Nuforce uDAC-2 Review

[Rampant Speculation]

Originally Posted by ViciousXUSMC

They asked my permission to publish my review, no incentives

But like I mentioned if you only need USB the HP version is only $99.00 and for a DAC/AMP combo like this thats really cheap.

Originally Posted by ViciousXUSMC

That hiss issue apparently can only happen on some really really sensitive headphones, or on some IEM's

You should have no worries there.

I see there is 0 reviews/feedback on the HP model @ Amazon. After you get yours you should take the honor to be the first review of it!

The HP was not even out yet when I got my uDAC-2 I think it came out like the next day after I ordered mine lol.

Thanks for the review. I was trying to decide between this and the E7. Went ahead and bought the uDAC-2-HP and I'm not disappointed. I was previously using a cmoyBB amp to the phone-out on my Envy 14, which was okay, but the uDAC-2 is much much better.

I only have my Shure SE530 IEM's with me right now, so I won't be able to test it with my Sennheiser 595 cans until next week.

There is a only a slight amount of hiss above the 50% mark on the volume knob with the very sensitive SE530 IEMs, but I normally have it at 10-20%. 50% would blow out my eardrums for sure, so it's not an issue at all. It's completely 'black' at normal listening levels. Resolution is much higher. This sounds clean, whereas onboard+amp is pretty muddy in comparison.

[ViciousXUSMC]

Cool glad to see another uDAC-2 user.

I really like mine, no regrets with that purchase.

[flipfire]

Originally Posted by Rampant Speculation

Thanks for the review. I was trying to decide between this and the E7. Went ahead and bought the uDAC-2-HP and I'm not disappointed. I was previously using a cmoyBB amp to the phone-out on my Envy 14, which was okay, but the uDAC-2 is much much better.

I only have my Shure SE530 IEM's with me right now, so I won't be able to test it with my Sennheiser 595 cans until next week.

There is a only a slight amount of hiss above the 50% mark on the volume knob with the very sensitive SE530 IEMs, but I normally have it at 10-20%. 50% would blow out my eardrums for sure, so it's not an issue at all. It's completely 'black' at normal listening levels. Resolution is much higher. This sounds clean, whereas onboard+amp is pretty muddy in comparison.

Yes its not bad for $100

Hiss is normal for IEM's as they sensitive enough to pick up any noise from the source line. The hiss on the uDAC-2 is actually pretty good compared to others. The hiss on mine stays nearly the same until about 90% turn.

Using a USB cable with a ferrite bead will help reduce EMI and RFI interferences. Also keeping the USB cable and unit as far away from other cables and electronics might help.

[flipfire]

Btw any of you notice some channel imbalance? Ive tried different headphones but the right sounds louder than the left channel.

[ViciousXUSMC]

Originally Posted by flipfire

Btw any of you notice some channel imbalance? Ive tried different headphones but the right sounds louder than the left channel.

Nope, none on mine at any volume. If you know for sure yours has that it would warrant a RMA replacement.

[flipfire]

Never mind.. upon looking closer at the Windows sound screen, the slider was a tiny notch to the right!

Phew.. thought it was a dud

[ViciousXUSMC]

Heh, well glad you figured that out.

[passserby]

Dear flipfire,

I was thinking of buying udac-2, and trying to find out if it works well with Linux. Some people on the internet have complained that 24-bit DACs do not work for them. I've noticed that you have kubuntu on your laptop. Did you try using the udac-2 with it?

BTW, nice review, Vicious!

[Romiyo]

Hi, after reading the thread im really interested with the uDAC-2, but how does a DAC compare to a sound card like this, in terms of music quality?

And also is there any benefit in gaming when using the DAC as compared with the claimed gaming benefits of the creative sound card?

[flipfire]

Originally Posted by passserby

Dear flipfire,

I was thinking of buying udac-2, and trying to find out if it works well with Linux. Some people on the internet have complained that 24-bit DACs do not work for them. I've noticed that you have kubuntu on your laptop. Did you try using the udac-2 with it?

BTW, nice review, Vicious!

Id have to wait till Monday to try it out as that notebook is currently in the office.

Originally Posted by Romiyo

Hi, after reading the thread im really interested with the uDAC-2, but how does a DAC compare to a sound card like this, in terms of music quality?

And also is there any benefit in gaming when using the DAC as compared with the claimed gaming benefits of the creative sound card?

Id say the same in terms of SQ but the Xfi doesnt have a powerful amplifier so it might not be able to drive good headphones to its full potential.

The Xfi does have EAX and special effects which might help give better positional/directional audio for gaming. (not that ive ever tried it)