NuPrime IDA-9

The IDA-9 is designed around the proven IDA-8 architecture with significant enhancements throughout. Its refined Class A input stage and upgraded Class D switching MOSFET circuit now operate at 600 kHz, enabling high-resolution audio performance while running cooler and more efficiently — reducing operating temperature by 30% for greater headroom and natural sound reproduction. NuPrime’s revolutionary ultra-low-noise GaN power supply employs a dual-phase interleaved GaN Power Factor Correction circuit, an advanced topology that ensures smoother power delivery and minimal ripple current compared to traditional single-phase designs. Beyond the PFC stage, new-generation GaN semiconductor modules drive a symmetrical dual supply system that provides balanced positive and negative voltage rails for the amplifier’s differential circuit. Together, these twin GaN power blocks deliver a total of 500 watts with peak current capability of 20 amperes, supporting an impressive 200 watts (RMS) per channel of dynamic music power at 8 ohms. This GaN-based power architecture achieves unmatched thermal efficiency and ultra-clean power delivery, producing a deep black background, exceptional channel separation, and breathtaking clarity.

The result is a sound that’s neutral yet rich in detail, with excellent layering, tight bass, and an open, extended high end — all while preserving the IDA series’ signature compact elegance and setting a new benchmark for modern integrated amplifier design.

Key Features

1. Class A Input Stage:
   
   
   • Ultra-Linear Class A Module (ULCAM) – The IDA-9’s revolutionary ULCAM technology combines the audiophile-quality sound characteristics of Class A amplification with the dynamics, speed, and efficiency of Class D operation. This hybrid approach delivers the best of both worlds without traditional compromises.
   • Nichicon KZ MUSE Input Coupling Capacitors – Specifically chosen for their ability to deliver neutral, pure sound with clean transparency, these capacitors contribute to excellent layering, tight bass response, and penetrating high-frequency reproduction.
   • OS-CON Capacitors in Single-Ended Class A Modules – These renowned capacitors are celebrated for their warm, natural tone, superb high-frequency detail, and exceptional longevity. They ensure stable, high-quality signal coupling and consistent audio performance over extended periods.
   • Ultra-Low-Noise Input Stage – The input stage employs ultra-low-noise JFETs (Junction Field-Effect Transistors) to achieve the lowest possible noise floor, ensuring pristine signal integrity from the very first stage of amplification.
2. Advanced Class D Switching Circuit – The high-performance Class D switching MOSFET circuit operates at 600 kHz, enabling high-resolution audio performance while reducing operating temperature by 30%. This thermal efficiency allows for greater headroom and produces a more effortless, natural sound reproduction.
   
3. Premium Component Selection
   • Custom Power Capacitors – Engineered specifically for Nuprime, these capacitors provide enhanced instantaneous current delivery, ensuring the amplifier can respond immediately to dynamic musical demands.
     
   • WIMA and EPCOS Premium Audio Capacitors – The IDA-9 incorporates 14 high-end capacitors from the WIMA MKP and EPCOS MKP series throughout the circuit for power rail bypassing. These premium components, typically found in high-end audio equipment, deliver sweet, full-bodied tonal character with fast response, low loss, and naturally balanced sound.
4. DAC Performance – The integrated DAC supports high-resolution formats including USB PCM 384 and DSD256, with additional capability for decoding DoP (DSD over PCM) formats via coaxial and optical inputs. Native DSD playback is supported through both ASIO2.1 and DoP methods.
5. Connectivity and Control – Four digital inputs and one stereo analog input, accommodating virtually any source configuration.
6. Precision Volume Control – Features individually adjustable volume on each input for precise level matching of sources, with full microprocessor control and memory retention. Volume adjustment is available in 99 precise 0.5dB increments for exact level setting.
7. USB Audio Compatibility – Includes dedicated NuPrime device driver software for Windows systems, while Mac users can utilize standard driver software for plug-and-play operation.
8. Custom NuPrime isolation feet eliminate vibration transfer, ensuring optimal performance by preventing mechanical interference with sensitive audio circuits.
9. Energy Efficient Operation – The IDA-9 maintains very low power consumption in standby mode, reflecting modern energy-conscious design principles.
10. Includes a comprehensive remote control for convenient operation of all functions and settings.

Revolutionary GaN Power Supply Technology

Advanced GaN Power Factor Correction

At the heart of the IDA-9’s power supply architecture lies a sophisticated dual-phase interleaved GaN Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit. This innovative design approach delivers exceptional voltage regulation while maintaining minimal noise levels and achieving ultra-high efficiency. The entire PFC module is housed within a remarkably compact 75 × 30 × 25 mm enclosure, yet delivers an impressive 600 watts of output power.

The dual-phase interleaved topology represents a significant engineering advancement, allowing for smoother power delivery and reduced ripple current compared to traditional single-phase designs. This results in cleaner power conversion and improved overall system performance.

Gallium Nitride High Frequency High Efficiency Power Module (Gan HFHFPM)

Beyond the PFC stage, the IDA-9 employs new-generation GaN semiconductor modules for the critical power conversion stages that supply the amplifier circuits. These modules showcase the remarkable capabilities of GaN technology, with each individual module maintaining the same compact 75 × 30 × 25 mm footprint while delivering up to 250 watts of output power and instantaneous peak current capabilities of up to 10 amperes.

The choice of GaN semiconductors over traditional silicon-based solutions enables this extraordinary power density while maintaining excellent thermal characteristics and switching efficiency. This translates to reduced heat generation and improved long-term reliability.

Symmetrical Dual Supply Architecture

The IDA-9’s power supply design incorporates two independent GaN power blocks configured to create a symmetrical dual supply system, providing both positive and negative voltage rails. This balanced approach ensures optimal performance for the amplifier’s differential circuit topology.

Combined, these twin power blocks deliver a total output of 500 watts with peak current capability reaching 20 amperes. This substantial power reserve enables the IDA-9 to achieve an impressive 200 watts per channel of music output power, ensuring dynamic headroom for even the most demanding musical passages.

Engineering Excellence Through Miniaturization

Perhaps most remarkably, this advanced power supply system delivers performance equivalent to traditional transformer-based power supplies while occupying only one-fourth the physical space and weighing merely 20% of conventional designs. This dramatic reduction in size and weight opens new possibilities for amplifier design and placement flexibility without compromising performance.

Performance Benefits

The integration of GaN Power Factor Correction with GaN Power Modules creates a synergistic effect that delivers multiple performance advantages. The system achieves exceptional efficiency with minimal energy loss, translating to reduced operating costs and environmental impact. The high power output capability within such a compact form factor represents a paradigm shift in power supply design philosophy.

From an audio perspective, the GaN-based power supply contributes to the IDA-9’s sonic signature through fast, detailed, and dynamic sound reproduction. The ultra-clean power delivery creates a deep black background that enhances musical detail retrieval and provides excellent channel separation, allowing listeners to experience music with exceptional clarity and precision. The NuPrime IDA-9’s GaN power supply technology represents a convergence of advanced semiconductor engineering and audio design philosophy, delivering a solution that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in compact, high-performance amplifier design.

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