Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

[Apollon Audio]

Does your company not ship to USA?

View attachment 310779

This is from your website.

Absolutely, we ship globally. To ensure accurate shipping cost calculations, please provide the correct postal code and complete shipping details when checking out on our website.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Who cares?

It depends on context. I don't think there's any danger of confusion here, but when talking about computer storage or transfer speeds for instance, the distinction between Mb and MB is crucial.

 

[chucky7]

Absolutely, we ship globally. To ensure accurate shipping cost calculations, please provide the correct postal code and complete shipping details when checking out on our website.

Ah! Got it! I have to input the city AND zip, otherwise the shipping cost won't appear. Thanks.

 

[AudioSceptic]

This is the NCx500 DM Lux version.

Just look at this beauty. Most likely going to put an order in next few months after I sort out what I want my end game to be.


View attachment 310611View attachment 310609

Indeed, although I would go for 2x mono, so they can be near the speakers with short cables.

 

[Billy Budapest]

You can never have too much pizza, sex, or power...

Pizza can be a bit bad for the waistline. I don’t see any negatives for the other two on your list.

 

[Billy Budapest]

In addition to premium casework, I think the more expensive models are mostly dual (or multi) mono configurations and slightly different chipsets (NCx500 vs NCx500ST).

What is the NCx500ST? Have not heard of it before.

 

[AudioSceptic]

What is the NCx500ST? Have not heard of it before.

You haven't gone to the website? <https://apollonaudio.com/product/hypex-ncx500-apollon-mini-stereo-amplifier/?

 

[Apollon Audio]

What is the NCx500ST? Have not heard of it before.

The NCx500ST denotes the stereo version of the NCx500, equipped with a single Hypex SMPS 1200 power supply and two NCx500 modules. Alternatively, there's the NCx500DM, a dual mono variant, which features two Hypex SMPS 1200 power supplies. We also offer two enclosure options: a basic design, as seen in the reviewed amplifier, and a luxurious version constructed from 10mm-thick aluminum all around.

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

Hypex NCx500 ST Lux Stereo Amplifier | Apollon Audio Hypex Purifi Premium Amplifiers

apollonaudio.com

Hypex NCx500 DM Dual Mono Stereo Amplifier

The Hypex NCOREx NCx500 True Dual Mono Amplifier by Apollon Audio utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier modules as its core. The Hypex NCx500 provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

Apollon Hypex NCx500 NCOREx Lux Dual Mono Amplifier

The Apollon Audio Hypex NCx500 Lux Dual Mono Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module and provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

 

[CleanSound]

.We also offer two enclosure options: a basic design, as seen in the reviewed amplifier, and a luxurious version constructed from 10mm-thick aluminum all around

And for this who are curious, the "basic" design is pretty damn luxurious in itself. One of the best looking case work for "basic."

 

[Billy Budapest]

You haven't gone to the website? <https://apollonaudio.com/product/hypex-ncx500-apollon-mini-stereo-amplifier/?

I understand that. However, the commentator above that I was responding to noted that there are two different chipsets.

 

[Billy Budapest]

The NCx500ST denotes the stereo version of the NCx500, equipped with a single Hypex SMPS 1200 power supply and two NCx500 modules. Alternatively, there's the NCx500DM, a dual mono variant, which features two Hypex SMPS 1200 power supplies. We also offer two enclosure options: a basic design, as seen in the reviewed amplifier, and a luxurious version constructed from 10mm-thick aluminum all around.

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

Hypex NCx500 ST Lux Stereo Amplifier | Apollon Audio Hypex Purifi Premium Amplifiers

apollonaudio.com

Hypex NCx500 DM Dual Mono Stereo Amplifier

The Hypex NCOREx NCx500 True Dual Mono Amplifier by Apollon Audio utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier modules as its core. The Hypex NCx500 provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

Apollon Hypex NCx500 NCOREx Lux Dual Mono Amplifier

The Apollon Audio Hypex NCx500 Lux Dual Mono Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module and provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

Thanks. So the forum member I was responding to misunderstood the nomenclature and thought that NCx500ST was a different module that the NCx500. That in turn led to my confusion.

 

[Billy Budapest]

And for this who are curious, the "basic" design is pretty damn luxurious in itself. One of the best looking case work for "basic."

