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

[robsonj]

My Buckeye 1ET6525SA arrived today, excited to get home to try it out!

 

[sapphari]

I placed an order with Buckeye for the 1ET6525SA last night. Should be shipped in ~2 weeks.

I did some googling and it seems like the #1 competitor to this amp is the Hypex NCx500. From Buckeye, it's $130 cheaper than the 1ET6525SA, outputs a good deal more power (380W vs 230W at 8ohm), and both are essentially 'transparent' (they should sound the same). The Hypex does run quite a bit warmer, and as result consumes more power both while in use and in idle. The consensus recommendation seems to be something along the lines of "both are excellent and will sound indistinguishable so buy the amp your gut tells you to, so you won't ever look back and second guess your purchase". I think that makes sense. Unless the $130 is a deciding factor. I don't think the power difference is significant for most users, as 230W will drive most speakers in a hifi setup sufficiently.

Another often considered model in that performance tier is the Hypex Nilai 500. But that model has less options for pre-assembled purchase (as opposed to DIY), and is a few hundred dollars more expensive.

 

[Neuropsychology]

My Buckeye 1ET6525SA arrived today, excited to get home to try it out!

How is it?

 

[Neuropsychology]

I placed an order with Buckeye for the 1ET6525SA last night. Should be shipped in ~2 weeks.

I did some googling and it seems like the #1 competitor to this amp is the Hypex NCx500. From Buckeye, it's $130 cheaper than the 1ET6525SA, outputs a good deal more power (380W vs 230W at 8ohm), and both are essentially 'transparent' (they should sound the same). The Hypex does run quite a bit warmer, and as result consumes more power both while in use and in idle. The consensus recommendation seems to be something along the lines of "both are excellent and will sound indistinguishable so buy the amp your gut tells you to, so you won't ever look back and second guess your purchase". I think that makes sense. Unless the $130 is a deciding factor. I don't think the power difference is significant for most users, as 230W will drive most speakers in a hifi setup sufficiently.

Another often considered model in that performance tier is the Hypex Nilai 500. But that model has less options for pre-assembled purchase (as opposed to DIY), and is a few hundred dollars more expensive.

I ordered mine 2 weeks ago still not shipped @Buckeye Amps Can you tell I'm anxious for it? hehe.

 

[robsonj]

How is it?

Fantastic. On my old SMSL I got pretty bad distortion if I pushed up the volume much, non of that now. Speakers (LS50 Metas) sound like they have more body to me now, probably getting all the power they need now

 

[Neuropsychology]

Fantastic. On my old SMSL I got pretty bad distortion if I pushed up the volume much, non of that now. Speakers (LS50 Metas) sound like they have more body to me now, probably getting all the power they need now

That's good to hear! no pun.

 

[gilency]

I recently purchased a Hypex NCx500 stereo amp from Buckeye. I was originally after 2 second gen purifi monoblocks. Dylan talked me into the Hypex stereo amp. I was reluctant to be talked out of the Purifi direction.

I really can't believe how good the Hypex NCx500 is. It's amazing. I think I like it more than my McIntosh MC207. I like it more than my Willsenton R8 tube amp. I like it better than my Parasound Halo, Adcom, and Acurus products. It's incredible.

I am very glad to hear this as I just ordered the very same one from him last week. Thank You for the input.

 

[Ropeburn]

It really is one of those "invest once, be done with the problem for 20+ years" kind of things. The only problem (which really isn't one, long term) is that those amps are most probably complete overkill, both in quality and power, for the average home listening application - and you could probably get away with something half the cost at exactly zero perceivable penalty.

In return, some 1000 moneys (€$£) for state of the art amplification that drives just about any speaker you'll ever buy, with only a very few rare exceptions, with virtually endless power and at a quality a whole order of magnitude or three above human hearing... that's a bargain if you ask me.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

It really is one of those "invest once, be done with the problem for 20+ years" kind of things. The only problem (which really isn't one, long term) is that those amps are most probably complete overkill, both in quality and power, for the average home listening application - and you could probably get away with something half the cost at exactly zero perceivable penalty.

In return, some 1000 moneys (€$£) for state of the art amplification that drives just about any speaker you'll ever buy, with only a very few rare exceptions, with virtually endless power and at a quality a whole order of magnitude or three above human hearing... that's a bargain if you ask me.

Do you really think these modules and SMPS will generally last over 20 years?

Anyway, budget alternatives to high-end models have always existed, offering equally inaudible noise and distortion while providing the same or even greater power output. This isn't something new that Purifi, B&O, or Hypex have introduced to the market -it's always been the case with amplifiers.

 

[kyuu]

Do you really think these modules and SMPS will generally last over 20 years?

Is there any reason to assume that they won't?

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Is there any reason to assume that they won't?

I’m not saying they won’t last; I just have concerns about their overall longevity. From my experience, power bricks usually don’t last for decades, and SMPS units, like those power bricks, are often installed in tight enclosures.

These are just my personal thoughts and not backed by empirical evidence.

 

[pogo]

I just have concerns about their overall longevity. From my experience, power bricks usually don’t last for decades, and SMPS units, like those power bricks, are often installed in tight enclosures.

I agree. Here is an example of my PSU temperature. NAD uses not so tightly packed power supplies in a larger housing.

 

[Sokel]

The quality amp is a solved technology. The entire premise of this thread could be reversed to:
"Is there any reason to waste your money on Purifi 9040 modules?"
In the audio world people get carried away paying 2-3x more than they need to for zero audible difference. They typically wouldn't do the same with other purchases. They rationalize it with silly "one and done" logic when a stereo 1ET6525SA would do the same job for half the price while offering fantastic energy efficiency.

