Hi All,
Since Amirs review of the custom HCx500 last week, I'm now stuck between the 1ET7040SA and NCx500!
For context, I am specifically looking for a 3 channel amp to power B&W 803D2 fronts + HTM2 D3 centre speaker in a 5.1 system (75% AV use vs 25% pure music) in a small form factor.
Nords 3 channel mono design using
3 x 1ET7040A +
3 x 3SMPS1200A400 & nords custom rev D board with 990 op amps.
apollonaudio.com
Apollon 3 channel singe PSU using
3 x 1ET7040A +
1 x SMPS3000A400 (3000w) & Apollon own Input Buffer Board with OPA1612 op amps.
apollonaudio.com
Apollon 3 Channel using
3 x NCx500 with
1x SMPS3000A400 & Apollons own Input Buffer Board with OPA1612 op amps.
apollonaudio.com
When I asked for Apollons opinion they said both NCx500 and 1ET7040A were amazing. The person I spoke with there had a slight bias towards the 1ET7040SA which they said had a little bit better base control, maybe due to the higher damping factor and current/power available. I also messaged Colin from Nord who said the NCx500 was amazing also from his text units, but Nord doesn't have production modules yet to put in a systems.
Questions
1. Any sonic disadvantages to going to single high power PSU over 3 mono PSU?
2. Is anyone aware of a detailed review of the
1ET7040AS as I can't find one! Was hoping Amir might have done one give it's been out for months now? Is there something to hide?
note. I'm only considering European/uk suppliers for geographic reasons. So don't be offended if I'm not listing other brands : )