1. Home
  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
noble100
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Audiozen is bang on.... the founder of Anaview confirmed on DIYAudio on April 15th 2014 that the ALC1000 module is being replaced by AMS1000:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/190182-abletec-alc1000-any-experience-8.html#post3892657

Note also the potential for sonic improvement over ALC implied in the following fragments of his post....

"improves THD significantly at high frequencies" -- Suggests that the new series may have sweeter treble.

"Improved CMRR with 0.1% tolerance resistors in the differential input" -- Improved Common Mode Rejection Ratio on differential input is likely to yield a lower noise floor than older ALC series.

Please also read the detailed cautionary post on the DIY implementation of ALC1000 parts from an Australian DIYAudio member:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/190182-abletec-alc1000-any-experience-4.html#post2890929

Guido
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Audiozen and Guido,

Well, it looks like the ALC1000 is discontinued after all.

Kuribo,

I said I read that complete thread but made no claims of how well I did so.

While these reports are concerning, I don't think they would prevent me from going ahead with amp builds using the ALC1000 modules. Some of these issues, such as poor grounding documentation, become less of an issue with an experienced amp builder like James Monteyn. James also said the low impedance input, on both the AMS1000 and ALC1000 modules, is not an issue given the very low 100 ohm impedance of the Oppo-105 that I use as a dac, preamp and source.

My first choice in an amp module remains the new AMS1000 but it may not be available for another month or more. Even if I wait, I'm not sure I can find a vendor to sell me a pair. I'm also looking for a North American vendor to purchase a pair of the discontinued ALC1000 modules from, just in case.

After listening to some high-res music files for a few hours last night using my existing ClassD Audio amp, I was reminded that I definitely don't have a 'need' for a new amp since the music sounded very good. It's more of a 'want', justified only by my desire for new amplification to drive my center channel and passive sub for ht and to satisfy my curiousity about what other class d amps would sound like in my system. My thinking is that I can alternate which amp(s) drive my main speakers for music and which amp(s) drive my cc and sub for ht.

I still haven't ruled out building a pair of ClassD Audio mono-blocks or just buying a pair of D-Sonic M3-600M monoblocks that use the Abletec ALC1000 amp modules.

Thanks,
Tim

noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Update:

I found a U.S. seller of the Abletec ALC1000-1300 amp modules in Virginia yesterday. I bought 2 modules at $280 each. Here are links to the Abletec modules:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwOFgxNDAw/z/pw0AAMXQnFhTj8Pa/$_57.JPG

Abletec Anaview ALC1000-1300 class D amplifier module 1000W-4ohm or 600W-8ohm
image
Abletec Anaview ALC1000-1300 class D amplifier modul...
US $279.95 New in Consumer Electronics, TV, Video & Home Audio, TV, Video & Audio Parts

Here'a a link to the cases:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/2609-aluminum-chassis-preamp-amp-amplifier-chassis-Power-amplifier-chassis-AMP-case-Enclosure-headphone-AMP-box/1751053160.html

James Romeyn should have all the build components by Wednesday, June 11th. I'll try to update as the builds progress.
Savings above by using the ALC1000 modules ($280 each) instead of the newer AMS1000 modules ($455 each) will result in the total mono-block price/cost being reduced to a risk-reducing $1,100/pair. If these sound as good as reported, I might not need to worry about re-sale prices.

Thanks,
Tim
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,486 posts
 
.
Noble, please keep track of the man-hours you spend on your build. I'd like to know how much total time you spend on building these.
.
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Hi Mitch,

I'm actually paying James Romeyn $155 to build these mono-blocks.

But I'll ask him if he would track his man-hours. He's already told me he anticipates these bulds to be relatively simple compared to the many Hypex nc400 mono-block builds he's done. Take a look at the Abletec ALC1000-1300 module at this site:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301205577693

If the link worked, you can see that these modules are basically drop in components. As I understand it, here's what's involved:

1. Buy 2 cases that have internal dimensions that will accommodate each module's 6.5"W X 2.5"H X 7.09"L/D(166mmW X 63mmH X 180mmL/D)dimensions.

2. If running bridged, set internal dip switch and install provided jumper per instructions.

3. Source and buy 2 IEC receptacles, 2 xlr and/or rca jacks, 2 sets of pos/neg speaker binding posts, 2 sets of 4 case footers and 2 on/off switches if desired. Buy soldering gun, solder and hook-up wire. Buy 2 Abletec ALc1000-1300 modules and 2-3 ALC0300-1300-Connect internal connector kits from Profusion Electronics in Europe.

4. Cut out, or have a shop, cut out holes and drill screw holes to attach 120v IEC mains receptacle. xlr and/or rca input jacks, on/off switch if desired, speaker binding posts and case footers and holes to secure the Abletec modules to the cases. You may need to work with a CAD specialist at the metal shop to specify all cut-out and drilling details.

5. Mount all rear panel connectors, footers and secure the modules mounting screws.

6. Solder connections on inside of rear panel and attach crimp on connectors on internal connections per instructions.

AFAIK, that's about it. If you feel comfortable doing the above, great. If not, just contact James in Utah and he'll do it for you for $155. I think this is his first time building amps using these Abletec modules but I doubt he'll have any difficulties. All his Hypex builds required mounting and connecting separate switch mode power supplies with separate nc400 power modules. The Abletec modules comes fully integrated, with the smps already connected to the power transformers, which simplifies and speeds up the whole amp assembly process.

Mitch, I was looking at your system photos and was amazed at the size of your room;do you live in a warehouse? I was also thinking you're room is one of the few that may actually need 1,000 watts per channel. I'll be using these in a 18ftx13ft living room.

Tim
More to discover