If a listener can hear a difference between a Purifi 9040 and the 1ET6525SA amp then likely it's in their imagination or one of the amps is broken.

Taking the typical 1/5 values is 150 vs 90 Watt at 4 Ohm.
I can thing of more than one instances one can use that for continuous (= more than milliseconds)

 

[Sokel]

The 1ET6525SA will provide virtually identical performance at a significantly lower cost. The differences between these amplifiers will be inaudible in most real-world scenarios. Lets take this analysis one step further.

Listeners who regularly play music at high volumes are likely to experience substantial hearing loss before their amplifier wears out. This can significantly impact their ability to enjoy music in the long term. Prolonged exposure to loud music can damage the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss. Even a single incident of listening to extremely loud sounds can cause hearing damage. The risk increases with both volume level and duration of exposure. Typical high-end amplifiers can last 5-9 years or longer with proper care. However, hearing damage from loud music can occur much more rapidly:

• Listening above 85 dB for extended periods can cause hearing loss.
• At very high volumes (>95 dB), significant damage can occur within days or weeks.

By the time an amplifier needs replacement, a frequent loud listener may have already suffered irreversible hearing damage, potentially including:

• Reduced sensitivity to certain frequencies, especially in the 4000 Hz range
• Development of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Overall diminished hearing ability across frequency ranges

Hearing loss can severely impact one's ability to perceive and enjoy the nuances in music that high-end audio equipment is designed to reproduce. Ironically, the pursuit of better sound quality through expensive equipment can easily be undermined by listening habits that damage hearing. When 75dB can be reached with 2W, you have to wonder what the outcome to the ears will be with a 1000W amp and users who want to try to push healthy listening limits.

I'm with you at hearing concerns,I say it all the time.
But all set ups are not the same,there a good portion of 82-85dB sens full range speakers out there and listening distances,RC,EQ,etc varies wildly.
We also have to state the correct weighting when we talk about SPL.(A) is wolrds away from (Z) in a bass-heavy-ish work.

On top of that we have to define about what SPL we talk about.
Two examples of mine,tell me the levels I'm listening to:



Bedřich Smetana's - Má Vlast: Vltava,LSO



Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Capriccio Espagnole by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra,
Op.34 -4. Scena e canto gitano and Op.34 -5. Fandango Asturiano

You see there's more than one parameter to consider.

 

[Sokel]

High SPL can be anything. It doesn't need to be constant. When your Apple Watch loud environment alert goes off it could be the organist in Church being unhealthy with the congregation, a jackhammer, a plane, a fire alarm, your stereo or an action movie in a theatre. Whether we know it or not, we select how much of our hearing we lose and how quickly with the environmental choices we subject our ears to. No one likes to think of it that way - but it's reality.

Apart from that though,the rest is only a choice.One can calculate its needs and decide either for the bare minimum or for ample peace of mind.
Peaks WILL try to reach their intended level.The question is if amps and speakers are capable of it and present it as is or in the form of clipping,distortion,etc.

Sanity for levels is always a factor of course,but is a choice outside the strict electronic terms.

 

[sapphari]

Purifi + ICON = killer setup

I've had this pair (Buckeye Purifi) for a few days now, and I don't yet know if I have a defective amp or not, but this combo is not working for me. I'm getting humming from ch1 of the amp, and this humming changes behavior depending on how the amp is connected to the Icon.

The Purifi is also giving some weird behavior where sometimes it will not turn on if ch1 of the amp is connected to either (L or R) output of the Icon. The amp always turns on if not connected to the Icon via ch1 (if only ch2 is connected, the amp will turn on without issue). It's quite odd. But the two units are not playing nice together

I've reached out to Buckeye to see if anything can be done about this. I'm guessing it's related to Icon's floating ground (based on the humming). Worth noting that I did not have this behavior with my previous amp (a Crown, also using XLR connection).

 

[Buckeye Amps]

I've had this pair (Buckeye Purifi) for a few days now, and I don't yet know if I have a defective amp or not, but this combo is not working for me. I'm getting humming from ch1 of the amp, and this humming changes behavior depending on how the amp is connected to the Icon.

The Purifi is also giving some weird behavior where sometimes it will not turn on if ch1 of the amp is connected to either (L or R) output of the Icon. The amp always turns on if not connected to the Icon via ch1 (if only ch2 is connected, the amp will turn on without issue). It's quite odd. But the two units are not playing nice together

I've reached out to Buckeye to see if anything can be done about this. I'm guessing it's related to Icon's floating ground (based on the humming). Worth noting that I did not have this behavior with my previous amp (a Crown, also using XLR connection).

Just responded to your email. There has been a weird XLR issue reported to me by a few Icon owners but based on a link to a forum discussion one of the owners provided that centered on the Icon (not our amps), there seems to be a known XLR issue/incompatibility other owners are having with other amps as well.

 

[pogo]

On a NAD C298 Purifi the ICONs run without any problems.
Have you already tried the additional grounding?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Another tidbit to add, users who are connecting via the RCA Outputs (and using RCA to XLR cables) do not have any issues (even on the same unit that might give them issues when using the XLR Outputs)

 

[pogo]

You will only need an additional ground connection. All you need to do is connect the ground on the ICON from an RCA connection, ... to the power amplifier. XLR can then also be used for these devices.