NUPRIME EVOLUTION DAC-2 AND STA COMBINATION > Hi-Fi NL Review

With the introduction of the Evolution DAC-2, NuPrime offers a worthy successor to the much-praised Evolution DAC. In combination with the Evolution STA power amplifier, NuPrime offers a very strong music duo with which you will continue to enjoy music for many years. With the equipment level, the available connections and the sound quality, the NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 occupies a very solid market position.

Digital Evolution

When I compare the Evolution DAC-2 with its predecessor, apart from the use of a double ES9038Q2M chip instead of a premium ES3038PRO variant and the current support for MQA files, I cannot discover many differences.
Like its predecessor, the Evolution DAC-2 is completely dual-mono and equipped with separate C-Core transformers and AC power filtering for the analog and digital sections. This time the clock circuit again uses the NuPrime PSRC IC chip to either leave the incoming signal undisturbed or to bring it to a fixed sample frequency between 44.1kHz and 768kHz in PCM or DSD512. Digitally input signals are re-clocked after arrival, so that the digital signals are processed with as little jitter as possible. That's where the comparisons end.
The big difference between the DAC models is that the ES9038Q2M has been developed for mobile use and has a significantly lower power consumption than the ES9038PRO flagship. Due to the dual-mono configuration, the Evolution DAC-2 has a higher channel separation and a lower noise threshold compared to its predecessor. Due to all the technical interventions, the coaxial and AES-EBU digital inputs can now process higher bit rates and the I2S ports can now also handle players from other brands.

Our first impressions

The hybrid class A/D amplifier has a dual-mono construction and delivers an output power of no less than 230 Watts at 8 Ohms per channel. The Evolution STA is equipped with NuPrime Only Distortion Cancellation, which, according to the manufacturer, allows it to compete with the sound quality of the NuPrime Evolution One monoblocks. Thanks to the powerful transformer and the high-current power circuit with a total power supply capacity of 52,000uF, the amplifier has considerable dynamic reserves. The high switching frequency of 650kHz contributes to the high resolution of the amplifier, which particularly benefits the detail and sound depth. I am therefore very curious about the performance of this Evolution duo.

Listening results

During the sessions we use audio files in high resolution and Redbook CD quality. Regardless of the music pieces I put on, I am treated to music with a wide and deep soundstage with a surprising number of subtle details. Nothing suggests to me that I am listening to the music with a hybrid class A/D amplifier. The set plays my music with a wonderful warmth and I never hear anything of the harshness that earlier class D designs can sometimes be accused of.
With the NuPrime combination I experience a perfect interpretation of his gloomy peace of mind. This album has a powerful bass foundation and is immortalized in excellent sound quality with spatially mixed samples, instruments and effects. Waters' Leonard Cohen-like growl is reproduced into the dark depths of depression by the NuPrime combination. When listening to this album, the NuPrime set does not so much deliver a heavy music experience, but rather a delicate explosion of feelings.

Judgement

The NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 surprised me in several areas. It is a beautifully shaped and easy to operate digital preamplifier that combines excellently with the Evolution STA stereo power amplifier. Compared to its predecessor, this DAC-2 has received important new functionality. It doesn't matter with which audio component or in which file format you want to listen to the music, with the nine digital inputs and two analog line inputs and a maximum resolution of 32-bit 768kHz PCM, DSD512 and MQA support, this full-fledged DAC preamplifier can really be used anywhere. get along.

Conclusion

With the introduction of the Evolution DAC-2, NuPrime offers a worthy successor to the much-praised Evolution DAC. The Evolution DAC-2 is also equipped with two analog line inputs, which completely replaces the analog preamplifier. In combination with the Evolution STA power amplifier, NuPrime offers a very strong music duo with which you will continue to enjoy music for many years. With the equipment level, the available connections and the sound quality, the NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 occupies a very solid market position.

NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 Digital
NuPrime Evolution STA Class A/D Stereo močnostni ojačevalnik
Hi-Fi NL