ICEPower 125ASX2 Class D Amplifier Review

[mario_rouge]

Sabaj is selling a new 125asx2 based amplifier. It would be interesting to understand how much the SINAD values will measure compared to the Yamaha WXA50.

 

[EB1000]

Sabaj is selling a new 125asx2 based amplifier. It would be interesting to understand how much the SINAD values will measure compared to the Yamaha WXA50.

I wouldn't trust a company that calls the 125ASX2 a digital amplifier...

Sabaj Audio Official-Sabaj音频官网

Since the establishment of our company, we have been committed to an enterprise integrating audio product design, R&D, production, market operation and service.There are mainly three categories: decoder/headphone amplifier/power amplifier. Our company is composed of a group of members who love...

www.sabaj.com.cn

Besides, the 125ASX2 is best used as a mono amp in BTL mode. I wish Amir could test it in BTL, not in stereo. I'm now using 7 125ASX2 in BTL for my home theater (the two front channels are based on Hypex NC400 monoblocks DIY).

 

[mario_rouge]

I wouldn't trust a company that calls the 125ASX2 a digital amplifier...

Sabaj Audio Official-Sabaj音频官网

Since the establishment of our company, we have been committed to an enterprise integrating audio product design, R&D, production, market operation and service.There are mainly three categories: decoder/headphone amplifier/power amplifier. Our company is composed of a group of members who love...

www.sabaj.com.cn

Besides, the 125ASX2 is best used as a mono amp in BTL mode. I wish Amir could test it in BTL, not in stereo. I'm now using 7 125ASX2 in BTL for my home theater (the two front channels are based on Hypex NC400 monoblocks DIY).

IcePower 125asx2 monoblocs or Hypex Ncore NC250MP monoblocs,
which do you think is better? (for music)

 

[EB1000]

Test results for both are here.

Where are the results for BTL?

 

[rvsixer]

Where are the results for BTL?

I didn't hit the delete key fast enough to catch the BTL condition ...

Still, isn't BTL performance usually lower than non-BTL? So if the NC250MP (impression posted here at ASR, not full review but Hypex specs are known to be accurate) already outperforms the ASX2 in non-BTL...

 

[mario_rouge]

125asx2 performance in SE and BTL mode

 

[rvsixer]

125asx2 performance in SE and BTL mode

1% THD (or 10% ) specs are not really an acceptable performance indicator imo (also check spec against independent actual measured performance, which Hypex generally and readily match).

They should publish SE and BTL THD specs across the entire power output/speaker load spectrum like Hypex does.

 

[mdsimon2]

1% THD (or 10% ) specs are not really an acceptable performance indicator imo (also check spec against independent actual measured performance, which Hypex generally and readily match).

They should publish SE and BTL THD specs across the entire power output/speaker load spectrum like Hypex does.

They do, in the datasheet -> https://icepower.dk/download/1636/. Some snippets below.

Michael

 

[rvsixer]

They do, in the datasheet -> https://icepower.dk/download/1636/. Some snippets below.

View attachment 176551
View attachment 176552
Michael

good info. Should clear things up.

 

[mario_rouge]

They do, in the datasheet -> https://icepower.dk/download/1636/. Some snippets below.

View attachment 176551
View attachment 176552
Michael

Quite good performance in btl mode compared to other module in bridged mono.

 

[rvsixer]

Quite good performance in btl mode compared to other module in bridged mono.

Agree if actual measurements meet the ICE spec, good performance. I'll have to consider them for surround duty now myself as @EB1000 does, provided non-counterfeit modules can be had for less cost per channel than Hypex NC252MP based amps that are my current plan.

What is the other bridged mono module you are referencing above? I recall you asking about ICE in BTL compared to native mono only Hypex NC250MP....

 

[andrewjohn007]

I wouldn't trust a company that calls the 125ASX2 a digital amplifier...

Sabaj Audio Official-Sabaj音频官网

Since the establishment of our company, we have been committed to an enterprise integrating audio product design, R&D, production, market operation and service.There are mainly three categories: decoder/headphone amplifier/power amplifier. Our company is composed of a group of members who love...

www.sabaj.com.cn

Besides, the 125ASX2 is best used as a mono amp in BTL mode. I wish Amir could test it in BTL, not in stereo. I'm now using 7 125ASX2 in BTL for my home theater (the two front channels are based on Hypex NC400 monoblocks DIY).

It appears they corrected their mistake regarding the amp being "digital"?!?

Someone is paying attention?

