Nuforce DAC-9 USB DAC

DAC, Preamp & Headphone Amplifier in one!

Engineered to meet the needs of the most demanding music listeners while also providing the greatest degree of flexibility, the NuForce DAC-9 is a true reference class digital-to-analog converter, pre-amp and headphone amp in one. As to versatility, with its six digital inputs, the DAC-9 offers compatibility with all existing digital formats.

FutureProof Bonus
And, in keeping with NuForce’s commitment to its customers, plug-in USB module/interfaces will always provide for upgradeability to higher bit rates, thereby securing the end-user’s investment as digital technology continues to advance.

Handling complexity with simplicity
The Nuforce DAC-9 addresses the need for complexity on a foundation of remarkable simplicity. Minimal processing and the shortest possible signal paths set the DAC-9 apart. For example, when an input source is selected, a pair of high-performance, non-over-sampling DACs offer up to 24-bit/192kHz (24bit/96kHz for USB) conversion of digital audio data. Extensive testing and listening tell us that up-sampling and sample-rate conversion do more harm than good, as does negative feedback. Consequently, no form of sample-rate conversion is ever employed.

Summing the output of two DACs increases the signal-to-noise ratio to near-theoretical limits wherein every musical nuance stands out in brilliant contrast to a background of utter silence. As a further enhancement, an innovative Passive IV Digital Output Filter assures lifelike musical reproduction. The Nuforce DAC-9’s passive circuit employs no negative feedback of any kind, thus providing a ripple-free response wherein high-frequency phase coherence is always maintained.

The preamplifier
Beyond the DACs and digital filter, the converted signal passes on to the analog preamplifier stage, which also adheres minimalist design principles. Again, NuForce applies no negative feedback in order, among other good reasons, to avoid higher-order distortion artifacts that typically plague unnecessarily complicated designs. The quietest circuitry components and layouts, along with the shortest possible signal paths, likewise contribute to the DAC-9’s exemplary performance characteristics. As another means to a “straight-wire-with-gain” end, when the user selects Fixed-Mode Output, the digitally controlled, precision volume attenuator is bypassed by means of a precision mechanical relay.

Shunt regulated linear power supply
As impressive as these refinements are, the DAC-9 would not be nearly so successful without the clean, stable energy a shunt-regulated linear power supply provides. With its multiple regulation stages, the power supply allows the DAC-9’s digital and analog circuits to operate to their fullest potential, with the lowest noise and distortion possible.

The headphone amp
Nor has NuForce overlooked the needs of the dedicated headphone listener. The DAC-9 includes a fully independent, high-performance headphone stage with a dedicated volume control. The DAC-9’s 6.3mm and 3.5mm headphone jacks sidestep the inconvenience and potential distortion of external plug adaptors. The DAC-9’s exceptional value and versatility is exemplified by the unit’s remote control, which beyond its array of usual conveniences, operates other NuForce devices such as our P-9 Preamp and CDP-8 CD Player. Moreover, the DAC-9’s sleek touch panel and low-profile chassis make a visually attractive addition to the finest playback systems.

NuForce strives, as always, to achieve superior performance by means of the purest and therefore simplest of design concepts. We’re confident that you will find the NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter, Preamp and Headphone Amp to be the ideal answer to your listening requirements. Price notwithstanding, few competing products can compare to the DAC-9’s sonic excellence, simple elegance, and of course convenience. When one then takes into account the exceptional value the DAC-9 represents, we’re sure you'll agree it's in a class of its own.

Features/Specifications

• 6 digital inputs (USB, XLR AES/EBU, RCA Coaxial or BNC, RCA Coaxial, Toslink, 3.5mm Optical*):
• Transformer or optical isolated, AC coupled.
• Maximum bit depth: 24 bit
• Maximum S/PDIF sample rate: 192kHz
• Maximum USB sample rate: 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
• A small plugged-in USB module allows for future upgradeability to a higher-bit-rate USB interface card.
• Coaxial or BNC S/PDIF input: Only one of these inputs can be used when Input 3 is selected. To achieve optimum performance, we recommend a 75-ohm BNC cable (available from NuForce) with a BNC connector.
• On the front panel, a 3.5mm optical S/PDIF input.

Outputs: XLR, RCA, 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone output*.

• Output Impedance: RCA, 0.01 Ohm; XLR, 50 Ohm; Headphone, 10 Ohm
• Output voltage 0dB, 1kHz: RCA 2.0/4.0Vrms, XLR 4.0/8.0Vrms (Low output/High output versions, low output version has to be custom ordered)
• Headphone power spec.:
  • 288mW rms @ 30 Ohm
  • 210mW rms @ 120 Ohm
  • 152mW rms @ 300 Ohm
• THD+N: 0.01, 0dB, 1kHz
• SNR: 103dB, 1kHz, A-weighted
• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +/- 0.25dB
• The true-balanced XLR output produces twice the gain of the RCA output. The remote and front panel controls allow for fixed and variable voltages.

Touch panel control

Remote control: volume, input select, dim, mute

Volume and sample rate display

Power consumption: 9W

AC voltage: 100V/110V/220V/230V

Dimension: 215mm (w) x 400mm (d) x 60mm (h)

Weight: 3.2Kg net, 4.5Kg shipped

* The headphone output and optical input share the 3.5mm connector.