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HYPEX,PASCAL OR ABLETEC

Knowing about the many apparently very good class D amps on the market right now and even though I'm very satisfied with my current ClassD Audio SDS-440CS amp, I'm seriously considering purchasing one of these amps to try out in my system. My thinking is that, if I do like the amp in my system, I can just use my current amp to replace an older Adcom GFA-545 that currently powers my Magnepan CC3 center channel and my unamplified (passive)sub for ht purposes. I would then always be able to choose which amp I used for my 2 ch music and which amp I used for ht(cc and sub).

Well, I should get to my point:

I'm using an Oppo105 as the master source in my streamlined A/V living room system used 40% for 2-ch music and 60% for ht. For 2-ch listening, I stream my cd collection and hi-res Flac files from a Synology NAS in another room to the Oppo. The Oppo acts as a stand alone dac and sends the analog output via xlr cables to my class D amp (440 w/ch@4ohms) which powers my Magnepan 2.7qr speakers. For ht, I use the Oppo for decoding surround sound from Netflix, Directv and bluray discs. Two class A/B amps power the Oppo's ht audio outputs to my Magnepan CC3 center channel, LFE sub and in-ceiling rear surround channels.
I've narrowed my new amp choices down to the following four listed below. I'm requesting feedback on any or all of these 4 amp options, especially from anyone who has used 1 or more in their system. My budget is $2,000 to $2,500 and my room is 18ft x 13ft with 8ft ceilings. Here are my options:

Option#1 Hypex Ncore nc400 based amp builds from James Romeyn in Utah. A stereo, dual-mono build is $1,500 total and is rated at 400 watts @ 4 ohms. It includes 2 Hypex nc400 power modules both powered by 1 nc12000 smps mounted in a generic case with a black or silver aluminum faceplate with both se and xlr inputs. A pair of mono-blocks built runs a bit under $2,000/pr. total and consists of a nc400 power module mated to a nc600 smps in each 'NCORE' labeled black case with both se and xlr inputs.

Option#2 Pascal amp build from Aluminati Sound in Ohio. This is a stereo build only that will use a new stereo board from Pascal in Denmark, called the SPRO-2, that has a smps incorporated on the board. Power output is rated at 500 watts/ch @ 4 ohms. Forecasted price is about $2,000 but may run a bit higher. Pascal modules are used in the new JRRG Continuum 2 integrated amp that has received very positive sq reviews. Alumnati is owned by 2 former CNC machinists/fabricators. Their main advantage is their case work. One of the Aluminati owners, Matt Kraemer, told me the new stereo Pascal amp is tentatively named the "X-1" and should be available for order by approx. mid July. He said the stereo case will be milled from a single large aluminum block. The finished case will have an anodized finish (think JRRG cases but milled as 1 solid piece instead of multiple anodized face panels attached to a chassis underneath. The aluminum case will have a blue power/status light mounted underneath projecting downward.

Option#3- Abletec amp modules in the DSonic M3-600M mono-blocks. I'm not certain which Abletec modules are used in these amps but the price is $1,950/pr. and power output is 600 watts/ch @ 4 ohms in black cases with a blue power/status light with both se and xlr inputs. The Abletec modules have built-in smps just like the Pascal modules. According to DSonic's owner, Dennis Deacon, the 600Ms and their top-of-the-line 1500Ms have similar sound characteristics, even though the 1500Ms use Pascal modules(likely either a MPro or XPro module).

Option#4- Identical ClassD Audio SDS-440CS amp to replace my older class A/B amp that powers my center ch and sub. This option is least attractive to me since it would mean my music amplification would remain the same and I wouldn't be auditioning any of the newer class D amp modules. If I liked option 1,2 or 3 above better for music playback, I would simply move my existing CDA music amp over to center and sub duties anyways. The only benefit of option #4 is that it's the least expensive at $630.

I've ruled out some amps, like the Wyred4Sound and Red Dragon offerings, because they use the older Ice ucd power modules typically considered sonically inferior to the newer Hypex Ncore, Pascal and Abletec power modules. Any comments comparing the sq of these options is greatly appreciated, especially if you've owned or listened to some of these. I do understand that there is more involved with how various class D amps sound than just the power modules utilized, such as high quality components and custom input stages.

