Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Amp Review

[DonH56]

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.

Perhaps. @Buckeye Amps is one of our own so we, or maybe just I, get a little more excited. It's also worth noting that the modules have fairly stringent input requirements, necessitating a well-designed buffer, and the one Dylan uses is a custom design. That input stage is a big part of achieving the measured performance, and part of why some other designs have not done as well. He also used a different power supply module to reach the maximum power the Purifi (not Hypex, guessing a typo on your part) amp can deliver, another differentiating factor. Small in your eyes, but I appreciate details like that, and when the base modules are already excellent it is these small integration details that set things apart in my mind. I've designed full-custom analog/mixed-signal ICs, then had to deliver a completed hybrid or PCB using them in a final product, and painful experience taught me not to take the integration ("plumbing") for granted.

FWIWFM - Don

 

[RickS]

As is a review thread, several speculative posts regarding case suppliers were moved to this existing thread…

Amplifier Case Design Options

Hello ASR, Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful week of weather (depending on your location, I suppose). I'm looking at a couple different case designs for an upcoming DIY project, and will likely be using it as direct reference for an upcoming launch offering fully assembled Hypex and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Any comparable new posts should be made there or will be moved or deleted at moderator discretion. Thanks!

 

[Mort]

No one needs to apologize for testing this robust amplifier even if the results were anticipated. That's just trolling.

 

[daniboun]

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.

In a way, you're right. Integrators don't rack their brains as much as inventors. However, they deserve credit for designing buffers and, let's say, sometimes even enclosures... Integrators are more businesspeople, in a way.

 

[PristineSound]

Purifi (not Hypex, guessing a typo on your part)

Yes mistyped, I meant Purifi.

In a way, you're right. Integrators don't rack their brains as much as inventors. However, they deserve credit for designing buffers and, let's say, sometimes even enclosures... Integrators are more businesspeople, in a way.

I think some of us (or maybe just me) are getting too comfortable. Just like I only expect Topping or SMSL to produce high performing DACs.

Unfortunately, this sucks for manufacturers. Routine expectations are set, the moment one manufacturer screws up, I think there will be a riot

 

[TunaBug]

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

I very much appreciate the appearance of my Buckeye amp. It was does what it should. It does not signal that I wasted money on glitz, and it certainly doesn't constantly remind the better half of what I spent. Different strokes, I guess.

ETA: Actually, even more important than not attracting the eyes of the better half is that it doesn't attract my eyes either. I bought it for me to listen to.

 

[TunaBug]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye Purifi 1ET9040BA (second generation?)

Can somebody remind me what the "second generation" is? From parsing Amir's wording I think he's referring to the Purifi module (as opposed to Buckeye's product)? But is this V2 of the 1ET9040B? Or is it that the 1ET9040BA is the generation after 1ET6525S?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Can somebody remind me what the "second generation" is? From parsing Amir's wording I think he's referring to the Purifi module (as opposed to Buckeye's product)? But it's this V2 of the 1ET9040B? Or is it that the 1ET9040BA is the generation after 1ET6525S?

The Purifi 1ET9040BA and 1ET6525SA are the second generations of Purifi's EIGENTAKT amplifier technology

 

[GS430man]

The 1st version of the Buckeye 1ET9040BA amplifier used a Hypex power supply. A Micro Audio power supply was an optional upcharge.

Stereophile tested the version with the Hypex PSU last year.

Buckeye has since made the Micro Audio PSU standard for the amp. Amir tested the Micro Audio variation.

 

[daniboun]

Yes mistyped, I meant Purifi.

I think some of us (or maybe just me) are getting too comfortable. Just like I only expect Topping or SMSL to produce high performing DACs.

Unfortunately, this sucks for manufacturers. Routine expectations are set, the moment one manufacturer screws up, I think there will be a riot

When a manufacturer is used to setting the bar high, it's difficult to come back down to earth...

 

[welwynnick]

The Purifi 1ET9040BA and 1ET6525SA are the second generations of Purifi's EIGENTAKT amplifier technology

And the 1ET400 and 1ET7040 were first generation.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

And the 1ET400 and 1ET7040 were first generation.

Yea. I always considered the 7040 a first gen refresh in a way for some reason.

 

[Imakeller]

I very much appreciate the appearance of my Buckeye amp. It was does what it should. It does not signal that I wasted money on glitz, and it certainly doesn't constantly remind the better half of what I spent. Different strokes, I guess.

ETA: Actually, even more important than not attracting the eyes of the better half is that it doesn't attract my eyes either. I bought it for me to listen to.

Agreed! The cases are not glitzy, but they are not “cheap” looking either. Buckeye has this to say on their website:

“Our cases may not be much to look at, but unlike our competitors who use overseas manufacturing, we have all of our cases manufactured in North America (Protocase, Inc). This is part of our commitment to keep as much of our amplifiers as "home grown" as possible. It also ensures the highest possible quality aluminum and extremely precise CNC manufacturing.”

 

[Imakeller]

I wonder how this Buckeye Purifi 1ET9040BA would compare to Buckeye’s Hypex NC2k monoblock? That Hypex with Buckeye custom I/O board looks pretty stellar as well.

 

[TurtlePaul]

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.

The performance ceiling of these Purifi amps is very very high. While all of the integrators make audibly perfect amps, the high performance does make the integration important.

There have been some examples where an AC power line was routed across a line level signal path and these amps are sensitive enough for that to show up in the measurements of the impacted channel.

There have been examples where the speaker output cables were not twisted properly or the connection to the speaker output jack wasn’t good enough. With these very good amps, Amir has been able to see differences between bare wire, banana plugs and speakon connectors.

Purifi modules have low gain and low input impedance. Therefore the integrators use input buffers ahead of the Purifi modules. Different integrators have used different input buffers. These input stages need to operate at very high SINAD while providing most of the amps gain.

While not the same difficulty as designing the Purifi modules, the integrators do need to make sure to get a lot right in their implementations because the smallest EMI, cable resistances or grounding problems is a big degradation from 110 dB+ SINADs.

 

[KL....]

Thank you, @Buckeye Amps, to ask, no allowance for SE/RCA input which suggests that SE/RCA input is not recommended, is that correct? If SE input is also recommended can you clarify.

 

[sceptical1]

This amp has too much noise. 10db more from low to medium gain at 4 ohms. Unacceptable at any price.

 

[Sokel]

This amp has too much noise. 10db more from low to medium gain at 4 ohms. Unacceptable at any price.

Make that 4dB, 110dB vs 106dB.

Gain is a cruel judge, it's unavoidable.

 

[antcollinet]

Very true, however Canada is NOT part of the U.S.A. Claiming the parts manufactured in Canada are somehow manufactured in the U.S.A.

He doesn't claim that - the claim is "North America" which is not USA.

 

[antcollinet]

This amp has too much noise.

My what metric? Tell me. how you are going to hear noise down at the threshold of hearing - even when your volume is turned up to 100dB SPL.