BUCKEYEAMPS Hypex NCx500 Amplifier 2channel Review

[Toni Mas]

Its intended use is 700w. Whether it drives PA speakers or your home computer speakers is completely irrelevant. I’m not sure what your point is. I can’t imagine anything being so black and white as this situation.

700W? If this is your point you are the typical rma generator! And you should pay for what you burn for BAD USE!

 

[thin bLue]

I just re-ran the test with 150 points. Still getting the same power out of this configuration.

Impressive and look like well made!
The heat also seems to dissipate fairly well. I'd expect there to be a thick metal panel somewhere.

My last one was 150 point 100 mV to 3.3 V @High, so my test was little bit more intense but, overall, your sweep still appears to be more stable at high power.
(and others are
150 point 100 mV to 6.2 V @ Med
150 point 100 mV to 11.4 V @ Low)

Adding various Freq 20k 15k 10k 5k 2k (1k) 500 100 20 in sweep plot will make it easier for all ASR members to compare performance!
Could you add this?

 

[sarumbear]

700W? If this is your point you are the typical rma generator! And you should pay for what you burn for BAD USE!

Thankfully, even the manufacturer disagrees with you.

 

[Toni Mas]

Thankfully, even the manufacturer disagrees with you.

Thanks ASR and all the Buzz!

 

[thin bLue]

Normal case without any additional heatsinks.

Oh WOW
Look quite small, but yet sturdy? It's Cooooool!

 

[Swtoby]

Headroom, It is just called headroom.
If you insist in making continuous use of the last 3dB it's your problem. Or It should be!

Below are some specs for the Hypex compared to an NAD amp. NAD specifies 340 watts at 4 ohm 20Hz to 20 kHz at the rated THD of 0.005% both channels driven. That's pretty clear to me and I'd expect the amp to give that power without going into protection or blowing up. Historically with NAD you get what they specify and then some. Compare that to the Hypex which is a bit murky to me. They state 700 watts at 4 ohm, but is that both channels driven and at what frequency and distortion? If we include Hypex's additional specs, are we to assume the specs are to read: both channels driven at 700 watts into 4 ohm 20hz to 20kHz at the rated THD 0.0006? If so, then the reviewer is justified in wanting to see all that power without the amp being destroyed. If not then the Hypex specs seem misleading.


Hypex NCx500 specs:

Specifications:
(2) Hypex NCx500 modules
(1) Hypex SMPS1200A700
700w @ 2ohm per channel
700w @ 4ohm per channel
380w @ 8ohm per channel

Additional Specs:

• Low Distortion: THD+N = 0.0006% 4Ω, 20-20kHz
• S/N Ratio: 137dB
• Frequency Response: 0 - 75kHz
• High Input Impedance: 47K
• Ultra High Damping Factor
• High 28A Current Output capable of driving difficult 2ohm speakers

NAD C298:

• Rated output power into 8 Ohms and 4 ohms (Stereo mode, ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz at
  rated THD, both channels driven)
  
• 185 W at 8 ohms
  340 W at 4 ohms
• Rated output power into 8 Ohms
  (Bridge mode, ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz
  at rated THD, both channels driven)
• 620 W at 8 ohms
• THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• <0.005 % (1 W to 185 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
• Clipping power (Stereo mode, at 1 kHz 0.1 % THD)
• >200 W
• Clipping power (Bridge mode, at 1 kHz 0.1 % THD)
• >690 W
• IHF dynamic power (Stereo mode, at 1 kHz 1 % THD)
• 8 ohms: 260 W
  4 ohms: 490 W
  2 ohms: 570 W

 

[NTK]

Those who ask for potentially destructive tests should be aware that most of the devices Amir tests are provided by members, who may like to see their units returned to them still in working order.

 

[GXAlan]

If not then the Hypex specs seem misleading.

I love the transparency that Buckeye has offered but this is where we get into semantics. HypeX doesn’t set the spec, the OEM integrator does.

Look at the NC500 (non-X)

And the Marantz Model 30 which is listed at just 100W per Chanel into 8 ohms.

HypeX is clear that the continuous output power is way lower than what most vendors advertise…

 

[Apollon Audio]

Impressive and look like well made!
The heat also seems to dissipate fairly well. I'd expect there to be a thick metal panel somewhere.

My last one was 150 point 100 mV to 3.3 V @High, so my test was little bit more intense but, overall, your sweep still appears to be more stable at high power.
(and others are
150 point 100 mV to 6.2 V @ Med
150 point 100 mV to 11.4 V @ Low)

Adding various Freq 20k 15k 10k 5k 2k (1k) 500 100 20 in sweep plot will make it easier for all ASR members to compare performance!
Could you add this?

Here you go. I would say that it is truly impressive what this little NCx500 module can do.

 

[thin bLue]

Those who ask for potentially destructive tests should be aware that most of the devices Amir tests are provided by members, who may like to see their units returned to them still in working order.

