• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

VTV Purifi Amplifier With SIL 994EnH-Ticha Pro Buffer Review

Cuniberti

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 21, 2021
Messages
122
Likes
207
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
I have been considering the VTV / Purifi amp, and this review is quite helpful. The buffer options have also been in question. There are other players I'm looking at that don't offer the buffer option and use a different power supply—the NAD C298 and the March P452, both Purifi based stereo amplifiers.
 
OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,381
Location
Seattle Area
Also, @amirm, do you stop the test once it reaches high distortion? Meaning would this amp go into even higher distortion if pushed?
I do. I don't want to massively cause them to clip as to avoid risk of damage. I allow enough clipping to see the knee.
 

Rottmannash

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
2,968
Likes
2,604
Location
Nashville
That's what
Except now VTV makes a copy of the Purifi Eigentact for l.t. $1000 that uses the exact same setup as the prototype Amir reviewed 2 years ago, and it costs less than the Hypex. Moreover it costs less than the components (Ghent case, Hypex Smps, Purifi Eval 1) needed to assemble this as a diy.

That's the one to buy IMHO. Moreover, it can be hot-rodded to bypass the input buffer which increases Sinad to 108db--second only to the Benchmark, so why anyone would want a custom buffer at extra cost that any number of reviews show degrades performance, is a mystery to me.

At the time I decided to buy mine, Ghent did not have a dedicated case, so I bought the 300 mm wide case which he designated for the Hypex NC 400 stereo build, and had a custom case back fabricated for it at a local metalwork shop. And then I had problems with getting the Hypex Smps working. And there were covid related parts stock outs b/c my project was started in May 2020. All in all it took me longer than expected and it cost me more than expected b/c of the need to send components back to Hypex and another person for Smps repair.

In the end I got a great amp, but my advice to anyone looking to go the Purifi route is just buy the one from VTV that uses Purifi's input module and get the best performer for the lowest cost.
That's what I did and happy is me.
 

MaxBuck

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
1,515
Likes
2,115
Location
SoCal, Baby!
I think this VTV Purifi implementation offers great value. With that said, especially after viewing @amirm's teardown pics of the VTV, I'm especially pleased to have plunked down an extra 10 Benjamins for the NAD C298.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GDK

vkvedam

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Messages
583
Likes
807
Location
Coventry, UK
Hmm, that's quite interesting that input buffer ruined the party. Learn something new every day at ASR :)
 

eriksson

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
May 13, 2021
Messages
225
Likes
836
Location
Iceland
Thanks for the review!

So few, if any, completed solutions can compete with Purify's own EVAL1 kit?
 

JohnYang1997

Master Contributor
Technical Expert
Audio Company
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
7,175
Likes
18,292
Location
China
OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,381
Location
Seattle Area

vkvedam

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Messages
583
Likes
807
Location
Coventry, UK
OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,381
Location
Seattle Area
I incorrectly labeled this amp as using 990EnH but it was actually the 994EnH. I changed the title and a few places to indicate this in the review. Sorry about that. :)
 

peng

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
5,614
Likes
5,167
how can someone mess such a straight forward design?

The 'reference' design literally looked like anyone can do it with access to documentation from Purifi.

the THD+N frequency dependency is just nasty, the whole point behind buying a 2000$ Purifi amp is to have Class D power that does not exhibit such behavior.

I looked into the DIY Purifi kits but it seems that you can't buy it unless you are a company that they would approve. For an individual, even if they would sell it to you directly, by the time you pay for shipping, taxes and import duties on top of the likely much highly price than the likes of VTV and Audiophonics, I suspect it would probably costs you more. It would be more fun DIY though.:D
 

peng

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
5,614
Likes
5,167
I think you nailed it with the lack of any true testing to catch problems before he ships. It is nowhere close to an AP, but have eliminated and/or improved my builds using a QuantAsylum QA401. It is discontinued but the QA402 is only $500.

Have been pretty surprised how slight wiring differences can make a significant improvement to lower noise in an amplifier.

Hello Rick, I am very interested in doing some basic measurements and would need some help before I order one. Just a few questions if you don't mind:

- To measure THD+N, FR, SNR, FFT, aside from the QA402, what else would I need aside from obviously a multimeter, example: multimeter, power supply?

- Does the unit come with the necessary wiring harness, connectors etc.?

- Any instructions included, written, video, youtube links etc.?

I may end up getting a VTV (Eval1) amp so I probably need a QA402 in case I find it necessary to do some of the minor mods you have done that improved a few dB on noise (if I remember right and not confused you with someone else..)

Thank you very much
 

Rick Sykora

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 14, 2020
Messages
3,511
Likes
7,011
Location
Stow, Ohio USA
Hello Rick, I am very interested in doing some basic measurements and would need some help before I order one. Just a few questions if you don't mind:

- To measure THD+N, FR, SNR, FFT, aside from the QA402, what else would I need aside from obviously a multimeter, example: multimeter, power supply?

- Does the unit come with the necessary wiring harness, connectors etc.?

- Any instructions included, written, video, youtube links etc.?

I may end up getting a VTV (Eval1) amp so I probably need a QA402 in case I find it necessary to do some of the minor mods you have done that improved a few dB on noise (if I remember right and not confused you with someone else..)

Thank you very much

First, the QuantAsylum instructions are pretty good and, while you could do with dummy load resistors, I own a QA450 too. The QA450 is convenient, but not able to handle driving more than couple hundred watt amp to clipping. The rest of the parts are fairly inexpensive.

Since off topic for this thread, will post the other parts needed on a new thread.
 
Last edited:

peng

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
5,614
Likes
5,167
First, the QuantAsylum instructions are pretty good and, while you could do with dummy load resistors, I own a QA471 too. The QA471 is convenient, but not able to handle driving more than couple hundred watt amp to clipping. The rest of the parts are fairly inexpensive.

Since off topic for this thread, will post the other parts needed on a new thread.

Thanks again, I just realize their website has a lot of information so I just have to read.:D
 

Rick Sykora

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 14, 2020
Messages
3,511
Likes
7,011
Location
Stow, Ohio USA
Thanks again, I just realize their website has a lot of information so I just have to read.:D

Btw, if after looking into it, you rather not spend the money on the QA402, can arrange to have your amp shipped to me and will measure and as I have done for others. I only charge $20 for the analysis. If I find issues, can either recommend a fix or offer to fix for a small fee. :cool:
 

peng

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
5,614
Likes
5,167
Btw, if after looking into it, you rather not spend the money on the QA402, can arrange to have your amp shipped to me and will measure and as I have done for others. I only charge $20 for the analysis. If I find issues, can either recommend a fix or offer to fix for a small fee. :cool:

That's great service and very generous, but being in Canada there will be shipping+import duties/taxes to bring it back in, unfortunately..
 
Top Bottom