Edit: I see that Sabaj has it listed as a "digital amplifier" with "Dual Analog Input Power"

 

[andrewjohn007]

I wouldn't trust a company that calls the 125ASX2 a digital amplifier...

Sabaj Audio Official-Sabaj音频官网

Since the establishment of our company, we have been committed to an enterprise integrating audio product design, R&D, production, market operation and service.There are mainly three categories: decoder/headphone amplifier/power amplifier. Our company is composed of a group of members who love...

www.sabaj.com.cn

Besides, the 125ASX2 is best used as a mono amp in BTL mode. I wish Amir could test it in BTL, not in stereo. I'm now using 7 125ASX2 in BTL for my home theater (the two front channels are based on Hypex NC400 monoblocks DIY).

Are your 125ASX2s from any particular retailer or are they straight from IcePower?

I have been eyeballing the 125ASX2s for a while, however here in the US, the only bare board ASX that I can find is the 50ASX2, which simply isn't powerful enough for my needs...

 

[EB1000]

I got mine ordered

Are your 125ASX2s from any particular retailer or are they straight from IcePower?

I have been eyeballing the 125ASX2s for a while, however here in the US, the only bare board ASX that I can find is the 50ASX2, which simply isn't powerful enough for my needs...

I got all 7 units ordered from this retailer:

ICEpower125ASX2 125W Class D Amp with Resonant Gearbox Power Supply

Fully integrated audio power solutionRugged constructionThermal protectionOver current protectionSound optimized soft clippingSuitable for CE approved designs

www.profusionplc.com

They ship worldwide except the US

 

[mario_rouge]

I got mine ordered

I got all 7 units ordered from this retailer:

ICEpower125ASX2 125W Class D Amp with Resonant Gearbox Power Supply

Fully integrated audio power solutionRugged constructionThermal protectionOver current protectionSound optimized soft clippingSuitable for CE approved designs

www.profusionplc.com

They ship worldwide except the US

Could you tell me your impressions on the sound quality of these modules compared to that of the Hypex modules?

 

[andrewjohn007]

I got mine ordered

I got all 7 units ordered from this retailer:

ICEpower125ASX2 125W Class D Amp with Resonant Gearbox Power Supply

Fully integrated audio power solutionRugged constructionThermal protectionOver current protectionSound optimized soft clippingSuitable for CE approved designs

www.profusionplc.com

They ship worldwide except the US

Thanks for the reply! It looks like they actually do ship to the US.

Delivery Rates | Profusion

European distributor of audio semiconductors and components, specializing in devices that make a difference to design engineers and discriminating end-users.

www.profusionplc.com

All things being equal, it will be hard to beat the A8 at $ 259.99 with Prime delivery...

 

[EB1000]

Could you tell me your impressions on the sound quality of these modules compared to that of the Hypex modules?

before getting the two NC400 kits for my front channels, I used two 125ASX2 with my Focal Aria 926. The sound was very good (NAD C658 as well as Yamaha RX-A2070). Then I upgraded to the Hypex. While I never did an AB test, based only on memory, the sound quality of the NC400 seems slightly better, especially in very high vol levels, but it requires critical listening. If someone would have now swapped my NC400 with the 125ASX2 (BTL), w/o my knowledge, I doubt that I'd be able to tell the difference...

 

[lecriquet]

before getting the two NC400 kits for my front channels, I used two 125ASX2 with my Focal Aria 926. The sound was very good (NAD C658 as well as Yamaha RX-A2070). Then I upgraded to the Hypex. While I never did an AB test, based only on memory, the sound quality of the NC400 seems slightly better, especially in very high vol levels, but it requires critical listening. If someone would have now swapped my NC400 with the 125ASX2 (BTL), w/o my knowledge, I doubt that I'd be able to tell the difference...

Would you consider using one 125ASX2 for a pair of Aria 926?
I have a pair of floorstander more or less like the Aria 926 and wondering if it could do the job.

 

[EB1000]

Would you consider using one 125ASX2 for a pair of Aria 926?
I have a pair of floorstander more or less like the Aria 926 and wondering if it could do the job.

It all depends on the speakers' sensitivity, impedance, desired SPL, and distance to MLP. You can try with just one, and if you feel you need more, get a second and switch to BTL (you'll nee balanced pre outs for that)

 

[mdsimon2]

FYI, icepower.dk now has a bunch of stuff back in stock including the 125asx2 ($200 for single, $121 if you buy 20), probably makes sense just to go with a prefab option unless you are buying a carton. About to buy a carton of the 300A2 modules myself.

Michael