NuForce uDAC-5 DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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NuForce uDAC-5 DAC/Amp

Oct 20, 2016

I replied to a couple of folks here, but thought it'll be better to just post a separate thread. I've used udac5 since it was released a few months ago. I was looking for a little amp/dac for under $200 that would primarily drive my modded pair of Fostex t50rp MK3 cans at the office (and Senn 600 at home) and and tested a whole bunch of them when trying to decide: Fiio E10K, FiiO K1, DragonFly Red, DragonFly 1.2, Audioengine D3 and finally Cambridge Audio Dac Magic XS V2.
In the end, the sound signature, usb cable and a real volume knob did it for me. If anyone has any questions about this dac, shoot them here, I'll do my best to answer.

Oct 20, 2016

olbez

109

Oct 20, 2016

olbezJust to add, from all the tested dacs for me it came down to udac5 and Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS V2 for ~$120. Both sound VERY similar. udac is a tad more powerful and I preferred its volume knob to the buttons of DacMagic. It was still a little tough to justify $80 in price difference though.

Oct 20, 2016

Anent

167

Oct 21, 2016

olbezGreat info! Wondering if you've tried powering it from a phone? It'd be nice if there were multiple inputs to also use a power pack for portability.

Oct 21, 2016

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olbez

109

Oct 21, 2016

AnentI did not. The USB port is same one on a printer - large and square one. I think even if I found a converter it would just make too bulky of a solution. For the phone I'd recommend DACs that have a built-in make USB port

Oct 21, 2016

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ld100

180

Dec 8, 2016

olbezHow is the sound comparing to Dragonfly Red & Black?

Dec 8, 2016

olbez

109

Dec 8, 2016

ld100uDAC is quite a bit warmer, louder and presents a wider sound stage. To be honest, I didn't like Dragonfly Red or Black at all. Both sounded like they processed the sound heavily and it didn't come up as natural to my ear.

Dec 8, 2016

devonly

Dec 8, 2016

olbezCan i connect the Yamaha HS7 to these? And is it optimal? I wont be needing a 2in2 with mic input and all that, aint a youtuber :D

Dec 8, 2016

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olbez

109

Dec 12, 2016

devonlyYou can if you have to, but why would you? There is so many integrated solutions that you wouldn't been to plug into your USB.

Dec 12, 2016

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devonly

Dec 12, 2016

olbezi could connect the HS7s to my PC through this udac 5, hard otherwise without the shitty use of adapters and the builtin soundcard .

Dec 12, 2016

olbez

109

Dec 12, 2016

devonlyyeah this will work. I had erroneously assumed that you had a desktop that you could use a decent internal soundcard with.

Dec 12, 2016

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austinrothwell

Dec 13, 2016

olbezI am lazy and listen to most of my music through Spotify. With a decent set of cans, would this DAC/ amp combo improve my listening experience?

Dec 13, 2016

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Anent

167

Dec 13, 2016

austinrothwellYes, though make sure to use the highest bitrate setting in Spotify.

Dec 13, 2016

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austinrothwell

Dec 13, 2016

AnentThank you!

Dec 13, 2016

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dr_decibel

Aug 18, 2017

olbezHey @olbez looks like you've had them 43 weeks now! Still going strong? Still being used?

Aug 18, 2017

olbez

109

Aug 18, 2017

dr_decibelHey @dr_decibel, I've had it for a little longer than 43wks (got it in June 2016 from Amazon) and still use it daily at work. No issues at all, still going strong. Let me know if you have any questions.

Aug 18, 2017