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More for kicks than audiophilia I cued up Melissa Etheridge's old live radio broadcast of "Bring me some water" from 1988's 2 Meter Sessies Vol. 1. If it didn't feel so overgrazed and trite, I'd have to write that the singer materialized in full 3D between the speakers and the steel strings rained showers of embers during each refrain. Aside from sheer grins the Nuforce reinforced how finicky it goes about fully illuminating a recording venue. No diffuse pseudo spaciousness but checkerboard sorting. If Melissa Etheridge stood 1.5m from a wall, that's where the IA-18 placed her. Granted, a bit more embedded 'flair' would still have been more audiophile but there one hits upon the limits of this class D design. It's a very honest type. I couldn't really fault it for that. |
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Conclusion. Whilst the sticker isn't chopped liver, today's lineup of €10.000+ integrateds places it resolutely in the mid sector. Not entry-level machine, not end-of-road extreme, this deck demonstrated how much sonic finesse is available from its class today. A would-be owner must be clear however that five high-level inputs constitute the limit of allowable sources. But it's very well and solidly put together and doesn't rely on ultra-costly boutique parts, exotic if dubious capacitors or six-9s silver for hookup wiring.
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Take it for granted that the Nuforce crosses off all sonic expectations with ease which one might level at an amp of its price. There's pressure-rich never fat agile and expressive low bass, a well-differentiated midband and a treble that never gets hissy or euphonic. This couples to dynamic chops which scale well past comfortable room volumes.
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It's a tidy package which to my ears seemed like a peace offering to diehard champions of traditional topologies. This modern amp has nothing in common with earlier class D which attracted harsh criticisms for unnatural sound. Many demanding but budget-conscious listeners should find it quite hard to resist this integrated proposition. The only thing cold about it is its enclosure - but merely to the touch.
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Psych profile of the Nuforce IA-18:
• On power the biggest Nuforce integrated competes well with established pre/power combos. Speaker control felt butch but not unduly dominant or overdamped, just right.
• Sonics are set by stable intelligible bass whilst tonality feels deliberately non-showy. Neutrality really is key and core attraction.
• Staging isn't voluptuous but well sorted and cleanly lit. The virtual venue begins on the speaker line and ends at their outer edges. If the recording contains true depth data, the IA-18 retrieves them but it doesn't cast depth as a constant effect.
• Dynamics are spot-on for the price class. The Nuforce has it but so has the competition. It then groups itself with the sub genre of 'fast' amps which profits liveliness and élan.
• The Nuforce doesn't rely on edges and corners to be interesting. The connoisseur knows how to favor a well-balanced clear well-resolved presentation. The absence of unnecessary hardness or excessive analysis reveals the keen balance the designers pursued. Absolute fitness for long-term listening pleasure.
• Sonics benefit tremendously when the Nuforce remains powered up which merely consumes 20 watts at idle.
• The stable chassis is exactingly finished to convey a solid quality impression. That said, socketry is quite limited. Shoppers should insure that connectivity will remain sufficient over the long haul.
Facts:
• Weight and dimensions: 40.5x43x5cm DxWxH, 8.5kg
• Connectivity: 5 x high-level in, single output terminals
• Trim: Black or silver
• Other: Includes remote wand
• Power consumption: Ca. 20 watts at idle
• Warranty: 2 years |
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redaktion @ fairaudio.de |
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