NuPrime IDA-9 Digital Integrated Amplifier, Black

The NuPrime IDA-9 is a compact digital integrated amplifier that combines a DAC, preamp, power amp, and headphone amp in one chassis.

That's a lot of function for a device the size of a thick book – and that's exactly the point. The IDA-9 keeps the signal digital from input to just before the speaker, pushing jitter and noise down to a minimum. What comes out the other end is remarkably clean for so little volume in the rack.

Why the IDA-9?

NuPrime from Taiwan follows a clear idea: the shortest, most digital signal path possible. In the IDA-9, an AKM AK4490 EQ converts the data, a Class-A stage sets the tone, and an ultra-fast Class-D power stage delivers 2 × 100 watts. No half-metre-wide chassis, no 20-kilo transformer – yet plenty of authority for most speakers. Size, it turns out, isn't the same as class.

What you get

• ✅ Compact powerhouse: 2 × 100 W into 8 Ω (2 × 160 W into 4 Ω) from a chassis that disappears on any desk or in any sideboard.
• ✅ High-end DAC on board: The AKM AK4490 EQ handles PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 – studio resolution with no external converter needed.
• ✅ Fully digital signal path: The signal stays digital from input to power stage. That minimises jitter and delivers an exceptionally black background, especially at low listening levels.
• ✅ Proper headphone amp: A dedicated 6.3 mm output with enough current and control for demanding, high-impedance headphones too – no afterthought.
• ✅ Flexible connections: USB-B, coaxial, optical, and an analogue RCA input, plus pre-/sub-out for an active subwoofer or a power amp upgrade.
• ✅ Lossless volume control: A thin-film switched resistor ladder instead of a potentiometer – precise levels with no loss of sound quality across the whole range.

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Who is the IDA-9 for?

For anyone who wants to play their digital music – PC, streamer, console – centrally and at maximum quality, without stacking a rack full of boxes. Ideal on a desk, in a minimalist living room, and for compact to smaller floorstanding speakers with a taste for fast, precise bass.

Straight talk: The IDA-9 is a digital specialist with exactly one analogue RCA input. A turntable works, but only with an external phono preamp. If you want to fill a large hall with low-efficiency floorstanders, you're better off with a more powerful power amp – and if you're after the tactile charm of a classic beast of a component with fat knobs, this slim slab won't win you over. For its intended purpose, though, it punches well above its size.

Our verdict

We recommend the IDA-9 to anyone who wants to distil a whole hi-fi chain down to the essentials without giving up sound quality. It builds on the multi-award-winning IDA-8, which received a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound in 2016, among others. In our workshop in Wädenswil we've repeatedly been amazed how much clean punch comes out of this lightweight – and the headphone output is an honest extra, not a fig leaf. If you want to cut down on space, cable clutter, and complexity, this is a very grown-up decision.

Technical data

• Amplifier type: Class-A preamp stage + ultra-fast Class-D power stage
• Output power: 2 × 100 W into 8 Ω, 2 × 160 W into 4 Ω
• DAC chip: AKM AK4490 EQ
• Formats (USB): PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD up to DSD256
• Formats (optical/coaxial): PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz
• Digital inputs: 1 × USB-B, 1 × USB-A (optional dongle), 1 × coaxial, 1 × optical
• Analogue input: 1 × stereo RCA
• Outputs: Speaker, pre-/sub-out (RCA), headphone 6.3 mm
• Volume control: Lossless thin-film switched resistor ladder
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
• THD+N: < 0.005 %
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 235 × 55 × 281 mm
• Weight: 4 kg
• Chassis: Vibration-damping aluminium
• Colour: Black
• Warranty: 2 years
• Included: IDA-9, infrared remote, power cable, USB-A-to-USB-B cable, quick guide

Frequently asked questions

Which speakers suit the NuPrime IDA-9?
With 2 × 100 W into 8 Ω, the IDA-9 drives compact speakers and many smaller floorstanders with authority. Its strength is the speed of the power stage – it rewards speakers with precise, controlled bass. For large, low-efficiency speakers in big rooms, we recommend a more powerful solution.

Do I need a separate DAC for the IDA-9?
No. The high-quality AKM AK4490 EQ converter is already built in and handles PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz as well as DSD256. You connect your PC, streamer, or console digitally, directly. An external DAC only makes sense if you're after a very specific converter sound.

Is the IDA-9's headphone amp actually any good?
Yes, considerably more than the usual box-ticking exercise. The dedicated 6.3 mm output delivers enough power and control to drive even demanding, high-impedance headphones dynamically and precisely. For many users it fully replaces a separate headphone amplifier.

Can I connect a turntable to the IDA-9?
Yes, via the analogue RCA input – but you'll need an external phono preamp, as the IDA-9 has no phono input. The signal is then cleanly digitised internally. We're happy to help you work out which phono stage suits your cartridge.

Why buy the NuPrime IDA-9 at HD Zürisee?
Because we know the device from everyday use and tell you honestly what it's suited for and what it isn't. Andy and Maurizio advise you personally on speaker matching, placement, and sources – by phone, WhatsApp, or in person in Wädenswil. Service and installation run through our own technician, no call centre in between.

Goes well with

The IDA-9 is the entire electronics chain in one box – all that's missing is speakers, headphones, and a good source:

• Matching speakers with fast bass
• A decent headphone for the dedicated output
• A source to match: streamers & network players
• More from the series: NuPrime