NuPrime IDA-16 Amplifier - DAC
NuPrime, located in La, split off from another California sound firm, NuForce (Fremont). NuForce had started with high end power and integrated amplifiers, including the award winning Benchmark 18 mono amp as well as the P20 preamplifier, that had advanced switching power supplies that seemed extraordinary - something then almost unheard of in 2005. Subsequently the high end side appeared to take a back seat, as NuForce went to introduce $ and $100 DACs 500 integrated amplifiers.
In 2014, with support from your OEM factory NuForce's cofounder, Jason Lim, purchased the assets of NuForce's highend office and formed NuPrime. The first product of the newest firm is the IDA 16, which I first learned about from SoundStage! A 200Wpc integrated amp having a DSD-able DAC? This is something I needed to review.
Description
The NuPrime IDA-16 ($2350 USD) includes a tidy, minimalist look quite definitely in the convention of NuForce's old high end line. It's a front panel that is broadly beveled, of which are no knobs and six buttons over the top bevel. The center, On/Off button is flanked by two Source controls back or forwards during the source parts that are linked. As well as input signals for every one of the sources, on the back panel, are an RS232 interface for firmware upgrades or connection to your smart home-control system, some of loudspeaker binding posts, and an S/PDIF digital output signal.
The IDA-16 the uncommon remote control of looks just like a wand and features a hexagonal cross section. You do not wave it, yet - it is a standard IR remote. Every button is replicated by the remote on the IDA-16 the front panel of, and supports each button press using a sound click.
Beneath the hood
The NuPrime IDA-16 uses the patented Analog Switching Amplifier technology of NuForce. That is accomplished by quickly turning off and on power transistors. Most class-D amps change at lower or 300kHz.
To ensure that it's enough present reservations, the IDA 16 is outfitted having an enormous capacitor bank that NuPrime calls a Cross-Matrix Array (CMA). In contrast, a traditional class-AB amplifier's power transistors need huge transformers in order to provide the necessary current, and are constantly on. Replacing this type of linear power supply using a changing supply gives the IDA 16 an efficiency of 93%, when compared with the 50-70% of typical type-AB amps. This makes possible a case that is smaller; as the switching power supply creates less heat and is quite a bit smaller, large heatsinks are not wanted. And since the NuPrime amp circuit amplifies by PWM, crossover distortion, which can be built-in to group-AB amplifiers, isn't a concern.
As the IDA 16's front end is fundamentally digital (the analog connection uses an A/D converter), standard analog preamp circuitry isn't desired. Based on NuPrime, the effect of the design is a shorter signal path in the electronic input signals to the loudspeaker binding posts, resulting in exactly what the company claims are low degrees of sound and distortion.
Another characteristic of the IDA 16 is the top quality of its own volume control. Using a changed-ladder array, it sets just one thin film resistor in the signal path. This further reduces distortion, and outcomes in fine charge of volume: 99 measures, in increments of 0.5dB. And matching the output signal quantities of source elements is not difficult using the IDA 16 -- the degree in each source establish and may be independently adjusted.
Set Up
I found the NuPrime IDA-16 fairly easy to put in place, but perfect playback did need a little bit of fine tuning. I really like its the easy unity gain, or Theatre of analog input signal -Mode bypass function. I look for this in any amplifier that is integrated - my system must serve my home theater and music-listening needs. With Theatre-Mode engaged, the IDA 16 could drive the front speakers of my home-theater system for music- listening, while leaving my central processing unit to control the volume of the whole system after I saw films. To hear music, I turned the HT processor and amp off and used the IDA 16 for better-sounding, two channel- playback, with no of the processing that my HT pre-professional demands.
The issue using the IDA 16, compared to other HT bypass characteristics I Have used, is that unity gain is applied to every one of its own input signals. I found this out the hard way -- I sent the full blast of power when I changed to one of the digital input signals of the NuPrime from this analog input signal. Happily, I immediately hit on the IDA-16 the Off button of, and my loudspeakers nor the NuPrime was damaged. It is a defect that a firmware upgrade should be corrected using by NuPrime. For the time being, I worked around it by setting the gain of the IDA 16's analog input signal to the best setting, "99." The IDA 16 recalls such settings - now, whenever that I change back to the analog input signal, it is locked at "99," and does not change the volume settings of any of the other input signals.
