Audiophonics HPA-S400ET Review (Stereo Amplifier)

[Nxt0206]

Hello new here on the forum,

I would like to get advice on whether my intended setup will work.

I currently own a pair of Kef R500 with an Arendal 1723 1S subwoofer

I would like to control this with a wiim ultra (pre/dac/streamer) and as a poweramp this audiophonics purifi.

the space is in an 80s average Dutch living/dining room. 45m2
speakers are on the long wall, 2.5m apart and I sit about 2.5m from the TV (in the middle) I don't listen extremely loud (baby) so I like that the speakers are still at low volume sound good. My source is Tidal & spotify connect.

I am in favor of what something measures well but also sounds good. From this forum I learned that the purifi is excellent. My only question is, will it match with wiim ultra as pre? Reason for asking is that i have 0 technical knowledge about where to look to match a pre amp with poweramp. Because ive read in the hifi world people match for “synergy” .. if that is real

I have quite a tight budget and prefer to get a bang for the buck. Maybe the purify is even overkill?

I look forward to your responses!

 

[magchiel]

I am in favor of what something measures well but also sounds good. From this forum I learned that the purifi is excellent. My only question is, will it match with wiim ultra as pre? Reason for asking is that i have 0 technical knowledge about where to look to match a pre amp with poweramp. Because ive read in the hifi world people match for “synergy” .. if that is real

The only matching that I consider real is that of impedance matching and with well engineered products such as the Audiophonics HPA/LPA-S400ET and the WiiM (couldn't find any impedance measurements that quickly but they may be out there) I wouldn't consider this an issue. Assuming the Ultra will measure at least as well as the Pro Plus, both will be inaudibly neutral and with the PEQ in the WiiM you can room correct and dial in your preferences, rather than embark on esotheric matching of imperfect components that may provide an optimum synergy by cancelling eachother out. Or something to that effect.

the space is in an 80s average Dutch living/dining room. 45m2
speakers are on the long wall, 2.5m apart and I sit about 2.5m from the TV (in the middle) I don't listen extremely loud (baby) so I like that the speakers are still at low volume sound good

I'm running the LPA-S400ET at a similar distance with 90dB/W/m sensitivity (yours are 88dB/W/m) and have never increased the volume on my ADI-2 beyond -17dB (and that is on mostly older tracks that have low mastering levels - something that can also be fixed through library normalising). At lower volumes you'll find some equal loudness contours coming into play. Again you can EQ that in to taste with the WiiM if you always run at those lower levels and you're missing oomph.

I have quite a tight budget and prefer to get a bang for the buck. Maybe the purify is even overkill?

You could save quite a few bucks going for the HPC-S250NC (or the IOM Ncore that argubualy has nicer esthetics stacked with the WiiM), that will give you roughly half (~= -3dB) of the max output of the Purifi and at of course slightly worse measurements. If you would howewer notice any decrease in performance, especially at lower volumes, even in a double blind test, I seriously doubt. And since you have a sub to do the heavy lifting for the (power hungry) subbass frequencies, you'll use even less of that amp power. The question if you can lay that difference in measurements and headroom to rest in your mind. I couldn't .

 

[Nxt0206]

The only matching that I consider real is that of impedance matching and with well engineered products such as the Audiophonics HPA/LPA-S400ET and the WiiM (couldn't find any impedance measurements that quickly but they may be out there) I wouldn't consider this an issue. Assuming the Ultra will measure at least as well as the Pro Plus, both will be inaudibly neutral and with the PEQ in the WiiM you can room correct and dial in your preferences, rather than embark on esotheric matching of imperfect components that may provide an optimum synergy by cancelling eachother out. Or something to that effect.



I'm running the LPA-S400ET at a similar distance with 90dB/W/m sensitivity (yours are 88dB/W/m) and have never increased the volume on my ADI-2 beyond -17dB (and that is on mostly older tracks that have low mastering levels - something that can also be fixed through library normalising). At lower volumes you'll find some equal loudness contours coming into play. Again you can EQ that in to taste with the WiiM if you always run at those lower levels and you're missing oomph.



