NuForce's Icon iDo amp improves iPod sound, costs more than a Classic
Ever feel the temptation to run your iDevice straight into a set of 250-ohm Beyerdynamic or Sennheiser cans? You could, but the resulting sound would hardly rock you. Thankfully, NuForce's colorful Icon iDo is ready to assist in your iAudiophile needs for only $250. This headphone amp -- supporting sampling rates up to 48kHz, 24-bits of resolution and a 10-20kHz frequency -- cables into your iPod's 30-pin connector to bypass the digital audio converter and uses its own to amp up the quality of your audio. The iDo promises to drive headphones all the way up to 300-ohms with 12mW of power via its 3.5 jack, and it's also sporting digital / analog RCAs if you want to share the love with some speakers. You'll be at the whim of wall outlets as plug-in power is required for operation, but at least its built IR receiver will let you remote control your playlists from afar. It's available today if you're finding your HiFi bugged piqued, and a backside shot with PR is just past the break.
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NuForce Introduces Audiophile-Grade Digital Audio Conversion and Headphone Amp for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod Touch®
iDo extracts audio data in its original digital form (in USB Host mode) from Apple mobile digital devices, delivering bit-perfect, low-jitter, audiophile-quality music file playback
Milpitas, Calif. – EMBARGO until September 8, 2011 @ 9:00 AM EST – NuForce, Inc., a leader in professional and consumer audio solutions, announces today its Icon iDo digital audio converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices. The Icon iDo delivers audiophile-grade CD quality sound to digital music files stored on Apple® mobile digital devices. iDo is ideal for music enthusiasts and musicians alike who primarily listen to-and have their digital music libraries stored on-these devices.
"We're thrilled to bring our knowledge and understanding of the high-end audio market direct to Apple enthusiasts," said Jason Lim the CEO of NuForce. "Apple products are becoming the hub of a person's entire music and audio collection, so improving the audio quality produced by these devices is key. The Icon iDo delivers on that at very affordable price point."
A fast and easy connection for audiophile-grade sound.
Using the Icon iDo is simple. Users can connect any Apple mobile device to the Icon iDo with the Apple® approved and included 30-pin sync/charging cable, attach the power supply, and then plug the Icon iDo into a home stereo system using RCA cables or a single coaxial. Users can also plug in headphones directly into the Icon iDo for personal high quality sound playback in a manner the artist intended it to be heard.
How iDo makes music stored on Apple devices sound even better?
Apple uses its own audio codec, Apple Lossless Encoder (ALE), to compress and store music files on its devices in original CD quality without loss. However, even ALE files only sound as good as the default DAC (digital-to-analog converter) found within the mobile digital device. Icon iDo bypasses the built-in DAC and extracts the audio data stored on the device in its original digital form in USB Host Mode. It then converts the high-quality files for bit-perfect and low-jitter music playback.
NuForce Icon iDo
A portable power station for the ultimate headphone listening experience.
Icon iDo also offers a built-in headphone amplifier capable of powering power-hungry headsets, giving users a total audio experience. By properly powering headphones, Icon iDo enhances the auditory performance of the headphones because optimal amperage is being delivered to them, allowing for greater audio clarity.
Product Specs:
Inputs:
• USB (from iPod, iPhone, iPad)
• Maximum sampling rate: 48kHz
• Resolution: 24-bits
Outputs:
• Analog RCA Output = 2Vrms
• Digital Output: coaxial RCA 75-ohm
• 3.5mm full-size headphone output jack drives headphones up to 300-Ohm (12 mW@300-Ohm)
Headphone power spec:
• 130mW rms @ 16 Ohm
• 88mW rms @ 30 Ohm
• 51mW rms @ 60 Ohm
• 28mW rms @ 120 Ohm
• 12mW rms @ 300 Ohm
More Features:
• IR Remote Receiver accepts Apple remote control IR signals for volume and playback adjustment on iOS device
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 20kHz (-0.5dB)
• Dimensions: 6" x 4 ½" x 1"
• Includes DC Power Supply and 30-pin charge/sync USB Cable
The maximum sample rate currently supported by Apple is 16-bit/44.1kHz or 24-bit/48kHz. **Icon iDo is designed to work with Apple iTunes and iPod software. Other applications may not work.
