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Buckeye Amps: 2nd Generation Purifi EIGENTAKT 1ET9040BA Amplifier

My main point is about transparency.

While it’s true that using the full 1400 W would require a larger power supply, the lack of transparency makes it difficult to determine how large that supply should be if the ratings can’t be fully trusted.

To draw a comparison, power supplies for stationary PCs are typically designed to deliver their rated output continuously. This allows users to address issues by selecting a larger PSU based on specifications.

It’s unclear to me why this same level of design transparency isn’t consistently applied to audio power supplies. It can sometimes feel as though music-related equipment isn’t held to the same standard, which can create confusion.

The bottom line is that when rated power is required within a specific frequency band, the amplifier should reliably deliver it. This is especially important in the low frequencies, where power is essential.

Yeah but music is dynamic and has crest factor that means that the RMS is below the peak.

A PC, server, or a mainframe is often running things that have the CPU railed.
It is not bursting in load like music is.
 
OK, I've seen that in their data sheet.

Addressed this in post #580...

Hypex/Purifi have more open and more available specs than most offer, but just as Amir measures more than most, it never seems enough for some. @Buckeye Amps posted a nice set of AP measurements earlier using the MicroAudio SMPS. He has promised a set for the Hypex but some rather speculate potential issues than wait. If one has doubts, might be more productive to review comparably priced amps on ASR than speculate. Not going to continue to pile on here, but the Soncoz and Outlaw 2220 amps did not measure perfectly despite not being Class D. The Topping B100 measured better and is hardly a traditional design.

Anyone who thinks it is easy to do a nice clean set of measurements at 2 ohms anywhere close to 1000 watts, has never tried. I have and it is not simple (and as the loads heat up is a major adrenaline rush too!). :D Just because some low budget amps (regardless of class) cannot do frequency extremes, does not mean these amps cannot. The 9040 is also designed to operate with 30-48 V power rails so if the supply sags, the amp likely just keeps going. So, yes, it is better to have a better supply. The Hypex A180 is good and the MicroAudio is better. You also pay more for it ($100 more in this case). If not good enough, one can probably find an amp built with a linear supply but be prepared to spend even more.

If one is planning to buy Buckeye or any smaller vendor's amp, is worthwhile to consider their time and effort to respond to special requests. If not considering a purchase, this is even more true. Ponderous badgering (not aimed at you just to be clear) on a public forum is more likely to get one banned than get a response from a busy vendor. :oops:
 
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This seems to have gotten a bit bigger than it needs to be. It started with a simple question about testing at low frequencies instead of the usual 1 kHz.
Some have questioned its relevance, but I think it’s worth exploring since that’s where power is most needed, and some amplifiers tend to struggle in that range. It’s also highly relevant because the amplifier in question has relatively high power, making it likely to be used in homes with full-range speakers that could take advantage of the high output.

I think it was an honest and valid question.
 
Addressed this in post #580...

Hypex/Purifi have more open and more available specs than most offer, but just as Amir measures more than most, it never seems enough for some. @Buckeye Amps posted a nice set of AP measurements earlier using the MicroAudio SMPS. He has promised a set for the Hypex but some rather speculate potential issues than wait. If one has doubts, might be more productive to review comparably priced amps on ASR than speculate. Not going to continue to pile on here, but the Soncoz and Outlaw 2220 amps did not measure perfectly despite being not being Class D. The Topping B100 measured better and is hardly a traditional design.

Anyone who thinks it is easy to do a nice clean set of measurements at 2 ohms anywhere close to 1000 watts, has never tried. I have and it is not simple (and, as the loads heat up is a major adrenaline rush too!). :D Just because some low budget amps (regardless of class) cannot do frequency extremes, does not mean these amps cannot. The 9040 is also designed to operate with 30-48 V power rails so if the supply sags, the amp likely just keeps going. So, yes, it is better to have a better supply. The Hypex A180 is good and the MicroAudio is better. You also pay more for it ($100 more in this case). If not good enough, one can probably find an amp built with a linear supply but be prepared to spend more.

If one is planning to buy Buckeye or any smaller vendor's amp, is worthwhile to consider their time and effort to respond to special requests. If not considering a purchase, this is even more true. Ponderous badgering (not aimed at you just to be clear) on a public forum is more likely to get one banned than get a response from a busy vendor. :oops:
@Rick

I took this test and I didn't post it.

This is the output voltage of the SMPS1K-SN loaded 1995W.

You can see the output voltage dropped to +-44VDC.

We will continue testing once the new 1ET9040 module arrives.

Thanks

SMPS1K-SN-REV2.png
.
 
@Rick

I took this test and I didn't post it.

This is the output voltage of the SMPS1K-SN loaded 1995W.

You can see the output voltage dropped to +-44VDC.

We will continue testing once the new 1ET9040 module arrives.

Thanks

View attachment 421304.

Thanks for sharing!

That’s some serious output. Look forward to seeing more when you and Dylan are ready.:cool:
 
@Rick

I took this test and I didn't post it.

This is the output voltage of the SMPS1K-SN loaded 1995W.

You can see the output voltage dropped to +-44VDC.

We will continue testing once the new 1ET9040 module arrives.

Thanks

View attachment 421304.
Impressive 2kW performance ... will have no issues delivering the stated 1.4kW the 9040 is capable of.

So, is this a regulated or non-regulated power supply. If the latter, what range of output powers should be expected of the 9040 module into 2 ohms assuming 90 VAC - 264 VAC inputs?
 
