Any reason not to order the new Buckeye 2nd Gen Purifi EIGENTAKT 2-ch amplifier?

[kyuu]

But isn't it more for measurement enthusiasts? Maybe audio enthusiasts, but unlikely music enthusiasts!

No, it's exactly the opposite. Measurements allow us to know when equipment is audibly transparent, so we can stop being sold bullshit from subjective reviews that constantly proclaim the latest (usually highly expensive) gear lifts some veils or other nonsense. Subjectivists are more often the ones who are using music to listen to their gear, rather than using their gear to listen to music.

I suggest that only because some here are never convinced by any suggestion regarding sound quality unless it is supported by measurement graphs and statistics.

Yes, because supposed differences in sound between electronic equipment that measure audibly transparent has never survived testing with proper controls.

 

[Hear Here]

You missed the point. You said "you get what you pay for". The $5000 power cord proves you dont, so Im having trouble understanding your position.

You are mistaken - my most costly speaker cables were about £500 but the ones I use now (Duelund 12 gauge) were about £350 if I remember correctly. Where did you see anything about me having $5K cables? Thanks

 

[Cbdb2]

You are mistaken - my most costly speaker cables were about £500 but the ones I use now (Duelund 12 gauge) were about £350 if I remember correctly. Where did you see anything about me having $5K cables? Thank

I wasnt talking about you, reread my posts. Now Ill talk about you. Anybody who spends that much money on speaker cables has fallen for the snake oil. They will make zero difference. This tells me all I need to know about you and where your responses are coming from.

 

[Spkrdctr]

We also know, from decades of Audio Science Data and research that measurements do tell us how something will perform and thus sound (not counting room interactions). . Every track that has been recorded was measured and recorded with the same technology used to measure performance of a speaker. The microphone can capture the magic of the original performance accurately and store and retrieve and reproduce that same recording. Certainly this is measurable Down to details beyond the perceptive ability of the human ear. Just because we rely on Audio data to help make our decisions. Certainly doesn’t mean we don’t listen as well.

Truth!

 

[jhaider]

This is a correct and sensible way to discuss power output:

“This power supply limits the ultimate output of the amp to 1200W into 2 ohms. Buckeye offers an optional Micro Audio SMPS1K-SN power supply that offers Active Power Factor Correction, higher power output (a 0.67dB increase from 1200W to 1400W into 2 ohms)…” @Kal Rubinson, Buckeye Buckeye PURIFI EIGENTAKT 1ET9040BA1” fn. 6, Stereophile 1/2025 at 79.

In the alternative, a marketing flack could have made a big deal out of TWO HUNDRED MOTE WATTS.

You are mistaken - my most costly speaker cables were about £500 but the ones I use now (Duelund 12 gauge) were about £350 if I remember correctly. Where did you see anything about me having $5K cables? Thanks

That’s either stupid expensive or really cheap, depending on lengths involved and custom installation work involved.

A 10’ pair of speaker cables should cost at most $50-$60 USD (calculated using current pricing for bulk Canare 4S11 and quality connectors from a reasonable supplier - you can go a lot cheaper with no sonic penalty, but this stuff is flexible and nice to work with.). So if we’re talking something on that scale 350 UKP is crazytown unless you just bought them for audiophool virtue signaling or whatever.

OTOH, speaker cabling for an immersive system may cost thousands of dollars because of the number of spools required + demolition and reconstruction. So if you got that for 350 UKP—hat’s off to ya.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

OTOH, speaker cabling for an immersive system may cost thousands of dollars because of the number of spools required + demolition and reconstruction.

That's why I've moved on to CAT6!

 

[jhaider]

That's why I've moved on to CAT6!

if you have convenient wall outlets, and active speakers or passive speakers driven by small amps, cat 6 to XLR makes tons of sense. (And has to just totally piss off the wire worshippers, so there’s another virtue.) OTOH, if your amps have noisy fans (and the DSP your speakers and subs need) then the only option is to stick the rack in the basement or something.

Also, if the outlets aren’t already, there CI installers don’t charge as much as certified electricians per hour, IME.

