All things about Cymax Power Amplifier

[Pausi]

Somebody has already started a discussion about one of the Cymax power amplifiers, but I thought it was time to open a thread for discussion around all the different Cymax Class D amplifiers. Maybe @amirm will review one in the future.

I already own Audiophonics implementation of the Purifi 1ET6525SA modules which I like, but the build quality is so so and the buffer board and amp gives this static click when powered on. Not a nice sound even though not very loud.
I will compare it with the Cymax version when it arrives: https://www.cymaxdigital.com/en/product/product-590.html

Please feel free to post your experiences with Cymax amplifiers if you get to try or own one.

 

[voodooless]

… they are not digital amplifiers…

 

[Pausi]

I was referring to the company name: Cymax Digital, but I have edited title to prevent misunderstanding.

 

[voodooless]

I was referring to the company name: Cymax Digital, but I have edited title to prevent misunderstanding.

They advise themselves with it:

Benefiting from the continuous innovation of digital amplifier technologies over the years, our latest generation of amplifiers not only retains the unique sound characteristics, high efficiency power and lightweight size of previous digital amplifiers, but also provide sound quality comparable to traditional amplifiers on the market that are several times more expensive, whether they are Class-A, Class-AB or even other Class-D types.

Couple this with boutique opamps, possibly to roll them, and some other audiophile gobbledygook, there are enough red flags to at least be very skeptical.

 

[Pausi]

I have ordered one with TI OPA1612 op amps and no boutique op amps and standard wires and contacts. The Purifi 1ET6525SA modules have been measured and tested to be excellent in transparency, power and efficiency. It’s very appreciated in the Audiophonics model but I’m interested in testing other implementations with different buffer boards and front display switch button.
We’ll see how well the Purifi modules are implemented and function in the Cymax variant. Based on first impressions here at ASR they seem to be well built. If it holds up you can get an excellent power amp for approx. $1300 that might be hard to beat.

 

[RandomEar]

We’ll see how well the Purifi modules are implemented and function in the Cymax variant. Based on first impressions here at ASR they seem to be well built. If it holds up you can get an excellent power amp for approx. $1300 that might be hard to beat.

The price is competitive, but not out of the ordinary. The Apollon version is about the same and was recently tested here. No tiny display, but four gain settings and RCA inputs.

 

[Pausi]

Just received my Cymax CY-1ET6525SA-02 Power Amplifier. Price delivered to my door including VAT is similar to the Audiophonics HPA-S450ET. Sound quality through my Lintons is impossible to distinguish. The Purifi 1ET6525SA modules sound just as transparent and powerful on both as expected, but the gain settings are a bit different, 20 dB on the Audiophonics buffer board (with OPA1656) is enough to max out the effect of the power modules at @ estimated 1% THD. On the Cymax you have to set the gain higher at 23.3 dB or a even at 26.3 to get the same effect out of the speakers (with OPA1612). A bit strange, must mean the the Cymax implementation (buffer board) "eats" more gain on the way to the Purifi modules. Or is it the different op amps causing this?

Cymax build quality seems very nice and with a very heavy case, 13 kg versus just 4 kg for the Audiophonics. The weight is not very important in my opinion. The big difference is in height. Cymax is quite a lot taller and take more room in your rack. The power on static noise is maybe a microscopic level lower on the Cymax, but that might just be a coincidence from every power-on cycle. The one great feature I find much better on the Cymax is the front LCD control knob. It's great that you can control all setting from this easy to use button instead of switch buttons on the underside and back. Very nice! There is also two sets of (30W) linear op amps power supplies included in the Cymax but I can't hear any difference with these compared to the Audiophonics without these.

When it comes to warranty, and ease of return, you might go for Apollon or Audiophonics if you live in Europe. Sending the Cymax back to Hong Kong might be troublesome.

I have included some pictures of the internals if you like to take a peek. But all in all, the Cymax is similar in quality to the Audiophonics model, and even more convenient when it comes to the input control button.

 

[voodooless]

the buffer board and amp gives this static click when powered on

So how is that on the new amp?

