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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
kuribo
80 posts
 
The newish ALC-1000 is hardly breaking news....They have been for sale here:

http://www.shawelectronics.com/ams1000-2600-2x500w.html

for a few months....

I have heard of some reliability issues.
rsimms
150 posts
 
Kuribo, I had some NCores with Romeyn cases for a few months and later got some with Aluminati cases. I think that the Aluminati cases improve the sound of the NCores by dampening vibrations and adding a shield between the power supply and the amp module. The Aluminati amps seemed smoother the sound was more solid. With non double blind testing there is always suspicion in judgments. I built the Aluminati amps a couple of months after I had to return the Romeyn amps to my friend so I am open to the criticism that I only was hearing what I was expecting to hear. I am extremely happy that I bought the cases.

Did you hear the two amps?

Bob
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Macrojack,

You raise some good point about Rowland being a good solid, if a bit more expensive, alternative and the likelihood of much better retained resale value than the Aluminati amp. Unfortunately, I'm also remodeling my kitchen which is diverting funds from more important and enjoyable pursuits. I would love to have a JRDG amp and, from all indications, I think I'd like it very much but $4,500 is beyond my reach right now.

Kuribo,

You also mentioned the issue of resale value and the importance of stressing sonic performance over cosmetic attributes. Very valid points that I generally agree with, although personally to a somewhat lesser degree. Maybe I'm less of an audiophile than I thought I was since cosmetics are still important to me.

Audiozen,

Thanks for further complicating my dilemma. About 3 weeks ago,I had read about the well respected ALC-1000 being discontinued and being replaced with the promising, and much anticipated, AMS-1000. I actually have discussed, with James Romeyn, the possibility of him building me a pair of mono-blocks using a bridged AMS-1000 in each. It's my understanding that these new power conversion modules have a switch mode power supply (smps) integrated into it. I'm going to add this build to my list of possible amp options.

Things are developing quickly with class D technology. As this thread has progressed, instead of getting closer to a decision, I find myself reassessing my initial prospective amps and considering other options, too.

I could take a safer route and choose the Hypex nc400 amp builds or D-Sonic commercial amps. Or, I could take a bit of a gamble and go for the new Aluminati amp or amp build with the new Anaview AMS-1000 modules. The risks are greater with these last two but the possible rewards are potentially greater too.

I think Macrojack is right that, no matter which amp I choose and how well or poorly it performs, this is unlikely to be my last amplifier. Thinking in these terms relieves the pressure of making a possible mistake in my choice and makes me more amenable to taking a chance on an Aluminati or Anaview AMS-1000 build.

I've got some thinking to do.

Thanks all for your considered opinions.
Tim
kuribo
80 posts
 
I have no doubt that dampening, shielding, etc. may produce sonic differences that some may prefer. One can add said damping, shielding, etc., themselves without spending megabucks on the case.
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Hi Tim, I love to create more problems for my friends, so... Here goes a new, yet undiscussed option from Rowland...

The Rowland M125 bridgeable amp was released last week during the Munich High End show. This amp uses a 4th gen ICEpower module in combination with an active Power Factor Conversion (PFC) rectifier module, as well as input and output Lundahl transformer coupling. I do not know yet if the SMPS is integrated into the power conversion module or it is a separate entity, nor am I absolutely certain about the model of the power conversion module... Will find out. Bridging control is through a toggle switch mounted on the back panel. Output terminals are the traditional Cardas binding posts that Rowland favors, and XLR inputs seem to be Neutrik. There is a 12V trigger jack for controlling standby/operation in home theater system. If I remember things correctly, there is a momentary contact power/standby button in the front similar to what Rowland uses on its other amps... This is one more thing I need to check. The casing is the traditional Rowland cased milled from T66 Aluminum with prismatic faceplate, and segregation pockets for various internal components. Official power ratings seem to be 125W/8 and 250W/4 in stereo mode, and 500W in bridged mode. The device lists for $2950.

According to early rumblings, M125 sounds remarkably sweet and textured... No, I do not have direct experience as yet. I also need to enquire about estimated behavior driving speakers like MG 2.7.

Official -- if still incomplete -- blurbs at:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=215

Saluti, G.
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