I do NOT want make Amplifier fries.
REALLY!

 

[sarumbear]

I love the transparency that Buckeye has offered but this is where we get into semantics. HypeX doesn’t set the spec, the OEM integrator does.

Look at the NC500 (non-X)
View attachment 303807

And the Marantz Model 30 which is listed at just 100W per Chanel into 8 ohms.

HypeX is clear that the continuous output power is way lower than what most vendors advertise…

Wow! 100W is pretty low. 8dB power difference between peak and continuous is huge.

I agree that the name on the amplifier is the one who should took the responsibility of the specs. In the greater scheme of things Hypex module is a part that they used to build an amplifier, which carry this name.

PS. @GXAlan How do they define peak?

 

[Toni Mas]

Below are some specs for the Hypex compared to an NAD amp. NAD specifies 340 watts at 4 ohm 20Hz to 20 kHz at the rated THD of 0.005% both channels driven. That's pretty clear to me and I'd expect the amp to give that power without going into protection or blowing up. Historically with NAD you get what they specify and then some. Compare that to the Hypex which is a bit murky to me. They state 700 watts at 4 ohm, but is that both channels driven and at what frequency and distortion? If we include Hypex's additional specs, are we to assume the specs are to read: both channels driven at 700 watts into 4 ohm 20hz to 20kHz at the rated THD 0.0006? If so, then the reviewer is justified in wanting to see all that power without the amp being destroyed. If not then the Hypex specs seem misleading.


Hypex NCx500 specs:

Specifications:
(2) Hypex NCx500 modules
(1) Hypex SMPS1200A700
700w @ 2ohm per channel
700w @ 4ohm per channel
380w @ 8ohm per channel

Additional Specs:

• Low Distortion: THD+N = 0.0006% 4Ω, 20-20kHz
• S/N Ratio: 137dB
• Frequency Response: 0 - 75kHz
• High Input Impedance: 47K
• Ultra High Damping Factor
• High 28A Current Output capable of driving difficult 2ohm speakers

NAD C298:

• Rated output power into 8 Ohms and 4 ohms (Stereo mode, ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz at
  rated THD, both channels driven)
• 185 W at 8 ohms
  340 W at 4 ohms
• Rated output power into 8 Ohms
  (Bridge mode, ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz
  at rated THD, both channels driven)
• 620 W at 8 ohms
• THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• <0.005 % (1 W to 185 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
• Clipping power (Stereo mode, at 1 kHz 0.1 % THD)
• >200 W
• Clipping power (Bridge mode, at 1 kHz 0.1 % THD)
• >690 W
• IHF dynamic power (Stereo mode, at 1 kHz 1 % THD)
• 8 ohms: 260 W
  4 ohms: 490 W
  2 ohms: 570 W

Power specs have always been like poker, and different players play different games.
Nothing to call home about.

 

[thin bLue]

Here you go. I would say that it is truly impressive what this little NCx500 module can do.

View attachment 303811

Good looking and consistent!
That is the shape all we want to see though Ncore and Purifi grade of Class D Amplifiers!

 

[Matias]

Here you go. I would say that it is truly impressive what this little NCx500 module can do. 20Khz and 15Khz @ 500 watts with 0.0001% THD+N. Mind blowing. Haven't seen this with any other class D module on the market.

View attachment 303811

Note that even 100 Hz is not as power limited as the reviews graphs and goes along 1 kHz just fine. Very strange all that.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Regarding reproducibility: I can say we have stressed tested a few different NCx builds with the SMPS1200A700 and never had an issue leading to the SMPS "frying" itself. As of right now I am considering it a one off, which can happen unfortunately. Hence getting a new SMPS sent out right away per warranty.

Regarding a "beefier" SMPS....there are things in the works to possible switch away from all Hypex SMPS models, yes. But no timeline for that at all.

 

[Toni Mas]

Regarding reproducibility: I can say we have stressed tested a few different NCx builds with the SMPS1200A700 and never had an issue leading to the SMPS "frying" itself. As of right now I am considering it a one off, which can happen unfortunately. Hence getting a new SMPS sent out right away per warranty.

Regarding a "beefier" SMPS....there are things in the works to possible switch away from all Hypex SMPS models, yes. But no timeline for that at all.

One PSU / Channel and no more stupid RMAs...

 

[Buckeye Amps]

One PSU / Channel and no more stupid RMAs...

A bad PSU is a bad PSU, wouldn't matter if it was a dual mono setup, that SMPS was likely to fail IMO, as there was obviously defective.

 

[Toni Mas]

A bad PSU is a bad PSU, wouldn't matter if it was a dual mono setup, that SMPS was likely to fail IMO, as there was obviously defective.

Well design your own good one...

 

[AudioJester]

I guess retest with replacement psu

 

[Matias]

Well design your own good one...

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