Audiophonics HPA-S400ET Review (Stereo Amplifier)

[cicastol]

Hi, I need some help.

I use a Topping A90 as a preamp connected via XLR to the Audiophonics HPAS400ET.

I use the “M” gain setting on the Topping (+6dB).

I'm using this configuration (bypass, A90 medium gain) and IMHO is the best.

 

[Salt]

A source with low output impedance and 8-10 V max output voltage should be able to drive the amplifier module flawless without buffer.

 

[wyup]

You need a powerful preamplifier to drive the high load of 4.4 kΩ, with an output impedance as low as possible to drive it with enough current and capable of 9V. For this I would choose a preamp with dedicated substantial transformers.

Topping Pre90 and D90 preamps might be a toy for this load. They have low output impedance and high voltage output level at high gain, but how can it pull oscillating current at low voltages, that's to say normal volumes?
I never liked Topping Pre90 or D90 because they both hide in specs that they have a low input impedance of 2 kΩ in XLR. What do you do if you have a ladder dac like a Denafrips Ares of 1.2 kΩ output impedance? It can't drive the Pre90, so the problems start there.

Everybody seems to use these Topping preamps with the Purifi. If you want to bypass the input buffer opamps, which are no substitute for a proper preamplifier by the way, choose a powerful one. Not just low output impedance or high brute voltage, but 'cojones' from the transformer to pull from the load at low voltages. The input buffer from the Audiophonics using opamps and big value resistors is the easy way to bring up the impedance, but this is rather a compromise (noise from the resistors and the opamps changing the sound).

This is my two cents.

 

[JohnnyNG]

You need a powerful preamplifier to drive the high load of 4.4 kΩ, with an output impedance as low as possible to drive it with enough current and capable of 9V. For this I would choose a preamp with dedicated substantial transformers.

Topping Pre90 and D90 preamps might be a toy for this load. They have low output impedance and high voltage output level at high gain, but how can it pull oscillating current at low voltages, that's to say normal volumes?
I never liked Topping Pre90 or D90 because they both hide in specs that they have a high input impedance of 2 kΩ in XLR. What do you do if you have a ladder dac like a Denafrips Ares of 1.2 kΩ output impedance? It can't drive the Pre90, so the problems start there.

Everybody seems to use these Topping preamps with the Purifi. If you want to bypass the input buffer opamps, which are no substitute for a proper preamplifier by the way, choose a powerful one. Not just low output impedance or high brute voltage, but 'cojones' from the transformer to pull from the load at low voltages. The input buffer from the Audiophonics using opamps and big value resistors is the easy way to bring up the impedance, but this is rather a compromise (noise from the resistors and the opamps changing the sound).

This is my two cents.

Interesting. Based on Amir's review, Pre90 SINAD stays high up over 8V but is there something in the FR etc. that may have been missed into a punishing load? Stereophile tested the Pre90 as well but it seems mostly into 100k ohms.

 

[amarsicola]

I don’t hate you because my B&W are yet on eBay and my next purchase is Revel M16

Check measurements of the new AsciLab speakers, to be released soon...

 

[amarsicola]

The input buffer from the Audiophonics using opamps and big value resistors is the easy way to bring up the impedance, but this is rather a compromise (noise from the resistors and the opamps changing the sound).

Amir tested the Audiophonics both with bypass and with the buffer, result is that sinad is quite the same (maybe you loose 1db). The opamps that audiophonics uses are more than good, if i'm not wrong they are the ones suggested by Putzeys himself. I think there is no evidence anything goes wrong if you connect directly the topping dac to the audiophonics.

 

[wyup]

So then why all these people complain that bass is lacking with bypass and Pre90/D90?
There is more than meets the eye.

 

[amarsicola]

So then why all these people complain that bass is lacking with bypass and Pre90/D90?
There is more than meets the eye.