Agreed. I actually prefer the basic casework. It has a neat sense of style.

 

[David_M]

The NCx500ST denotes the stereo version of the NCx500, equipped with a single Hypex SMPS 1200 power supply and two NCx500 modules. Alternatively, there's the NCx500DM, a dual mono variant, which features two Hypex SMPS 1200 power supplies. We also offer two enclosure options: a basic design, as seen in the reviewed amplifier, and a luxurious version constructed from 10mm-thick aluminum all around.

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

Hypex NCx500 ST Lux Stereo Amplifier | Apollon Audio Hypex Purifi Premium Amplifiers

apollonaudio.com

Hypex NCx500 DM Dual Mono Stereo Amplifier

The Hypex NCOREx NCx500 True Dual Mono Amplifier by Apollon Audio utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier modules as its core. The Hypex NCx500 provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

Apollon Hypex NCx500 NCOREx Lux Dual Mono Amplifier

The Apollon Audio Hypex NCx500 Lux Dual Mono Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module and provides abundant power and remarkable precision.

apollonaudio.com

1. At what THD+N distortion levels do you rate your power specs for 8, 4, and 2 ohms?

2. What is the advantage of using Purifi modules instead of these Hypex ones? Are the two modules audibly distinguishable? if so, which one sounds better?

 

[Apollon Audio]

1. At what THD+N distortion levels do you rate your power specs for 8, 4, and 2 ohms?

2. What is the advantage of using Purifi modules instead of these Hypex ones? Are the two modules audibly distinguishable? if so, which one sounds better?

Our power specifications are rated at 1% THD+N.

Comparatively, the NCx500 exhibits superior performance metrics relative to the Purifi 1ET400A in power and measurements. However, their performance profiles are so closely matched that distinguishing between them becomes quite nuanced. While some individuals characterize the Purifi as having a more musical tonality, others prefer the sound of the NCx500, finding it more punchy and revealing, though such assessments are inherently subjective. Both options offer exemplary sonic performance. From an objective standpoint, either choice is commendable. My preference leans towards the NCx500 due to its greater power availability.

 

[David_M]

Our power specifications are rated at 1% THD+N.

Comparatively, the NCx500 exhibits superior performance metrics relative to the Purifi 1ET400A in power and measurements. However, their performance profiles are so closely matched that distinguishing between them becomes quite nuanced. While some individuals characterize the Purifi as having a more musical tonality, others prefer the sound of the NCx500, finding it more punchy and revealing, though such assessments are inherently subjective. Both options offer exemplary sonic performance. From an objective standpoint, either choice is commendable. My preference leans towards the NCx500 due to its greater power availability.

Thank you for this ... Listening to Bruno, it seemed to him that something was wrong with present-day Class D amps which inspired him to create the 1ET400 amplifier. From what you are saying, there seem to be no inherent advantages the Purifi amps have over the Hypex amps.

 

[Apollon Audio]

Thank you for this ... Listening to Bruno, it seemed to him that something was wrong with present-day Class D amps which inspired him to create the 1ET400 amplifier. From what you are saying, there seem to be no inherent advantages the Purifi amps have over the Hypex amps.

Please note that while Purifi surpasses earlier Hypex models, the recent NCx500 and Nilai modules from Hypex are on par with Purifi.

 

[Mnyb]

How does the sparkos op amp measure ? Excuse me if i missad it in the posted graph ?

 

[DualTriode]

I don't like the curved side corners. Not a major flaw, just not good industrial design IMHO.

The more I see class-D amps filling the top ranks of the amplifier ratings, the more respect I have for Benchmark in designing a class AB amp that is right up there with them. I think class AB design and manufacturing to that exalted standard is very difficult. Seems to me that once the methods for top-quality class D amps have been worked out, it's somewhat easier to achieve this level of performance - especially if you are going to use a Hypex or Purifi module.

Good amps all sound good. I don't think there's an inherent sonic advantage in choosing class-D or class-AB; but class-D does have power consumption, weight and heat advantages over traditional class-AB designs.

If this DUT had Neutrik SpeakON Connectors I would consider the purchase.

​

 

[anome]

Then that would be the option to choose on your purchase.

 

[Doodski]

What you are saying has nothing to do with class D, and everything to do with the way these amps are mounted in their cases.

It has everything to do with class D because this is the way they are constructed for home audio use.