Hypex N core module

" All Class-D’s today have the same problem. The switching frequency is too low to be filtered out effectively completely with the Class-D’s output filter, without effecting the upper mids and highs.

In the future when technology allows the switching can then be much higher to allow the output filter to do it’s job properly and cut out all the switching frequency noise without effecting the audio band."

Hi George,
As we’ve discussed on several other threads here on Audiogon previously, I’m still not convinced of your theory because of 2 reasons:
1. I have never heard any sonic anomalies in the mids or highs in any class D amp I own or ever listened to and I’ve never heard anyone claim they exist except you.
When I first read of your theory on another thread, I spent significant time listening to my system for anything remotely amiss in the upper mids and treble but never heard a hint of any issues. Since I can’t hear what you vaguely describe as ’affecting the mids and highs’, then these purported sonic anomalies don’t exist for me and likely many others so there is nothing to be remedied with higher switching frequencies.
I’ve previously requested you describe what these sonic anomalies specifically sound like so I can more easily identify some semblance of one. You have failed to respond every single time; which could mean your theory is false and you can’t describe the anomalies because they don’t exist, your theory is true and there actually are anomalies but they are inaudible to humans or you just fabricated your theory and are just messing with us.
In an effort to keep an open mind on the subject, however, I stated the following in my prior post:
" I also believe there may be poorly understood and unidentified sound artifacts with class D amplification that some are able to hear that others, like myself, are unable to detect. At this point, it’s hard to prove but still a possibility."
2. There is absolutely no scientific evidence or even any mention to support your class D theory that the switching frequencies are currently too low and cause negative affects in the audible frequency range.
Need proof? Google "class D switching frequencies are too low" and you just get references to your audio forum comments, no scientific or really any evidence whatsoever to support your theory.
I included my statement in my last post in an effort to be fair and remain open minded but you’ve made me regret it. Your continued adherence to a theory you are continually unable to prove at some point becomes pointless and is just a theory best abandoned.
     Are you still unable to describe what these upper mids and treble anomalies specifically sound like?  Have you ever actually heard any yourself?   Please do not respond until you’re able to present, or at least attempt to credibly falsify, some evidence to support your theory.

Tim

Hi noble100, to your statement;

I’ve previously requested you describe what these sonic anomalies specifically sound like so I can more easily identify some semblance of one.

I can add that for over a year I owned and used in my main system a pair of the Acoustic Imagery Atsah monoblocks made from Bruno Putzeys' highly rated Ncore NC1200 amplifier and power modules - the very same modules used in Merrill''s Veritas amplifiers and in the Mola Mola Kaluga amplifiers.  In fairness, the Mola Mola amps have some other tweaks inside that the Merrill and Acoustic Imagery amps do not have, but those who have heard all three of these amplifiers made with the NC1200 modules mostly say there is very little if any difference between them.

I sold them after a prolonged, direct comparison with three other Class A and AB amplifiers.  I liked everything about the Ncore amplifiers, except ultimately the sound.  I really thought these were going to be my last amplifiers and I was very disappointed when it didn't work out that way.  From those of us who do not believe these Class D amplifiers are ready to compete with other very good Class A and AB amps, I have heard varying explanations.  In my case, I described what I heard as a soundstaging type of issue where the music sounded as if it were being played by individual players recorded separately in a sound booth, instead of a band playing on a stage together.  The ambient cues were not present in relation to the musicians to the extent I was familiar with from my other amplifiers.  Another, similar explanation that also describes what I heard can be found in the Mono & Stereo review of the  Mola Mola Kaluga amplifiers linked below (read the concluding comments);
http://www.monoandstereo.com/2015/08/mola-mola-makua-and-kaluga-review.html

I have no idea whether my impressions are related to the switching frequency George describes, but they could be.  There must be some reason why amplifiers that measure so well do not get me across the goal line with respect to sound quality.

The 6 Moons review on these class D mono-blocks that I read concluded that these may be the best amps you can buy regardless of type or price that they have ever reviewed.

The 6moons review of the Mola Mola Kaluga amps was written by Marja & Henk who were early Hypex adopters,starting with a prototype of the Ncore amplifiers. However, all of us have our biases and no review should be taken as gospel.  As another example, read the rave Stereophile review of the NC1200 based Theta Prometheus amplifiers that Statman replaced with D’Agostino Progression monoblocks, which he likes better.  One thing for sure, the Ncore amplifiers measure very well as pointed out by JA in the measurements section of the review.  

In summary, I do believe the NC1200 amplifiers do many things well and provide a sound quality that many enjoy and  live with.  IMO, they just cannot compete with the better amplifiers I have owned.   

Twenty one people have responded to the OP’s question, Hypex N core module?  

There were many opinions given with some people recommending Brand X and others “very strongly” disagreeing and suggesting Brand Y or Brand Z.  Several posters recommended class A or class A/B amplifiers over class D amps.  Based on my understanding, I did not see any one specific brand, model or technology being recommended by a majority of posters.

I hope these many answers give the OP useful background information and encourage him to demo some models and make his own decision. There is no right answer and what you buy today, you might decide to change next year. A very strange and crazy hobby.

I like my Mola Mola Kaluga class D power amplifiers very much and believe they sound excellent in my situation.  I know that others disagree and that is okay.  

FYI:  Additional interesting back ground material on Class D amplifiers:

http://audiophilereview.com/cd-dac-digital/why-well-soon-be-living-in-a-class-d-world.html

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-is-just-dandy

Yes, I have a lot of experience with the NCore line and build and sell the OEM models.  I also have a lot of experience with the Pascal units and will be getting the new ICE 1200AS in the next week or 2.  Unlike a lot of the companies who build up the NCore line, we do not use the factory wiring which is subpar - the mains are a very small gauge and the input and output wiring leaves a lot to be desired.  All the amps are built custom per order to fit your budget so depending on what you want to pay will dictate the aesthetics of the amp with a focus on fidelity first and foremost.  It has been my experience that most people when given the option do not want to pay the extra few hundred for a "fancy case."  

My opinion on the Hypex amps - totally changed my mind what class D is capable of.  We also build amps that have been compared to the D'Agostino's in A and AB and was heavily biased against class D feeling the only practical use for audiophile purposes was perhaps for a dedicated subwoofer.  I was certainly wrong and the Hypex when built correctly excels in the high and mid register.  In an active system I would use the Hypex NCore for the highs and mid and the Pascal for the low end.  The Pascal is certainly more authoritative and capable of more slam however it doesn't have the same "whimsical" upper register as the Hypex NCore line.  

In regards to the 1200AS line - I will not have my modules until next week and the chipset and topology of the amp is supposedly completely different then the 125AS line...which had some anomalies with it that prevent me from putting into the same class as the NCore based amps.  I will be offering the new ICE modules as kits but have not decided to make an OEM model yet until I get to play with them extensively.  Anything you hear about them now is from marketing teams and folks looking to presell units so I would certainly take anything you hear about them with a grain of salt until the first few weeks into Feb when they are actually in owners hands and broken in and tested.