Audiophile can feel reassured getting rid of
CD player and using this device to connect with computer to enjoy the
versatility and advantage of music players.
Though the world is becoming digitized, in
audio field, analog is still dominant. A bulky system occupying a lot of space,
with complex connection of entangled cables, time and money has long been a common
formula for audiophile. However, some collectors still believe in the
pre-eminence of digital technology and start replacing their bulky analog
system with compact and versatile analog devices. NuForce is among
manufacturers who did soon realize the trend and wait in front for the market
with innovative device such as Air DAC.
NuForce
Air DAC
NuForce Air DAC first appeared at CES 2012.
This is a lovely device whose size is smaller than even Wi-Fi transmitter
having Airport Express audio output, from Apple. The case is totally made of
plastic with easy and effective configuration. The device uses external 5V power
supply via a small rectifier adaptor. Besides, there’s also another version
owning iTX transmitter using Apple contact to link with iPhone, iPad, iPod.
NuForce Air DAC shines with superior wireless
connectivity using SKAA technology of Eleven Engineering, a Canadian
manufacturer specialized in Wi-Fi receiver/transmitter for audio industry. Based
on compressed data sharing, HPX, Wi-Fi transmitter connected to computer or
Apple device is responsible for encoding, compressing original audio data from
16bit down to 5bit and transmitting it to receiver via Wi-Fi connection. Receiver
will decompress, turn 5bit data into 16bit data and restore the original audio
data. With the same method, sharing audio files through Wi-Fi environment will
become easier, without lagging or interruption, like common issues on other
devices. To preserve compressed audio quality, Eleven Engineering uses some
special techniques to maintain time latency at the lowest level and THD+N
(total harmonic distortion plus noise) at relative level with common CD’s standard
parameter. It is recognizable that despite running on popular frequency band
(2.4GHz) but using WFD protocol, Wi-Fi technology of SKAA doesn’t completely
conflict with other Wi-Fi transmitters. For streaming device collectors, this
point is very important.
Using SKAA technology allows Air DAC’s
central device to connect simultaneously with 4 Wi-Fi transmitters. Therefore,
Air DAC functions as the center of audio system and easily connects with source
devices, like computer, iPhone, iPad…
USB
Wi-Fi transmitter
Inside Air DAC is very basic. The main part
is SKAA encoder associated with Wi-Fi antenna of Eleven Engineering. After
being decoded and restored to the original, audio signal will be transferred to
AKM4426 decode IC (from Akasi Kaisei, Japan) to turn into analog signal. AKM4426
is modern 24bit DAC, though compact, and integrated with a lot of powerful
features, especially ability of reproducing well detailed and extensive sound.
Output sound signal at 2Vrms and directed straight to RCA port, via no
capacitor. The quite simple circuit takes full advantage of glued components to
reduce the size, helping to shorten signal line as much as possible.
The
product’s central part is Air DAC.
Air DAC’s connection with computer is quite
simple, without installation and setting up Wi-Fi parameter. It just requires plug
Wi-Fi transmitter into USB port then the computer will automatically detect the
device.
Using laptop as transmitting source then
connecting Air DAC to Nuforce Icon 2 digital amplifier to transfer signal to
AKG 701 earphones and deploying Foobar2000 program to test the device with some
favorite songs, this system delivered superior audio quality for such a
relative cost and it could satisfy hard-to-please listeners completely. NuForce
Air DAC’s sound appeared quite detailed, strong and loud. Difficultly
reproduced sound, of piano and violin, seemed quite vibrant.
Continuing connecting Air DAC with an old
mid-class receiver of Marantz and hard-to-connect Dynaca speakers, we felt NuForce
Air DAC’s audio quality was no much less than that of Arcam 72 CD player. Though
Arcam 72 was good with impressing sound, when compared with NuForce’s tiny
system playing the same music, Arcam 72’s domination was not remarkable. Through
these tests, it was clear that this budget device can absolutely replace a
mid-class CD player but still preserve hi-fi sound and reduce the bulk as well
as inconvenience in configuration.
