boXem A 4216/E2 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Sokel]

If you want to save some money and want more power buy the Hypex. I think Hypex runs a little hotter?

Save money in the short or in the long term?
Cause Purifi's efficiency is not even comparable down in low power were the normal playback lives.
We got used in saying that class D is efficient while we should be saying Purifi is efficient, the rest not so much and even worst at the high power models.

Also Purifi has the potential of longer life-time as it runs cooler.
So...

 

[danishchelsea]

Thanks @Amir for this review. It's always pleasant to receive such a nice feedback.

I will try to address all concerns and questions raised in the previous pages in a single post.

THD/IMD
I was also surprised to see such high H3 (all things relative). @Amir has provided a plausible explanation. As a reference, the 5W 4R FFT looks like this when measured by myself.
View attachment 469781

Switching frequency / filtering
It is load and signal dependent. Displaying the 1MHz bandwith FFT for a 1kHz sine in a resistor is not showing anything keeping me awake at night.

Power switch
There is none because it's plain useless with this amp. And I am sure that none of you guys wants to pay for the cabling of a useless feature at Luxembourgian pay rate. Its is useless because the amplifier will power up and standby automatically. Even without trigger. And before some complain about their 1988 subwoofer that sometimes doesn't start automatically, our system works very well and has satisfied 99.95% of our customers since several years.
Standby is an actual standby, the main supply is completely disconnected, standby consumption is below 0.1 W.

Cooling concept
The top down mounting allows the heat generated by the module FETs to be dissipated without reaching the heat sensitive components. Thus better reliability and a pass of the "FTC like" test with flying colors.

Comparison with competitors
I know that as a seller, my credibility is limited, but people expecting all 1ET6525SA integrations to measure the same are just in the wrong. These modules have such low noise and distortion that the input buffer design has become a lot more critical. As an illustration, the 1ET9040BA has similar performance than the 1ET6525SA. When paired to the reference design buffer, its 5W 4R SINAD is 104 dB while we were able to reach 112 dB with our own buffer design. At same gain obviously. Allowing buffer bypass is a neat idea to top SINAD charts but not a sign of high competence, even when implemented by very competent people.

VAT
We collect VAT only for EU countries. For others like UK, VAT is collected by the shipping company. BTW, business with UK has been a pain in the ... just after Brexit, it's quite smooth now. VAT rates are between 17% to 26% pending country. Displaying prices with VAT included is mandated by law. EU shops not doing so are carrying a huge red flag above their head concerning their business integrity. If you do not know the VAT rate from your country (really?), just connect to our site without VPN, your IP will cause the proper VAT to be added to the displayed price.

Tariffs
As of today 14th August 2025 all products entering the US that are made in EU and cost more than $800 are taxed at a 15% rate. Although I'm not sure if the $800 limit still exists. It's up to the shipping company to collect the money from the receiver. We don't display tariffs included prices because we do not collect tariffs. Most countries do not pay tariffs for amplifiers made in EU.

Pricing
I know I should not reply to such comments but they always trigger me. People should understand that the fuel and parking at Monaco for my two yachts are not free...
More seriously, chassis (complex due to the top down cooling) is made in France, wiring made in Luxembourg. Volumes are low. Price is competing with amplifiers whose all parts are made in China. Reaching such a price requested a lot of thinking on how to simplify assembly and lower the amount of cabling to the bare minimum. If you can do better while allowing western Europeans to have a normal western European life thanks to their work, just drop a PM, I have business for you.

That's all for the moment. I hope that nobody's concerns were forgotten.

What's the difference between the different Boxem models? It will be easier if put in a comparison chart between different models

 

[Soniclife]

Thanks for the info. Alas, when I look at the site, I am not sure I see the VAT since my IP address is from US. Should I just add 20% to whatever price I see in Euros?

At this stage maybe don't even bother listing the price, whatever you do will be wrong for most people.

For this product most customers will be in the EU (I'm guessing), and subject to their local VAT rate, listing it as the base € price ex VAT is probably the most helpful, anything else gets confusing fast, or is downright misleading.

 

[kolestonin]

Should I just add 20% to whatever price I see in Euros?

In my opinion you just need to name the price on where you live.
Or even better the MSRP.
After all, each member will search in local e-shops if interested.

 

[JSmith]

Not all customers of this product are in the EU and EU VAT only applies to those within same. IMO EU customers should assume prices stated on a US based and international forum are exclusive of any local VAT. So my suggestion is to just pop in brackets (+ 20% VAT in EU) at most.


