Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Amp Review

[Dmitri]

I could make a bespoke design mounted on a single piece of reclaimed plywood....

Damn Dylan! I’m an accomplished wood worker! Send me a couple of these and I’ll be glad to make them pretty for ya!

 

[RogerSmith]

The case is what is it is guys. The different opinions are clear by now. To avoid heading towards a tenfold of pages about the design of the case, which is hardly interesting for a science based forum, I made this simulator that allows you to play with the different design criteria and watch the outcome:


View attachment 502166

Haha, but the Sagrada Familia isn't finished yet, maybe there are hopes for the Buckeye' look to improve as well (although I don't find it ugly, just not splendid).

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Where did you find this picture ? I kind of like like it for my place. If you have a link send it my way or post it. Thanks

It's from BDI's website. I just used the Windows copy feature and posted it here. They have all kinds of beautiful stuff there. I think it's the best AV furniture out there, and, for it's quality and craftsmanship, a great value as well.

BDI Furniture | Smart Designs for Modern Living

Discover BDI's innovative furniture solutions, combining modern design, smart functionality, and timeless style. Shop office, media, bedroom, and storage collections crafted to enhance your home and lifestyle.

www.bdiusa.com

 

[dlaloum]

My amps are rated at 1000 watts into 4 ohm and I have on a couple of occasions turned the volume to max. Truth to be told, I was scared of dynamics that were about to come. They did and it was enjoyable rather than scary. Then I look down from my listening room into the living room and notice both the wife and two dogs had disappeared to escape the noise!!!

1000w not required for the wife to exit to escape loudness... (sigh)

On the other hand with Dirac ART, she is finding that she is quite enjoying listening at a louder level than we used to pre-ART...

 

[kemmler3D]

I consider this to be the best amplifier ever measured on this website, due to its exceptional watt-per-performance-per-price ratio. The 9040B is specifically designed to drive demanding 1-ohm and 2-ohm loads, which I think justifies its price point.

Agree. This is the one to beat if you have a demanding speaker to run. And it being flat almost out to 50Khz should really make any class-D- skeptical folks think.

 

[Hipocrates]

Great work man, love the upgraded PS.

 

[Julf]

I'll answer your question directly (as asked). The main difference is the maximum power output of the supplies. The Hypex supplies have a Pmax of about 1200W, so they cannot fully realize the maximum power output of 1400W of the 9040BA module in 2 ohms. The micro-audio power supply can fully realise the maximum capabilities of the Purifi module (and then some).

As to audibility between the two supplies, the answer is mostly no ... until you reach the clipping point. Beyond 1200W, the Hypex-based amp will clip, and that distortion could be audible. You'd have to exceed 1400W of the microaudio before you reach its clipping point.

On the other hand, the difference between 1200 W and 1400 W is less than 0.7 dB - so insignificant.

 

[AkodoGilador]

This BUCKEYE 9040 amp wins the ugliest design award by far. But, Purifi 9040 is certainly quality hardware.

I wonder what is causing the NINE evenly distributed 10-15dB distortion spikes in the 50 to 8KHz range? Any idea?
Likely not audible but NOT what I would expect from Purifi design team?


View attachment 501885

No-one's replied to this, so I'll take a shot...

This test is all about those spikes! 20kHz - 19kHz = 1kHz, hence the spike at 1kHz, and 20kHz + 19kHz = 39kHz, hence the spike there.

IMD also occurs at the differences of multiples of the input frequencies (ie the spike at 2kHz is from 2*20kHz - 2*19Hz, etc), but I'm unclear whether the spikes at 38kHz and 40kHz are harmonic distortion or IMD.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodulation

Alex

 

[delta76]

Hope to see a review of 1ET6525SA soon. Expected same performance (except for power), but the price range should be more appealing to more buyers

 

[Matias]

Hope to see a review of 1ET6525SA soon. Expected same performance (except for power), but the price range should be more appealing to more buyers

Done here with a boXem amp.

boXem A 4216/E2 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the boXem A 4216/E2 stereo balanced amplifier based on Purifi 1ET6525SA class D module. It was sent to me by the company and costs €1,160 (USD $1,350). While not built out of billet of aluminum and such, the 4216/E2 still manages to look unique and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

And alternatively let us not forget the wonders of NCx500 too.

Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Apollon NCx500ST stereo class D amplifier based on Hypex NCOREx NCx500 modules. It was kindly drop shipped from the member and costs 1,090.00€ (US $1,168) with standard opamp. While the case is stamped aluminum, it is a heavily customized one...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Lot's of excellent options out there.

 

[Rja4000]

Truth to be told, I was scared of dynamics that were about to come. They did and it was enjoyable rather than scary.

