Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

[CleanSound]

The TV is wall-mounted above the credenza. Like this: https://hecklerdesign.com/en-ca/collections/av-credenzas (although they no longer make the particular model I have).

So there is a cover to the credenza. Very unique setup, it must look very sleek, it's giving me ideas if I ever get a new space.

 

[mshapcotte]

So there is a cover to the credenza. Very unique setup, it must look very sleek, it's giving me ideas if I ever get a new space.

Yes. 'Protrudes very little into the room, which is nice to open up the space a bit more, and mounts over all the outlets such that the only visible cables are those going to the speakers.

 

[Iceee]

I spoke directly to Okto and Apollon, if someone needs this useful info:

ideal gain on Apolon Ncx500 for all Okto dacs is 20.5db (4Vrms), cause Both Okto dac stereo & pro (8ch) put out 4.2V. So you use all the power from amp at 20.5db gain setting . Pavel from Okto also mentioned that only test unit dac (8ch) vas 3.3v, that is no longer the case.

 

[Ruready]

Hello
Picture from Amirm does not look the same as what I find in Apollon website

Hypex NCx500 ST NCOREx Stereo Amplifier

The Apollon Audio NCx500 Stereo Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module as its core. This exceptional technology provides abundant power and remarkable precision, making it an ideal choice for discerning audiophiles and professional studioapplications.

apollonaudio.com

Is that the amplifier of this review ?

Photo of this review :

and from Apollon website :

The one from Apollon website looks smaller. For example focus at the gap between speaker connector and power supply plug...
I'm confused

 

[Sokel]

Hello
Picture from Amirm does not look the same as what I find in Apollon website

Hypex NCx500 ST NCOREx Stereo Amplifier

The Apollon Audio NCx500 Stereo Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module as its core. This exceptional technology provides abundant power and remarkable precision, making it an ideal choice for discerning audiophiles and professional studioapplications.

apollonaudio.com

Is that the amplifier of this review ?

Photo of this review :
View attachment 341599

and from Apollon website :
View attachment 341602The one from Apollon website looks smaller. For example focus at the gap between speaker connector and power supply plug...
I'm confused

The Apollon website one looks like a purifi amp,not Hypex,it says 1ET400A ST.

 

[CleanSound]

The Apollon website one looks like a purifi amp,not Hypex,it says 1ET400A ST.

That's right, there pictures are "stock" aren't the exact ones for each product.

 

[lordhumungous]

You know I had a few class D amps when they first came out and I thought they were terrible .
The new generation Class D amps are quite a revelation .

Schitt Audio used to say Class D amps sounded like “ass” .

You can’t say that anymore .

 

[CleanSound]

Schitt Audio used to say Class D amps sounded like “ass” .

They also peddle a lot of snake oil. Their equipment has their power switches on the back. Why? Because it was "designed" to be on all the time to feed into the audiophool nonsense of "warm up time," so by keeping the equipment on all the time, the equipment is always warmed up. They also claimed that multibut DAC chips sound better, well what evidence is that based on? What is the science behind why it sounds better?

As far as I am concerned, Cass D's sonic performance has a wide range, just like Class A or Class A/B, some are bad some are good, it all dependent on the engineering of the design. The only argument I can see people making is the Class D produces more noise as a result of the PWM method of switching, but that doesn't seem to show up in any measurements. If I am wrong, I would love for someone to show me with scientific facts and evidence.

 

[Iceee]

In case someone needs info about Apollon ncx500 volt(s) for every gain:

12.8dB = 11.5Vrms
20,5dB = 4Vrms
27,5dB = 2,4Vrms
29dB = 2Vrms

 

[Acerun]

In case someone needs info about Apollon ncx500 volt(s) for every gain:

12.8dB = 11.5Vrms
20,5dB = 4Vrms
27,5dB = 2,4Vrms
29dB = 2Vrms

So 2 volts out of a Denon receiver RCA Out gets us 245 w per channel into 8 ohms if I'm not mistaken with around 105 SINAD.

 

[da Choge]

So 2 volts out of a Denon receiver RCA Out gets us 245 w per channel into 8 ohms if I'm not mistaken with around 105 SINAD.

Don't have a clue about the math (or the energy to figure that out right now; kudos to you!), but that sounds pretty nice. The Denon would be the limiting factor as far as SINAD, I assume. The question is which Denon?; a Denon integrated stereo receiver, 4800H, 8500, A110, or the A1H? (I've got the A110).

 

[Acerun]

Don't have a clue about the math (or the energy to figure that out right now; kudos to you!), but that sounds pretty nice. The Denon would be the limiting factor as far as SINAD, I assume. The question is which Denon?; a Denon integrated stereo receiver, 4800H, 8500, A110, or the A1H? (I've got the A110).

