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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
hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
Hi Vjayh. I own the Veritas. They do not get hot but do not run stone cold either. They do get warm. I have mine in a Salamander cabinet with the perforated doors and cosed sides with no problems. I even have used the optional metal vented rear panels in the past with Class A/B amps that ran VERY hot in the same cabinet with no problems.

If your cabinet is TOTAL closed you may want to see if there is any way to create some sort of air flow regardless of what amp you use.

Keep in mind that the Veritas gets warm on its top because that is used as a heat-sink. Maybe your Linn uses its bottom instead?

PS I have had (and heard) many well regarded amps, of ALL Classes and types, and the Veritas is the best I have heard from top to bottom at a lot less money.

Good luck with what ever you choose.
vjayh
5 posts
 
Thank you very much Hifial. That was very helpful.
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
And we are all still mingling beneath Tim's balcony awaiting the puffs of white smoke. Has he named a successor to the venerable ClassD or will the search continue?

For my part, I am seriously considering ditching all this big stuff and switching over to powered studio monitors. I think that's where the most sophisticated engineering is to be found. Not to derail this thread but just to keep the ball in the air while we wait impatiently for more news. It will be difficult to part with my horns. And my Continuum. But you can't move forward while hanging onto things behind you. Who said that? Was it the Dalai Lama or Yogi Berra?
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Update 7/23/14:

I talked to James Romeyn yesterday and got a status update on my amp builds. He is still working his way through a surge in Hypex nc400 amp builds and, unfortunately, he has encountered some unexpected problems that he had to rectify (such as fixing an unexpected hum issue on a bridged nc400 build and a lack of predrilled screw holes on some ncore switch mode power supplies).
I requested he take care of these builds first so that he meets his guaranteed turnaround deadlines and so he can devote all his attention to my amp builds without feeling rushed.

However, the downside is that my amps will not be delivered for another 2-3 weeks. I'm okay with this since I'm not currently without a good amplifier.
I apologize for the delay since I am very anxious and curious, just like some followers of this thread may be, to actually discover how these amps perform.

I'll continue to try and update as things progress.

Thanks,
Tim
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Update 10/23/14:

My adventure tales continue...

Earlier in this thread, when discussing feedback from other forums (DIY Audio and AVS) about using the Abletech/Anaview ALC1000-1300 modules in amp builds, Kuribo wisely and, in retrospect, prophetically posted the following when I inquired whether there were reasons not to use them:

06-02-14: Kuribo
"Did you miss the issues one poster had with them and the hassle he had getting them repaired? Did you miss the lack of clarity and assistance provided to those with questions by Abletec? Did you miss the complaints about the deficient instructions provided?

Good luck with them if there are any issues...

There would seem to be a world of difference between the documentation and customer support provided by Abletec in comparison to Hypex."

Amen, brother Kuribo, you hit the proverbial nail on the head with that post! My builder, James Romeyn, was unable to complete the mono-blocks precisely because of your accurate warning about the complete lack of documentation and customer support provided by Abletech/Anaview for these modules.

I've learned along this journey that Hypex takes an opposite approach, with a strong commitment to DIY amp builders, devoting their nc400 modules for DIY amp assemblers along with well documented instructions and very good customer support. I seriously underestimated the importance of good instructions and customer support to amp assemblers like James Romeyn's and, ultimately, my own detriment.

I suspect Abletech did not intend for their ALC100-1300 modules to be used by DIYers but rather as an OEM module much like Hypex's top-of-the line nc1200 module has been marketed and incorporated into more expensive completed amps from companies like Merrill. Acoustic Imagery, Mola-Mola and others.


In fairness to Mr. Romeyn, I don't consider this his failure at all. I consider this Abletech/Anaview's failure due to their lack of documented instructions and customer support for their modules. I think my ignorance and resulting underestimation of the importance of these supporting areas should also be considered a contributing factor in this set back.

At this point though, I just needed to find someone to complete the amp builds and I wasn't going to give up. After all, did America give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? I think we all know the answer to that.

Knowing that D-Sonic used the same Abletec ALC100-1300 modules in their original M3-600M mono-blocks, I called them to see if they'd be willing to complete my amp builds. I talked to the owner, Dennis Deacon, and explained my situation (adding that I wished I'd just bought a pair of his monos instead). Fortunately, he was very helpful and agreed to complete the builds at a very fair price.

James Romeyn sent the modules and they arrived at D-Sonic yesterday, Oct. 22nd. When completed next week, the modules will be installed in D-Sonic cases and should look and sound just like an original pair of M3-600M mono-blocks, which is totally fine with me. Since the ALC modules have been discontinued, the current D-Sonic M3-600M-A monos now use the newer Anaview/Abletec AMS-1000-2600 modules and D-Sonic signifies this with the "-A" designation and a small increase in price.

If all goes well, which I no longer assume things wlll, I could take delivery in about 2 weeks.

If anyone is still interested, I was still planning on giving regular reports on my impressions of their performance once they're up and running in my system.

I'll try to give updates as events dictate.

Thanks,
Tim

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