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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
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
Tim - A couple of corrections are in order. The JRDG Continuum S2 lists for $9500. You can have a phono card installed in the first input for and additional $350 OR you can have a DAC card installed in the first input slot for $450. You cannot choose both. It is either/or on phono OR DAC OR neither one.

My dilemma with considering the Aeris DAC is bigger than you realize. The Aeris is an outboard DAC intended to take over state of the art and some people say it is a definite contender. It retails for $9800. That's why I am having so much trouble with the idea.

And lastly, thanks for providing your comments on the OPPO 105.

Oh, and BTW, I determined which Pascal amplifier module is in my amp by comparing the picture of its internals in the Roy Gregory review to the photos on the Pascal site. It is a dead ringer.
I do not wish to impugn Matt Kraemer, especially since he may be right and me wrong. My info is strictly the product of my research and my methods may not stand up to reality if challenged. For the record, though, I felt I had it right.
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Guido,

Determining which class D amplifiers use which specific amplifier power modules/smps modules is not a simple matter and requires a bit of detective work. After looking into this a bit online, here are my current thoughts:

1. The upcoming Aluminati X-1 and JRDG 525M amp, as you observed, both have the same power ratings of 250w/ch @ 8 ohms and 500w/ch @ 4 ohms. However, I think the 525M uses the Pascal XPRO-2 power module/smps while I know the X-1 will be using the SPRO-2 module/smps.

2. The Alumanati X-1 and JRDG 525M share other similarities: both chassis are milled from solid blocks of aircraft-grade aluminum and utilize PFC(Power Factor Correction) that preconditions/filters the room ac power prior to entry into the modules.

3. The Continuum 2, I believe, uses the MPRO-2 module/smps rated at 400w/ch @ 8 ohms and 800w/ch @ 4 ohms. The MPRO-2 module was released by Pascal after the XPRO-2 modules and before the newest and smallest SPRO-2 modules.

4. The JRDG 825 and 925 amps, as I'm sure you are aware, both utilize Hypex NC1200 power modules.

Macrojack,

You are correct, the msrp of the JRDG Continuum 2 integrated amp is $9,500, not $4,500 as I incorrectly listed on a prior post. Thank you.

I also re-read my email from Matt Kraemer of Aluminati. He actually stated that his X-1 will use the Pascal SPRO-2 board and that the JRDG Continuum uses 'a' Pascal module also, not that they both use the exact same module. Therefore, you've been correct all along that the Continuum 2 uses the MPRO-2 module and I apologize for questioning your accuracy on your own amp.

I'm starting to think I'll be sonically pleased whether I choose the Hypex, Pascal or Abletec option. All 3 are roughly the same price, too. I may just do the audiophile unthinkable and decide based on casework, then progress from there.

Thanks,
Tim

guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Hi Tim, I looked at:
http://www.pascal-audio.com/amplifier-modules.html
The only module listed that would match Rowland M525 power rating is S-Pro2. Did you find info elsewhere pointing to M525 possibly using X-Pro2 instead?

You are correct, Rowland M825 and M925 are amps containing NCore NC1200 modules. Here is related info:

http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=213

http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=212

G
kuribo
80 posts
 
You will be putting a lot of dollars into the case with Aluminati that could be better spent (performance wise) somewhere else. Of course if the aesthetics of a billet aluminum case are important to you, then disregard.
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
Tim - When choosing your next amplifier, you might find that the Rowland is a wiser choice for a number of reasons. In my own experience, I was able to realize a very significant upgrade by moving from Hypex NC 400 monos to the stereo Continuum. In both cases, I used a Capri preamp but the latter case included the more recent and reputedly superior Capri S2 in board. While I'm sure that made a difference, I think the improvement in amplifier selection was greater. Since you do not intend to employ a preamp at all, perhaps this has no meaning in your pursuit. On the other hand, I would not overlook the Rowland implementation as an important factor, nor would I fail to consider the notoriously high Rowland resale. As one who has purchased his 26th final amplifier upgrade, I have become sensitive to that consideration. All of the Rowland gear is manufactured and serviced in Colorado Springs and Jeff himself handles every piece.
Unless there is an unworkable gap in pricing consideration, I would certainly prefer JRDG after my recent comparison.
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