X8500H this what I have and it doesn't degrade very much between 1.45 and 2 volts out

 

[Jeti_DS]

Hello, I own a Marantz Cinema 40 and I am thinking about an external amplifier upgrade like the Apollon, for my KEF R11 because the lowest impedance ist around 3.2 ohm.

If I interpret Amirm's results correctly, the receiver has its best SINAD at 2V.
ASR Marantz Cinema 40

What gain setting will bei the best? How much amplifier power can be expected

 

[Julf]

Hello, I own a Marantz Cinema 40 and I am thinking about an external amplifier upgrade like the Apollon, for my KEF R11 because the lowest impedance ist around 3.2 ohm.

If I interpret Amirm's results correctly, the receiver has its best SINAD at 2V.
ASR Marantz Cinema 40

What gain setting will bei the best? How much amplifier power can be expected

 

[traind]

Forgive me dropping the audiophile quotient down a notch or two in this thread but I have a few basic questions. I recently bought an integrated streaming amplifier, the Arcam SA30, that I will be returning. I liked the sound but the streaming stability turned out to be poor and that's too frustrating for that amount of money. So I am looking at options. I started with other integrateds but am also exploring my first "two box" solution. So I could try something like the Yamaha R N1000 as an all in one solution or I could go with something like the Apollon and pair it with perhaps a Node X for just about the same price as the Yamaha. I was looking at the Apollon Hypex NC502MP Stereo Amplifier which is a little less money but still has a lot of power. I am powering a stereo set up for music and movies, two tower speakers that are 92db sensitivity I think.

Would the Node X and Apollon pair well?

What advantages would that pairing present vs an integrated like the Yamaha?

What disadvantages would that pairing present vs an integrated like the Yamaha?

I know it would have lots more power/dynamic headroom but I am not sure how much I need that. My seat distance is about 10 feet, room is not that large at 14x 12 feet and I generally like to listen somewhere in the 80-85 db range. I do at times listen to some dynamic music--classical.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide!

 

[DimensionX]

@traind I'm using an Apollon with a Wiim Pro as a streamer and a phono pre into the Wiim and it works just fine.

IMO the advantage of a two box solution is that streaming tech may change rapidly and I may want a new one in a few years, but I don't expect amp tech to change as much. An expensive integrated may be out of date or partially out of date quickly and my streamer was cheap so I don't mind replacing that when something new comes around.

This amp has more than enough power for almost any use case

 

[traind]

@traind I'm using an Apollon with a Wiim Pro as a streamer and a phono pre into the Wiim and it works just fine.

IMO the advantage of a two box solution is that streaming tech may change rapidly and I may want a new one in a few years, but I don't expect amp tech to change as much. An expensive integrated may be out of date or partially out of date quickly and my streamer was cheap so I don't mind replacing that when something new comes around.

This amp has more than enough power for almost any use case

Thank you for sharing that. Does the amp come on automatically via the trigger when you stream through the Wiim Pro?

 

[Mnyb]

@traind I'm using an Apollon with a Wiim Pro as a streamer and a phono pre into the Wiim and it works just fine.

IMO the advantage of a two box solution is that streaming tech may change rapidly and I may want a new one in a few years, but I don't expect amp tech to change as much. An expensive integrated may be out of date or partially out of date quickly and my streamer was cheap so I don't mind replacing that when something new comes around.

This amp has more than enough power for almost any use case

+1
Even if amp tech changes humans don’t this kind of performance is above the human hearing acuity. So you can use it until it falls apart or if you somehow manage to find a speaker it can’t handle ?

Streamer may need a change for all kinds of “other” reasons, a new service or format may show up , advances in WiFi the support from the brand stops etc etc ....

 

[mike70]

Even if amp tech changes humans don’t this kind of performance is above the human hearing acuity

That's soooo true ... the actual SOTA is just above the transparent border for us.
You can change your amplifier in the future, but it won't be for a real better sound.

 

[DimensionX]

Thank you for sharing that. Does the amp come on automatically via the trigger when you stream through the Wiim Pro?

The amp has a different power button, but you can set the Wiim to automatically sense inputs. I leave the Wiim on at all times. I switch between my TV, phono, and streaming via Tidal and don't need to enter the wiim menu to change inputs. I turn my amp off at the end of the night, but that might not be super necessary. I've had other Class D amps that I just left on at all times, not sure if that is recommended for this amp or not.

Overall, i've been very happy with the amp and I've decided to sell my tube amps because of it. My tube amps sound great, but will require work to maintain, are power hogs(bonus heat source though) and limit my speaker choice.