Chelsea Wolfe recently played in Aotearoa. This was the second time around for us and even better; new songs, new venue. It was an awesome live experience and got me thinking, not just about how artists and their performances can progress and evolve over time.
Progress is more than just change – it’s improvement. In the world of home music replay, progress is what drives us to look at new components and systems, in the hope that we get to hear our favourite artists sound genuinely better.
It’s also important to understand that the introduction of a new model does not suddenly diminish the performance of the precursors. Progress needs a base to build from and the inherent qualities of the earlier models provide this.
NuPrime are the leaders in Class D amplifier design – more specifically they have pioneered innovative circuity combining elements of Class A with switching amplifier topologies powered by both linear (toroidal transformer based) and switched mode power supplies (SMPS) . They are constantly evaluating new developments with the end aim of delivering exceptional sound at affordable levels. You may be aware of the emergence of GaN (Gallium Nitride) based devices as a replacement for conventional silicon based transistors.
The new IDA-9 Integrated amplifier is the first NuPrime model to harness this new technology. The IDA-9 is here right now and sounding fantastic!
It’s all about power.
NuPrime (and formerly NuForce) have a long history with Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) design. The primary advantage of an SMPS is electrical efficiency – there is very little energy wastage in heat. Previous models including the reference level IDA-16 integrated amplifier and MCX series power amplifiers had SMPS units at their core. NuPrime have continually improved the performance of their SMPS designs, with better reliability, more power faster with less noise and distortion.
The key benefits of GaN devices mirror the core virtues of NuPrime’s existing amplifier designs – speed, power and cool running.
When applied in the setting of an SMPS they yield major benefits allowing the supply circuity to be more compact yet produce a lot more power. But most importantly in the case of the NuPrime implementation this is combined with an improvement in sound quality.
The IDA-9 is a comprehensive update on the well proven IDA-8 integrated amplifier. The IDA-8 is an ideal starting point – it has proved to be both reliable and enduring, having been in continuous production since 2016 and remaining effectively unchanged. At the same time the 9 series separates which share the same casework have been through several generations and now in ‘9x’ form are considerably better sounding.
Rather than re-inventing the wheel, Nuprime have been very smart in retaining the best bits of the IDA-8. By doing this the IDA-9 remains affordable yet it’s a vastly better amplifier.
At the heart of the new model is a GaN based Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) – this delivers a dramatic increase in power, doubling the rated output to 200 watts per channel. Yet the IDA-9 appears to be almost identical to the IDA-8 in the same sized box with the same inputs, outputs and controls. If anything it runs cooler despite the higher power.
The massive power increase is matched by an improvement in quality on the input side; the original IDA-8 features a modular preamp design that allows NuPrime to enhance its sonic characteristics. NuPrime have made solid progress since the introduction of the IDA-8 – we’ve seen the both AMG series and the enhanced 9x models – it’s this experience that feeds into the new integrated model. So the sound produced references both of these and somehow manages to combine the best of both. In fact there are some things it does that I think may even go beyond.
By building on the existing IDA-8 platform NuPrime exploit worthwhile economies of scale. The thermal efficiency of the GaN power supply means that no extra heat sinking is required and the small size of the IDA-9 saves significantly on material costs.
One of the advantages of an SMPS over a conventional transformer based design is speed – a linear supply effectively runs at mains frequency (50Hz) and relies of relatively large capacitors to smooth and store power. Music runs much faster than this and can quickly drain a conventional supply. The GaN based SMPS is running at frequencies far above the audio band and so can supply power faster with no lag.
You’ll immediately hear this with the IDA-9 – it’s remarkably agile and there’s a propulsive quality to the music. Leading edges of notes are precisely rendered but there’s no harshness associated with this sense of immediacy. This is probably due to the extra headroom confered by suddenly having 200 watts per channel on tap – in most normal listening situations, the IDA-9 will just be cruising.
Another striking quality of the IDA-9 is the level of detail it delivers. In theory, the original IDA-8 DAC section is modest and competent rather than drawing upon the latest Sabre chipsets that we see in NuPrime’s more upmarket models. But what we actually hear is a completely different story. This is in the context of being fed a very high quality stream via a Lumin U2 Mini so we’d certainly notice if the performance wan’t up to scratch. What the IDA-9 conclusively proves is that the sound you get is due to the quality of implementation of the DAC section rather actual chipset used – especially the handling of the analogue signal after conversion.
This detail is also a measure of the low noise floor and transparency of the IDA-9 – it’s an order of magnitude better than the IDA-8 in this regard. Again, the only conclusion we can come to is that this is attributable to the new GaN power supply.
It’s seldom that you’ll get such a clear cut improvement between generational models. While the extended timespan since the original IDA-8’s introduction allows for evolutionary change, it’s the GaN power supply which clearly differentiates the two models – the doubling of output power alone puts the IDA-9 at another level. As do the sonic differences between power supply types.