I should also say, just like Audiozen, I have never actually heard a Hypex, Pascal or Abletec powered amp. I'm just curious and base my optimism on the positive reports from owners, listeners and professional reviewers. If I had a larger $10k plus budget, I'd likely just buy a completed amp based on the Hypex Ncore nc1200 power modules, such as Merrill, upcoming Mola-Mola or Acoustic Imagery.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Please feel free to suggest other reasonably priced class D amps I may have omitted.

Thank you,
Tim



Much like Audiozen, I am basing
noble100
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Bel Canto ref m series Class Ds based on Icepower are still very good. I know there is newer technology out there but I have no reason to consider a change at present. If it ain't broke....

I am very interested also in anyone finding comparing these to newer Class Ds at comparable price points.

Bottom line I think all these Class Ds are quite good and viable candidates. Newer technologies should should have the edge but do they and how do they compare in value? That is what I am wondering most at this point.

ALso its the final product that matters, not just the amp component used, though with Class D technology, the amp board used provides a lot of the main engine. Which end designs are the best and why? Which offer the most value? What are the marginal differences in how these sound, beyond just the differences in technology?
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
HiMapman,

I always wanted a pair of Bel Canto Ref1000 monos ever since I first heard them driving a pair of Magnepan 3.6s at Audio Consultants in Chicago. They had an effortless quality that was very dimensional and real. Plus, they looked cool.
I still have complete respect for those amps. Unfortunately, they were out of my price range then and it looks like they still are beyond my budget even used years later. I just hope the newer amps I'm looking at sound that good.

Tim
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
I just took delivery last week of a JRDG Continuum integrated. I'm told it contains a Pascal amplifier module. This replaces a pair of NCore 400 monos and a JRDG Capri preamp that I have used for about 20 months now. While the NCore/Capri pairing was very good to my ears, the Continuum is much better in terms of articulation, black background, and parsing of massed strings or voices in harmony. It really seems to perform at a significantly higher level.

It would be hasty, I think, to attribute this solely to the amplification design employed in the finished product however. The balanced cables I used in the former system were certainly inferior to the internal connection in the Continuum. The Ncores were assembled for me by the esteemed Mike Galusha using a pair of Parasound cases he had on hand. He said that their sound was indistinguishable from his own NCores. They are nice but do not come close to the build quality and materials used in the Rowland. And the Continuum contains the new, redesigned Capri S2 which is supposed to be head and shoulders superior to the original I replaced.

So apples to apples this is not. And bargains are more elusive than reviewers make them out to be. I bought my Continuum with a phono card but it can be purchased with an optional DAC card onboard instead of the phono, or with neither. Though it might be quite a stretch to get into a Continuum, do think about whether or not you can manage it, given that it replaces amp, preamp, and primary source conversion all in one chassis. I felt like I was sticking my neck way out there buying this thing but it only took a couple of hours for me to realize I had invested well. You get what you pay for, they say. Probably the Roy Gregory review did the most to convince me. Now I'm wondering if I'm crazy enough to hang my butt out there for an Aeris DAC.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
"I always wanted a pair of Bel Canto Ref1000 monos ever since I first heard them driving a pair of Magnepan 3.6s at Audio Consultants in Chicago. They had an effortless quality that was very dimensional and real. "

That's an excellent description that really captures the essence of these amps!

All else aside, there is a lot to be said for any amp that never breaks a sweat. Also compact and efficient. Like an optimally conditioned athlete. No steroids involved though. :^) Truly amazing technology!
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Has the Hypex NCore fad petered out already? I guess it's been a couple years now but from all the hype at the onset I thought the NCore was the end. Oh well, the carousel keeps spinning.

A few years ago I owned the Bel Canto Ref500S amp paired with the Bel Canto Pre3. Through all these years that was the cleanest sounding amp I have owned. Admittedly, I don't push my equipment very hard; a smallish room with no super loud listening.

The Bel Canto combo never seemed to change it's absolute neutral character. It was the epitome of a "straight wire with gain." And man, I loved the size and look of those pieces.

Now I'm feeling pangs of regret.
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