John
It looks like this Power DAC concept could become The Next Big Thing™: not simply DAC and amplifier in one box, but a unit where the incoming digital signal from a computer or streaming device is amplified entirely in the digital domain. The digital-to-analogue conversion takes place just prior to the speaker outputs.
NuForce have long been proponents of Class D amplification and their newly announced DDA-100 looks like it could be spankingly good. Using a similar amplification methodology to that of NAD’s C 390DD and M2, it converts a PCM input to PWM, and then uses that PWM signal to drive the output stage.
“In effect, the PWM power amplifier stage operates as a power DAC.”, reads the marketing copy.
“This effectively eliminates the DAC-related problems that have plagued serious listeners in the past. Fewer parts result in a more direct signal path, resulting in benefits passed along to you: exquisite sound at an affordable price.”
The S/PDIF input can handle up to 24/192 whereas the USB is capped at 24/96. Here’s what the remote control looks like:
At US$549, Jason Lim could be onto a winner. It’s not quite as powerful as NAD’s C 390DD but 50 wpc into 8 Ohms will be more than enough for many listeners. The NuForce DDA-100 has the potential to be utterly golden on the desktop AND in the lounge room.
The DDA-100 is available in black or silver finish and began shipping yesterday.
Specifications:
- Digital inputs: 2 x TOSLINK, 1 x RCA Coaxial 75-Ohm, 1 x USB2.0 adaptive mode
- Maximum sampling rate: 96kHz (USB) and 192kHz (S/PDIF)
- Resolution: 24-bits
- Speaker Output Power: 75W x 2 (4 Ohm), 50W x 2 (8 Ohm), 250W peak.
- THD+N = 0.07% @ 15W
- Frequency response: 20 to 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- SNR > 95dB A-weighted
- Power: 100-240VAC worldwide auto switch
- Dimensions
- 9″ x 8.5″ x 2″
- Weight: 2.64 lb. Shipping weight 5 lb.
Further Information: NuForce
