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(More customer reviews)I've been using my NuForce Icon for over a month now and I am very impressed. The sound is fantastic. The USB input worked perfect for me when connected to a Windows XP Home SP3 computer or to a PC running Ubuntu. I have the Icon paired up with my Polk TSi 100 home stereo speakers (rated at 89db) and am happier with this setup than I was with my 10-year old Adcom amp/Boston Acoustics speakers combo. Using the Icon's rear 3.5mm line-out, I connected a Polk PSW111 sub and now have a small 2-channel system that I am very happy with.
To be fair though, I do think there are some cons that should be discussed:
1) The popping sound at turn-on. It is annoying and it shouldn't be there. It should have been fixed during the design of this integrated amp. Somewhere along the line someone made the decision to leave it, probably to save money.
2) The speaker sensitivity recommendations. This is a low-power amp, 12 watts per channel, so having fairly efficient speakers is a must. NuForce recommend a speaker sensitivity rating of at least 87db. But they also has the following caution on it's Icon website: "Caution: If you have high efficiency speakers with sensitivity > 92db, you might hear high frequency switching noise." So, your speakers should have a sensitivity rating of at least 87db so they will play at a decent volume, but less than 92db or you might here "switching noise". Again, I would have liked to see the high speaker sensitivity/switching noise fixed prior to the models release.
3) There is a note in the user's manual that says "IMPORTANT! If you intend to employ the Icon as a preamp without speakers having been connected, use the Headphone Output on the front panel instead of Line Out on the back panel. Using Line Out without speaker connection could damage an internal filter." Using the line-out on the back panel would be common sense if you wanted to use the Icon as a preamp. But doing that could damage the unit? That is poor design and it shouldn't be that way. Nothing should get damaged if you make a wrong signal-level connection.
With that said, I am still very happy with my Icon. If I had the choice to buy something else or get another Icon, I would get the Icon again. I can live with the popping at turn-on because there isn't anything I can do about it. My speakers fit in the recommended 87-92db range so that doesn't bother me. And I bought the Icon to use as an integrated amp, not a preamp, so that line-out warning doesn't bother me. But none of those three cons should be there. They should have been identified and fixed prior to the Icon being released. Based on sound quality, ease of use, and features for the price, it's a 5-star rating, but I lowered it to a 4-star when you factor in the cons.
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Update - 12 Jun 2010,
Just an update to my original review of the Nuforce Icon. After using it for four months I unfortunately have a couple more "cons" to add.
4) If you have the USB input connected to a computer, the computer will automatically select the Nuforce Icon as the default sound device whenever the Icon is turned on - regardless of whether the USB input (Input 3) is selected on the Icon. In my case I am using the Icon as a small integrated amp for my home stereo. I have an MP3 player connected to Input 1, my TV connected to Input 2, and my PC connected to Input 3 via USB. If I turn on the Icon and select Input 2 to listed to my TV through my home stereo speakers, my computer's sound device will automatically change from the built-in sound card to the Nuforce Icon. When it does that I don't get any audio from my built-in sound card/computer speakers even though I don't have the Input 3/USB selected on the Icon. It seems like the computer should only "see" the Icon when the Input 3/USB is selected, not anytime the Icon is powered on. (I'm using WinXP SP3 Home).
5) I watch some HD television programs using my Samsung LCD TV's built-in HD tuner and over-the-air HD reception. On a few of my stations, I clearly get better television reception when my Icon is powered off. For example, today I was trying to tune in HD channel 4.1 and could only get "1 bar" on my TV's signal strength meter no matter how much I messed with the antenna. For my TV, anything below 2-3 bars results in the picture randomly dropping out and looking pixelated. After turning off the Icon, my signal strength instantly went to 4 bars and I had solid reception. Turning the Icon on and off definitely affects my TV reception on some stations. (My Icon is located on the shelf directly below my TV, approximately 8-9 inches away.)
Some good news: I have heard of some USB devices not working very good over long USB cables. I'm happy to say that I have connected my Icon to my PC using 3 USB cables daisy-chained together - about 15 feet - and the Icon is always recogized and plays PC audio perfectly.
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NuForce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Black Color).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.
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