).  I know that the uDAC has some kind of opamp in it or something, but things are noticeably louder when the uDAC is sitting in the middle of the chain.  Is it right for me to assume that this technically gives the uDAC a sort of "gain function" in the chain when using it in this manner?

For example, I'm noticing differences when turning up the volume knob on the uDAC as compared to the connected amplifier source.  Using a FLAC source with no audible clipping, when I put the volume up on the uDAC, everything is pretty much balanced (in fact, the mids come out quite nicely, and when paired with the AVR 145, the bass becomes nice and full and not bloated).  Doing it the other way, however (putting the volume up on the AVR instead of the uDAC), the treble becomes harsh, and the vocals become rather sharp and ear piercing.

In the end, I "mix and match" the volume levels on both devices to kind of find a "sweet spot" between the two.  Am I getting at the right assumption here that the uDAC becomes a sort of "gain switch", or is it all in my head? 

A DAC will have an analogue step as part of its function (digital to analog) -- the output gain differs per DAC, and can usually be adjusted with the knob on the DAC. This is the "gain" you are talking about. This is actually par for the course with most DACs.

as for getting better sound using the uDAC's knob as opposed to the amp, yeah what's happening is you are making the source signal going into the amp stronger, so you don't have to overdrive the amp. What is likely happening is you are overdriving your amp when you turn the knob up -- amps typically perform at their best from 9 to 12 oclock on the volume pot. Any more than that you are usually overdriving already and getting distortion into the sound.

That's why the source signal from the DAC should be nice and clean.

I'm not sure how the uDAC 2 works, or even the uDAC one, I remember that the uDAC 1's lineout was adjusted with the volume knob of the amp, meaning the line out went through the opamp and could be adjusted via the pot -- which is unusual. Usually the lineout is just the maximum strength signal going out.

[mykeldg]

For anyone who are pondering issues with the uDAC 2 or are planning to acquire one, please read the very technical and unbiased review of the udac2 below :

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/nuforce-udac-2-drama.html

The udac2 based on the technical review, has design flaws that in the end of the day still causes channel imbalance, clipping and high distortion on certain circumstances.

[ProtegeManiac]

The udac2 based on the technical review, has design flaws that in the end of the day still causes channel imbalance, clipping and high distortion on certain circumstances.

It's not perfect of course, but it is a design made with a lot of compromises that some welcome - most particularly the power source circuit (no PSU, no batteries) and a convenient headphone out - but people should be aware of the limitations from these compromises. If I ever set-up a workstation with my laptop (I'm fine with IEMs through the headphone out for now) and active monitors I'd get one, although I have to admit I'm more inclined to get the Icon and some nice, used passive speakers (or a Dayton speaker kit.)

[edsamac]

as for getting better sound using the uDAC's knob as opposed to the amp, yeah what's happening is you are making the source signal going into the amp stronger, so you don't have to overdrive the amp. What is likely happening is you are overdriving your amp when you turn the knob up -- amps typically perform at their best from 9 to 12 oclock on the volume pot. Any more than that you are usually overdriving already and getting distortion into the sound.

How can I tell what position is 9-12 on the AVR 145?  It uses a digital potentiometer, so there is no fixed position for the knob, per se. D:  It just adjusts the reading on the digital HUD, which shows the loudness in terms of dBs.

[marcusd]

the uDAc2 is now in gold 



Nuforce uDAC-2 Special 24 carat Gold Edition Mini Dac and headphone amplifier -  $419AUD.

[donunus]

Ive seen that a while ago. I never bothered posting it because of the ridiculous price LOL. This one truly defines bling over substance

[edsamac]

If only that gold has some role in making it sound amazing, then I'd be sold.  But still... 

[donunus]

Its the same exact dac amp as the udac2 inside

[sanjay]

Check out the video of the NuForce uDac2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yOTifL6uH0&feature=player_embedded