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Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Amp Review

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 0.8%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 29 8.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 322 91.0%

  • Total voters
    354
I have a very beginner question. Please pardon my ignorance. Is it okay to use wiim ultra directly connected this amp with a low gain setting? Wimm ultra rca vrm is only 2.1 and the spec sheet says 8ohm low gain needs 7.1.
 
I did a search around another amp tested there so to compare with other AP measurements and it seems that yes, used BW is narrower.
AP bandwidth is programmable. How did you determine that from that graph?
 
I have a very beginner question. Please pardon my ignorance. Is it okay to use wiim ultra directly connected this amp with a low gain setting? Wimm ultra rca vrm is only 2.1 and the spec sheet says 8ohm low gain needs 7.1.
Unbalanced RCA source to balanced XLR input might be fine, but you might experience ground loops or other noise.
The 7.1V input sensitivity means that you won't be able to push the Purifi's maximum output power with the Wiim's 2.1V, that's all. If you do need the Purifi's maximum (or more than the low-gain can provide) output power, you can just switch to a higher gain and that's it.
 
Unbalanced RCA source to balanced XLR input might be fine, but you might experience ground loops or other noise.
Unbalanced to balanced is usually fine (assuming a proper differential balanced input), the other way is trickier.
 
I had archived a PSU comparison: Hypex vs. Micro Audio. I'm sharing it for those who are curious.

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for the uneducated like me - what's the meaning of it? Micro has less noise(?) in lower frequency while Hypex has less in higher ones. What's the take?

I'll try to help you with my somewhat limited knowledge.

-For Low frequencies (5 Hz – 100 Hz):
The Hypex curve starts around -40 dBV, which is relatively high.
The Micro Audio PSU curve is much lower (around -90 dBV), indicating less noise.

-From 100 Hz to 1 kHz:
The Hypex PSU exhibits regular peaks (harmonics), probably related to a fundamental frequency (perhaps 50 Hz or 60 Hz, typical of the electrical outlet AC in)
These harmonics gradually decrease in amplitude.

-From 1 kHz to 20 kHz:
Both PSUs show curves that flatten out, indicating less energy in this band, with overall low noise.

-Beyond 20 kHz up to 1 MHz: A rise in noise is observed, especially for the Micro Audio PSU. This could be due to high-frequency interference or electronic noise.

Globally The Hypex PSU appears to have pronounced harmonics and the Micro Audio is much cleaner in the low frequencies but exhibits high-frequency noises
Would say that the Micro Audio PSU is clearly better / Less noise and harmonics in the audio band and Less risk of intermodulation with the switching frequency.
= Better overall THD.
 
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So that's a "yes" then, but nonetheless, I'm surprised at the sheer magnitude of the differences between them.
Another way of looking at this is to say the Micro Audio has lower noise in the audio band.
The spray of peaks at 60, 120, 180, 240Hz etc are mains fundamental and harmonics, and all mains powered equipment has them to some extent.
I think what this shows is the magic performed by Hypex and Purifi modules in supressing this breakthrough, as its rarely an issue with completed amplifiers.
When you look at Amir's measurement of the 1ET400 with Hypex SMPS1200, you have to say it's problem solved, don't you?
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Neither of these supplies are regulated, are they?
 
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It says 22.4 kHz bandwidth at the top of the review.

View attachment 502813

Michael
Thanks for that!
And think that I searched :facepalm:

So, only H2 present at the 10kHz at the THD+N vs freq chart where from the 1kHz chart the dominant one is H3 though, so not comparable with Amir's charts up there.
Does pretty good at the 5kHz though and that's a good sign of health of an AB amp.

And at a consistent 600W to 1.2kW on tap for various loads...
 
No trying to be a Debbie Downer or rain on anyone's parade, but have we see any manufacturers who integrate these Purifi and Hypex amps, screws it up and end up with terrible performance?

These Purifi and Hypex "reviews" is really just a validation/confirmation at this point. All credit for technical excellence nearly all belong to Purifi and Hypex.

I think when it comes to these Purifi and Hypex integrators the only thing we need to look for is casework, price, connectivity options/features, built quality and customer service.
 
Unsure why some go as far as calling the case "ugly"... looks fine to me. What does an amp need to look like?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Luckily there are no scientific measurements for it, well maybe except for general voting?

This is not the first time I have heard criticism on these Buckeye casework, even Dylan addressed this topic on some YouTube interview I saw.
 
At the risk of having another post deleted by the moderators, I had previously suggested that having an "upgraded" case as premium upcharge option would be a great idea IMHO. I think it would likely create some additional revenue, selling to those who would normally pass on the basic bent sheet metal enclosure, like me.
There's other manufacturers, who offer different style cases for different tastes.

It appears this is just Buckeye's formula, don't spend too much on the casework to keep cost down and differentiate themselves as a value player in a crowded space. Nice formula and it works for them.

Personally, aesthetic matters a lot to me and since I'm at a different stage in my life now, I got extra disposable income to spend on extra shine a bling for no good functional reason. So yeah, I drop some extra change for the Apollon Lux and it's worth every extra penny to give me that gaze and emotional feeling.
 
No trying to be a Debbie Downer or rain on anyone's parade, but have we see any manufacturers who integrate these Purifi and Hypex amps, screws it up and end up with terrible performance?

These Purifi and Hypex "reviews" is really just a validation/confirmation at this point. All credit for technical excellence nearly all belong to Purifi and Hypex.

I think when it comes to these Purifi and Hypex integrators the only thing we need to look for is casework, price, connectivity options/features, built quality and customer service.
Not terrible, but there have been a few that have had line noise or problems with output coupling due to poor layout, grounding problems, and thermal issues when modules are not properly mounted. Have to check the reviews to be sure. I am, however, content with validation of proper product integration. As well as independent verification of performance. I would not put reviews in quotes as the work done to test, analyze, and publish the result is a lot of work whether it is "just validation" or not.
 
I have a very beginner question. Please pardon my ignorance. Is it okay to use wiim ultra directly connected this amp with a low gain setting? Wimm ultra rca vrm is only 2.1 and the spec sheet says 8ohm low gain needs 7.1.
No ... low gain requires a high 10V+ input signal to drive the amp to full power. Very few sources produce this much output.
 
Not terrible, but there have been a few that have had line noise or problems with output coupling due to poor layout, grounding problems, and thermal issues when modules are not properly mounted. Have to check the reviews to be sure. I am, however, content with validation of proper product integration. As well as independent verification of performance. I would not put reviews in quotes as the work done to test, analyze, and publish the result is a lot of work whether it is "just validation" or not.
You're right, the amount of work went in is the same as any other review.

Perhaps I was trying to say and unable to articulate that there's just too much excitement from the readership for very predictable results. I think if the results were bad, then perhaps it warrants a more excited response. This came across to me as routine for Hypex.
 
No trying to be a Debbie Downer or rain on anyone's parade, but have we see any manufacturers who integrate these Purifi and Hypex amps, screws it up and end up with terrible performance?

These Purifi and Hypex "reviews" is really just a validation/confirmation at this point. All credit for technical excellence nearly all belong to Purifi and Hypex.

I think when it comes to these Purifi and Hypex integrators the only thing we need to look for is casework, price, connectivity options/features, built quality and customer service.
With some modules it’s necessary for the integrator to design a buffer/gain stage , hence they have different gain and different selection of gain levels . Some offer RCA and XLR inputs , sometimes you need to bring your own RCA to XLR cable .

I prefer stuff with properly done RCA and XLR inputs .
 
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