Something you may be wondering is why NuPrime have taken this long to introduce GaN technology when they have always been proactive in pushing the Class D envelope. And if the GaN devices are better in the actual output stage. The later approach was in fact tried several years ago but the results were less than convincing so the prototypes never made it to production. But this work highlighted the possibility of GaN technology being better suited to power supplies and the proof is literally in the pudding. This doesn’t mean it’s been easy to get to this point. Any new developments take time to refine and often there can be downsides – NuPrime’s deep experience with switching power supplies have allowed them to resolve these issues and the release of the IDA-9 has been intentionally scheduled to allow rigorous testing.
So when the IDA-9 finally arrived here, it has proved to be fully realised, works perfectly and actually exceeds expectations.
The IDA-9 retains the original IDA-8 input and output arrays – there are both digital and and analogue inputs and, speaker and subwoofer outputs. What has changed since the inception of the IDA-8 is the ubiquity of streaming services so you may wonder why the inclusion of these within the design is not built in. NuPrime have included their Stream Mini as a special introductory bonus with the first batches of the IDA-9 which immediately gives you this capability.
But streaming is evolving at a frenetic pace with new services, formats and increasing levels of resolution – even the best companies struggle to provide full compatibility across the board and so having this built in is just adds cost and future issues.
As we have alluded above, the quality of the IDA-9’s performance does warrant streaming devices that are similarly talented and to this end, a new version of the well proven Stream 9 is in the pipleine.
Within the greater NuPrime range, the IDA-9 is very much a component in it’s own right with a distinct character. The all analogue IA-9x highlights the differences – both are integrated amplifiers with the same casework – but outside of that the internal designs could barely be more different and sound wise they are at opposite poles – the IDA-9 is immediately impressive with it’s speed, power and urge, the IA-9x is more of a subtle slow burn. With both designs NuPrime is showing you exactly what they can do and each effectively showcases a key technology – with the IA-9x it’s the ODC – Only Distortion Cancellation topology which really brings out the best qualities in analogue. The GaN based SMPS is central to the IDA-9 and allows the amplifier to fully exploit the digital inputs.
What’s next for NuPrime?
Which neatly brings us to the question of where do we go from here. With any integrated amplifer and especially with both the IDA-9 and IA-9x, there’s only so much you can fit in the box and if you want more then it’s time to look at pre and power amplifiers. On this score, NuPrime have us well covered and it’s here we look if you want the best of all worlds.
The Evolution STA is a larger stereo power amplifier and like the IA-9x, featured the ODC circuitry but with more power and refinement. This reference level amplifier is now getting the ‘SE’ treatment in the form of an even better and more powerful GaN SMPS unit to replace the existing transformer and double the rated power from 200 to 400 watts per channel. There will be other refinements to rebalance the sound to the innate characteristics of the SMPS and cement the place of the Evolution components as NuPrime’s flagship designs.
This is a measure of just how advanced the new IDA-9 is – it’s core technology has a lot in common with the very best components and it’s really only a question of scale and cost. And with 200 watts per channel already on board in a fully featured amplifier, you can appreciate that for most listeners, the IDA-9 will be all you will ever need.
- NuPrime IDA-9 Integrated digital amplifier – black and silver finishes in stock, Stream Mini also included for a limited time. NZ$3000 including GST and delivery.
Specification
- Inputs:
- 1 x USB PCM / DSD Digital (PCM up to 384kHz & DSD up to DSD256)
- 1 x Coaxial Digital S/PDIF (PCM up to 192K supporting DoP format DSD64)
- 1 x Optical Digital S/PDIF (PCM up to 192K supporting DoP format DSD64)
- 1 x Bluetooth or WiFi receiver device (optional)
- 1 x Analog Stereo RCA (analog input will be digitized)
- Outputs:
- 1 x pair of stereo speaker (binding posts) output
- 1 x pair of stereo RCA (2V*), variable (volume controlled) output, full range
- USB Sampling Rates:Â 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz, 192KHz, 352.8KHz, 384KHz and DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz
- S/PDIF Sampling Rates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96, 176.4KHz, 192KHz, 384KHz (Coaxial)
- Bit Resolution: 16-32-bits
- RMS Power output: 200W x 2 @ 8 Ohms; 250W x 2 @ 4 Ohms
- THD+N: 0.005%
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 50kHz
- AC voltage: (90VAC~130VAC // 210VAC~ 250VAC) With Voltage Select Switch
- AC Fuse: Slow-blow, 3A, 250VA
- Color: Black or Silver
- Product Dimension: 55 x 235 x 281 mm (H x W x D)
- Package Dimension: 80 x 390 x 360 mm (H x W x D)
- Product Weight: 4kg
- Package Weight: 5kg
- Warranty: 1 year.
