Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX Review

[Matias]

Except @Rick63 emphasized reliability, as such I would caution him on the Hypex MP series as there are more than sufficient reports on it's questionable reliability. There are few threads here that talks about the MP's reliability, which Rick63 can do some research on his own to assess for himself.

And if one is not getting the MP series, then it's not that much cost effective comparatively.

Also, if visual aesthetic matters, the Schiit is a better looking amp from my personal taste POV.

With that being said, heads up there may some members here (two specific individuals) who may attack me for bringing the MP's reliability issue back out from under the rug. Whatever they plan to say, I have already replied in other threads. And so to be respectful to the moderator, if they do attack me, I won't reply but know that I am giving them a silent **** you.

See this and the post above it.

Class D amp long term reliability

Age? (not yours, the amps). NAD c298- 2020, March Audio p252 - 2018

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[PristineSound]

See this and the post above it.

Class D amp long term reliability

Age? (not yours, the amps). NAD c298- 2020, March Audio p252 - 2018

www.audiosciencereview.com

And see this:

Class D amp long term reliability

I think the very obvious point is that the anecdotal evidence alone does not present a strong enough case at this stage, but backed up by Tibor's report, based on what must be a very reasonable amount of data and the technical analysis he has provided to explain that data, we can definitely see...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Rick63]

See for yourself:

Buckeye Nc502mp Review (6 Channel Amplifer)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye Hypex NC502MP based, 6-channel amplifier. It was kindly purchased and drop shipped to me by our dear moderator, @AdamG247. I don't know what it costs. Not sure what there is to say about the case: Or the back panel: Other than...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Schiit Vidar 2 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Vidar 2 stereo/mono class AB amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $799. Nice to see Schiit (finally) put a stand-by switch in the front. They usually have only a power button in the back. Being a class AB amplifier...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you. I was already familiar with both of those reviews, but I wish Amir had reviewed the 2 channel model Buckeye amp (though I don't know if it would measure any different than the 6 channel?)

 

[Matias]

Thank you. I was already familiar with both of those reviews, but I wish Amir had reviewed the 2 channel model Buckeye amp (though I don't know if it would likely measure any difference than the 6 channel?)

He measured 2 adjacent channels which mean the 2 channels of the same module. The others next to it are just sitting there idling.

 

[Rick63]

And so to be respectful to the moderator, if they do attack me, I won't reply but know that I am giving them a silent **** you.

I cannot stand for and have a zero tolerance policy for folks attacking others on online forums so be sure, if I see any of that I'll report it immediately!!

 

[Rick63]

Oops, for some reason the forum double posted my previous post.

 

[Mort]

would caution him on the Hypex MP series as there are more than sufficient reports on it's questionable reliability.

According to you only. When will you stop

 

[PristineSound]

I cannot stand for and have a zero tolerance policy for folks attacking others on online forums so be sure, if I see any of that I'll report it immediately!!

For some people, they have such pride of ownership that they feel the need to police the internet to defend any criticism of the products they own. Anyway, no fail as predicted, one of them started the defensive campaign of reputation protection by way of discrediting. I think he runs a search on the forum every few hours to make sure no one talks bad about the Hypex MP. Mortifying chap if you ask me.

 

[audioje]

To those that own these speakers, I'm curious as to what you power them with?

I have dual Fosi V3 monoblocks and I know they'll be just fine with the LX power
-wise. But whether warranted or not, I do have some fears about them failing and damaging my speakers. By all accounts so far the V3s appear to reliable, but it's the long term reliability that I have concerns over.

Therefore, there's a pretty good chance in the near future I'll be purchasing a Schiit Vidar 2 to power them. I've been looking at it for quite awhile and may finally pull the trigger. The only thing I don't like is that it only has a single XLR input instead of dual.

I still use Topping PA5ii and it has more than enough power for my usage. Once it gives out, I may get a Buckeye. However, I know I won't be able to tell the difference.