 

[Bach]

Interesting thread. Has to amp already be ordered?

 

[Sined]

There's a lot of references to design and build quality of NAD products. I've repaired a few NAD amps, including M3s and M23s, and I won't touch another one. Overly complex designs with mediocre components. The construction is very good and nice looking to the casual observer but they are the polar opposite of a Pass Labs, in terms of design and components. Just my opinion.

Agree ! I had a 7 channels NAD27 for my active 3 way DIY loudspeakers. Without any obvious reasons, when the guarantee period was over..., 4 channels died one after the other within one year. It has always been running rather warm for a class D, maybe it was a ventilation problem, but hey... at that price, shouldn't it be protected against this?

When the 4th channel died, I had enough to replace modules, I bought two 3 channels Buckeye and I couldn't be more happier since then ! These little amps runs cool even at relatively high level, dead quiet (very important for active speakers) and to me they corresponds exactly to the "wire with gain" tag; I can't imagine how an amplifier can be better, no matter the price. So, I agree with Dylan, higher price doesn't mean better performance and certainly not reliability.

(now stock with an unsalable 4 channel defective very nice looking amplifier)

 

[quattro98]

Establish whether they've used a basic Eval(uation) board from Purifi, or if they've developed a Purifi-based board in conjunction with Purifi and built with higher spec parts. Lots of direct or Ebay offerings of "Purifi" amps have this basic board that's designed for evaluation purposes, though many find their way into DIY or "garage-built" amps. I am more than happy with my NAD M33 Purifi-based all-in-one and I understand their M23 amp uses the same built-under-license Purifi technology. T+A do the same and is highly regarded, though I've not heard it myself. Not all Purifi amps will sound the same, so I'd suggest you ask questions, then try a number of contenders before you buy

Selected quotes from the T+A website for the A 200.

"In designing the A 200 output stage it was our goal to combine maximum amplifier power with audiophile sound characteristics. On the one hand this means 250 Watts of continuous power per channel, and on the other hand this substantial power does not result in a reduction in terms of subtle detail, resolution and fine dynamics."

"By this means we have succeeded in converting raw power into unsurpassed audiophile performance."

"The A 200 Class D output stages incorporate PURIFI Eigentakt™ technology. This platform, developed by the Danish technology company, is currently the world’s leading fundamental design for Class D output stages, as it eradicates the disadvantages of the previous generation of digital amplifiers."

"Our HV circuit technology is unique in the world, and is employed in the voltage amplifier stage. The high operating voltage resulting from the overall circuit design ensures extremely linear reproduction of the audio signals, and provides totally natural imaging and dynamics from every recording - without compromise, and without limitation. The technology also eliminates harsh feedback, to which audio sound is very sensitive."

 

[Cbdb2]

Selected quotes from the T+A website for the A 200.

"In designing the A 200 output stage it was our goal to combine maximum amplifier power with audiophile sound characteristics. On the one hand this means 250 Watts of continuous power per channel, and on the other hand this substantial power does not result in a reduction in terms of subtle detail, resolution and fine dynamics."

"By this means we have succeeded in converting raw power into unsurpassed audiophile performance."



"Our HV circuit technology is unique in the world, and is employed in the voltage amplifier stage. The high operating voltage resulting from the overall circuit design ensures extremely linear reproduction of the audio signals, and provides totally natural imaging and dynamics from every recording - without compromise, and without limitation. The technology also eliminates harsh feedback, to which audio sound is very sensitive."

Except for this :"The A 200 Class D output stages incorporate PURIFI Eigentakt™ technology. This platform, developed by the Danish technology company, is currently the world’s leading fundamental design for Class D output stages, as it eradicates the disadvantages of the previous generation of digital amplifiers."
Its a load of BS. Whats "audiophile sound characteristics"?
They take credit for "exremely linear reproduction" when its the Purifi circuit that achieves that.

 

[quattro98]

I think the best part is the discussion about how feedback is harsh in an amp using Purifi modules. Referring to class D amplifiers as digital is also something I noted. But, of course, we have been told that T+A is highly regarded.

