An audiophile friend of mine recently let me borrow his Nuforce DAC-9 and I am enjoying it so much that I wanted to post my impressions of it.
My system currently consists of: Modwright tube Oppo 83, Placette active preamp, Pass Labs XA30.5 amp, Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system speakers, a JL Audio F110 sub and a Running Springs Haley power conditioner.
The Nuforce DAC-9 is pretty small and sleek looking and comes with a remote. It has 6 different inputs. I tried it connected to my Modwright Oppo 83 using an old $30 Monster toslink cable. I also tried it with a Morrow digital cable, but couldn't tell a difference with the two different cables so left it with the toslink. It also has a volume control, either fixed or variable, so I tried it with and without my preamp in the loop. It sounded better with the Placette preamp in the loop.
The first most immediate thing I notice is that the music plays louder at the same volume as before. I find this a nice benefit because some of my cd's are recorded low (Reference Recordings label) and I have to max out my preamp to hear it right.
Next the sound stage grew several feet and the music easily fills the room. This DAC has way more detail/resolution than what I'm used to hearing, but it never sounds harsh, sibilant or bright. It's like a wool blanket was removed from my speakers and I can hear into the music more deeply and more clearly. In fact it sounds smooth and open. There is also extension on the highs and low end.
What strikes me about this DAC is that it has such a fast response- attacks are lightening fast! I was listening to Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances and there was one part where there is a loud cymbal crash and when this came on I literally jumped because it scared me and I've heard this track a million times before. This quality makes for excellent pacing and drive. It is a very lively DAC. I love it in my system.
Female vocals sound sublime. The most realistic I've ever heard from my rig. Coltrane sounded fresh and real and alive. Everything I've thrown at it sounded just amazing. In comparison my source alone sounds veiled and sluggish, but I never would have described it that way before this DAC came into the picture.
My SACD disks get no love from this DAC. Other than that it is a keeper for sure. I wish I could offer some comparisons with some other external DACs but this is the only external DAC I've had in my system. The other down side is that I have to give it back in the next week or two or pay $1600 for a new one. Once my ears hear the possibility of something way better, it is so hard to go backwards. I definitely see one in my future.
When I get one, I would certainly be interested in trying different digital inputs and different power cords to squeeze out any more performance. For this review I used a PS Audio Plus power cord.