Or is it just an illusion? A microphone can give us the answer

 

[amper42]

Or is it just an illusion? A microphone can give us the answer

When you set the gain stage on the Purifi amp to 11 to 14 instead of 25 or 28dB you need to increase the DAC volume by a corresponding amount. But what I find is the dynamics of the music can seem a little mild with some rhythmic tracks and a low gain Purifi amp. It reminds me of the difference in playback in the old days when using my DBX expander or bypassing it. It's possible this may be explained by the user simply not turning up the DAC enough to fully compensate for the low gain amp setting. But when my Purifi amp has a gain setting between 25-28dB quite a bit of my music is more dynamic and enjoyable.

 

[JohnnyNG]

Or is it just an illusion? A microphone can give us the answer

I think that there is really very little difference in the HPA-S400ET performance whether buffered or in bypass.

I think the Pre90 reacts differently to the bypassed load, though. I'm not sure what test/measurement would need to be done to find out.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

I am looking for a 3 channel Amp and found a very similar product to the one tested in this review.
Would you say it is comparable to the 2 channel version of this review?
Any comments or things to consider?
Thanks =)

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-T400ET Power Amplifier Class D 3 Channels Purifi 1ET400A 3x400W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics

We are proud to offer you the AUDIOPHONICS HPA-T400ET, a 3 way class D power amplifier based on three PURIFI 1ET400A modules. This ready-to-use version is aimed at audiophiles who want to equip themselves with a foolproof amplification solution.

www.audiophonics.fr

​

Audiophonics HPA-T400ET Power Amplifier Class D 3 Channels Purifi 1ET400A 3x400W 4 Ohm​

 

[Bob101]

I am looking for a 3 channel Amp and found a very similar product to the one tested in this review.
Would you say it is comparable to the 2 channel version of this review?
Any comments or things to consider?
Thanks =)

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-T400ET Power Amplifier Class D 3 Channels Purifi 1ET400A 3x400W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics

We are proud to offer you the AUDIOPHONICS HPA-T400ET, a 3 way class D power amplifier based on three PURIFI 1ET400A modules. This ready-to-use version is aimed at audiophiles who want to equip themselves with a foolproof amplification solution.

www.audiophonics.fr

​

Audiophonics HPA-T400ET Power Amplifier Class D 3 Channels Purifi 1ET400A 3x400W 4 Ohm​

It has the same PSU as the two channel version (the1200W rated Hypex SMPS1200A400). Audiophonics no doubt will have designed a very good cicuit as buffer board that makes it drive the 3 Purifi modules flawlessly. You will most likely not get the absolute most out of the Purifi modules regarding maximum continous power output. Simply PSU limited: the claimed3x400W equals the 1200W PSU output (though 1500W peak). Nothing in electronics is 100% efficient...
And the resluting penalty in noise/distortion performance is to be determined. Will it be audible? If not pushed to the limit: nope. But certainly measurable...
But: seems like a great, affordable and compact powerful 3 channel amp solution anyhow.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

How do this Audiophonics amps compare to the ones from Nord Acoustics? Looks like they use similar components. Living in Europe I could buy any of them. Still researching and reading =)
Thanks.

 

[Bob101]

How do this Audiophonics amps compare to the ones from Nord Acoustics? Looks like they use similar components. Living in Europe I could buy any of them. Still researching and reading =)
Thanks.

Nord Acoustics makes models using Hypex, Icepower or Purifi modules. They allow you to spec out your amp to a certain degree, and at extra cost. Dual power supplies for your 2 channel amp? No problem, 120£ extra.
Their Hypex based models are (in GB£) very competitively priced and actually offer a lot of ouput Wattage per buck.
I had an Elac dpa-2 power amp on loan for a long time. It used (I think) previous gen Hypex modules (~10% less max output compared to Purifi, a tiny bit more noisy on paper). It also had a fully discrete buffer board powered by a seperate linear PSU. I switched between it and my Audiophonics hpa-s400et many times and found it, personally and subjectively, a little more punchy and somewhat more relaxed in the highs. For the first five minutes of listening. After that I could not tell them apart if my life depended on it. My ears have never been overly critical anyhow. Hypex: certainly OK for my ears...
I have no experience with Icepower products.
If you spec out a Nord Three more or less exactly like the Audiophonics hpa-s400et, today it costs 1.224£, or 1.443€ at the current exchange rate. That is, thanks Brexit, BEFORE import tax, VAT and customs fees. I live in the EU myself. Buying that amp and shipping it from Britain to my Belgian doorstep would cost around 400€ on top of what you pay Nord for the amp. This may vary between different EU countries, but not much. Buying the Audiophonics (from France of course) today would set me back exactly 1.400€.
One thing: the Nord cases do look A LOT better than the Audiophonics IMO. Non-audio folks will actually know it's an (unspecified) audio component! Instead of having to ask what 'that black box' is for

