And "little" this 12Wpc, class-D amp most definitely is: 6" by 4.5" by 1". That…
search
In a world of me-too products, NuForce distinguishes itself from all those other components whose names begin with i by actually using a capital I. Actually, that statement is unkind, even unfair—unlike the myriads of products designed to capitalize on the Apple iPod's current sexiness, the NuForce Icon isn't designed to be portable (although NuForce does offer an Icon Mobile). What the Icon unquestionably is is a fine little piece of audio engineering, which most of those other i components are not.
The Icon sure didn't sound puny. My Axiom QS8 speakers had lots of low-end sock and created an extremely solid center fill, even with a large flat-screen monitor between them. When I compared the Icon's USB DAC to the computer's optical S/PDIF output fed to a Musical Fidelity XDACV3 which in turn was connected to the Icon's analog line-in, there were audible differences, but not to any distracting degree.
"Trampled Rose," from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's Raising Sand (ALC file, Rounder 619075; CD, Rounder 9075) sounded slightly sharper through the USB DAC, which made it marginally…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Miniature integrated amplifier with USB DAC, line-level output (for subwoofer) on 3.5mm stereo jack, and headphone output. Inputs: RCA, 3.5mm stereo, analog; USB, (1.1, 2.0 compatible). USB DAC: USB 1.1, 2.0-compatible. USB native bit rate: 16-bit/32–48kHz. Digital signal/noise ratio: 98dB. Speaker outputs: RJ45 connectors with 15µm-thick gold plating to gold-plated banana plug (speaker cables provided). Maximum headphone output into 32 ohms: 31.25mW. THD: <0.03%, 20Hz–20kHz. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, –1dB. Maximum output power (10.8dBW):…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Apple Macintosh pro G5 computer; Simaudio Moon Evolution SuperNova, Bel Canto e.One CD players; Musical Fidelity XDACV3 D/A converter.
Loudspeakers: Axiom QS8, Definitive Technology Mythos STS, Usher Be-718.
Headphones: Phiaton Moderna MS 400, Shure ES 530.
Cables: Interconnect: Kimber Kable KCAG. Speaker: NuForce RJ45 1m.—Wes Phillips
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the NuForce Icon using Audio Precision's top-of-the-line SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com), an Audio Precision System One Dual Domain, and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer.
Looking first at the Icon's performance as an amplifier, it offered a low maximum voltage gain of 22.6dB into 8 ohms from its speaker outputs, 6dB from its line-output jack. The line and headphone outputs preserved absolute polarity (ie, were non-inverting), while the speaker outputs inverted polarity. The input impedance was a…
Remarkably, I set out to audition the Hyperion HT-88 amplifier ($2800/pair) over two years ago, only to be confounded by shipping errors, miscommunications, and, in the end, a stealthily defective tube. I almost gave up.
But in audio as in the I Ching, persistence pays: Happily, a pair of the Chinese-made Hyperion amplifiers has now performed glitchlessly in my home for weeks, where they've transcended their comparatively modest price in terms of not only sound but of musical character—a quality I associate with rare vintage amps and the best of today's artisanal products, and…
In recent weeks, the Hyperion HT-88s have performed without flaw in two different systems. They've driven those same Quad ESLs, now in my much larger living room (ca 21' by 27'), as well as the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE loudspeakers in the listening room described above. In both cases the amps were driven by my Shindo Masseto preamplifier (output impedance: 600 ohms), using either Shindo silver or Audio Note AN-Vx interconnects. For the most part I relied on the AC cords supplied with the HT-88s as standard equipment, although some aftermarket upgrades I tried had an audible effect. Speaker…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Single-ended, tubed monoblock power amplifier. Maximum output power: 18Wpc into 8 ohms (12.55dBW). Frequency range: 20Hz–43kHz. Input impedance: 50k ohms. Output impedances: 4, 8, 16 ohms. Signal/noise ratio: >88dB (no reference level quoted). Total harmonic distortion: 0.6%.
Dimensions: 13.25" (340mm) W by 7.8" (200mm) H by 13.25" (340mm) D. Weight: 41.8 lbs (19kg).
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: HP-4022809, HP-4022810, HP-4022719.
Price: $2800/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 7.
Manufacturer: Hyperion Sound Design, Inc., 1305…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable with Linn Basik & Naim Armageddon power supplies; Thorens TD-124 Mk.II turntable; Rega Planar 3 turntable with Rega RB300 tonearm; Naim Aro, EMT 997 tonearms; Linn Akiva, Koetsu Black, Miyabi Mono & 47, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65, Shindo SPU, Ortofon SPU Synergy A cartridges.
Digital Sources: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player, Sony PlayStation 1 CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 & Standard, Tamura TKS-83, K&K, Koetsu step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto, Lamm LL2 Deluxe, DNM 3-D Primus…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used Audio Precision's top-of-the-line SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com) to examine the Hyperion's measured behavior; for some tests, I also used my vintage Audio Precision System One Dual Domain.
Art Dudley had been bothered by high levels of hum from two of the samples he'd been sent by Hyperion. He therefore broke off his auditioning to send me all three samples of the HT-88, so that I could try to track down the problem. I performed a complete set of measurements on all three amplifiers; in the end, I found a problem…