 

[rheology]

I use the 2-channel 252MP from Buckeye for my LX and love it. No issues. They play loud and clear when I need them to.

 

[Rick63]

Thanks for the replies so far guys!

For now I'm going to hold off on researching amps. Since a couple of you have mentioned using 40-50 watt amps with the LXs with good results, and Dave himself says the recommended minimum wattage at my listening distance of 6.5 ft is 33 watts, I'm going to wait and see how I like the Mission 778X powering them once I get it back from Amir. Perhaps it will prove to be enough amp for the speakers in my smallish room, and at the levels I listen to (rarely above 80-85db average). One of the main reasons I was thinking a more powerful amp would be good for these speakers was perhaps better control over the woofers when I can crank it up a bit?

 

[PristineSound]

Thanks for the replies so far guys!

For now I'm going to hold off on researching amps. Since a couple of you have mentioned using 40-50 watt amps with the LXs with good results, and Dave himself says the recommended minimum wattage at my listening distance of 6.5 ft is 33 watts, I'm going to wait and see how I like the Mission 778X powering them once I get it back from Amir. Perhaps it will prove to be enough amp for the speakers in my smallish room, and at the levels I listen to (rarely above 80-85db average). One of the main reasons I was thinking a more powerful amp would be good for these speakers was perhaps better control over the woofers when I can crank it up a bit?

View attachment 519195

I have about 100wpc, in a smallish room. I don't play loud, but I still don't think I would go under 70w.

 

[Rick63]

I have about 100wpc, in a smallish room. I don't play loud, but I still don't think I would go under 70w.

Thanks!

See, that's the problem. From the research I've done it's about 50/50 on folks saying 40-50 watts is enough and the other saying more is needed. Even Dave says 33 watts is enough.

Since I have the V3 monoblocks already and I'll soon get the Mission back from Amir, I'll just have to find out for myself by trying them both. If I decide I need the extra power over the Mission, I'll then look into a different amp. I'm retired so I have nothing but time on my side (hopefully).

 

[PristineSound]

Thanks!

See, that's the problem. From the research I've done it's about 50/50 on folks saying 40-50 watts is enough and the other saying more is needed. Even Dave says 33 watts is enough.

Since I have the V3 monoblocks already and I'll soon get the Mission back from Amir, I'll just have to find out for myself by trying them both. I'm retired so I have nothing but time on my side (hopefully).

I'll explain why I am on the camp of more power.

• Headroom will push the clipping threshold far out.
• Music is dynamic, there are peaks. You want enough headroom for this peak and because for every 3dB increase in SPL, you need to double your power, having 10x the power of average listening isn't unreasonable. By that calculation 33w sound reasonable, hence Dave made that recommendation. I personally like 20x-40x because I like headroom in the event I'm in the mood to jam it up.

When I had the LX, I ran it with an amp that 100wpc into 8ohm.

 

[Rick63]

• Music is dynamic, there are peaks. You want enough headroom for this peak and because for every 3dB increase in SPL, you need to double your power, having 10x the power of average listening isn't unreasonable. By that calculation 33w sound reasonable, hence Dave made that recommendation. I personally like 20x-40x because I like headroom in the event I'm in the mood to jam it up.

That's pretty much what I was thinking myself originally. Sometimes it easy to do too much research online and get analysis paralysis.

Like I said I'll have both amps to find out, can't wait to get the speakers to see which I prefer.

 

[wadude]

That's pretty much what I was thinking myself originally. Sometimes it easy to do too much research online and get analysis paralysis.

Like I said I'll have both amps to find out, can't wait to get the speakers to see which I prefer.

Looking forward to reading your assessment of the Sierra LX, also how the power difference affects your experience. Personally, moving from 40 to 150 watts really solidified the bass.

 

[elsonido]

My LX rock on a WiiM amp ultra crossed at 70 and using eq. No headroom or volume issues. A lot of listening at about 12’ from source as well.

 

[Rick63]

 

[Rick63]

 

[Rick63]