Kuribo and Guido,
My decision to try a new class D amp in my system was initiated during the reading of audio blogs concerning the building of relatively inexpensive home assembled amps on Audio Circle and DIY Audio. Most of these diyers were very excited to be using the Hypex NCore nc400 amp modules and Hypex switching mode power supplies(smps) in their creations. Hypex had announced at their introduction that their top of the line and most powerful module, the nc1200, would only be available to OEM amp manufacturers. Hypex also announced, however, that they would be making a lower powered amp module in their module lineup, the nc400, available for purchase to the DIY community for use in their home do it yourself amps. Hypex 'reserved' the nc400 modules as a sort of homage to the DIY community. Diyers were instrumental in the success of Hypex's prior class D modules and this was a form of respect, appreciation and reward for the DIY community's loyalty and support.
So, as a result, the nc1200 modules and smps began to be incorporated into expensive ($9,000 plus)new model amps from companies such as Acoustic Imagery, Jeff Rowland Design Group and Merrill Audio. Reviews of these amps were very positive.
The DIY guys, looking for a less expensive amp that possessed similar neutral high-end performance, started buying the Hypex nc400 modules, nc600 or nc1200 smps, wiring harnesses along with Neutrik and Cardas connectors and began making their custom creations.
Practically all of the do-it-yourself amp builders reported their nc400 based amp builds' had very similar sonic characteristics: very well controlled bass with a smooth midrange and a clean, detailed and extended treble that is non-fatiguing. Most assemblers described the overall sound as neutral, transparent and detailed that was very revealing of system changes, upstream deficiencies and recording quality. These sonic qualities were consistently reported whether the diyer built the amp in a custom case, generic case, cigar box or even on open breadboards without enclosures.
The Hypex nc400 amp builds sounded very promising and I decided I'd like to try one in my system. However, due to a stroke I don't have total control of the left side of my body. This, along with very minimal electronics assembly experience, caused me to look for a company to build the amp(s) for me.
The first nc400 based amp builder I contacted was James Romeyn, who was mentioned several times on these forums as an experienced and trusted builder. His assembly charge was very reasonable ($155) and he seemed very knowledgeable, passionate and detailed about his amp builds. The only downside I could see was that his stereo and mono-block cases ( sourced from Ray Sonic in Hong Kong) were, to put it kindly, nothing to write home about.
While researching online for alternative cases, I discovered photos of Aluminati Sound's very impressive stereo and mono-block cases. My thinking was why should I place these very extraordinary amp components in an ordinary case, or mono cases, when extraordinary cases were available at approx. the same price. Aluminati was founded by 2 diyers primarily concerned with audio performance that just happened to be CNC machinists. Their unique combination of audio enthusiasm and many years of experience as CNC machinists, metal fabrication and electronics assembly placed them in a fortuitous position.
Kuribo, you stated in your post:
"do you continue to consider the Aluminati product? A substantial part of their cost is the expensive machined aluminum case which adds little to the performance of the amp.A much better price/performance option would be the ncore400 built to order from James Romeyn."
Yes, my currently preferred option continues to be the Aluminati X-2 amplifier utilizing the Pascal SPRO-2 module. The aluminum case may have limited sonic benefits, although I cannot confirm this with any certainty.
While sound is my primary criteria in selecting a new amp, the cosmetics are also of concern since this new amp will be highly visible in my audio rack about 12ft away from my chair whether I'm using it for 2-ch music or ht duties; I'll rarely be listening in the dark. However, I can say definitively that the Aluminati X-2, with its anodized aluminum case and blue led under-case status light, will be orders of magnitude more attractive than the plain silver or black front panel, or black cases with "NCORE" printed on each mono-block, as the stock Chinese cases offered by James Romeyn appear.
You may be right, the James Romeyn Hypex nc400 amp build may be a better price/performance option than the Pascal based Aluminati. But, again, I cannot state this with any degree of certainty, having heard neither in my system nor any other system. If you have, as your statement seems to indicate, then any comparative thoughts on their sonic characteristics is more than welcomed.
Ultimately that remains my dilemma; having heard neither, I lack a solid basis for making a decision. I am left with only 2 subjective impressions from those that have tried both in their systems:
1. A few anecdotal mentions on AVS Forum from diyers who had built Hypex and Pascal amps claiming they preferred the Pascal amps without elaborating.
2. From Aluminati co-owner,Matt Kraemer, on a previous post on this thread stating: "We are having a lot of fun designing and testing this new amp. It's sounds much more alive than the Ncore boards IMO and I have made many amp cases for the NC400 board."
With this lack of feedback on the Pascal versus Hypex comparisons, I'm now thinking the the D-Sonic M3-600 or M3-1500 mono-blocks, that have received very good professional reviews as well as more anecdotal positive reports on audio forums, are coming on strong. It looks like it may come down to in-house trials to decide this.
Sorry for the excessive post length,
Tim
