Elevate your PC's fidelity via NuForce Icon

Philip Wong | Jun 24, 2008

There're plenty of reasons audiophiles shun the PC as a jukebox, the most common being the "ear-piercing" and "bloated" sonics from multimedia speakers. To bridge the performance gap, NuForce has the S$369 (US$266) Icon integrated desktop audio amplifier. Unlike its competitors' solutions, this is possibly one of the few all-in-ones built with enthusiast-grade components and featuring a slew of capabilities. They include a PC USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC), 12W x 2 digital amplifier, 3.5mm headphone amp and stereo preamplifier--all packed into a metallic miniature package.

With the Icon, you could easily route computer audio to a pair of hi-fi speakers via USB for instant sound quality boost. What's more, this is a plug-and-play affair without any software installation. Connection to the boom boxes is handled via a 1m Ethernet-to-banana plugs speaker cable (refer to the above image), while onboard controls are simplified to two circular knobs: One for tri-input selection and another for power/volume adjustment. You could further accessorize the kit with a longer S$60 (US$43.25) 2m high-quality cord, an Ethernet-to-banana socket adapter for boutique cables and a pair of S$389 (US$280.42) Icon-tuned S-1 speakers.

Besides the PC-to-hi-fi application, the nifty box will also readily double as a hub for your portable media players--think iPod for example--and other home theater gear. This bypasses the Icon's integrated DAC and is catered through a regular 3.5mm stereo mini-jack and analog audio input, respectively. That's not all. NuForce has thrown in auxiliary stereo output that the American company recommends for a powered subwoofer. This is only half the fun as it will work equally well for upgrading to a 1,000W Gozilla amp or to drive the tweeter and woofer separately with a bi-amped dual Icon setup.

To quell our reservations, its Singapore distributor SLT Technologies has even snatched a set of Mark & Daniel Maximus-Topaz from its dealers' showroom. Putting aside their US$1,950 sticker price, these sexy bookshelf speakers are power-hungry "animals" with an impressive extended 48Hz to 25Khz frequency response. On the other hand, we've the Etymotic Research ER.6 in-canal to sample its earphone potential and tickle our ear drums. Despite being underpowered, the Icon held its stride convincingly in our huge Lab, struggling only during bass-heavy passages at reference level on 80 percent full throttle.

On the whole, its onboard Burr-Brown DAC stacked up well against the 24-bit/192KHz equivalent in our high-end Pioneer DVD player. Using a CD vs. a high-bitrate MP3 as comparison, there were surprisingly few perceivable differences--a testimony of its USB/DAC-resolving credential, characterized by clinically clean sounds and complemented by an ample taut bass. Switching to analog, the speakers were noticeably louder with a lot more headroom. Our main gripe in terms of sonics was with the minor dynamics shortfall in tackling fast-paced rock soundtracks, somewhat offset by articulated vocals and extended highs.

The Icon also had little problem driving the Etymotic at half power. There was a good feel of transparency and depth ideal for instrumental and jazzy tracks such as Dido's No Angel. Still, the bass was a tad on the light side which reduced the slam if you're a bass head at heart. Generally, it has been a more than pleasant experience with this little gem. When matched with the right speakers, it can sing just as well as a decent hi-fi system as long as you stay away from the explosive stuff. Lastly, we would definitely love a model with standard banana plugs instead of those Ethernet ports.

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