Ultimate 1ET400A Purifi Amplifier sonic shootout - €820 to €8,344

[CDMC]

Why are we arguing with @Ric Schultz? He can just send his modded amplifier to Amir and we will see what's up.

He admits it will measure the same. According to him, the difference is readily heard, but not measurable.

I do have to say that at least he doesn’t charge an outrageous amount of money for his “tweeks”.

 

[boXem]

In terms of feature no. In terms of performance, they are likely the same. It is always going to be hard, if not impossible for small manufacturers to compete on features while being price competitive, the economies of scale make it prohibitive. I would expect a product like you envision to come from a company like Emotiva that has larger volumes, but also the pricing advantage of a direct seller.

Wait and see

 

[PcChip]

What's the cheapest way to get a good 1ET400A stereo amplifier that accepts XLR inputs?

there seem to be so many brands and pricing and availability are all over the map, it's hard to figure this out!

 

[CDMC]

You want the cheapest, or good?

Cheapest is VTV, but the assembly quality is poor. Next are the audiophonics and nord, then March audio. As you go up in price you get better cases, assembly quality and qc testing.

 

[Matias]

What's the cheapest way to get a good 1ET400A stereo amplifier that accepts XLR inputs?

there seem to be so many brands and pricing and availability are all over the map, it's hard to figure this out!

I would choose the new Apollon Purifi Mini amp for 1.5k euros.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

What's the cheapest way to get a good 1ET400A stereo amplifier that accepts XLR inputs?

there seem to be so many brands and pricing and availability are all over the map, it's hard to figure this out!

Ignoring the bs noise here VTV is a very good choice. Good price, and if you want an improved buffer stage, the VTV board is a superior choice IMO. Features Sparko regulators and you can adjust the gain which can be very useful for system matching.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I would choose the new Apollon Purifi Mini amp for 1.5k euros.
View attachment 79350

It's 1490€ EX VAT. For EU fellows, final price, shipping included, is closer to 1900€...

Still a good offering considering aesthetics and internal build. Also, still waiting for pictures of the White Pearl version, @Apollon Audio...

 

[Feanor]

You want the cheapest, or good?

Cheapest is VTV, but the assembly quality is poor. Next are the audiophonics and nord, then March audio. As you go up in price you get better cases, assembly quality and qc testing.

I very recently bought a VTV NC252MP. My experience is that assembly quality is fine. In my case there was no evidence of loose screws or sloppy drilling of mounting holes. The NC252MP is secured with eleven screws and all were properly used in my instance. Of course this is a non-custom case so there are additional holes accommodate other types of module

If you live in North America you might also want consider shipping times in this Covid age in which case VTV is likely to beat the other makers.
.

 

[Casey Leedom]

Don’t forget to add the new 7-channel NAD M28 ...

Casey

 

[Matias]

Also, still waiting for pictures of the White Pearl version, @Apollon Audio...

It is on their website for the Premium amplifiers, should be similar, lower height and no heat sinks.

 

[oldandintheway]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...n-ul-us-listed-mains-current-equipment.15275/

I would be happy with any advanced country safety certification, no certification, not so much.

 

[tmtomh]

Audiophonics' 2-channel HPA Purifi amp is about €1500 including VAT. I purchased it from them earlier this summer. (I'm in the U.S. so I didn't have to pay VAT, and with international shipping it cost me a little under $1500US aka €1300 give or take.)

They also have the same basic amp in a smaller chassis for about €1350 including VAT. Shipping is extra of course.

 

[CDMC]

I very recently bought a VTV NC252MP. My experience is that assembly quality is fine. In my case there was no evidence of loose screws or sloppy drilling of mounting holes. The NC252MP is secured with eleven screws and all were properly used in my instance. Of course this is a non-custom case so there are additional holes accommodate other types of module

If you live in North America you might also want consider shipping times in this Covid age in which case VTV is likely to beat the other makers.
.View attachment 79366

Keeping in mind that he still doesn't wire the XLR's correctly and the soldering quality is pretty poor. I have the same amp, but have fixed those issues, which incidentally, fixed the turn off pop it had. For shits and giggles, I also added thermal paste between the amp bottom and case, not required, but aids in keeping the module a little cooler. Interestingly, when I removed the screws from the bottom of the amp to remove it from the case, he had a couple that were much shorter for no reason. While I believe in saving money, I still think he needs to charge $50 more and get a qualified tech to assemble these things.

 

[Feanor]

Keeping in mind that he still doesn't wire the XLR's correctly and the soldering quality is pretty poor. I have the same amp, but have fixed those issues, which incidentally, fixed the turn off pop it had. For shits and giggles, I also added thermal paste between the amp bottom and case, not required, but aids in keeping the module a little cooler. Interestingly, when I removed the screws from the bottom of the amp to remove it from the case, he had a couple that were much shorter for no reason. While I believe in saving money, I still think he needs to charge $50 more and get a qualified tech to assemble these things.

Or one could do these things oneself and save 50 bucks.

I haven't notice a turn off pop -- perhaps he addressed these issues. My amp seems to have the XLR connectors properly grounded. At least for the NC525MP, the flat heat sink bottom plate is secured to the flat bottom of the case with no fewer than 11 screws; thermal paste isn't prescribed by Hypex and probably completely superfluous.

 

[VintageFlanker]

It is on their website for the Premium amplifiers, should be similar, lower height and no heat sinks.

View attachment 79372

Great. I may imagine based on their other pictures.

Could be a hell of a pair with my white Evoke 20s!

...If someone has these premium cases from Apollon, I'm wondering: Is the logo act as a power button?

 

[Matias]

I'm wondering: Is the logo act as a power button?

I don't think so. At least on the Mini the button is in front below the unit, you can see the knob there on the underplate.

 

[JustJones]

On Apollon website it says the "mono block amplifier has a soft start function and it is turned on with a hidden push button switch on the bottom lid. "

 

[Matias]

These are gorgeous in both black and white. My worry with the white is that the color will yellow a bit over time. Anyone know something more about this? I think Hegel says that their white Rost is actually painted white(ish). These might be too.

Yes, these are painted as well. Don't know if they will yellow on the long run though...

 

[March Audio]

Keeping in mind that he still doesn't wire the XLR's correctly and the soldering quality is pretty poor. I have the same amp, but have fixed those issues, which incidentally, fixed the turn off pop it had. For shits and giggles, I also added thermal paste between the amp bottom and case, not required, but aids in keeping the module a little cooler. Interestingly, when I removed the screws from the bottom of the amp to remove it from the case, he had a couple that were much shorter for no reason. While I believe in saving money, I still think he needs to charge $50 more and get a qualified tech to assemble these things.

For info, as I have seen recent forum commentary on this, the Hypex modules all display a degree of switch off click. It is variable and doing certain things can minimise it. It can be completely eliminated but does require additional circuitry to do so. Any implementation without this cicuitry is liable to have some degree of click. (yes we have this circuitry )

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

Keeping in mind that he still doesn't wire the XLR's correctly and the soldering quality is pretty poor.

The XLRs are wired correctly, and the soldering is fine, no cold solder joints. Pretty does not make it sound any better.