NuForce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Black Color).

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 4.5 x 6 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• ASIN: B0016XEVHS
• Item model number: Icon
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,490 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Receivers & Amplifiers > Component Amplifiers

• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 3, 2008

Product Description

Product Description
The NuForce Icon is an audiophile-grade Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier featuring two 12-watt outputs, a 3.5-mm stereo input for connection to an iPod or other portable device, a USB cable for operation with a PC or Mac, and standard RCA inputs for employing the Icon as the heart of a conventional audio system. For the headphone enthusiast, the Icon also offers a high-performance headphone output. Of particular interest to the computer user, the Icon's line-out functions as a PC or Mac USB-to-analog audio converter or can also be used as a connection to a subwoofer. With the same patented technology that has won a string of prestigious awards, the tiny Icon brings NuForce's celebrated sound quality to the music lover's desktop. Applications: 1) As the core of a desktop audio system, the Icon connects to an Ipod, CD player, PC or Mac. 2) Via the best, jitter-free USB technology, the Icon operates as a USB DAC for converting a PC or Mac's audio signal to high-quality analog sound. 3) For optimal headphone performance, the Icon includes a discrete, high-performance headphone amplifier. 4) For operation as an audiophile-grade preamplifier, the Icon's linestage can be connected to a power amp or active speakers. 5) As a high-quality auxiliary power amp in a surround-sound setup, the Icon can be used to drive tweeters or rear-channel speakers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, November 9, 2008

By	H. Yu (Flushing, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Nuforce Icon is a great desktop system, especially when hooked up to the usb port from a computer. I haven't try any other speaker, but the S-1 speakers specifically designed for the Icon are GREAT. Highly recommend this combination to anyone who wants a small system near a computer. If you are using the Icon in a large room or you want to enjoy your music from further away, you might need more powerful speakers.

The only downside I can think of is the included speaker cables for hooking up speakers other then the S-1 is a bit too short(the Icon output sound using a RJ-45 ethernet port). Since I am using the S-1, that is not a problem for me because the S-1 connect to the Icon via a regular ethernet cable, but beware if you plan to connect the Icon with other speakers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NuForce Icon Audio Amplifier, October 15, 2008

By	Howard Metzenberg (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This amplifier is for computer users who want to turn their desktop computer into a music player for a high quality stereo, a stereo system that is small and compact, but better quality than you get from desktop audio speakers that are built for gamers and multimedia. It could also be set up as a portable P.A. system with a laptop, to amplify a presentation for a small to medium size room and audience.

A digital-to-analog converter is necessary for good audio performance if you are playing music directly off a computer. Use this amplifier for a two channel configuration with small high-efficiency speakers. Adding a powered sub-woofer is also possible. It can also serve as a preamplifier for a traditional stereo.

Since it receives its signal through USB, only an audio card, built into most computers, is necessary. I am using ITunes through a Macintosh. I listen mostly to acoustic and classical music.

I am impressed by how cool the box is after several hours of playing. A class D digital amplifier uses almost no power, and the cool operating temperatures show it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little amp, August 25, 2008

By	Bernard Languillier (Tokyo Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The thing sounds great in combination with the S1 speakers.

I have been using it through an USB connection stream .wav files and I couldn't be happier.

It is of course not comparable to larger systems, and is a tad bright, but still brillant associated to a Mac (or PC).

Functionwise, I would have loved it to have an optical in so as to be able to connect to the optical output of an airport express.

Cheers,
Bernard