ICON Pro Audio U44 – DAC/ADC Performance, Measurements and Published Specs?

[Thick]

Hi everyone,​

I’m looking into the ICON Pro Audio U44 and was wondering if anyone here has measured it or used it.

I’m particularly curious about:

• DAC and ADC performance
• Noise floor and dynamic range
• Overall transparency
• Possible DAC/ADC chips used inside
• How realistic do the published (on-paper) specifications seem?

Product link:
https://iconproaudio.com/product/u44-2/

Any measurements, teardown information, or real-world experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Curvature]

Definitely seems cool. Specs are realistic but there are conditions and dependencies that will come out only in measurement.

 

[Thick]

Definitely seems cool. Specs are realistic but there are conditions and dependencies that will come out only in measure

Definitely seems cool. Specs are realistic but there are conditions and dependencies that will come out only in measurement.

I also think the measurements published on their website look very good.
Additionally, it supports using VST effects through its own software.

 

[Curvature]

the measurements published on their website

Where?

 

[Thick]

Name: U44
Spec

---

I/O​

Microphone Inputs (XLR – balanced)
Two

High Impedance (Hi-Z) Instrument Inputs
Two

Analog Line Inputs
Four

Analog Monitor Outputs (DC coupled)
Three (two stereo headphones and one stereo master)

Digital Output Port
One (USB OTG)

---

Audio to Digital Conversion​

Dynamic Range
122 dB, A-weighted

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
-122 dB, A-weighted

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
-116 dB, -1 dBFS

---

Digital to Audio Conversion​

Dynamic Range
127 dB, A-weighted

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
-127 dB, A-weighted

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
-120 dB, -1 dBFS

---

Mic Inputs (XLR balanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Minimum voltage gain
0 dB (fader @ unity, -8 dB pad)

Maximum voltage gain
62 dB (fader @ unity, no pad)

Nominal input level
-16 dBu through -66 dBu (fader @ unity, no pad, @ +4 dBu output)

Maximum input level
+16 dBu (fader @ unity, -20 dB pad)

Expected source impedance
150 to 2000 Ohms

Actual load impedance
1200 Ohms

---

Instrument Inputs 1/2​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Input Impedance
390 kOhms, typical

Maximum input level
+16.5 dBu (fader @ unity, -20 dB pad)

---

Line Inputs 1/4​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Maximum level
+24 dBu

Nominal input level
+4 dBu

Expected source impedance
20000 Ohms or less

Actual load impedance
10 kOhms

---

Line Outputs 1/2 (6.35 mm TRS, Unbalanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Maximum level
+24 dBu

Nominal input level
+4 dBu

Minimum load impedance
600 Ohms

---

Headphone Outputs (Stereo, Unbalanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-2.5 dB)

Load Impedance
16 to 600 Ohms

Maximum Output Level
+18 dBu, no load
+18 dBu, 600 Ohms (7.94 Vrms)
+16 dBu, 100 Ohms (6.3 Vrms)
+14.6 dBu, 32 Ohms (5.4 Vrms)
+8.6 dBu, 16 Ohms (2.7 Vrms)

 

[morillon]

It seems barely commercialized...
so even less chance of encountering "external" measurements ....
;-)

 

[Curvature]

Name: U44
Spec

---

I/O​

Microphone Inputs (XLR – balanced)
Two

High Impedance (Hi-Z) Instrument Inputs
Two

Analog Line Inputs
Four

Analog Monitor Outputs (DC coupled)
Three (two stereo headphones and one stereo master)

Digital Output Port
One (USB OTG)

---

Audio to Digital Conversion​

Dynamic Range
122 dB, A-weighted

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
-122 dB, A-weighted

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
-116 dB, -1 dBFS

---

Digital to Audio Conversion​

Dynamic Range
127 dB, A-weighted

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
-127 dB, A-weighted

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
-120 dB, -1 dBFS

---

Mic Inputs (XLR balanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Minimum voltage gain
0 dB (fader @ unity, -8 dB pad)

Maximum voltage gain
62 dB (fader @ unity, no pad)

Nominal input level
-16 dBu through -66 dBu (fader @ unity, no pad, @ +4 dBu output)

Maximum input level
+16 dBu (fader @ unity, -20 dB pad)

Expected source impedance
150 to 2000 Ohms

Actual load impedance
1200 Ohms

---

Instrument Inputs 1/2​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Input Impedance
390 kOhms, typical

Maximum input level
+16.5 dBu (fader @ unity, -20 dB pad)

---

Line Inputs 1/4​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Maximum level
+24 dBu

Nominal input level
+4 dBu

Expected source impedance
20000 Ohms or less

Actual load impedance
10 kOhms

---

Line Outputs 1/2 (6.35 mm TRS, Unbalanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.3 dB)

Maximum level
+24 dBu

Nominal input level
+4 dBu

Minimum load impedance
600 Ohms

---

Headphone Outputs (Stereo, Unbalanced)​

Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-2.5 dB)

Load Impedance
16 to 600 Ohms

Maximum Output Level
+18 dBu, no load
+18 dBu, 600 Ohms (7.94 Vrms)
+16 dBu, 100 Ohms (6.3 Vrms)
+14.6 dBu, 32 Ohms (5.4 Vrms)
+8.6 dBu, 16 Ohms (2.7 Vrms)

These are specs, i.e., manufacturer representations about performance. Although they are based on measurements, we would need to see the output of some specific device, like an Audio Precision, in the form of a screenshot, to equate them to what @amirm or other reviewers provide us.

 

[Thick]

Yeah, it definitely needs actual measurements of the technical specs rather than just the published numbers. I wish someone here would measure it.


On paper the specs look decent, and the price seems reasonable compared to MOTU M2 and Audient iD14 MKII.


If the real-world performance lines up with those figures, this could be a **strong value-for-money interface.

 

[A.440.Hz]

The device doesn't seem to be selling yet, at least I can't find it offered at usual retailers. Or using general search, for that matter.

Does anyone know its MSRP or at least the price range they are aiming for?

Specs do look very decent on paper. I'm a bit weary of it being software dependent so much, though. I prefer my devices to be as open and OS independent as possible.

 

[Thick]

This device was in stock two months ago but has just sold out.

Here is the sales link: https://www.akalinmuzik.com/urun/u44

The last price listed on the site was 13,157 TL, which is approximately $297.32 at the current exchange rate.