I'll include this link just for fun.

 

[livinon2wheels]

Point? This forum isn’t “99% of the population.” It’s audio enthusiasts.



That has nothing to do with human perception of relative SPL…not a relevant, good faith comparison.

We who frequent this forum are the "1%ers" of the Audiophile world. We collectively make the decisions we make about equipment purchased based on real world measurements and with some common sense, not some snake oil infused argument suggesting that this cable or that sounds better. In any double blind test I defy ANYONE to be able to tell the difference between a good working average cable and a high dollar cable based on sound alone. I feel particularly blessed to be a part of this group. That is not to say that our purchase decisions are incapable of being influenced by appearance or some other personal bias but mainly I think most people here make their choices based on performance first and possibly price as equally important. Everything else is secondary.

 

[sapphari]

Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything... but this amp has not been measured has it?? Asking about the amp in the original post... Buckeye Purifi 1ET6525SA 2ch 2nd gen Eigentakt.

[Yes, I did read the comments suggesting different implementations of the same Purifi module will sound the same]

 

[robsonj]

Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything... but this amp has not been measured has it?? Asking about the amp in the original post... Buckeye Purifi 1ET6525SA 2ch 2nd gen Eigentakt.

[Yes, I did read the comments suggesting different implementations of the same Purifi module will sound the same]

I haven’t found any measurements for it yet, but placed an order for the Buckeye based on your last comment and the great reputation that Buckeye has around here

 

[sapphari]

Congrats on your purchase! I'm sure it will be awesome. I also suspect it measures quite well, was just curious if it had been considering the direction this thread took ha.

 

[robsonj]

Congrats on your purchase! I'm sure it will be awesome. I also suspect it measures quite well, was just curious if it had been considering the direction this thread took ha.

Are you looking to hook one to a bluesound icon?

 

[sapphari]

Yes I am. I have been waiting to see if any measurements will come out on the Icon, but there is nothing yet and I'm not wanting to wait much longer I suspect the Icon will also measure well. I'll probably order the Icon from my local shop in the new year. Plan to spend a couple weeks with it with my current amp just to make sure I like it, and if so, will most likely order the Purifi, or potentially the NCx500 or NC252MP.

I think the NC252 would be sufficient, but I have the budget for the Purifi and it would be nice peace of mind to have what I consider an end-game amp - one that I could keep for life and never wonder if I should upgrade. The NCx500 is much more power than I need, and is only $130 less than the Purifi, so not sure that really makes sense.

Yourself?

 

[robsonj]

Yes I am. I have been waiting to see if any measurements will come out on the Icon, but there is nothing yet and I'm not wanting to wait much longer I suspect the Icon will also measure well. I'll probably order the Icon from my local shop in the new year. Plan to spend a couple weeks with it with my current amp just to make sure I like it, and if so, will most likely order the Purifi, or potentially the NCx500 or NC252MP.

I think the NC252 would be sufficient, but I have the budget for the Purifi and it would be nice peace of mind to have what I consider an end-game amp - one that I could keep for life and never wonder if I should upgrade. The NCx500 is much more power than I need, and is only $130 less than the Purifi, so not sure that really makes sense.

Yourself?

I have a Wiim Ultra in my home office currently hooked to a smsi ao200mkii amp and kef Is50 metas. I had a bluesound icon for a day - in the process of exchanging as it had a dead Icd, but the sound worked fine. Next to the wiim, the music sounded fuller and richer to me when streaming the same hires track from roon. This is not to say the wiim was bad, it sounds pretty great, one of my reasons for the upgrade is the the headphone amp and larger screen - assuming the lcd works this time .

The plan is to pair the icon when it arrives next week, with the buckeye (when it arrives) and Is50's.

I looked at the NCx500 and in the end felt it and the purifi both had plenty of power, but the purifi was more efficient in power usage and even better performance (on paper), though probably not hearable, so went with the purifi figuring it will be with me for many years.

 

[pogo]

Purifi + ICON = killer setup