By Marcin Gałuszka, HiFi Class
The diverse range of products offered by the American brand NuPrime includes several digital-to-analog converters (DACs) at a wide range of prices. One of the more affordable models is the DAC-8. It features a wide selection of connectors, with a particularly interesting section dedicated to digital inputs, allowing the device to accept signals from almost any digital source. Moreover, the DAC-8 is equipped with a preamplifier capable of adjusting the output voltage for each supported digital input, meaning it can be connected not only to traditional integrated amplifiers but also directly to power amplifiers.
Built
The DAC-8 showcases the typical minimalist design of most NuPrime products. At the front, there’s a multifunctional knob, a mode switch button, and a clear LED display showing information about the selected input and volume level. The DAC-8 can also serve as a preamplifier with adjustable output voltage, but this feature applies only to signals delivered through digital inputs.
The DAC-8’s case rests on custom-designed NuPrime damping feet, and the anti-vibration chassis is made from both steel and aluminum plates. The DAC-8 is available in black or silver finishes. Inside the sleek and compact chassis, SMD technology dominates. A high-quality integrated circuit handles the input signal section, and the digital-to-analog conversion is based on the ESS ES9018Q2C chip. The device also features a well-developed power supply section with a high-quality transformer. Additionally, there’s a separate small circuit board for handling the USB-B digital input. The analog stereo outputs on RCA connectors are controlled by a hermetically sealed relay from the Japanese brand Takamisawa.
A standout feature of the DAC-8 is NuPrime’s SRC IC chip, which ensures DSP processing. The incoming signals are first upsampled to very high frequencies in the MHz range before being down-converted to the target frequency. This process minimizes jitter, leading to higher-quality sound.
Sound Quality
No matter the digital input, the DAC-8 delivers well-balanced sound rich in detail, with a dense, tangible midrange and deep, controlled bass. This enables it to elevate the sound of various budget digital sources to a much higher level.
In testing, the signal was fed to the DAC via a standard coaxial cable from a Cambridge Audio DVD99 player. The sound from this source was noticeably improved in every way. The soundstage expanded, and the virtual sound sources were more precisely placed, not only in the foreground but also in the background. The timbre of individual instruments became more natural and fuller. For example, while listening to jazz by Wynton Marsalis from the album “The Magic Hour,” the DAC-8 brought out the expressive, colorful, and warm sound of the trumpet—just as it should sound.
When streaming music from TIDAL, the DAC-8 also proved it could handle digital signals from a computer and convert them into high-quality analog sound. Tracks from Patricia Barber’s repertoire sounded as if they were played on a high-end CD player. The sound was smooth, coherent, rich in detail, and featured well-defined virtual sources.
Summary
NuPrime has created a versatile and well-connected DAC capable of improving the sound quality of various budget digital sources. The DAC-8 is not only intuitive to use but also highly effective in delivering great sound.
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