NuForce Icon HDP

High Performance Headphone Amp, DAC and Preamp

The NuForce Icon HDP incorporates a full-speed USB DAC and full-function S/PDIF D/A converter, plus a headphone-amplifier circuit and preamp output. Supporting digital USB, S/PDIF in coaxial and 3.5mm optical (3.5mm) modes, along with an analog line input, the HDP accommodates all manner of audio devices. The Icon HDP, which has been designed to serve as the heart of a high-performance audio system, competes head-on with DACs and preamps costing several times its price.

Note: The Icon HDP employs the same DAC as our high-end CDP-8 (MSRP $1450.00) and a preamp similar to that of the P-8S (MSRP $1650.00). The following design features contributed to the stellar performance of the Icon HDP:
The digital input has no capacitors in its signal path. The analog input utilizes a single DC-decoupling capacitor.
Components along the signal path are minimized.
The 24/96 USB interface outputs a I2S signal to a high-quality DAC.
The digital circuit occupies a separate daughter board.
The DAC chip consists of four internal 24/192kHz DACs that provide a fully differential and balanced output. The differential signal's DC offset operates without a need for decoupling caps.
Digital and analog voltages each have separately isolated internal power regulations.

Features
USB 2.0 Full Speed compliant and 1.1 supported, 8-96kHz/16-24-bit
S/PDIF input: Coaxial up to 192kHz/24-bit or Optical up to 192kHz/24-bit
Analog input: 3.5mm or RCA input
Audiophile-grade DA converter
Low-distortion, high-current headphone amplifier
High quality analog volume control

Specifications
Analog Inputs
RCA or 3.5mm when inserted
Digital input
S/PDIF - Coaxial or 3.5mm Optical when inserted. Coaxial up to 192kHz/24-bit or Optical up to 192kHz/24-bit
USB DAC
USB 1.0 and 1.1 up to 44.1kHz/16-bit, USB 2.0 Full-Speed up to 96kHz/24-bit
RCA Output
2.6 Vrms (cuts off when headphone is inserted)
Output impedance 100 Ohm
Headphone Output
6.3mm full-size headphone output jack.
Output impedance 10 Ohm
Headphone power spec:
288mW rms @ 30 Ohm
210mW rms @ 120 Ohm
152mW rms @ 300 Ohm
123mW rms @ 500 Ohm
96mW rms @ 600 Ohm
59mW rms @ 1200 Ohm
43mW rms @ 1700 Ohm
35mW rms @ 2000 Ohm
THD+N
0.001% @ 1kHz.
Frequency response
10Hz to 100kHz (-0.5dB).

SNR > 100dB
Power Requirement
15V, 1.6A, 100-240VAC (Worldwide AC).
Dimension
6" x 4 1/2" x 1".
Weight
1 lb.

Package Contents Include:
Toslink to optical mini adapter
6.3mm stereo plug (male) to 3.5mm stereo connector (female) adapter
Silicone stand
Universal AC adaptor (15V, 1.6A, 100-240VAC), EUROplug power cable

Optional Accessories
Linear power supply
High performance USB cable