BUCKEYEAMPS Hypex NCx500 Amplifier 2channel Review

[DonH56]

The West Gate Bridge collapse was actually in Melbourne in 1970. As a young boy, I remember my Dad driving us along the road to the bridge, where you could walk/drive along the partially completed section and get quite close to the broken off part. It sat like that for about 2 years and was quite a sight up close. There had been barriers, but curious people had removed them and the braver ones drove their cars quite a distance to get closer.

Corrected, thanks. Now I am struggling with how the heck we went from audio amplifiers to bridge collapses...

 

[DonH56]

Since we're off-topic anyway, I have long felt it might be better to have review threads locked down for (no) comments, and when a review is posted a companion discussion thread created. E.g.:

Thread 1 = XXX Product Review (locked)
Thread 2 = XXX Product Review Discussion -- first post is a link to the (locked) product review.

Been done elsewhere, not sure if that would fly here.

 

[AdamG]

Back on Topic or I will be forced to post more of these…

 

[Rick Sykora]

Back on Topic or I will be forced to post more of these…

You have more?!

 

[restorer-john]

Since we're off-topic anyway, I have long felt it might be better to have review threads locked down for (no) comments, and when a review is posted a companion discussion thread created. E.g.:

Thread 1 = XXX Product Review (locked)
Thread 2 = XXX Product Review Discussion -- first post is a link to the (locked) product review.

Been done elsewhere, not sure if that would fly here.

I posted this suggestion years ago but it was knocked on the head. So I figure, all bets are off.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Still haven't had time to add all the information I would like to to the website but at least have been able to add the (peak) label to the power ratings.

 

[DonH56]

I posted this suggestion years ago but it was knocked on the head. So I figure, all bets are off.

Ah, that explains the hair in your avatar, and I thought it was the wires.

 

[Sokel]

Hasn't DC stabilized yet??
Seriously now,any updates?Has the PSU failure affected amp modules or they endured?

 

[peng]

Still haven't had time to add all the information I would like to to the website but at least have been able to add the (peak) label to the power ratings.

I hope when you do get around to doing it, keep in mind the potential confusion due to the different specs of the SMPS and the amp modules, depending on the SMPS used, the amp modules may or may not be the weak link in terms of the average power, peak power, duration ratings. That is, either one could be the limiting factor.

 

[Hellboy.]

What happened with the new PSU?

 

[Rick Sykora]

Would hope all is well with the OP as after week without an update, the real question is how is he?

 

[thin bLue]

Sorry for delay.

ALL is good at this moment.
I went to the hospital again last Sunday, took a new medicine, but I'm getting better.

I saw a lot of questions about power quality being raised, and we needed some time to figure out how to address them without legal/electrical safety concerns. It's a bit cheaper than originally thought, but there's no software integration, and shipping takes time.

It will show us Voltage, Amp, Wattage

This time, I'll draw power from wall, exclusively using 2.5sq wired power strip.
I also need to test whether the voltage readings of the DMM and the wattmeter match, and the effect of the wattmeter on the amplifier, so this time we have to measure at least three times as many.
I'm proud to be able to offer something that might seems little bit meaningless but somehow cool.


Once I replaced the PSU, the amplifier shows the same ON-OFF DC/AC aspect as the first one, so it can be said at this point that the rest of the performances are highly likely to be the same. More details will be learned while measuring with AP. IMHO, There would to be no significant SINAD difference. But my words at this moment don't mean anything, as the experimental values will prove everything in the end.

After, measurements are done, I'll return the amp (I hope it would not fried!), and the fried PSU will be returned to the company by the owner, so I expect them to more detailed autopsy it in more detail.

 

[Rick Sykora]

Sorry for delay.

ALL is good at this moment.
I went to the hospital again last Sunday, took a new medicine, but I'm getting better.

I saw a lot of questions about power quality being raised, and we needed some time to figure out how to address them without legal/electrical safety concerns. It's a bit cheaper than originally thought, but there's no software integration, and shipping takes time.

