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NuForce uDAC-3 DAC/Amp Combo
01 / 09
NuForce uDAC-3 DAC/Amp Combo
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Product Description
If you’ve paid a pretty penny for high-end cans or home speakers, why keep streaming audio straight from your headphone port? Designed to significantly upgrade any computer’s sound output and extract great detail from your music collection, the NuForce uDAC3 is powerful enough for noisy environments—yet small enough to fit in your pocket Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downzOlid
29
Sep 7, 2017
These really aren't good
they have issues with USB, and backgroundnoize.
Also it tends to crackle when you move the volume knobb.
Ive swapped out 3 of these and had different issues on all of them.
finaly swapped too a Shiit stack and the sound is so much better, and none of the problems.
If you want something under 99$ get a Shiit fulla 2 instead. It's miles better than this.
Also this price isn't even that good. I got mine for 65$ before I finally returned it.
Also this price isn't even that good. I got mine for 65$ before I finally returned it.
CrashNBurn
62
Sep 10, 2017
zOlidSignstek's USB-in Analog/Digital DAC (w/o Volume Control) is $24. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FEDHHKE/)
USB-IN with 4 concurrent out connections: RCA, 1/8" Aux Headphone, Coaxial, and SPDIF.
I don't use it much solely as a DAC, but it works fine with Windows (no drivers needed).
I primarily use the Signstek DAC for OTG (usb-audio) from a phone, and use the Coaxial-out to a FiiO E17K that I leave powered by USB when not on-the-go.
I don't use it much solely as a DAC, but it works fine with Windows (no drivers needed).
I primarily use the Signstek DAC for OTG (usb-audio) from a phone, and use the Coaxial-out to a FiiO E17K that I leave powered by USB when not on-the-go.
Ron.bernard
33
Apr 15, 2016
My usb is 3.0 this is 2.0 , anyone know if I buy this will 2.0 degrade the sound or work if I have 3.0 on my MacBook Pro ?
Ben.G
8
Jun 15, 2016
HuCGI think that this is a reasonable question that you guys are passing off because you understand the electronics too well. If this were USB 3.0, it would be able to carry a higher data rate than 2.0; however, for audio applications 2.0 is generally more than enough throughput.
However, it is not USB 3.0 compatible, so I have to assume that your question is whether the audio will be degraded using your USB 3.0 port over a USB 2.0 port on another computer. USB 3.0 ports are designed to be 100% back-compatible with USB 2.0, so unless there's something wrong with your USB port you should get the exact same performance out of using this with your USB 3.0 port as you would with a computer with a USB 2.0 port.
However, it is not USB 3.0 compatible, so I have to assume that your question is whether the audio will be degraded using your USB 3.0 port over a USB 2.0 port on another computer. USB 3.0 ports are designed to be 100% back-compatible with USB 2.0, so unless there's something wrong with your USB port you should get the exact same performance out of using this with your USB 3.0 port as you would with a computer with a USB 2.0 port.
chlbutteworth
16
Jan 2, 2017
DON'T BUY!!! i've had two of these from amazon and both had the same fault. The micro-usb on the back is not well built and comes loose inside the case making it unusable. The sound quality was great but it's a really rubbish build.
ACLerok
1
Dec 5, 2017
chlbutteworthThis started happening to me today as well. I'm going to tear it open later tonight or this weekend and see if resoldering the usb connection fixes the problem.
ey51
76
Oct 5, 2017
Is this suitable as a portable DAC/AMP for the Sennheiser HD 6xx?
Impedance, power, synergy wise?
talkaplan4474
125
Aug 14, 2017
Just had to share my experience with the uDAC-3:
My first DAC/Amp was the AudioEngine D1 which is excellent for the price and sound good.
I had wanted to try the uDAC-3 for some time by then, so I joined this drop (this was about a year ago).
Once the uDAC-3 arrived, I opened the package, connected to my PC and listened with my Thinksound MS02, the sound was colored AF in comparison to the AudioEngine D1 and was really not enjoyable for me, it felt like there was an effect added to everything, then I went on and tried my M50x with it, and it was the same - the sound was REALLY colored.
