Buckeye NC252MP Stereo Amplifier Review

[AudioKC]

Not really, but there is hardly any music information at 15 KHz or above. A typical spectrum for a high-resolution recording displays a declining slope from the midrange on up. By 15KHz, the levels are -60dB or lower (referenced to the midrange), so the power of the 15KHz harmonic is 30W / 1,000,000 = 30 uW or lower! Now, that is almost humanly impossible to hear, let alone 10-15uW when listening at 10 - 15W levels. Now, that 10uW - 30uW signal has distortion peaks -70dB lower, making that spec ridiculous to even concerned about.

+ if you 30+ years old, you barely hear above 15K.

 

[AudioKC]

I think he's talking about the music spectrum,not the DACs.

Example of "average" music spectrum

+ another source

 

[KnowNothingNoob]

I want to relate my experience with Dylan.
I live in Germany and had several questions about his amps (I really am a know-nothing-noob), which he patiently answered. Due to concerns about potential issues with customs I indicated that I would have to look elsewhere but nonetheless requested that he provide me guidance. And he did - free of charge - responding to my emails immediately. This sort of business ethics and dedication to customer service is rare, indeed. While I am obviously not familiar with the products, based on this experience I can strongly recommend Buckeye Amps if ever you are in the market for new amps.

 

[Fahzz]

There are a lot of people like that on this forum. They go out of their way to help!

 

[Mort]

Can the 8-channel version of this be 3x2 bridged and 2x1 unbridged for my 5.2 setup?

That would produce 3x500 and 2 250 yes?

Any reason to do this vs a custom mix of 3x 502s and 2x 252s?

 

[Matias]

Can the 8-channel version of this be 3x2 bridged and 2x1 unbridged for my 5.2 setup?

That would produce 3x500 and 2 250 yes?

Any reason to do this vs a custom mix of 3x 502s and 2x 252s?

Just get a custom mix with 502s IMO.

 

[Mort]

I went to purchase an NC252mp in 2 channel for a pair of bookshelf speakers new for $575. I don't need the NC500mp version but it's only $120 more ($695).

I can't help but think that I should just buy the NCx500mp for future use or resale value.

Thoughts?

 

[Multicore]

I can't help but think that I should just buy the NCx500mp for future use or resale value.

When do you plan to sell it?

 

[Head_Unit]

I can't help but think that I should just buy the NCx500mp for future use or resale value.

Thoughts?

you're answering. your own question
Just do it, life is too short, presuming the extra $120 won't kill you

 

[Mort]

you're answering. your own question
Just do it, life is too short, presuming the extra $120 won't kill you

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning that way but have gone back and forth. It's a fun decision.

@Buckeye Amps, I'm curious do you sell many more of the 502s than 252s?

 

[Power Pop 23]

I went to purchase an NC252mp in 2 channel for a pair of bookshelf speakers new for $575. I don't need the NC500mp version but it's only $120 more ($695).

I can't help but think that I should just buy the NCx500mp for future use or resale value.

Thoughts?

I didn't 'need' the extra power of the NC500MP compared the the output of the NC252MP. I chose the NC500MP because I perceived the 'unneeded' extra power of the Buckeye NC500MP amp might reduce a future urge to 'upgrade' my amplification - for relatively little extra money compared to the cost of the NC252MP.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning that way but have gone back and forth. It's a fun decision.

@Buckeye Amps, I'm curious do you sell many more of the 502s than 252s?

It's literally 50/50

 

[Mort]

I went to purchase an NC252mp in 2 channel for a pair of bookshelf speakers new for $575. I don't need the NC500mp version but it's only $120 more ($695).

I can't help but think that I should just buy the NCx500mp for future use or resale value.

Thoughts?

Well, I went for a 6 channel nc500mp. It was only $1000 more. Ha ha.

 

[restorer-john]

Well, I went for a 6 channel nc500mp. It was only $1000 more. Ha ha.

It's only money. Here today, gone tomorrow, unlike a good amplifier, it can last you for many decades.

Enjoy.

 

[Mort]

Can someone check my math? It has to be wrong. I'm seeing that the 252 would deliver more power than the 500.

I'm using a Denon X4800H which puts out 1.6vrms clean via RCA. The hypex nc500mp has a 2.3v input sensitivity. The nc252mp has a 1.6v input sensitivity.

I think power is proportional to the square of the voltage (P=V^2/R)

Hypex 500
(1.6^2)/(2.3^2) = 2.56 / 5.3 * 500W = 238

Hypex 250
(1.6^2)/(1.6^2) = 2.56 / 2.56 * 250W = 250

Does the 252 really put out more in this case?

 

[DonH56]

Can someone check my math? It has to be wrong. I'm seeing that the 252 would deliver more power than the 500.

I'm using a Denon X4800H which puts out 1.6vrms clean via RCA. The hypex nc500mp has a 2.3v input sensitivity. The nc252mp has a 1.6v input sensitivity.

I think power is proportional to the square of the voltage (P=V^2/R)

Hypex 500
(1.6^2)/(2.3^2) = 2.56 / 5.3 * 500W = 238

Hypex 250
(1.6^2)/(1.6^2) = 2.56 / 2.56 * 250W = 250

Does the 252 really put out more in this case?

Yes. Gain is similar but with twice the output power and slightly lower sensitivity (slightly more voltage for full-scale output) the Hypex NC500MP will put out slightly less power from 1.6 V input. Compared to 2.3 V, 1.6 W is -3.15 dB so a hair less than one-half full power checks out.

500 W into 4 ohms = 44.72 V; 44.72/2.3 = 19.44 V/V gain
250 W into 4 ohms = 31.62 V; 31.62/1.6 = 19.76 V/V gain

Power is V^2 / R

 

[Mort]

Yes. Gain is similar but with twice the output power and slightly lower sensitivity (slightly more voltage for full-scale output) the Hypex NC500MP will put out slightly less power from 1.6 V input. Compared to 2.3 V, 1.6 W is -3.15 dB so a hair less than one-half full power checks out.

500 W into 4 ohms = 44.72 V; 44.72/2.3 = 19.44 V/V gain
250 W into 4 ohms = 31.62 V; 31.62/1.6 = 19.76 V/V gain

Power is V^2 / R

It seemed like an anomaly! Thank you for that.


Here's my super noob question. Does the 500 or the 252 have more headroom with the x4800h?

 

[DonH56]

It seemed like an anomaly! Thank you for that.


Here's my super noob question. Does the 500 or the 252 have more headroom with the x4800h?

"Headroom" does not have a lot of meaning in this case if the Denon is truly limited to 1.6 Vrms maximum output, but I would guess its actual output is higher than that if the specified output is 1.6 V with low distortion. In that case, the NC252MP is at full rated output power for 1.6 V input, while the NC500MP still has about 3 dB additional output power available with 1.6 V input. By that measure the NC500MP has more headroom.

What may be more important is if your speakers can handle the extra power, and if you even need the extra power. You can check an online calculator like the one below to estimate how much power you actually need. I find 80 dB SPL at my ears to be quite loud.

http://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.htmlhttp://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.html

HTH - Don

 

[Buckeye Amps]

FWIW, I believe the Denon's can do at least 2v before distortion starts to rise (just going off the 3700/4700 and 4800 reviews).

 

[DonH56]

FWIW, I believe the Denon's can do at least 2v before distortion starts to rise (just going off the 3700/4700 and 4800 reviews).

Thanks Dylan! Then (as suspected) the answer is "yes".