I received my Apollon amp yesterday, their implementation of the Hypex NCx500 ST NCOREx Stereo Amp. No owner's manual nor power cord (I need 117VAC, US). It's probably OK since connecting to it is similar to other amps. I am using a 14 gauge cord that's good for up to 15 amps. But it is a bit strange.
I bought it as the backup for the ML #27, which is 30+ years old. The Apollon will fill this role nicely and for a fraction of the cost of a class A or A/B amp with a similar drive, $1.2K vs ??? Amir's findings are so good, I had to give it a try.
I listened to this amp today with my SP-6 preamp and Revel f108 speakers (full range). I sit about 2m from the speakers. I normally listen about 85-90 dB at listening position. I've measured the voltage on the speakers in real time. I found the max power I'm calling for is around 10 watts. Not much. Comparison amp is my old and trusty ML #27 with new blue can capacitors in the PS.
Here's my impressions after only an hour of critical listening... The Apollon sounds airier than the ML, but there's no sibilance or accentuated highs. It doesn't have the same bass impact. But male voices were very clear and human-sounding. It's a good break from the darker ML sound. I'm running boh amps at the same gain, which is about 26dB. More listening definitely needed as the differences are quite small and may moderate after longer listening. I am assuming that there's no "break-in" involvbed. My overall impression is that this is a very clear and clean amp with a quite neutral presentation, but not cold and clinical.
I did have to pay an additional $140 for the new US tariff. This is a big concern as a lot of gear is more expensive than the Apollon amp. Speakers for example.
I've been listening to this amp for about 12 days as I alternated it with my ML #27. Here are my impressions from this longer listening period.
- Runs as cool as the ML#27 at the same power output.
- No extraneous noises like on/off pops, clicking relays, grunts and groans. It is ready to go right after turn-on. The #27 is noisier and lets out a tiny thud through the right speaker on turn-off.
- Balanced connections are straightforward and easy to make and break. I didn't try the RCA inputs.
- Very small and lightweight compared to the #27.
- Quite neutral. I couldn't detect any sound signature. It does not seem to have the "weight" that the #27 has. This is clearly a personal, vague and very subjective feeling but it it the best description I can come up with. I never heard even the slightest indication of distortion from the amp.
- Long listening sessions weren't "fatiguing".
- No deficiencies in any part of the audio spectrum. None. It is not particular about genre.
- The four gain choices are a very good feature as they allow one to adjust the gain so that the preamp is operating at its quietest and least distorted setting.
- I always ran at normal listening level at an output of 20 watts or under. I can't comment on higher power operation.
- Great back-up for my aging #27.
Am I now going to replace the ML #27 with this guy? No, not right now. I am too emotionally attached to it. Unless I decide I want a tube amp when the #27 fails for good, this little Apollon beast is my next amp.
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