Inside looks okay enough. Speaker wires should preferably be twisted, but otherwise it looks clean.

 

[Pausi]

I have tried turning on and off many times and the static click or noise is still there but a bit lower so almost unnoticeable.

 

[skerik]

I just ordered one of the Cymax "Pro Mk2" dual mono 1ET-9040BA amps. I looked at competing / similar amps from VTV, Buckeye, Apollon, Nord and Audiophonics. The last is not currently available for purchase in the US. The Buckeye is a monoblock only, and I wanted a single chassis. So those 2 were out. VTV has had mixed reviews on build quality plus the case is very deep and would extend out the back of my cabinet, so it was eliminated. The Apollon was more expensive for no clear advantage, so eliminated. That left the Nord Three and the Cymax. Honestly, it felt like a coin flip, I could have gone with either and been fine, but I liked some of the custom options, upgraded PSU and the look of the Cymax a little more. Case is 1" higher but that doesn't matter for my situation.

 

[Pausi]

I just ordered one of the Cymax "Pro Mk2" dual mono 1ET-9040BA amps. I looked at competing / similar amps from VTV, Buckeye, Apollon, Nord and Audiophonics. The last is not currently available for purchase in the US. The Buckeye is a monoblock only, and I wanted a single chassis. So those 2 were out. VTV has had mixed reviews on build quality plus the case is very deep and would extend out the back of my cabinet, so it was eliminated. The Apollon was more expensive for no clear advantage, so eliminated. That left the Nord Three and the Cymax. Honestly, it felt like a coin flip, I could have gone with either and been fine, but I liked some of the custom options, upgraded PSU and the look of the Cymax a little more. Case is 1" higher but that doesn't matter for my situation.

Congrats. How do you find the sound and build quality? I’ve had mine for almost a week and I’m very pleased. I’ve sold my Audiophonics. It’s a big heavy aluminum cabinet, that’s for sure. It’s not for everybody’s liking. It takes up quite some space, but might help those who get a psychoacoustic kick out of this.

 

[skerik]

I just ordered it, won't have my Cymax amp for another couple of weeks. And I'm also in the midst of essentially completely revamping my 2 channel system. (Which also has a video component, so it's a bit of a Frankenstein monster.)

Martin Logan Summit X -> PS Audio Aspen FR30 (buying used 1/2 price)
Krell S550i integrated / PS Audio Directstream DAC / Yamaha RX840 -> Brysten BR-20 / Cymax amp

 

[Srgey]

Hi everybody. I got my Cymax. Added a new Gain 5 function used to bypass the buffer board.

 

[Pausi]

Congrats! Which version did you get?

Gain 5 setting is bypass on mine too. I guess it’s the same on all Cymax with the digital interface button. I use a WiiM Ultra connected by RCA. Works great. Unfortunately I’ve already sold my Topping E50 II since external DAC via WiiM Ultra didn’t work flawlessly. If you get this DAC you can set output via balanced TRS to XLR to 11.3 volts and use bypass mode.

Please update with your user experience when you have used it for some time.

 

[skerik]

FYI - for US folks considering Cymax. I don't think they make it very clear that their product will ship directly from Hong Kong, exposing US customers to a large tariff (currently 20%) in addition to the cost of the amp. I've exchanged several emails today with Louis at Cymax. Nothing was made clear about this until the day before shipping. The problem I have with this is that they knew immediately from the order that I am in the US, but none of the info I saw in emails or on the website (which is frequently not loading for me, so I had bookmarked the 2 amps I was considering and may have missed some language somewhere) made it clear that it would be shipping from HK. The best info I found in researching Cymax indicated a Canadian company with manufacturing in HK. There are many such companies in audio and other electronics markets, that have a US price that now includes related tariffs and not necessarily shipped from HK with a duty that is based on the full price and solely the responsibility of the recipient. Obviously, it's complex but I feel that Cymax needs to clearly state at the beginning.

[Edit: I initially mentioned shipping from China but it's Hong Kong, and have corrected that plus current duty %.]