Yes, distortion is what feels bad.
Good undistorted power is just... loud.

The acoustic power some instruments, like a concert grand piano, as an example, are capable of are sometimes gigantic.
And still, nobody flies away.

 

[Mort]

My amps are rated at 1000 watts into 4 ohm and I have on a couple of occasions turned the volume to max. Truth to be told, I was scared of dynamics that were about to come. They did and it was enjoyable rather than scary. Then I look down from my listening room into the living room and notice both the wife and two dogs had disappeared to escape the noise!!!

From the basement with earplugs she could easily tell how good it sounded!

 

[prerich]

I'm actually starting to like the Buckeye cases a little more. Its very unassuming and plain, while being next level in power and distortion and price/performance. Like a big FU to D'Agostino type amps.

That's one thing that would not happen for me. These amps belong in a closet - not seen, not heard (i.e. as in transparent). However, putting these in a jewelry case would up the price quite a bit. Can you imagine a stack of 11 of these? Yep not made to be seen.

 

[prerich]

There's no debate on the performance as far as I can see (Outstanding). All that performance and engineering (Via Purifi) thrown into a DIY project box. I understand that there are those folks who appreciate the "minimalist industrial" look, but at $1,300 a pop, I'd expect a bit more "polish".

I would like more polish...but at that price - with that performance, it's a no brainer especially if you hide your gear. When you start adding fit an finish to an amp, you start adding cost. At $1300 - I could see it in the rackmount case (maybe at $1500), but this is currently SOTA as far as performance is concerned.

 

[prerich]

Obviously, all your taste is in your mouth.

Come on... Who doesn't like good looking gear? Maybe this design appeals to those who like the Cybertruck look?

I liked your comment because of my own subjective reasoning....but in hindsight, not everyone likes good looking gear. Some prefer that their gear be out of sight, out of mind. I think the Cyber-truck is the ugliest thing on wheels ...on the outside. Now amps that don't quite measure up to the Buckeye, but their deficiencies aren't audible, look great, and the owner loves some eye-candy....you can choose to buy an objectively inferior amp - but subjectively equal...that looks good. Its a win for whoever buys what they want. Like one poster already stated - I think Genelec speakers are just ugly, but if given a pair - I'm not arguing.

 

[amper42]

I would like more polish...but at that price - with that performance, it's a no brainer especially if you hide your gear. When you start adding fit an finish to an amp, you start adding cost. At $1300 - I could see it in the rackmount case (maybe at $1500), but this is currently SOTA as far as performance is concerned.

Here's the thing. 9040 is nice but it's only 3dB louder than PURIFI 1ET6525SA stereo amp.
Most amps are using less than 10W at normal listening levels.

The NEED for a 1400W $2590 stereo amp vs 500W with a $1,150 1ET6525SA just isn't there.
You won't hear a difference and it's unlikely that 1400W will EVER actually be needed.

While there is a lot of drooling over specs, this amp is a waste of money for 99% of listeners.

 

[prerich]

I don't find anything not good looking about the case. Your topping example doesn't look good to me. A lot of the things people fuss over, particularly in the audio jewelry department, are firmly in the realm of what I'd call gaudy. Something nondescript and unassuming like this is much better.

The Cybertruck is much more like the typical gaudy audiophile jewelry look. Comparing this to that monstrosity to me shows a complete lack of aesthetic sense. But there's no objective base for aesthetics, so arguing about it is useless.

He may have used the Topping as an example because of its smooth and curved lines. The Buckeye's are just plain black boxes. Maybe if they went with a curved case. I wouldn't be surprised if someone down the line took everything out of the Buckeye case and put it into a faux case - just saying....easy way to solve the looks issue. Now if you physically remove the components from the case - I believe that would void any warranty. In the PC world we've done the entire faux case thing to death

 

[prerich]

Here's the thing. 9040 is nice but it's only 3dB louder than PURIFI 1ET6525SA stereo amp.
Most amps are using less than 10W at normal listening levels.

The NEED for a 1400W $2590 stereo amp vs 500W with a $1,150 1ET6525SA just isn't there.
You won't hear a difference and it's unlikely that 1400W will EVER actually be needed.

While there is a lot of drooling over specs, this amp is a waste of money for 99% of listeners.

Well there are some speaker out there with some demanding impedance dips. The Legacy Focus SE actually dips right at or right below two ohms at 32hz. Infinity Kappa 9's ....yeah this amp would be a good fit, as well as with the Infinity Epsilons...Kappa 9's go into 1 ohm! There is that 1-4 percent that may actually need a amp like this.

 

[Chagall]

Threads "Ugly but brilliant" and "The great Watt debate" started....let's leave this one be.

 

[SorenTyson]

This performance and still one guy votes "poor"