2. amps-preamps
  3. 1399374353

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
128x128noble100
audiozen
754 posts
 
In recent years, a handful of class D engineers have scaled to the same level as Bruno Putzeys, since they all have accomplished the same thing, and that is correcting the inherent problems that has plagued Class D amps since the 1960's, and that is PWM/Pulse width switching modulators that always had harmonic disorder problems and linear problems, which is why Class D amps years ago had cold upper frequencies, especially with violin and piano, and flabby bass. But always have had that great, rich, lower midrange. The following companies in recent years have all abandoned PWM switching modulators
and have designed in house their own patented switching applications that have eliminated the problems with Class D amps. Those companies are, B&O, with their current MK-III version HCOM modulator which is used in their most recent amps. Nuforce, Audio Research,
Hypex/Ncore, Anaview, with their Phase shift modulator and AMS technology, and Pascal. There is one Class D product that has left me breathless during the past several months which I have listened to, and that is the Peachtree Audio Grand X-1 integrated Class D amplifier with a hybrid tube preamp section designed by legendary circuit engineer Bascom King who is now 74. His resume spanning fifty years is remarkable. Bascom also does design work for Wyred 4 Sound. The X-1 uses two bridged B&O 250ASX2 amps. Two Psvane 12AU7 tubes are used in the buffer stage and can be turned off or on via the remote while listening to have the option of solid state or the tube buffer when needed. The amp puts out 440 watts @8Ohms and 770 watts @4Ohms and can easily drive loads down to 1ohm. It has a full, rich, meaty sound with tight fisted bass performance that will crack your skull. It has the best damn DAC on the planet, the ESS Sabre32 9018 Reference which has jitter master clocked down to one picosecond. Incredible. A close friend of mine picked one up over the Christmas holiday and it is extremely enjoyable to listen to. There are many other features including a killer headphone amp that make the X-1 and absolute steal for $4500.00.
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
Audiozen,

I'm currently driving Aerial 7Ts with a Peachtree Nova 220SE and love the sound. I plan to upgrade to the X-1 in a few months.
audiozen
754 posts
 
Ricred1..that would be a wise move with the 7T's. With their beefy Dave Marshall crossover boards and their large driver magnet structure, results in a very power hungry speaker. Michael Kelly informed me several years ago that a 500 to 1000 watt amp would bring out the best from the 7T's.
Even though they are 4 Ohm speakers, they will not drop below 3 Ohms when driving a pair. More than likely I'll be purchasing the X-1 myself since Peachtree Audio is a twenty minute drive from my home. Peachtree is currently out of stock of the X-1 and will have their next batch available within 90 days.
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
Audiozen - have you any idea about comparison between JRDG Continuum S2 and the Peachtree X-1 aside from the fact that the Rowland costs twice as much? A cursory examination has them looking comparable.
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Audiozen,

You piqued my interest by mentioning the new Anaview/Abletec AMS-1000-2600 module. I even called Richard, Anaview's head of U.S. Sales and Distribution in N.J., and he was quite informative.

He said the new AMS-1000-2600 modules are currently being built at their Chinese contractors and will be available soon. He also said the older ALC-1000-1300 is not going to be discontinued and will remain a current model in their ALC series modules. He said the main difference between these modules is not sound quality, saying both sound remarkably similar, but the ability of the new AMS to automatically adapt internally to either 115 or 230 voltages. The older ALC requires a change of setting on an internal dip switch, correct attachment of an inline fuse and the use of a supplied small jumper when assembling that is specifically configured depending on supplied mains voltage.

I recently talked to James Monteyn, too. He's agreed to assemble a pair of mono-blocks for me using either Anaview module I choose. I contacted Profusion LLC in the U.K. and they will sell me a pair of either modules. But, the new AMS modules won't be available for another 1-3 months. However, they do have the older ALC modules on-hand and ready for immediate purchase and delivery. I'm leaning toward using the ALC modules since, according to Anaview, sq is basically the same and I'll save about $300 buying these modules instead of the pricier AMS-1000-2600 modules. The ALC-1000-2600 is the module used in D-Sonics M2-1500M mono-blocks that received an excellent review on 6 Moons a little while ago.

Either module configured to operate in bridged mode,by changing a setting on an internal dip switch and installing a supplied small jumper, and deliver approx. 1,000 watts @ 4ohms. This should allow for a solid but relaxed presentation with ample headroom on all types of music with either module.

The aluminum cases I already ordered will accommodate either modules very well. For cosmetics, I've ordered 2 led modules that James will mount to the upper front of the natural aluminum colored faceplates on each case. These will cast a soft blue downward light 120 degrees across the faceplate and act as a power status indicator.

I started this thread to hopefully gain knowledge about the sonic characteristics of Hypex, Pascal and Abletec(now part of Anaview)power conversion module based class D amps. I still have not heard any amp based on any of these modules in my, or any other, system. There is a conspicuous lack of this type of information available in any print or online sources. I hope to change this somewhat, even though I am by no means a skilled reviewer.

I've decided to proceed by selecting and buying the likeliest candidate first and then become well acquainted with it in my system. If I'm satisfied with the performance, I'll keep it. If not, I'll return or sell it and try the next likeliest and repeat through all amp module options if necessary. If no amp is satisfactory, hopefully, new class D options will emerge by that time.

I'll post my impressions after a few months of listening along the way as I go along this journey. I've decided to try the Anaview module/amp first, and Pascal module second, since my subjective opinion is that these 2 have the best chance of besting Hypex nc400 modules/amps since they are used in such highly reviewed amps from Rowland and D-Sonic. I could be wrong, but I think of the Hypes nc400 modules/amps as very good, safe choices that will perform highly, but, have been around for awhile, and there may be better class D amps you can discover if you're willing to search and take a bit of a chance. The risk, or chance comes into play because of the complete lack of le, comprehensive and reliable reviews comparing class D amps using various power conversion modules. Yes, there are other factors influencing an amp's performance besides the module used but this should be incorporated into the reviews by a skilled audio reviewer. The fact that it won't be simple should not be used as a rationalization for not even attempting it or considering this truth as insurmountable.
I should be able to begin obtaining my own impressions of the Anaview/Abletec ALC-1000-1300 based James Romeyn mono-blocks in 2-3 weeks.
I'll report back in a few months on this thread or I'll start a new one. I want to give them 2-3 months to determine how the performance develops if the modules require a breakin period.

Thanks all,
Tim
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