Home > Consumer Reviews > NuForce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Silver Color)
NuForce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Silver Color)
See it at Amazon.com for $224.00Average Customer Rating
(4.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Revolutionary product at an amazing price
(5 out of 5) by Andy S. on Aug 3, 2008From the moment you open up the package and give the Icon a try, you just get a feeling that you are holding something that has "it". It provides amazing sound quality, but also provides you with extreme flexibility in terms of usage, all in a cool running, cool looking, highly efficient little box. Oh yea, its only $250. Insane!
The most obvious use for the Icon is as a USB DAC and amplifier for the NuForce S-1 Speaker. This lets the Icon handle the very important task of converting the digital source into the analog output, and is something that a computer just isn't designed to do well. But, you can also use the Icon with any other "regular" speaker, as it includes the necessary cables to do so (the Icon connects to the S-1 using an ethernet cable...the Icon connects to standard speakers using the included CAT5/Banana Plug cable). Longer lengths are available from NuForce, and they also provide the pinout on their website so you can make your own if you wish. Furthermore, they offer the NuForce RJ45CX which is a breakout box so you can use your favorite, "regular" speaker cables. Again, versatility is the key here.
But, if you don't want to take advantage of the stellar DAC included in this unit, you can use either the standard RCA stereo inputs or the mini-plug input (for an MP3 player or similar unit). There is no reason why you couldn't just put the Icon and S-1 in your bedroom and hook up your CD player directly to it. Or take it to work and make everybody jealous (did I mention the built-in headphone amplifier on this thing? Well, the office is a great place to make use of it). Its the audio equivalent to a Swiss Army knife.
The sound is clean, clear, and effortless. Very transparent. It does not seem to leave too much of its own imprint on the music...it just amplifies what you give it. Bass is strong and deep, and the highs are extended but not overbearing. Sounds like fresh air, if that makes any sense.
Two minor caveats...when you turn on the Icon it will make a minor "pop" noise. This is supposed to happen and won't hurt anything. Also, be sure you have your system optimized for best sound quality. On my iMac I had it up and running in about 30 seconds (plug it into a USB jack, change the sound output in System Preferences to "USB DAC", and you are done). But, make sure you let the Icon do all the work...maximize the sound output on the computer and use the Icon's volume control. There are other tips floating around the web, and are worth a look if you want to get every last bit of potential out of it. Also note the 42W PSU...it is likely of better use with conventional/more inefficient speakers, but with the Icon it provided a subtle increase in dynamic reach and "speed" of the sound.
This really is an amazing product. It does so much (and does it so well), that I continue to be dumbfounded by the price. Its perfect for teens getting their first taste of home audio, all the way to veterans with elaborate home setups wanting something new/different. It makes great sounding music in any room of your house...that is the bottom line. NuForce have managed to take the high-quality home stereo experience and scale it down for use on a desktop. Truly awesome!
The most obvious use for the Icon is as a USB DAC and amplifier for the NuForce S-1 Speaker. This lets the Icon handle the very important task of converting the digital source into the analog output, and is something that a computer just isn't designed to do well. But, you can also use the Icon with any other "regular" speaker, as it includes the necessary cables to do so (the Icon connects to the S-1 using an ethernet cable...the Icon connects to standard speakers using the included CAT5/Banana Plug cable). Longer lengths are available from NuForce, and they also provide the pinout on their website so you can make your own if you wish. Furthermore, they offer the NuForce RJ45CX which is a breakout box so you can use your favorite, "regular" speaker cables. Again, versatility is the key here.
But, if you don't want to take advantage of the stellar DAC included in this unit, you can use either the standard RCA stereo inputs or the mini-plug input (for an MP3 player or similar unit). There is no reason why you couldn't just put the Icon and S-1 in your bedroom and hook up your CD player directly to it. Or take it to work and make everybody jealous (did I mention the built-in headphone amplifier on this thing? Well, the office is a great place to make use of it). Its the audio equivalent to a Swiss Army knife.
The sound is clean, clear, and effortless. Very transparent. It does not seem to leave too much of its own imprint on the music...it just amplifies what you give it. Bass is strong and deep, and the highs are extended but not overbearing. Sounds like fresh air, if that makes any sense.
Two minor caveats...when you turn on the Icon it will make a minor "pop" noise. This is supposed to happen and won't hurt anything. Also, be sure you have your system optimized for best sound quality. On my iMac I had it up and running in about 30 seconds (plug it into a USB jack, change the sound output in System Preferences to "USB DAC", and you are done). But, make sure you let the Icon do all the work...maximize the sound output on the computer and use the Icon's volume control. There are other tips floating around the web, and are worth a look if you want to get every last bit of potential out of it. Also note the 42W PSU...it is likely of better use with conventional/more inefficient speakers, but with the Icon it provided a subtle increase in dynamic reach and "speed" of the sound.
This really is an amazing product. It does so much (and does it so well), that I continue to be dumbfounded by the price. Its perfect for teens getting their first taste of home audio, all the way to veterans with elaborate home setups wanting something new/different. It makes great sounding music in any room of your house...that is the bottom line. NuForce have managed to take the high-quality home stereo experience and scale it down for use on a desktop. Truly awesome!