JSmith

 

[David_M]

While those results are perfectly fine and the measured distortion should be totally inaudible, I am a bit amazed to see -119 dB HD3. Weren't the new modules supposed to be a step up from the already excellent 1ET400A? Can this be an implementation issue, such as a binding post or a cable running too close to something?

In fact, the original 1ET400 was nearly 10 dB lower in HD3 and in general sported fewer peaks, especially below 1 kHz. Yes, the newer amp has a lower noise level, but many of those peaks would have pushed through the higher noise floor of the old unit:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/purifi-1et400a-class-d-amplifier-module-audio-measurements-png.28852/

Not directly comparable. Specs are taken at different gains (20dB vs 27dB for the 1ET400), hence noise specs will be different.

 

[Matias]

We got used in saying that class D is efficient while we should be saying Purifi is efficient, the rest not so much and even worst at the high power models.

We have been there already...

Post in thread 'Let's stop calling Class D amplifiers "efficient" when they are not.'

Oct 4, 2023

Class D "efficiency" is utter and complete bullsh#t.

Having another bad day again, huh?

Here are some Japanese amps and their idle power drawn (source: Stereoplay magazine - Germany).
Yamaha M-5000 - 56W
Yamaha A-S3200 - 50W
Yamaha A-S1200 - 50W
Accuphase E 460 - 82W
Luxman L 509u - 77W
Luxman L-505uXII - 93W
Luxman SQ-N150 - 82W
Luxman L-550AX - 168W
Luxman MQ-300 - 154W
Luxman L-595ASE - 160W

Not to mention other brands from other countries.
Octave Audio Jubilee 300B - 331W
T+A M 40 HV Anniversary Edition - 220W
T+A PA 3100 HV + PS 3000 HV - 198W
Dan D'Agostino Momentum...

• Matias

• 

 

[David_M]

Cost is 1,206.61 euro for the amp and shipping to my city in the Midwest. Delivery within 7 days. No tariffs shown or acknowledged at purchase.

UPS/FedEx will let you know before they deliver to your house. Pay first before delivery.

Also, I didn't see any mono 9040BA based amps on the Boxem site. Is this correct?

 

[mrick39]

I recently ordered a couple of Topping DaCs and power supplies. I received a notice from DHL that I would have to pay $70. To get them released from customs and forwarded to me. Tariffs at work. Remind me who pays? Oh yeah. Us.

Tariffs aren't new FYI. Everyone, in every country, has been paying tariffs whether you realize it or not.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Tariffs aren't new FYI. Everyone, in every country, has been paying tariffs whether you realize it or not.

I hadn't paid a single tariff for any of my components until April 2025.

 

[amper42]

I hadn't paid a single tariff for any of my components until April 2025.

Tarriffs for USA residents is rather new. Most stuff was excluded and even categories not excluded had an $800 or less exclusion. Now you pretty much have to stop buying anything from outside of the country or risk huge extra tariff bills that are not always easy to calculate to the penny.

While US consumers can adapt by avoiding buying anything from a store outside USA, companies that depend on parts from other countries to build their products will be hit by these costs. I personally don't think we will see the coming 10% earnings drop until end of year financial reports are issued. It's going to put a damper on sales and earnings.

 

[kyuu]

Tariffs aren't new FYI. Everyone, in every country, has been paying tariffs whether you realize it or not.

Tariffs aren't new. The current tariff situation is certainly highly unusual (and harmful).

 

[boXem]

What's the difference between the different Boxem models? It will be easier if put in a comparison chart between different models

here is a comparisons chart between lines:

	Arthur	A series
Input buffer/gain stage – gain	3 levels	2 levels
Input buffer/gain stage – topology	Composite	Standard
Input buffer/gain stage – regulators	Ultra-low noise	Standard
Input buffer/gain stage – PCB	4 layers	2 layers
Wake sources	Audiosense	Audiosense and 12V trigger
Switches and connectors	Neutrik, NKK, Schurter	Noname
Cooling concept	Conduction	Conduction and natural air convection
Chassis	Full aluminum with Nextel paint	Steel and aluminum

Model numbering allows to know performance and used tech: L VVCC/TN_ with:
L = line: A or Arthur
VV = clipping voltage in 8 Ohm
CC = max current in 2 Ohm
T = type of module as following: E = Purifi Eigentakt, N = Hypex Ncore
N = number of channels
_ = special feature, for the moment empty or M meaning one power supply per module

In example, A 4216/E2
- A series
- 42V RMS in 8R
- 16A RMS in 2R
- Purifi Eigentakt
- 2 channels

 

[boXem]

@amirm concerning the VAT you may just want to add "VAT excluded" next to the EU price to avoid confusion, you dont want to start digging in this thing, I promise.

