2. amps-preamps
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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
128x128noble100
hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
Kuribo, Have you even heard both the NC400 and the NC1200 (both done right) in a very good system? If not then there is no way you can say that they JUST sound different. And for that matter what about all the people who have heard both and state the NC1200 sounds better, not just different.
Yes to each their own, but please do not hide behind the subjective/objective BS.

I agree there are many factors at play in a system. But I have heard the NC1200 in a lot of different systems against some of the best and, not my opinion but the systems owners, all thought the NC1200 was better, not just different. Many had heard the NC400 also and as much as they were impressed they all thought the NC1200 was better and many sold their (some of the best) amps to buy the NC1200.

Again specs are just an indicator of possible performance.
From your above statement then there are a lot of equipment from different manufactures that are branches from the same tree. And even so that does not make them the same, otherwise humans and chimps would both be ruling the world.

Look I at least have, as you put it, a subjective opinion because I have heard both in many different systems. Have you?

My final point is you have no real first hand knowledge about these NEW modules that will be going in the NAD and Merrill Audio units but you are making statements of fact about them. And it means nothing till both are heard.

Lets move on.



guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Hi Audiozen, NAD M22 looks like a fascinating device... What evidence is there from specs that it is powered by the same modules as Taranis?

G.
kuribo
80 posts
 
HIFiAl, you need to come to grips with the definition of subjective and how it related to audio. Again, just because you, your buddies, or half the people at the mall prefer the sound of an amp, doesn't mean it is objectively better. The only way to measure an amp objectively is through specs. On that count, the nc1200 is not superior to the nc400. If you prefer the sound, that's your right, but your subjective valuation only goes as far as your nose- it may be "better" for you but that does not mean it will be "better" for everyone. Believe it or not, some people don't even think the Merrill nc1200 is "better" compared to many other class a amps. Everyone has their own opinion on what is better or best.

Here is the info on NAD M22:

"NAD's M22 power amplifier is the first nCore-based model from a mass-market company. Unlike competition from Acoustic Imagery, Merrill Audio, Jeff Rowland and Mola-Mola which get $10'000/pr and more for equivalent monos, the NAD stereo amp sells for $3'000. "We have our own nCore module developed in close cooperation with Hypex. It is based on the NC400 not the 1200 but this is not a qualitative difference. It only affects power output. We can do this because we will build and sell a lot of units. The 1200 was developed primarily for the pro market where huge power is required. In the Hypex 400 module continuous power is 200W@8 and 400W@4. In our implementation it is 250W@8/4 controlled by Erik Edvardsen’s precision clipper circuit. The benefit of this approach is the ability to offer much more short term or dynamic power where we have 350 @8 and 600W@4.This makes the power in actual use seem greater than the spec – in typical NAD tradition!"

350W/8 Ohm and 600W/4 Ohm....Sound familiar? This is why I conjectured that the new Merrill amp is based on the nc400, like the new NAD. I did not state it as fact, I simply said the odds were good the module in the new Merrill amp, based on price and power, would seem to be based on the nc400, not the nc1200. Again, the tech in these two is the same so saying it is based on the nc1200 is the same as saying it is based on the nc400.....The price and power output make it a better bet that the module is actually more closer to the nc400....
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Here is a brief article by John Darko on Digital Audio Review about Taranis.
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/11/merrill-taranis-another-attainable-hypex-ncore-amplifier/
The article points to emails from Merrill confirming that Taranis power conversion modules are derived from NC1200, and not from NC400.

It does make sense, considering that the NAD implementation of NC400 delivers 250W/8 per channel at the output terminals, while the module inside Teranis deliver 400W/8 per channel at the output terminals.
kuribo
80 posts
 
Do you know if Teranis rating is dynamic or continuous? NAD delivers 350W/8 dynamic. That's not much different than the 400W/8 quoted by Merrill. The nc1200 puts out 650W/4 yet the Taranis is quoted at 600W/4. If it is based on the nc1200, why not 650W/4?
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