Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

[KMO]

In these small enclosures, with their efficient amplifiers, the metal of the case is part of the thermal solution an a way that it's not for something bigger with internal finned heatsinks relying more on internal airflow. So they will feel warmer.

 

[bmwr75]

After about 6 hours of continuous operation, the case temperature at the warmest spot was only 106F/41C.

 

[Billy Budapest]

Didn't the VTV Purifi with Weiss op amps measure worse than the eval buffer?

I think the VTV Purifi units generally measured slightly worse than the EVAL1 units, no matter what opamps were used in the VTV. But that’s neither here nor there.

 

[Rottmannash]

I think the VTV Purifi units generally measured slightly worse than the EVAL1 units, no matter what opamps were used in the VTV. But that’s neither here nor there.

It's relevant if the measured performance degrades using the Weiss op amps vs the eval 1 buffer. But looking back at the review w/ Sparkos op amps it appears there were other issues which degraded the performance but not the op amps. AFAIK no buffer has measured better than the OG Eval 1.

 

[Billy Budapest]

It's relevant if the measured performance degrades using the Weiss op amps vs the eval 1 buffer. But looking back at the review w/ Sparkos op amps it appears there were other issues which degraded the performance but not the op amps. AFAIK no buffer has measured better than the OG Eval 1.

What I am trying to say is that how one opamp performs in one circuit isn’t necessarily indicative of how it will perform in another. That the Weiss had increased noise or distortion in VTV’s Purifi implementation over the EVAL1 doesn’t mean it will necessarily have higher noise or distortion in Apollon’s NCx500 buffer circuit.

 

[KlausH]

I have a NAD M22 that I bought in 2015, which I believe would make it the first generation. I find the Apollon intriguing but wonder if it would be a worthwhile upgrade from the M22. Any insights? Anyone here upgrade to recent Hypex or Purifi from M22 who could share what to expect from such an upgrade? Thanks

 

[Julf]

I have a NAD M22 that I bought in 2015, which I believe would make it the first generation. I find the Apollon intriguing but wonder if it would be a worthwhile upgrade from the M22. Any insights? Anyone here upgrade to recent Hypex or Purifi from M22 who could share what to expect from such an upgrade? Thanks

You are unlikely to have any audible improvement.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I have a NAD M22 that I bought in 2015, which I believe would make it the first generation. I find the Apollon intriguing but wonder if it would be a worthwhile upgrade from the M22. Any insights? Anyone here upgrade to recent Hypex or Purifi from M22 who could share what to expect from such an upgrade? Thanks

You are unlikely to have any audible improvement.

Agree, I’d spent the money on something else.

 

[Head_Unit]

Damn, 500w into 4 ohms before the knee. Who needs this kind of power for speakers?

Well, if you look at that Purifi reference design, it's great except they say 84 dB sensitivity. If you want to use the linear output power it purports to be capable of then a cheap AVR probably won't be the best
I'd like to see Purifi do a bigger, higher sensitivity woofer mated to a bigger horn but I guess that's another thread.

 

[sarieri]

I wonder what is the difference between the original R0 of NCx500 and its R1 revision. It looks like on the R1 amp board two caps are taken away comparing to the orignal R0. The modules reviewed in ASR so far seems to be all R0s (starting with 00xx).

 

[marcus_ec]

Just ordered one with silver case. Can't wait!

 

[WiFiHiFi]

Hi All and apologies if this question is better suited elsewhere but if I was looking to use my AVR's pre-outs to feed this power amp, would the gain settings work with the following pre out levels i.e. 2.6 V/1.2 kohms?

 

[WiFiHiFi]

Hi All and apologies if this question is better suited elsewhere but if I was looking to use my AVR's pre-outs to feed this power amp, would the gain settings work with the following pre out levels i.e. 2.6 V/1.2 kohms?

Unbalanced of course

 

[antcollinet]

Hi All and apologies if this question is better suited elsewhere but if I was looking to use my AVR's pre-outs to feed this power amp, would the gain settings work with the following pre out levels i.e. 2.6 V/1.2 kohms?

Yes, with the biggest gain setting (29dB) and 2.6V out of the preamp, you get 73V out from the amp. Enough for 650+W at 8ohm. Clearly more than enough, you'd probably want one of the lower settings.

 

[WiFiHiFi]

Yes, with the biggest gain setting (29dB) and 2.6V out of the preamp, you get 73V out from the amp. Enough for 650+W at 8ohm. Clearly more than enough, you'd probably want one of the lower settings.

Thank you @antcollinet , appreciate the guidance.
I’m finally looking to get some clean power, and saw this as a good first step -using my existing integrated amp as a preamp. Next step a DAC/preamp. Are the topping DACs suitable when used in preamp mode or are they at their best used as a pure DAC?
Thanks again!

 

[antcollinet]

Thank you @antcollinet , appreciate the guidance.
I’m finally looking to get some clean power, and saw this as a good first step -using my existing integrated amp as a preamp. Next step a DAC/preamp. Are the topping DACs suitable when used in preamp mode or are they at their best used as a pure DAC?
Thanks again!

Topping dacs will be fine in preamp mode.

Also consider something like a MiniDSP Flex, which could also do room EQ for you.

 

[WiFiHiFi]

Topping dacs will be fine in preamp mode.

Also consider something like a MiniDSP Flex, which could also do room EQ for you.

Now you have me down a new rabbit hole of subwoofer integration and DSP crossovers!

 

[antcollinet]

Now you have me down a new rabbit hole of subwoofer integration and DSP crossovers!

Yep, it will do that for you too

 

[marcus_ec]

Is it ok with low gain settings with my Lyngdorf DPA-1?

Balanced output8.8Vrms

 

[antcollinet]

Is it ok with low gain settings with my Lyngdorf DPA-1?

Balanced output8.8Vrms

12.8dB = x4.37 = 38.5V ouput = 185W into 8 ohms / 370W into 4 ohm.

Proably about spot on - plenty of power while still well away from clipping. If you wanted to get the maximum power out though you'd need to go to the second gain setting.