I just disconnected the uDAC-3 from my PC, put it back in the package and never used it since.
Yeah it is cheap, yeah it can be good for some people, but I was not able to listen to this DAC/Amp more than 3 minutes as the coloring was just off the chart for me.
After this experience I went on the internet to see if this was an issue with the specific unit that I got, then and I came across Z Reviewes on the uDAC-2, and he was saying exactly this!
So I've said that I would not recommend getting this DAC/Amp, but what I will recommend for a <100$ DAC/Amp? here are some options (I've owned all of them and it is from personal experience):
1. Schiit Fulla 2 (one of the best in this price range).
2. SMSL M3 (a nice one who served me well).
3. Zorloo ZuperDAC (the only con is that the USB is directly on the device which makes it a single point of failure, so it is recommended to use an extension USB cable to relieve stress from the connector).
4. SMSL Idol+ (has a little less power than the rest but it is the most portable of all 6).
5. SMSL Sanskrit 6 (a little above 100$).
6. AudioEngine D1 (I got mine used from an audio enthusiast like me who just had to try it, but had better DAC/Amp at his disposal, it was only used once or twice and I bough it for 100 USD).
Hope it will help you make a decision.
My first DAC/Amp was the AudioEngine D1 which is excellent for the price and sound good.
I had wanted to try the uDAC-3 for some time by then, so I joined this drop (this was about a year ago).
Once the uDAC-3 arrived, I opened the package, connected to my PC and listened with my Thinksound MS02, the sound was colored AF in comparison to the AudioEngine D1 and was really not enjoyable for me, it felt like there was an effect added to everything, then I went on and tried my M50x with it, and it was the same - the sound was REALLY colored.
I just disconnected the uDAC-3 from my PC, put it back in the package and never used it since.
Yeah it is cheap, yeah it can be good for some people, but I was not able to listen to this DAC/Amp more than 3 minutes as the coloring was just off the chart for me.
After this experience I went on the internet to see if this was an issue with the specific unit that I got, then and I came across Z Reviewes on the uDAC-2, and he was saying exactly this!
So I've said that I would not recommend getting this DAC/Amp, but what I will recommend for a <100$ DAC/Amp? here are some options (I've owned all of them and it is from personal experience):
1. Schiit Fulla 2 (one of the best in this price range).
2. SMSL M3 (a nice one who served me well).
3. Zorloo ZuperDAC (the only con is that the USB is directly on the device which makes it a single point of failure, so it is recommended to use an extension USB cable to relieve stress from the connector).
4. SMSL Idol+ (has a little less power than the rest but it is the most portable of all 6).
5. SMSL Sanskrit 6 (a little above 100$).
6. AudioEngine D1 (I got mine used from an audio enthusiast like me who just had to try it, but had better DAC/Amp at his disposal, it was only used once or twice and I bough it for 100 USD).
Hope it will help you make a decision.
poolboy
12
May 28, 2014
"DAC" stands for "digital to analog converter", not "digital to audio converter" as it states in the description.
FreakyFred
137
Jul 2, 2017
The portability of this DAC/Amp combo is great for carrying around in a computer bag. I got one long ago to help drive my Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO-80 ohm headphones and it worked well for that purpose. Lately however, I was just using it on my desk at work and it was never taken on the go. I purchased a Schiit Audio Fulla 2 (DAC/preamp/amp @ $99) to try at work instead of this NuForce and the sound quality out of the Fulla 2 was miles ahead of the NuForce. The DT 770 80ohm are known to be basshead cans and while my music sounded good with the NuForce, the bass response was night and day better with the Fulla2. For portability however, the NuForce is much better. If I were just using this on a desk, the extra $24 for a Fulla2 would be money well spent.
MooTaters
382
Jul 4, 2017
FreakyFredWell I don't know if they've changed the way they do things, but they got a lot of flack for measuring by ear a while back. https://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/nuforce-udac-2-drama.html
Piotrekhc
Aug 16, 2016
Watch this before you commit
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