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
sebollo001
39 posts
 
Murphy,
Are you looking for a new amp and can't decide between AMS or Ncore? What's your preamp and output impedance? What speakers are you using?
Sebastian
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
And... What is your budget? NCore NC1200 amps are pricier than Anaview.

G.
sebollo001
39 posts
 
Murphythecat,

Thanks for the information of the German forum. But, keep in mind THE USER DID NOT COMPARE AMS MODULES AT ALL. He used an older technology (ALC).

Also, as I asked you previously, he doesn't seem to specify the preamp he used to drive the amplifiers. This is critical with Abletec/Anaview modules.

Unless you build an input buffer for the Anaview, they will only work correctly with very low output impedance amplifiers (up to 300 Ohms aprox).

I would not use that specific german review as a reference to AMS performance.

Best,
Sebastian
murphythecat
98 posts
 
I'm looking for the best amp possible within around 2k, maximum budget would be 3k.

not interested in hypex as I use the art0 module class d and I know, from many comparison that the art0 module is almost at the quality of hypex if not better, but its only 13W.

I use amphion one18. I want ideally minimum of 20 to 30W amp.
sebollo001
39 posts
 
Murphythecat,

Again... what's your preamp and its output impedance?

Reading several forums threads I could gather the following information that may be of interest to you:

1- Head of Anaview and lead engineer Patrik Bostrom, used Amphion speakers during the development, optimization and testing of the new AMS100 and AMS1000 amplifiers.

2- Anssi Hyvönen, head of Amphion, explained they have been scouting the D class amps for 5 years now in order to know which works and which does not. Making a good reliable, D class amp module requires major investment. Hence there are only a limited number of manufacturers in the world. He has tried to get his hands on all the standard modules available -

Quote from Anssi Hyvönen:
"I have not found anything that I could recommend to be used with our products as a full range solution. The amps have been getting better with every new generation, but have not been fully there yet. Nothing before Anaview came along. When it comes to amps suitable for pro use Anaview's latest generation AMS module is the best D class amp I have come across.
But when something with better price / performance ratio, which is even more suitable for our speakers comes along you can bet it that our little amp boxes will house those modules."

3- GearSlutz member Audiovisjon (famous sound engineer) has tested both Hypex NC400 and Anaview AMS power amps with some of the many monitors he reviewed lately (Including Amphion One 18).

Quote form Audiovisjon: "Though I build the hypex Ncore amps in Norway I have to admit the Anaview´s modules from Amphion is a better match. They somehow bring out a level of resolution and focus that is even more impressive. I would not hesitate to use any of the two though."

4- Reviewer Srajan Ebaen from SixMoons is about to review the new Amphion AMS100 and AMS500 amplifiers, check here:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/amphion/7.html

5- In the US market, only D-Sonic is currently building amplifiers based in Anaview AMS technology. Specifically, it uses the AMS1000-2600 module in BTL mode (the same that Amphion uses in the AMS500 amp in 2 CH mode).

6- I don't know about Amphion AMS100 and 500 designs, but D-Sonic does not include an input buffer in front of the AMS power module. This requires carefull matching with the preamp, and that's the reason for my first question to you.

Sebastian
More to discover