the Nuforce icon uDAC2 is now available in the Philippines. Price is only P5,900.
NuForce uDAC-2 is a high-performance 24bit/96kHz USB Digital Audio Converter (DAC) that connects your personal computer's audio to your home stereo, desktop sound system, or headphones. The quality and versatility of the uDAC-2's performance belie its diminutive size. With its extensive power supply, filtering capabilities and charge-pump circuit as a foundation, the uDAC-2 processes incoming data via a USB audio receiver. A D/A converter chip then translates the data to a two-volt analog signal. The NuForce uDAC-2's performance equals or exceeds that of a great many audiophile CD players. The unit's exemplary flexibility -- analog RCA, digital coaxial, and high-performance headphone outputs -- is bound to satisfy the needs of the most critical music lover.
As a step above the uDAC, the uDAC-2 boasts a highly linear TOCOS volume control for improved channel tracking at low listening levels in addition to 24bit/96kHz USB DAC and an improved headphone amp.
* iPAD with iOS 4.2.1 works with uDAC-2 provided that a powered USB hub is used between an iPAD and the uDAC-2.
* If you're using the Icon uDAC-2 with sensitive in-ear earphones and listening at low volume, please read this article about channel imbalance issues.
Note1. The uDAC-2 is designed for consumer playback of digital music. It has not been calibrated for professional recording. At the 9 o'clock volume indicator, there is hardly any signal; further, analog pots do not behave reliably. At normal listening levels, the volume tracking is within 1dB.
Note2. The uDAC-2 volume max out at around 0dB input (maximum digital input) with THD+N around 1% is intentional, i.e., targeting the voltage rail limit in order to achieve the loudest possible, yet un-distorted, music playback. Short of 1% THD at 0dB input, we are not fully implementing our voltage limit, which translates in practical terms to a diminished volume range for music.
Features
Discrete USB audio receiver and D/A converter
Coaxial S/PDIF output
Double jitter-reduction mechanism at data level and at oversampling filter stage
High voltage 2V analog output
A highly linear TOCOS volume control for improved channel tracking at low listening levels.
No capacitors in any of the audio signal paths
USB powered, no external power supply required
Headphones impedance between 16 ohm to 300 ohm are suitable for use with Icon uDAC-2