In addition, you may have to do some homework to play with DSD records. If you are unfamiliar with the way to create your system to play with these files, the best action to take would be to follow NuPrime's superb guide, contained on the USB thumb drive that is sent using the IDA 16 as a PDF file. You will have to set up a driver then download a totally free playback applications, foobar2000. I used my early 11" Acer Timeline 1810T notebook, running Windows 7; this worked good for playing DSD files, after I Had connected my computer to the IDA 16 via USB.
Performance
After I sat down to pay attention to the NuPrime IDA-16, two things stood out: bass and imaging control. This instrumental track starts to the right of the stage with percussion; subsequently, in the centre, the piano enters. Together with the IDA-16, cymbals and the rim shots sounded three dimensional and rock solid within their places. Its picture, also, was involving the loudspeakers, when the piano entered.
That the IDA 16 was a master of bass control was apparent through the Focal Arias. These speakers seem somewhat sloppy with my Integra DTA-70.1 multichannel amp, which has a type-AB, pushpull Darlington amplifier circuit. Bass notes were different and tight, and during the diminutive Focals I could feel the energy with each drumstroke. Such bass control was likewise apparent with my DefTech BP-8060STs, which surprised me -- I Had have believed these towers' built in subwoofers would not have wanted any help. To call the IDA 16 a bass guitar amp that is great will be to sell it short.
Nor did it lack anything in highs or the midrange, letting the music. But the IDA 16 was not adding or subtracting anything. Contrary to other integrated amps I Have used previously, the NuPrime IDA-16 did not seem warm or cold -- it was as transparent as you can get for the cost.
The IDA 16 was completely silent. NuPrime's advertising material says that it provides "a jet black backdrop upon which your records literally unfold before your ears." This record of a a cappella performance is as minimalist as it is possible to get: only Herbert's voice, seemingly unprocessed. Her performance was captivating through the IDA 16, which added me else to distract. By the end of the record, as Herbert walks from the area, I could readily follow her footsteps and out the doorway.
I was amazed to hear natural direct-DSD records could sound. The record is not recognized by imaging that is leading, but it does capture the reality of the guitar, and the vocalist's dynamics: she gets toward the ending of the tune, and starts at a reasonably low amount. was readily copied by the IDA-16. Although not a native DSD record, this track comes with a rock solid aural picture in the middle of the soundstage of Jones, her piano layered behind and spread out between the loudspeakers. The picture of Jones's voice appeared to float over the amount of the speakers' tweeters.
Throughout my listening sessions, I really could never impute a sonic touch to the NuPrime IDA-16, though my expertise of NuForce and, now, NuPrime tools tells me that the defining features of the firms' products are foil as well as a quietness that lets the music come alive. This quietness proved to be a unique edge once I listened something I generally discover including, at low volume levels. Not through the IDA 16 - my music was captivating as at high volumes. Against the NuPrime's jet black backgrounds, the dynamics of my recordings all were not absent at all volume levels, making the IDA 16 among the few amps I've loved for late night listening.
Comparisons
The NuPrime IDA-16 reminded me lots of Bel Canto equipment. The e.One C5i's attribute set is nearly the same as the IDA 16's: USB port, two coaxial digital inputs, two optical digital inputs, and an analog input signal and output signal. They differ in the Bel Canto has a phono input signal. Though its execution is way better compared to NuPrime's like the NuPrime's, the Bel Canto's analog input signal may be used as a HT bypass - the digital input signals of the Bel Canto does not change.
The Bel Canto made backgrounds as "black" as the NuPrime's with music, though it was not as silent at idle. Like the IDA 16, the e.One C5i used exceptional control on the woofer cones, which tightened up the bass response using the loudspeakers I drove it with: MartinLogan's Motion SLM and PSB's Picture Mini.
A final area of difference was the treatment of high resolution audio formats.
Decision
The NuPrime IDA-16 is an integrated amp that is exemplary DAC with rock solid imaging, sound that is clear, and tight control of bass. It does not demand a sonic touch I was enthralled with every record I played through it. You can find likewise priced incorporated-DACs out there, amongst others, from Wyred 4 Sound and Bel Canto, but none offers the IDA-16 support or 's power of native DSD. I strongly recommend that you just give the NuPrime IDA-16 a listen if you are in the marketplace to get a modern integrated-DAC.