You could save quite a few bucks going for the HPC-S250NC (or the IOM Ncore that argubualy has nicer esthetics stacked with the WiiM), that will give you roughly half (~= -3dB) of the max output of the Purifi and at of course slightly worse measurements. If you would howewer notice any decrease in performance, especially at lower volumes, even in a double blind test, I seriously doubt. And since you have a sub to do the heavy lifting for the (power hungry) subbass frequencies, you'll use even less of that amp power. The question if you can lay that difference in measurements and headroom to rest in your mind. I couldn't .

Wow thank you for this insightful response ill have a look at the alternatives to save some buck

 

[bricesan]

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

i am also using the audiophonics purifi in bypass buffer mode and it is the better solution to my hears.
less noise, more neutrality, a lot of dynamics !
i use a lynx aurora (n), output 10v volt and 100 ohm like a d90 and i really don't miss bass.

 

[Joel G]

i am also using the audiophonics purifi in bypass buffer mode and it is the better solution to my hears.
less noise, more neutrality, a lot of dynamics !
i use a lynx aurora (n), output 10v volt and 100 ohm like a d90 and i really don't miss bass.

Interesting. I am considering getting the Topping A70 pro since i would love to be able to hear music with headphones at times, and I like the 20k input impedance ohms it offers, for my Ares 12. I might try again the bypass mode of the power amp when I get it. After reading some of the comments i think that my feeling of “less energy” might be attributed to not being used to play the pre90 to higher volume levels, and the subjective feeling of not “getting the power” I was used to (seeing different numbers on the screen affecting subjectively my listening). But I don’t have my Pre90 anymore, only a passive pre, so I look forward to trying it again some time soon with an A70

 

[RickS]

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

Hypex discounts Nilai for their OEMs. However, a Nilai amplifier module costs substantially more than the NCx500 module does. Given a marginal difference in performance, a Nilai implementation is difficult to justify charging a premium for an OEM to offer. So, while Nilai is not exclusively DIY, its cost prices it out of consideration for OEMs.

 

[bricesan]

Interesting. I am considering getting the Topping A70 pro since i would love to be able to hear music with headphones at times, and I like the 20k input impedance ohms it offers, for my Ares 12. I might try again the bypass mode of the power amp when I get it. After reading some of the comments i think that my feeling of “less energy” might be attributed to not being used to play the pre90 to higher volume levels, and the subjective feeling of not “getting the power” I was used to (seeing different numbers on the screen affecting subjectively my listening). But I don’t have my Pre90 anymore, only a passive pre, so I look forward to trying it again some time soon with an A70

indeed numbers on the screen should not be considered
just use your ears
the revelant numbers you could use with your eyes are the db pressure in the room to match the level with or without the buffer.
use a db meter to match the volume, even a free app like db volume would do the job and try to hear the difference at the exact same level of listening.
at same acoustic pressure in the room (around 75-80db weighting C in slow response) the buffer bypass is clearly a way better sounding solution to me.

 

[mike70]

indeed numbers on the screen should not be considered
just use your ears
the revelant numbers you could use with your eyes are the db pressure in the room to match the level with or without the buffer.
use a db meter to match the volume, even a free app like db volume would do the job and try to hear the difference at the exact same level of listening.
at same acoustic pressure in the room (around 75-80db weighting C in slow response) the buffer bypass is clearly a way better sounding solution to me.

Well, you're using much more than only your ears ... "only your ears" usually is the mantra of the "audiophile crew".

 

[Bob101]

I don't have devices that put out 10+ Volts, so I have no opinion on the sonic experience bypassing the buffer board.

Bruno Putzeys himself said in an interview that the unbuffered input of a Purifi module can be 'not a very friendly' host to an audio source. And that even if you don't strictly need the gain, a buffer board is in his opinion advisable anyway.

 

[bricesan]

I don't have devices that put out 10+ Volts, so I have no opinion on the sonic experience bypassing the buffer board.

