Nuforce WDC 200 / STA 200

A hi-fi amplifier and wireless DAC family

Company

Hank Max Studio

Client

Optoma

Optoma, a Taiwan-based electro-optical manufacturer, acquired NuForce, an American audio brand, and continues to support legacy NuForce products while introducing new ones. Incorporating audio technologies from Swiss Goldmund Laboratories, the NuForce WDC-200 and STA-200 were the first products launched under this new direction.In this project, I led product design aligned with Optoma’s vision and technical specifications, and I also proposed new design concepts and solutions that enhanced the products’ differentiation and market presence.

Contribution

Concept Development, Industrial Design, CMF, Product Prototyping, Design for Manufacture

Simplicity Delivers Pure Sound

The restrained forms of both products convey the audio system's efficiency and clarity. To embody the idea of pure sound, the main enclosure is crafted from aluminum, enhancing acoustic performance while also improving heat dissipation.
By combining solid aluminum with bent aluminum sheet, the design balances structural rigidity and cost efficiency, achieving a seamless, enclosure-like appearance with no visible screws on the primary surfaces. A black metal ring at the base discreetly conceals the rubber feet, maintaining a clean and cohesive visual identity that integrates naturally into a wide range of home environments.

Process

The design process began with defining the product architecture. By analyzing the dimensions and layout of internal components, we explored multiple configurations and form compositions. Initial sketches were followed by physical prototypes to evaluate proportions, tactility, and overall presence.

Seamless Enclosure-Like Appearance

The design goal was to achieve a clean and modern form while remaining feasible for mass production.
To eliminate visible screws on the main surfaces, I developed an internal support bracket structure that allows fasteners to be assembled from the inside outward. This internal structure secures the upper aluminum plate without compromising the exterior appearance, resulting in a refined, seamless enclosure.

Using CNC machining combined with metal bending processes, the aluminum enclosure achieves high structural rigidity and reduced resonance, supporting superior sound quality.

STA 200

The rear panels of both the STA-200 and WDC-200 are recessed, minimizing the visual protrusion of terminals and heat sinks while maintaining functional performance.

WDC 200

Similarly, the volume control on the WDC-200 is designed with a subtle concave profile, allowing intuitive finger placement while reducing overall protrusion and preserving an elegant visual balance.

Highest Quality Sound from Wireless Devices

Compatible with Apple AirPlay and Android devices, the system offers a seamless wireless listening experience, enabling users to stream high-quality audio effortlessly from their home network or mobile devices.

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