EVGA NU Audio Pro Review: 8.3/10 - Reference-Grade Sound With Stunning Hardware Design
We may earn a commission from links on this page Learn more
At no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; we also participate in the eBay Partner Network (EPN). See our full disclosure.
The EVGA NU Audio Pro is a beautiful piece of audio hardware that delivers reference-grade sound quality in an unconventional and enthusiast-focused package.
audiophiles or gamers wanting pristine sound processing and lower latency from the EVGA NU Audio Pro
your motherboard's integrated audio or an external USB DAC already delivers sound comparable to the EVGA NU Audio Pro
Prices last checked July 2, 2026
Overview
The EVGA NU Audio Pro is a premium PCIe sound card co-engineered with Audio Precision, the industry standard for audio measurement equipment. Featuring an AKM AK4493EQ DAC, through-hole Nichicon capacitors, swappable OP-amps, and a stunning PCB design with an EMI shield, the NU Audio Pro targets audiophiles and professionals who want reference-grade audio from an internal card. At $249, it undercuts the Creative AE-9 by $150 while delivering competitive audio quality, though a more limited feature set and the sunset of EVGA’s graphics card business raise questions about long-term support.
Design & Build
The NU Audio Pro is a visual and tactile delight. The full-length PCB is covered by a sophisticated EMI shield with a geometric cutout pattern, and when removed, reveals a beautifully laid-out board with through-hole components, Nichicon Fine Gold and Muse series capacitors, gold-plated relay-based output switching, and dual swappable OP-amp sockets. The through-hole design is unusual in modern audio hardware and contributes to a warmer, more musical sound signature. The card uses a separate 6-pin PCIe power connector to ensure clean power delivery to the analog stages. Build quality is outstanding - the PCB is thick, the connectors are gold-plated and solid, and the relay clicking during output switching adds a tactile sense of quality.
Performance
Audio performance is superb. The AKM AK4493EQ DAC delivers 124 dB SNR with extremely low jitter and distortion characteristics. The sound signature is neutral and revealing with excellent detail retrieval - subtle reverb tails, micro-dynamics in vocal performances, and spatial cues in game audio are rendered with clarity. The dual OPA1688 and OPA1612 op-amp configuration provides a clean, transparent headphone output that drives 600Ω cans with authority. The line output is equally impressive, feeding studio monitors with a black background and precise imaging. The card’s Audio Precision co-engineering is evident in the measured performance - channel crosstalk is exceptional at -130 dB, and frequency response is flat from 10 Hz to 40kHz within ±0.1 dB. The headphone amp section is slightly less powerful than the AE-9’s, but still adequate for all but the most demanding high-impedance planars.
Features
| |The NU Audio Pro offers swappable OP-amps (dual sockets) for audio signature tuning. Connectivity includes gold-plated RCA line outputs, optical S/PDIF output, a ¼-inch headphone jack, and a 3.5 mm microphone input. The EVGA NU Audio software provides a clean interface with equalizer, virtual surround sound, and output configuration. The card supports up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM playback and DSD256. The included EMI shield effectively blocks internal case noise. The 6-pin PCIe power connector ensures clean power. However, the feature set is more streamlined than the Creative AE-9 - no external control module, no XLR input, and no hardware volume control on the card itself.
Pros
- Stunning hardware design with through-hole Nichicon Fine Gold and Muse capacitors
- Premium AKM AK4493EQ DAC with 124 dB SNR and -130 dB channel crosstalk
- Swappable OP-amp sockets for sound tuning
- Nichicon Fine Gold and Muse capacitors throughout
- Exceptional channel separation and low noise floor
- Clean power delivery via 6-pin PCIe connector
- Good headphone amp drives up to 600Ω
- EMI shield effectively blocks internal interference
Cons
- No external control module for desk access
- Limited to RCA and optical outputs - no balanced XLR
- EVGA’s uncertain future raises support concerns
- No built-in microphone preamp or XLR input
- Software is functional but basic compared to Creative’s suite
- 6-pin PCIe power required, not bus-powered
- Headphone amp slightly less powerful than AE-9
Verdict
The EVGA NU Audio Pro is a beautiful piece of audio hardware that delivers reference-grade sound quality in an unconventional and enthusiast-focused package. The through-hole component design and premium Nichicon capacitors give it a distinctive character that separates it from the more clinical ESS-based competition. At $249, it offers excellent value for those who want a high-quality internal sound card with swappable OP-amps and don’t need an external control module. The uncertainty around EVGA’s future in the enthusiast market is a concern, but for pure audio performance, the NU Audio Pro stands tall.
Sources
Technical Specifications
How We Scored This Product
Every product on ComfyTechCheck is scored on a 1 to 10 scale across four criteria. Each criterion is weighted differently depending on the product category to reflect what matters most to real buyers.
- Performance & Capabilities 40% Speed, accuracy, quality of output in its category.
- Build & Design Quality 30% Materials, construction quality, durability, form factor.
- Consumer Value 20% Price-to-performance ratio relative to direct competitors.
- User Experience 10% Ease of setup, daily usability, comfort, ergonomics.
Scores are assigned by our editorial team after hands-on testing or extensive research using verified user reports, expert analysis, and technical specifications. For the full weight breakdown by category, visit our How We Rate page.