OK I get where you are coming from.

1) However playing 20Hz tones at 1400W versus 1000W is somewhat different than
2) Playing music with a peak value of 1400W, and an RMS power at whatever the crest factor ends up at.

The test says it will not do #1.
There does not seem to be a test showing that it is doing #2

And, at home, we do not usually do scenario #1…
That is my point.
That failure to do 1400W sustained is meaningless unless you have some open area and/or huge room.
In which case one is almost certainly using multiple amps and speaker boxes… often some of them being subwoofer boxes.

Maybe you are blessed with a very large room, and it is a real concern.


There is not a lot of compromise here… it is good performing amp by most objective standards.
And if one is even using the full 1400W, then they just get consider using a beefier power supply.

Otherwise it seems like pissing-n-moaning about loss of a dB or less, and a legal challenge towards not meeting spec.
Whether or not someone has a particular "need" for a 1400 Watt RMS amplifier is a subjective evaluation.
Not an objective evaluation on if an amplifier meets it's specifications.
 
Whether or not someone has a particular "need" for a 1400 Watt RMS amplifier is a subjective evaluation.
It is actually an objective position.
There is no music that I know of, that has a crest factor that makes its steady state power the same as the peak power.
Hence the spec is somewhat only indicative of real-world performance, and does not describe any real-world scenario that one might encounter.


Not an objective evaluation on if an amplifier meets it's specifications.

There are two or three things:
  1. Whether the amp itself meets the spec with the proper power supply
  2. Whether amp and the power supply are packaged as a unit
  3. Whether the specification is actually worthwhile.
Legally and pedantically I agree with you, but I think it is a bit idiotic in most circumstances to need or want 1400W RMS.
But it is potentially likely that some high crest factor music (e.g. 20) would benefit from 1400W of “headroom” to stay away from clipping.
And that the amp may sound better in that scenario.
However ^that scenario^ is not steady-state music.
 
It is actually an objective position.
There is no music that I know of, that has a crest factor that makes its steady state power the same as the peak power.
Hence the spec is somewhat only indicative of real-world performance, and does not describe any real-world scenario that one might encounter.




There are two or three things:
  1. Whether the amp itself meets the spec with the proper power supply
  2. Whether amp and the power supply are packaged as a unit
  3. Whether the specification is actually worthwhile.
Legally and pedantically I agree with you, but I think it is a bit idiotic in most circumstances to need or want 1400W RMS.
But it is potentially likely that some high crest factor music (e.g. 20) would benefit from 1400W of “headroom” to stay away from clipping.
And that the amp may sound better in that scenario.
However ^that scenario^ is not steady-state music.
Long passages of extremely low frequencies are very demanding and can have rather low crest factors.

Ever listen to Telarc's Star Tracks II?

There are a couple of Enya tracks which I view more as being a relaxing back massage.

Anyways, crest factor isn't an argument for any specific power level. 1400 rms would simply require a higher dynamic power.

Really, the only true limitation on actual RMS power would be the wall socket/circuit current availability.
 
It is actually an objective position.
There is no music that I know of, that has a crest factor that makes its steady state power the same as the peak power.
Hence the spec is somewhat only indicative of real-world performance, and does not describe any real-world scenario that one might encounter.




There are two or three things:
  1. Whether the amp itself meets the spec with the proper power supply
  2. Whether amp and the power supply are packaged as a unit
  3. Whether the specification is actually worthwhile.
Legally and pedantically I agree with you, but I think it is a bit idiotic in most circumstances to need or want 1400W RMS.
But it is potentially likely that some high crest factor music (e.g. 20) would benefit from 1400W of “headroom” to stay away from clipping.
And that the amp may sound better in that scenario.
However ^that scenario^ is not steady-state music.

You can't group all music into the same category like that.
Many EDM, electronica tracks, and orchestral pieces feature prolonged low-frequency sustains that demand far more from an amplifier than 20 ms power bursts. And, of course, home theater use applies as well.

You can't lump all use cases into the same category either.
It's neither pedantic nor foolish. The specific power value itself is irrelevant; what matters is the transparency of the ratings. As previously mentioned, the relatively high power this amplifier module advertises makes it an obvious choice for use with larger, nearly full-range speakers or passive subwoofers in home theater setups that will effectively utilize the power it provides.
 
nearly full-range speakers or passive subwoofers in home theater setups that will effectively utilize the power it provides.
That's correct.
And if a DSP correction is added, maybe even more so.
 
Impressive 2kW performance ... will have no issues delivering the stated 1.4kW the 9040 is capable of.

So, is this a regulated or non-regulated power supply. If the latter, what range of output powers should be expected of the 9040 module into 2 ohms assuming 90 VAC - 264 VAC inputs?

@David_M

The SMPS1K-SN is a non-regulated SMPS.

I will post the test results once I get the 1ET9040 module as I blew mine acedently while pulling 1200W at 2 Ohms.

Thanks
 
You may be right, but can you show some evidence of this? Some actual music that demonstrates?
(second) half of Mark Knopfler's - "Speedway At Nazareth",nice consistent 30's all the way to the end.
More mainstream,Evanescence- the Turn.
If you want lower go to Interstellar's soundtrack NON LFE 2-channels.
There's way more with glissando and stuff,let me know if you want more or go to the "Bass!" thread and choose,there's charts too.
 
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