NuPrime DAC 9X

First of all, let's put this Taiwanese company into context. In 2014, NuForce co-founder Jason Lim partnered with an OEM factory to purchase the assets of NuForce's high-end product line and launch NuPrime Audio. This is why we can find NuForce components on the market (now almost vintage) with names that remind us of the current NuPrime ones. This gives us an idea that the basic range of NuPrime products is of high quality, even if we are talking about their most economical models. Other very interesting features of their work philosophy include, for example, manufacturing most of the necessary components themselves, or as we might say today, "zero kilometer." This has two commercial advantages for them: they can control the availability of parts and reduce costs.

Its Class D amplification circuits are proprietary, accompanied by its own transformers, where noise reduction is almost obsessive. With these brief details, and without going into too much detail about electronics, which is not my forte, as I have mentioned on more than one occasion, you can understand the concept I want to introduce below. By not using parts that are well known to the general public, especially in digital amplification, the sound emitted by this NuPrime is different.

The DAC 9X advertising highlights its use in recording studios or for users of high-end systems. And to be honest, I agree with them on both counts. My DAC TEAC UD-301 also has a PRE-AMP function, but it is designed for the residential market and, therefore, the switch that controls it is located on the back of the device, which is not very convenient if you need to change its position. The NuPrime has the selector on the front. What's more, the TEAC has a volume control with a finger-friendly potentiometer and great precision. However, when you're working in a studio, you often can't or don't want to look at the front to control the volume you're applying. NuPrime has a step system, so you can feel each level you increase or decrease with your fingers. As you can see, these are not big things, they are not issues that will influence a purchase decision in a residential setting, but in the professional world they are vital, and they have taken this into account. They want to be where the magic of music is created, and for this reason they need to pay attention to all the small details, beyond the intrinsic quality of the sound, which we will discuss later.

In terms of the product's aesthetics, its extreme visual simplicity stands out, with straight lines and a beveled front, both at the top and bottom. It is metallic, quite heavy for its size, and has conical decoupling feet. It comes in two colors, black (the one in this article) and metallic gray. It has an informative blue dot display with basic information such as current input and audio output volume. The different audio inputs have their own volume memory, which is ideal if you want to adjust different types of sources and switch between them quickly without having to readjust the volume.

Equipment used in testing

»Sound source:
» Roon Labs on dedicated PC
»NuPrime DAC 9X
»Power amplification:
»NuPrime STA 9
»Speakers:
»Legacy Audio Focus SE
»Cambridge Audio EVO S
»Cables:
» Wires4Music for wiring:
    » Horus Hybrid RCA interconnect
    »Evolution in speakers and mains
» Custom rack

I have mentioned in more than one review that one of my musical idols is Bruce Springsteen. To enjoy the musical experience to the fullest, several elements have to come together at the same time: speakers that are suitable for the desired music, amplification that has great synergy with the speakers, and a sound source that is on the same wavelength. A single change in any of these links and we have a great sound reproduction system, although it will give its best in another musical style. I encourage you to read a previous article dedicated to the Luxman L-507Z integrated amplifier, a superb device that took me to other sound worlds.

The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

In Hi-Res 24-bit, 88.2 kHz version from Qobuz (what amazing sound this streaming platform provides. "Vive la France"). The Rising is an album released after the global impact of 9/11 in 2001. In all the songs, you can feel the weight of the artists, the desire to do something without knowing what to do. It is the ordering of the Cosmos through perfect, immaculate Chaos. The soft rock of a band, the E Street Band, that had lost the habit of working with their former leader, The Boss. In some songs, the backing vocals seem to come from beyond, and even a saxophone is lost in the musical ether, as if reminiscing about the past. A desire to return, knowing that you had left...

With this context, the reader will be reminded of musical images, soundscapes, flashes of frequencies, etc. Each person will have their own personal and life experiences. Because if you haven't lived, you can't do something you don't know. The musical emotion of this masterpiece lies in the control, the heaviness, and the small light at the end of the tunnel.

NuPrime DAC 9X gave me this moment of personal glory. The Legacy Audio Focus SE speakers have a nasty habit of stripping bare and revealing everything to anyone who dares to connect to them. The fundamental part is the bass control in this recording and not letting the sound get muddled; it's essential. Obviously, part of the success is due to the STA 9, but the soul of a good set is the DAC 9X. Therefore, give credit where credit is due.

My City in Ruins was created in late 2000 to denounce the degradation of Asbury Park, New Jersey. With the 9/11 attacks, it took on another meaning for the general public, and being able to "touch" the feeling in the band's voice and performance on this particular song makes you touch the sky. Life is not neat and tidy, nor is it surgical; knowing how to give skin tone, flavor, and body odor to music transports you to places you rarely go.

Due to lack of time and not having headphones on the same level as the DAC 9X, I was unable to assess the quality of its headphone preamp. My AKG K-701s reached their limit. However, the feeling is that there was more to come and the result was already outstanding.

In a previous article, I highlighted the natural vocals, and here I would highlight their authenticity for rock. This versatility when it comes to correctly reproducing any type of music makes it suitable for all audiences. Its sound is somewhat complex to define because it does not adhere to the clichés of the hobby, although with a little effort it is possible to say what it is not. It is not cold, it is not surgical, it is not metallic, it does not tire you out during long listening sessions, and you do not perceive any ringing in your ears at the end of the session (be very careful with this).

Nuprime is a brand that will be talked about a lot; its product and pricing policy is... different. Everyone will jump on the bandwagon later, but I said it first. And finally, don't believe a word I've said and go to your trusted store and ask to listen to one. You can buy me a beer later.

Specifications

USB:

Type B 2.0 Hi-Speed, Windows: data stream up to 384KHz/24Bit and native DSD 256.
Type B 2.0 Hi-Speed, Mac / Linux: data stream up to 384KHz/24Bit and DSD 128.
IIS/DSD: Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 384KHz/32Bit and DSD 64 ~ DSD 256.
Optical: Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 192KHz/24Bit and DOP 64.
Coaxial: Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 384KHz/24Bit and DOP 64 and 128.
Outputs: Front panel

6.3 mm TRS headphone output
Output power: 1700 mW, 32 ohms, < 0.01% THD (watts per channel).
Output power: 135 mW, 600 ohms, < 0.005% THD (watts per channel).

Outputs: Rear panel

Unbalanced RCA outputs: 4 Vrms
Balanced XLR outputs: 8 Vrms
S/DPIF optical output (PCM up to 192 kHz compatible with DoP DSD64 format)
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 KHz / ±0.3 dB.
SNR: > 110 dB.
THD+N: < 0.0005%.
Dimensions: 235 mm W x 281 mm D x 60 mm H (including feet)
Weight: 2.5 kg
Worldwide AC voltage: (90VAC~130VAC // 210VAC~ 250VAC) With voltage selection switch

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