Buckeye Amps: Hypex NCx500 Official Thread

[goryu]

My 3 channel NCx500 amps have arrived at long last.

Here's a question...The variable gain is given as:

*Gain settings, if using the Buckeye buffer stage:
4ohm - 24.2dB/3.2Vrms (High), 19.2dB/5.8Vrms (Medium), 14.2dB/10.3Vrms (Low)
8ohm - 24.2dB/3.4Vrms (High), 19.2dB/6.0Vrms (Medium), 14.2dB/10.8Vrms (Low)
*Gain setting, if using the Hypex onboard buffer stage:
4ohm - 26.8dB/1.88Vrms
8ohm - 26.8dB/1.95Vrms


Curious, since this amp has XLR inputs, and my understanding is that the standard for such is 4Vrms, why there isn't a gain option that matches? Seems with my Octodac, which outputs the standard 4Vrms, I can either choose the High setting, and take care not to go near full output on the dac, or go to the Medium setting, and not have access to full power. Do I have that right?

 

[Dr. Cyrax]

@goryu, if I can ask, when did you order yours?
I am eagerly waiting on my order, got a bunch of movies I have saved for when this arrives! And plz share how it is!!

 

[goryu]

when they were first announced here sometime about 9 months ago I think.

 

[Dr. Cyrax]

when they were first announced here sometime about 9 months ago I think.

Ahhh ok. Made my deposit on the 26th of September...Hope the wait is over soon!

 

[RickS]

My 3 channel NCx500 amps have arrived at long last.

Here's a question...The variable gain is given as:

*Gain settings, if using the Buckeye buffer stage:
4ohm - 24.2dB/3.2Vrms (High), 19.2dB/5.8Vrms (Medium), 14.2dB/10.3Vrms (Low)
8ohm - 24.2dB/3.4Vrms (High), 19.2dB/6.0Vrms (Medium), 14.2dB/10.8Vrms (Low)
*Gain setting, if using the Hypex onboard buffer stage:
4ohm - 26.8dB/1.88Vrms
8ohm - 26.8dB/1.95Vrms


Curious, since this amp has XLR inputs, and my understanding is that the standard for such is 4Vrms, why there isn't a gain option that matches? Seems with my Octodac, which outputs the standard 4Vrms, I can either choose the High setting, and take care not to go near full output on the dac, or go to the Medium setting, and not have access to full power. Do I have that right?

Wow, not many power amps offer 5 different gain settings! Buckeye did not document the 12 dB option if you disable all the buffers. You can mix and match gains with his other amps or match to Hypex ones.

You waited months for these amps and you did not the find the posted gain options until you got them? Not having one that exactly matches your Okto‘s seems pretty minor. Is there another amp is offering a better gain option with as much power per channel?

 

[goryu]

Wow, not many power amps offer 5 different gain settings! Buckeye did not document the 12 dB option if you disable all the buffers. You can mix and match gains with his other amps or match to Hypex ones.

You waited months for these amps and you did not the find the posted gain options until you got them? Not having one that exactly matches your Okto‘s seems pretty minor. Is there another amp is offering a better gain option with as much power per channel?

For some reason I don't see the answer to my question in the above...

 

[RickS]

For some reason I don't see the answer to my question in the above...

You do not know the answer? Aren't you designing an active multi-way speaker?

 

[goryu]

Still no answer. What is the point of your postings?

 

[RickS]

Still no answer. What is the point of your postings?

Your gain matching complaint is insignificant relative to the overall problem you are trying to solve. In any case, it does not belong in this thread.

If you want an answer, start your own thread and state the problem you are trying to solve.

 

[goryu]

It seems entirely appropriate to ask questions related to a products specs/performance in a thread about said product. What's it to you anyway? Either answer the question or run along. If anything, your off topic remarks don't belong in this thread.

 

[MAB]

It seems entirely appropriate to ask questions related to a products specs/performance in a thread about said product. What's it to you anyway? Either answer the question or run along. If anything, your off topic remarks don't belong in this thread.

I am just wondering what application you envision that requires the type of gain matching you claim you need.
My answer to your concern about max volume vs. overload is no. But without understanding what you are doing that requires this, hard to tell if this is important or just going OCD on specs.

 

[Sokel]

It seems entirely appropriate to ask questions related to a products specs/performance in a thread about said product. What's it to you anyway? Either answer the question or run along. If anything, your off topic remarks don't belong in this thread.

I would go for the medium so I can take advantage of the better SNR of the DAC.
It might also be a good idea if the VC before the amp is not some rock-solid solution but a digital one susceptible to max to 0db for it's own reasons.

 

[RickS]

Because I know that Buckeye made his gain option choices by asking for input from the forum members and you know that I assist him. He is busy getting builds for others done, so think you can appreciate that. Rehashing history will not change the amplifier.

As I already stated, the amp has many choices and beyond that, if you want help, simply need more context. This is how design problems are solved.

 

[goryu]

I would go for the medium so I can take advantage of the better SNR of the DAC.
It might also be a good idea if the VC before the amp is not some rock-solid solution but a digital one susceptible to max to 0db for it's own reasons.

Thanks for offering a helpful comment. Using the medium setting of 5.8V at 4 ohms would mean the amp wouldn't reach it's rated output at the 4V input max of the dac if I understand this correctly so one would expect a peak output of less than rated power. Roughly 30% less voltage would mean quite a bit less it would seem.

 

[Sokel]

Thanks for offering a helpful comment. Using the medium setting of 5.8V at 4 ohms would mean the amp wouldn't reach it's rated output at the 4V input max of the dac if I understand this correctly so one would expect a peak output of less than rated power. Roughly 30% less voltage would mean quite a bit less it would seem.

You could use one of the high settings with a voltage divider carefully calculated for your needs if you insist about an exact match.
But it had to be a very good quality one so you won't add any noise,etc.

 

[goryu]

Because I know that Buckeye made his gain option choices by asking for input from the forum members and you know that I assist him. He is busy getting builds for others done, so think you can appreciate that. Rehashing history will not change the amplifier.

As I already stated, the amp has many choices and beyond that, if you want help, simply need more context. This is how design problems are solved.

Rehashing history? Not sure what you are on about. Amp has many choices? Did someone say it lacked choices? My comment wasn't about the lack of choices, rather the lack of a choice which would seem to better meet the typical XLR standard of 4V.

 

[goryu]

You could use one of the high settings with a voltage divider carefully calculated for your needs if you insist about an exact match.
But it had to be a very good quality one so you won't add any noise,etc.

Don't think I need an exact match but leaving 30% of the amp's capability out of reach is unfortunate.

 

[Sokel]

Because I know that Buckeye made his gain option choices by asking for input from the forum members and you know that I assist him. He is busy getting builds for others done, so think you can appreciate that. Rehashing history will not change the amplifier.

As I already stated, the amp has many choices and beyond that, if you want help, simply need more context. This is how design problems are solved.

To tell the truth the obvious choices should be 2,4 and 5V as that's what the majority of today's devices output.
On the other hand I like the 10V one .

 

[RickS]

Rehashing history? Not sure what you are on about. Amp has many choices? Did someone say it lacked choices? My comment wasn't about the lack of choices, rather the lack of a choice which would seem to better meet the typical XLR standard of 4V.

How many other vendors have you asked? If there is a better alternative buy it. Another Buckeye customer will be happy to have your amps.

 

[goryu]

How many other vendors have you asked? If there is a better alternative buy it. Another Buckeye customer will be happy to have your amps.

Why would I ask another vendor about this amp? Again, your comments are inappropriate and of zero utility.