NuForce Inc, the California-based digital audio specialist and master of all things small, has just released its USB-equipped Icon DAC/headphone amp that, apart from Mac/PC connectivity, also provides support for Android-driven (4.1 and beyond) mobile devices.
Digital audio signals are extracted in native form by the Icon, and then processed for, according to NuForce, “bit-perfect, low-jitter, audiophile-quality music file playback”.
“With the advent of smartphones and their enormous storage capabilities, a great many audio enthusiasts have been longing for a quality DAC/headphone amp they can simply plug directly into, in order to experience their favorite music delivered with vivid clarity,” said NuForce CEO Jason Lim in a statement.
“We’ve created a solution for Android users that we believe is comprehensive and fills the void.”
This is a versatile bit of gear that can be employed as a DAC, headphone amp or preamp, the last via the secondary analogue input for stereo signals from most home-audio and mobile sources.
The 32-bit converter accepts PCM sample rates up to 96kHz and supports 24-bit asynchronous operation while also providing Direct-Stream Digital (DSD) decoding capability.
The proprietary amp stage will drive the most demanding 600-Ohm headphones with ease, the company also claims.
Provide on board are a 6.3mm headphone output, 3.5mm and RCA stereo analogue inputs, RCA analogue stereo outs and coaxial digital output.
Priced at US$299, the Icon is available now.