 

[fadetoblackbs]

Thanks Bob.
Just configurated a Nord Three Purifi 1ET400A and did not see those extra fees for shipping to EU Mainland at he checkout.
A roughly comparable amp from Nord vs. Audiophonics costs roughly +250€ but has following features different to the Audiophonics:
• 3 x Hypex SMPS1200A400 Power Supply
• 3 x Nord Buffer Board with OPA1612 Daul Op Amp
Dont know if that differences will be audible to my amateur ears =)

 

[Bob101]

Thanks Bob.
Just configurated a Nord Three Purifi 1ET400A and did not see those extra fees for shipping to EU Mainland at he checkout.
A roughly comparable amp from Nord vs. Audiophonics costs roughly +250€ but has following features different to the Audiophonics:
• 3 x Hypex SMPS1200A400 Power Supply
• 3 x Nord Buffer Board with OPA1612 Daul Op Amp
Dont know if that differences will be audible to my amateur ears =)

The triple power supply is the best solution. That way it's basically three monoblocks in one chassis. I wouldn't worry about EMI noise with multiple SMPS's and class D modules in relative close proximity. The Nord buffer boards I expect to be very comparable to the Audiophonics ones, but I don't know what the gain setting possibilities are on the Nord boards.

But: the extra costs come later, in the form of an invoice from your homenation's friendly customs agency. If you're VERY lucky, sometimes packages can slip trough customs, but you better not count on it! Not paying is not an option, you can not refuse your order once it's been trough customs.

So, on top of what you paid to Nord (including shipping, yes) comes
1. Import duties. Those depend on the kind of goods. Electronics might be exempt, I'm not sure. Count on 4% (for some categories of items this goes up to 17%). On top of which comes
2. VAT (for Belgium: 21%) for the total of (selling price + shipping + import duties). And then
3. A fixed handling fee. These are unpredictable, and depend on the carrier (UPS, Royal Mail,...) and sometimes I suspect just the mood of the actual handler. Generally between 10-20€ for 'normal' size and weight packages.

Don't say you were not warned.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

Thanks Bob.

Taxes etc. might be out of topic here, lets stay on the technical comparisons between both brands =)

Maybe you can check this link and lets continue the conversation over PMs:

European Customs Package No UK VAT and Support, Make It Easy Europe

NO UK VAT FAR LOWER OVERALL PRICE THAN PAYING UK VAT PRIOR TO US LEAVING THE EU (which we don’t agree with) SAVE AROUND 10-15% ON PAYING VAT Get total peace of mind and fixed costs in all EU Countries. We Guarantee that Total Import Duty and ALL fees will not Exceed the cost of … European...

nordacoustics.co.uk

 

[Vhond]

Nord Acoustics makes models using Hypex, Icepower or Purifi modules. They allow you to spec out your amp to a certain degree, and at extra cost. Dual power supplies for your 2 channel amp? No problem, 120£ extra.

Do you coincidentally know why Nord doesn't make Nilai based products?

 

[fadetoblackbs]

Do you coincidentally know why Nord doesn't make Nilai based products?

Do you know other companies that use them? Only found DIY solutions.

 

[Salt]

As far as I know Nilai is distributed for DIY only and (still) not OEM.