[rustydoglim]

IDA-9 Short Video: https://youtu.be/qE9uKsZhYbA?si=oG6OByOL0wTFcJrE

Surpassing expectations, redefining perfection.
Raising the bar for all high-end integrated amplifiers.

Building on the legacy of the award-winning IDA-8 — honored with two Product of the Year Awards and a coveted Golden Ear — the NuPrime IDA-9 takes this iconic hybrid Class A+D amplifier to new heights. Retaining the IDA-8’s spacious, transparent, and luxuriously textured sound, the IDA-9 doubles the amplifier’s RMS output power while maintaining the same compact form factor, delivering an even more dynamic, effortless, and refined listening experience.

The IDA-9 is designed around the proven IDA-8 architecture with significant enhancements throughout. Its refined Class A input stage and upgraded Class D switching MOSFET circuit now operate at 600 kHz, enabling high-resolution audio performance while running cooler and more efficiently — reducing operating temperature by 30% for greater headroom and natural sound reproduction. NuPrime’s revolutionary ultra-low-noise GaN power supply employs a dual-phase interleaved GaN Power Factor Correction circuit, an advanced topology that ensures smoother power delivery and minimal ripple current compared to traditional single-phase designs. Beyond the PFC stage, new-generation GaN semiconductor modules drive a symmetrical dual supply system that provides balanced positive and negative voltage rails for the amplifier’s differential circuit. Together, these twin GaN power blocks deliver a total of 500 watts with peak current capability of 20 amperes, supporting an impressive 200 watts (RMS) per channel of dynamic music power at 8 ohms. This GaN-based power architecture achieves unmatched thermal efficiency and ultra-clean power delivery, producing a deep black background, exceptional channel separation, and breathtaking clarity.

The result is a sound that’s neutral yet rich in detail, with excellent layering, tight bass, and an open, extended high end — all while preserving the IDA series’ signature compact elegance and setting a new benchmark for modern integrated amplifier design.

https://nuprimeaudio.com/product/ida-9/

Shipping end of July.  IDA-8 customer interested in trade-in (IDA-8 should be in good condition) please contact us by email.

[mresseguie]

讚！

[John Ransley]

We have the new IDA-9! Up and running so feel free to ask me anything.

[Solarflares]

What’s the damping factor?

[John Ransley]

That's one question I don't have an exact answer to as it's not in the published specs - what I can tell you is that the new IDA-9 does drive 4 ohm speakers well and has plenty of control - I've started to run it harder as it warms up haven't yet got to the point where it gets untidy. I'm primarily interested in the sound quality and on that score it's shaping up very nicely indeed. It's only been plugged in for 20 hours at this point but it's well ahead of both the IDA-8 and the A-300-SE in all regards.

[rustydoglim]

Great review by Robert Schryer of PMA Magazine: https://pmamagazine.org/review-nuprime-ida-9-integrated-amplifier-w-dac/

Except from the review:

"The IDA-9 sounds of a whole—a cohesive piece of gear wherein all the parts were optimized to work seamlessly together. The end result? A component that sounds so musically alive it makes a lot of its contemporaries sound lifeless in comparison.

The bottom line is the IDA-9 delivers a ton of music that hits you like an acid trip with its lush, stocky, dynamic, detail-abundant, class-A-pure, SET-like-intimate presentation.

While the IDA-9 may not deliver the instrumental scale and bold imaging as completely as some top-tier gear, I consider the NuPrime IDA-9 a reference-level piece, and not just in the budget category. Despite its size, it is a musical heavyweight and a Giant Killer."

[FILTHpig]

Hi all. I'm considering getting an IDA-9. Can anyone tell me how it's internal DAC sounds compared to the STA-9X/DAC-9X stack (which I already own and love) with a proper standalone streamer? I'd be using a Holo Audio Red with the USB out for streaming Roon from my dedicated home server.

[rustydoglim]

It is an integrated amp, so you have to evaluate the overall sound.
Refer to https://nuprimeaudio.com/guides/amp-comparison/
Basically IDA-9 sounded very close to DAC-9X and STA-9X combo.

[mresseguie]

Hi all. I'm considering getting an IDA-9. Can anyone tell me how it's internal DAC sounds compared to the STA-9X/DAC-9X stack (which I already own and love) with a proper standalone streamer? I'd be using a Holo Audio Red with the USB out for streaming Roon from my dedicated home server.

Assuming the DAC section of the IDA-8 and IDA-9 are identical, and assuming the overall sound characteristics of the two amps are reasonably close, I can offer some thoughts on your question. I owned an IDA-8 for years and loved its warm tube-like sound. As it's a complete package, it's really handy to use - especially if you take it along while you're traveling - which I did.  My sole complaint about the IDA-8 was that it was underpowered. I gave it to my son a few years ago as a housewarming present. I still miss it.

I own a DAC-9x which gets a lot of use in my home. I've paired it with my mono 300b amps, my Nuprime EVO STA amp, and an old IceEdge 1200as amp, and it adds a pleasant warmth to my music. I've used it with and without a separate tube amplifier.

While I did not make any direct A/B comparisons between the IDA-8 and the DAC-9x, I consider them to have similar sound characteristics.

I bought an IDA-9 for my nephew last Fall, and he's delighted with it. It replaced an ancient NAD integrated amp. I briefly considered buying an IDA-9 <cuz I still miss my IDA-8>, but I don't really don't need one as I also own an Omnia A300 integrated amp, which isn't as warm sounding as an IDA-8, but it serves a similar purpose with the added bonus of having headphone out functionality.

Are you thinking of buying the IDA-9 for a second system, or for replacing your current STA-9X/DAC-9X stack?

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Hey, Jason: Have you or your chief engineer ever considered taking the IDA-9 and combining it with the headphone section in the Omnia A300 to create a new amplifier? It could replace the IDA-9 and A300 thereby simplifying your lineup. Just a thought...

Michael

[FILTHpig]

Are you thinking of buying the IDA-9 for a second system, or for replacing your current STA-9X/DAC-9X stack?

Thanks guys for the responses. Good to know that they seem to have similar characteristics.

No, I'm not getting rid of my 9X stack anytime soon, I just recently got the STA-9X and I'm enjoying it with the DAC. So, the IDA-9 will be for a second system, strictly for streaming in our living room. Streamer would be a Holo Audio Red and speakers are DALI Rubicon 2s.