Today we are presenting NuPrime IDA-8
which is a hybrid between integrated amplifier
and DAC
It is a really popular solution recently
which is praised by users due to the compactness
and usability.
Regardless NuPrime is a young brand
which was founded in 2015,
it can already boast a wide range of products.
Employees and most important patents
came from NuForce
wchich is well-known among audio lovers.
The device has extraordinary, interesting design.
Attention is paid to compact dimensions
and interestingly designed front panel.
At first it seems
that the amplifier does not have a display
but after turning it on, we can see,
that there are some diodes, each acting as independent pixel.
This solution is commonly used in NuPrime
and has become a hallmark of a brand.
Left knob is used as the input selector
and power button.
Pressing the knob for a few seconds
lets you switch between standby mode and working mode.
The right knob is used for volume adjustement.
After pressing it, you can turn on the mute function
The back panel offers multiple of connectors
with most of them described as digital inputs.
We can use USB B,
optical and coaxial input.
Analog signal
can be transferred via 2xRCA inputs.
USB A socket
is intended to connect with Bluetooth receiver supplied with the whole set
or Wi-Fi receiver
which you can buy separately.
IDA-8 in addition to one pair of loudspeaker outputs
offers also subwoofer output
wchich is not commonly seen in stereo amplifiers
but significantly increases the possibilities of system expansion.
IDA-8 has a hybrid amplification technology.
What does it mean?
Preamp section is working in A class
and power amplifiers
are made in impulse technology
which is describes as D class.
Many people call impulse amplifiers digital ones, which is not correct.
As producer said, amplifier's A class section
is tend to offer warm and fleshy sound
when D class power amplifiers guarantees
high performance.
NuPRime is the producer
who introduced many improvements in impuls solution systems.
so we can be sure,
that the device will not differ in the quality of the sound
from the A or AB class contructions
it is worth saying, that the power of 100W per channel
is gained not only at 4, but also at 8 Ohms.
As we said before, the amplifier has
built-in DAC
which anables coonverting PCM signal
up to 384kHz
and DSD up to DSD256.
It is a high time to test the sound of the device!
Because the amplifier has a built-in DAC
we would check how it is working not only
with analog, but also with digital singal.
When we use CD player as a source
the sound is fast and compact
and dynamics is at a very good level.
Also stereophonic
and good localization of virtual sources are very good.
No specific sound goes in fron of the melody
which makes a good harmony.
USB-B is made specially for the users,
who use computer as the signal source.
We decided to check, how the DAC
would play woth digital sources.
The sound appears clean and clear
with well controlled bass.
The sound is a little bit warmer, but it did not  change
the tonal balance dramatically
and positively reflected the whole track.
It appears that appearances are deceptive.
Even not so big in dimensions amplifier
can handle the whole stereo system
and lets users listen to high quality sound:
clear, dynamic, and with IDA-8
a little bit warm.
For who we would recommend this amplifier?
Primarily for those, who often
use computer as a source,
because built-in DAC can perfectly handle
with files via USB B and
coaxial input.
IDA-8 is a great solution
when you don't have much space to place audio devices.
Thanks to compact dimensions
you can easily use it as a desk device.
In this price range
it appears to be matchless
which was confirmed by numerous of reviews
in Audio - Video Magazine, Stereolife or Absolute Sound.
IDA-8 has become a product of the year
2015, 2016
and 2017 in numoerous of
independent magazines.
Do you need a better recommendation?
Better check it out yourself!