View attachment 307028
It will show us Voltage, Amp, Wattage
View attachment 307029

This time, I'll draw power from wall, exclusively using 2.5sq wired power strip.
I also need to test whether the voltage readings of the DMM and the wattmeter match, and the effect of the wattmeter on the amplifier, so this time we have to measure at least three times as many.
I'm proud to be able to offer something that might seems little bit meaningless but somehow cool.


Once I replaced the PSU, the amplifier shows the same ON-OFF DC/AC aspect as the first one, so it can be said at this point that the rest of the performances are highly likely to be the same. More details will be learned while measuring with AP. IMHO, There would to be no significant SINAD difference. But my words at this moment don't mean anything, as the experimental values will prove everything in the end.

After, measurements are done, I'll return the amp (I hope it would not fried!), and the fried PSU will be returned to the company by the owner, so I expect them to more detailed autopsy it in more detail.

so does all good mean the amplifier passed your tests?

 

[thin bLue]

so does all good mean the amplifier passed your tests?

I'm testing it now! (as full voltage input)

Many of limited test has been done (up to 150 W output) too!

 

[thin bLue]

You can see the preview of them.

These are significantly more relaxed test to DUT than in the past. But I still feel quite anxious. Anyway it hasn't been fried yet. Few of test are left.
And I'm sure my wall power is white. I mean she is innocent. Lowest value I've seen was 215 V, It's nicely inside of the standard of our region, 220 V ± 13 V, even in kW drains.

 

[peng]

I'm testing it now! (as full voltage input)

Many of limited test has been done (up to 150 W output) too!

What is the significance of the "generator" start and stop levels, for example, you had the stop level at 5.8 V, 10.3 V and 3.2 Vrms. That can't be the input voltages to the power amp, as the measured level (W) didn't seem to change much?

 

[thin bLue]

What is the significance of the "generator" start and stop levels, for example, you had the stop level at 5.8 V, 10.3 V and 3.2 Vrms. That can't be the input voltages to the power amp, as the measured level (W) didn't seem to change much?

That is what AP generates.
So Ap generates 5.8 V out, DUT(amps)'s max input voltage is 5.8 V. Last time the value was actually 700W point by my experiment. This time theoretical(by gain) value suggestions from the company.

Points are decreased 150 -> 100, Shorter duration of stress.

Filter past 20 - 20k for all
Filter now 10 - 20k (Almost same to 20 - 20k) for 20 - 5 kHz sweep, 10 - 30k for 10 kHz, 10 - 45k for 15 kHz, 10 - 60k for 20 kHz.

So, 10 kHz to 20 kHz sweep now shows 3rd harmonics and ultrasonic debris.

I'll post new threads about repaired amp, so other details will be there.

 

[peng]

That is what AP generates.
So Ap generates 5.8 V out, DUT(amps)'s max input voltage is 5.8 V. Last time the value was actually 700W point by my experiment. This time theoretical(by gain) value suggestions from the company.

Points are decreased 150 -> 100, Shorter duration of stress.

Filter past 20 - 20k for all
Filter now 10 - 20k (Almost same to 20 - 20k) for 20 - 5 kHz sweep, 10 - 30k for 10 kHz, 10 - 45k for 15 kHz, 10 - 60k for 20 kHz.

So, 10 kHz to 20 kHz sweep now shows 3rd harmonics and ultrasonic debris.

I'll post new threads about repaired amp, so other details will be there.

Okay thanks, I can see that, if the DUT's spec says it is 5.8 V max input. But in your second graph, you had it at 10.3 V, but the DUT's output did not change much, what's the reason.

 

[Sokel]

Okay thanks, I can see that, if the DUT's spec says it is 5.8 V max input. But in your second graph, you had it at 10.3 V, but the DUT's output did not change much, what's the reason.

Measuring the different gains of the amp probably,he does that in his reviews.

 

[peng]

Measuring the different gains of the amp probably,he does that in his reviews.

That's probably it, thank you very much.