Bruno Putzeys himself said in an interview that the unbuffered input of a Purifi module can be 'not a very friendly' host to an audio source. And that even if you don't strictly need the gain, a buffer board is in his opinion advisable anyway.

intersting could you source this itw ?

in a discussion on Michael Andrew's youtube channel he admit he personally use it without buffer stage.

i think the question is not if your source put out 10v
but do you miss sound pressure in your room (volume) ? at full output of your source or pre.
if yes, use the buffer stage.
that'a how i think.
to my hears the buffer stage of the audiophonics (with stock opamp) reduce the dynamics, everthing is compressed in the first plan.
wich could be pleasefull and seem more detailed but i prefer full depth and nuances.

 

[JohnnyNG]

Bruno Putzeys himself said in an interview that the unbuffered input of a Purifi module can be 'not a very friendly' host to an audio source. And that even if you don't strictly need the gain, a buffer board is in his opinion advisable anyway.

Even though my Topping Pre90 can ostensibly deliver 10+ volts I do prefer my Audiophonics MPA-M400ET monos with buffer in place.

 

[egellings]

Even though my Topping Pre90 can ostensibly deliver 10+ volts I do prefer my Audiophonics MPA-M400ET monos with buffer in place.

That's more than enough signal voltage. Question is, can it deliver the necessary drive current.

 

[JohnnyNG]

That's more than enough signal voltage. Question is, can it deliver the necessary drive current.

Not sure if you can tell anything from the review below but it surely doesn't sound happy for lack of a better term.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pre90-review-preamplifier.18283/

 

[egellings]

Either it doesn't like the load it's driving, maybe due to too low a load impedance on it or just possibly, it may be oscillating.

 

[jools]

Hi. I've got a question and I think the answer will be it's difficult. I've got two of these amps and they both have a white led at the front. Is it possible to change the led for a yellow one? I've asked audiophonics and they won't do it which I understand.

I've searched the thread for the answer. One person said it looks like it's soldered on but they may have been referring to the blue leds inside the case.

I realise there's a jumper to switch it off but I'd like to have it on.

Thanks!

Audiophonics sell the switches and may have different colours. I bought a similar switch with an orange LED on eBay and replaced mine - it was soldered but it's not a difficult soldering job. It would probably void your warranty, though.

 

[Salt]

You may use a Edding with the colour of your choice and "paint" it.
Using the non permanent version you can change the colour easily.

 

[AweLoi]

It seem like Audiophonics now have changed the LM4562 opamps to the OPA1656 in the HPA-S400ET when I look at their website. The OPA1656 is the opamp Bruno Putzeys (the designer of the Purfi modules) prefers as he has stated in a couple of interviews. Maybe that´s why they made the change.

I have the older version with LM4562 but recently ordered the OPA1656 opamps and swapped them myself yesterday. I don't know if there is an audible difference but if the man says they are the best I gotta have em hehe. They sound great but so did the LM4562. I think OPA1656 sound a little better but most likely it is just in my mind.

 

[JohnnyNG]

o you know why Amir's original post says "If you have a pro interface that goes up to 10 volts out, you can utilize the low gain mode" if 4v can be used with low gain?

The 12dB/bypass mode is what Amir is referring to as "Low Gain". He refers to 20dB as "medium gain".

 

[JohnnyNG]

You can see the gain he's referring to in the SINAD chart under each measurement. "Low", "Medium", etc. have no strict definition and it's mainly semantics.

 

[wyup]

It is not just the 9V voltage to get max power, It is the capacity of current to drive the 12db Purifi bypassed, because that is 4.4k/2.2k ohm balanced/single-ended, too high a load. You need a source of at most 440/220 ohm, or better less for better performance. So it's not just volts for max volume, it is impedance ratio mostly and current capable. I am talking bypassed only.

RME ADI2 has 150/100 ohms output impedance, so it should be ok in theory. But it does not look like a powerful line preamplifier, with big transformers like others, you know. Sources expect impedances like 47 k, not 2.2k, so it is a bit uncertain.

Please share if it does sound better unbuffered than buffered/20db gain. I am curious.

What do you mean exposing the limits? Better or worse than pre-amplified by the Purifi op-amps buffer?

Most people say it sounds better with the buffer gain, otherwise it sounds lack of verve, languid or weak.