BTW, EU VAT for non vital products is around 25% in most EU countries, 20% is quite a low rate concerning only a few lucky ones, mostly in western EU.

 

[mrick39]

Tarriffs for USA residents is rather new. Most stuff was excluded and even categories not excluded had an $800 or less exclusion. Now you pretty much have to stop buying anything from outside of the country or risk huge extra tariff bills that are not always easy to calculate to the penny.

While US consumers can adapt by avoiding buying anything from a store outside USA, companies that depend on parts from other countries to build their products will be hit by these costs. I personally don't think we will see the coming 10% earnings drop until end of year financial reports are issued. It's going to put a damper on sales and earnings.

You might not have paid them directly but tariff costs are built into everything you've ever purchased that was imported and/or any component of it that was imported.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

You might not have paid them directly but tariff costs are built into everything you've ever purchased that was imported and/or any component of it that was imported.

Not at this level in the US, not even close. Almost like I might know first-hand.....

Sorry, don't want to derail this thread. But also not going to let people incorrectly comment on the current tariff situation, as it effects us all negatively. Specific to this thread, it could very well hurt Fred's business in the US due to the 15% tariff on goods coming from the EU. Which would be a damn shame as he makes a great product.

 

[Sokel]

We have been there already...

Post in thread 'Let's stop calling Class D amplifiers "efficient" when they are not.'

Oct 4, 2023

Class D "efficiency" is utter and complete bullsh#t.

Having another bad day again, huh?

Here are some Japanese amps and their idle power drawn (source: Stereoplay magazine - Germany).
Yamaha M-5000 - 56W
Yamaha A-S3200 - 50W
Yamaha A-S1200 - 50W
Accuphase E 460 - 82W
Luxman L 509u - 77W
Luxman L-505uXII - 93W
Luxman SQ-N150 - 82W
Luxman L-550AX - 168W
Luxman MQ-300 - 154W
Luxman L-595ASE - 160W

Not to mention other brands from other countries.
Octave Audio Jubilee 300B - 331W
T+A M 40 HV Anniversary Edition - 220W
T+A PA 3100 HV + PS 3000 HV - 198W
Dan D'Agostino Momentum...

• Matias

• 

Yep, that was a fun thread, I've been there.
Partly how we know that Purifi is unbeatable at normal power usage (the other part is its measurements)

 

[mrick39]

Not at this level in the US, not even close. Almost like I might know first-hand.....

Sorry, don't want to derail this thread. But also not going to let people incorrectly comment on the current tariff situation, as it effects us all negatively. Specific to this thread, it could very well hurt Fred's business in the US due to the 15% tariff on goods coming from the EU. Which would be a damn shame as he makes a great product.

Here's my last reply on this subject...I apologize for my habit of sometimes thinking and replying at a macroeconomic level vs. the specific micro case here with boXem or with your sourcing.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Here's my last reply on this subject...I apologize for my habit of sometimes thinking and replying at a macroeconomic level vs. the specific micro case here with boXem or with your sourcing.

I see you are trying to minimize the issue with this reply. Cute but it is a new macro level issue that is affecting more than just "boXem or my sourcing"

No, tariffs aren't new to economics. No one is at all saying that. But their usage as a financial weapon against every country (not just China) by the US is a new macro issue now.

 

[amper42]

I see you are trying to minimize the issue with this reply. Cute but it is a new macro level issue that is affecting more than just "boXem or my sourcing"

No, tariffs aren't new to economics. No one is at all saying that. But their usage as a financial weapon against every country (not just China) by the US is a new macro issue now.

Today's Tarriffs are not only being used against other countries but also against US companies and individuals who simply want to buy product or parts from around the world and know what the rules are. When Tarriffs change on a day to day basis and are used to get a narcissist more eyeballs each day it's impossible to have free trade as the USA once enjoyed. People will want to avoid buying from other counties simply to avoid the uncertainty that it brings.

While EU has tariffs they don't change daily and one can find the rate pretty easily. What the world needs is stabilization rather than daily changes, especially while your order is in process. No one can plan for that. The outcome will simply be less trade for individuals in the USA. Most of us are hoping for a day when these crazy times are behind us.