Class D: Hypex/ICE/Purifi vs. Pro Amps

[Matias]

AFAIK the Conductor version is already for sale everywhere, you can ask the seller for confirmation or a picture of the board just to be sure before selling and shipping.

 

[Sokel]

Anyway, I use a signal processor for active crossovers and tri-amp. I am considering if an ICE Conductor module like the 125ASX2 is now a viable option for my midrange amp. Thoughts?

Why bother with 125?
1200as2 already has a PSU ready to power a 400a2 which measures orders of magnitude better and it only needs couple of connections.
It simplifies the setup, 1200as2 controls everything, etc.

 

[Sokel]

Which completely opposes the rules valid on ASR. Electronics are what they are and don‘t need a warm-up or settling-in.

Heat can work wonders, and that one can be hot at idle (not stand-by, it goes there automatically after 13 minutes and can wake up either with signal or trigger, it has both) .
Strangely it goes cool with music (as we all )

 

[Ropeburn]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Matias, the links to the multiple pro amps that have been reviewed was very helpful. I’ve decided against a pro amp.

Instead, I have ordered an ICE 1200AS2 kit from Gunters Smit/TC Rastrs. I realize ICE a is not as highly regarded as Hypex/Puifi/Pascal. But the 1200AS2 is significantly less money, offers a ton of power, and will be easy to assemble. And they will play only 170Hz and below.

Sounds like a good choice. Tlhose ICE modules do indeed no measure as well as Hypex/Purifi, but they're still miles away from "crappy noisy amp with lots of distortion, only good for subwoofer duty". Those are proper all-purpose amplifiers.

 

[Vortex]

Examples:

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1502 "PA" Power Amplifier. It is on a kind loan from a member who bought it new and drop shipped it to me. It retails for USD $349 including free Prime shipping from Amazon. At that price, it seems like an incredible value. I have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Behringer NX3000D Pro DSP Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer NX3000D Pro DSP power amplifier. It was kindly purchased new and drop shipped to me by a member. It costs US $399. As pro amplifiers go, the NX3000D is half attractive especially when on with its amber lights and LEDs: There are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Sound Town ST-UPDM4C (4 Channel Pro Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sound Town ST-UPDM4C four (4) channel professional amplifier. It was purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $540. As you see, there is a bit of style to this amp with the front panel. This is a straight amplifier with no...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Rockville RPA16 Review (Pro Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Rockville RPA16 "Professional" power amplifier. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $390. The amp has a "peak" spec of 10,000 watts! No, there is no typo in there. It weights 40 pounds/18 KG so it does...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Powersoft K10 review anyone ? :/ (The non-DSP analog variant).

 

[gentlejax]

Sounds like a good choice. Tlhose ICE modules do indeed no measure as well as Hypex/Purifi, but they're still miles away from "crappy noisy amp with lots of distortion, only good for subwoofer duty". Those are proper all-purpose amplifiers.

I run a 1200AS2 amp for my stereo. I am using a Classe Audio sigma SSP as a stereo preamp. I have the amp powering a pair of Polk Audio LSiM707 towers.

ive built several hypex amps. I bought modules from a well known builder here when he was starting out and I also built some other kits from Class D Audio in netherlands I believe.

anyhow. the 1200as2 has tons of power and its clean with my system. you are probably over worrying about how it sounds with the subs. I had Crown ice powered XLS amps many times for passive subs and never dissapointed me.

you will need to make sure you have good voltage into that 1200as2 in order to get the power out of it. if you need to know what I did let me know. it was fairly cheap and simple.

 

[jwr159]

As the original creator of this thread, here is the latest….

I purchased a 1200as2 from parts express and a chassis kit from TC Rastrs. The chassis is just a simple aluminum box - nothing fancy at all - but very well thought out. Took me about 15 minutes to assemble.

Tcr1200 Diy Kit | Class D Power Amplifier

The TCR1200 DIY Kit for people who want to build a perfect class D amplifier by themselves.

www.tcrastrs.com

The new amp is now installed in my system. It is better than my old Yamaha PX8. Bass know has a more visceral impact you can feel and hear. It is a nice improvement.

 

[Luvchampagne]

As the original creator of this thread, here is the latest….

I purchased a 1200as2 from parts express and a chassis kit from TC Rastrs. The chassis is just a simple aluminum box - nothing fancy at all - but very well thought out. Took me about 15 minutes to assemble.

Tcr1200 Diy Kit | Class D Power Amplifier

The TCR1200 DIY Kit for people who want to build a perfect class D amplifier by themselves.

www.tcrastrs.com

The new amp is now installed in my system. It is better than my old Yamaha PX8. Bass know has a more visceral impact you can feel and hear. It is a nice improvement.

Is that cheaper than a used Crown xls2502? I find it hard to believe that you can do better than thatnin a blind ABX test.

 

[DWPress]

I run an older version of the 1200AS2 in my system too, just for bass duty (82-325Hz worth) in my 4-way active XO speakers - tons of overhead power.

 

[Sokel]

I run an older version of the 1200AS2 in my system too, just for bass duty (82-325Hz worth) in my 4-way active XO speakers - tons of overhead power.

There is no older version of 1200as1/2 , it's the same since 2018 when it got a visual update a year after its release.
Rest of the data sheet revisions is all about certifications, etc.

 

[DWPress]

Sorry, out of the loop. I thought there might be a Conductor line up replacement with some of the newer tech.

Edit: At any rate mine has been performing admirably since around 2019.

 

[Sokel]

Sorry, out of the loop. I thought there might be a Conductor line up replacement with some of the newer tech.

Edit: At any rate mine has been performing admirably since around 2019.

So you passed the 5 year mark, that's encouraging.
I run them since 2021, so I'm close as well.

 

[esk]

I can't decide between 1ET6525SA and NCx500? Stereo or mono modules?
New amp will be used with Wiim Ultra and JBL L82 classic speakers.

 

[Sokel]

I can't decide between 1ET6525SA and NCx500? Stereo or mono modules?
New amp will be used with Wiim Ultra and JBL L82 classic speakers.

Full range?
I would go Purifi and mono, kind of bulletproof.

While you're there ask if there's any plans for a Purifi PSU at the near future.

 

[esk]

Full range?
I would go Purifi and mono, kind of bulletproof.

While you're there ask if there's any plans for a Purifi PSU at the near future.

Yes, no subwoofers. JBL's have all the bass I need.

I like the Purifi monos as well, but it is a lot of money. NCx500 would be at least 200€ cheaper.

What do you mean by Purifi PSU? Most of the manufacturers use Hypex SMPS.

 

[Sokel]

Yes, no subwoofers. JBL's have all the bass I need.

I like the Purifi monos as well, but it is a lot of money. NCx500 would be at least 200€ cheaper.

What do you mean by Purifi PSU? Most of the manufacturers use Hypex SMPS.

200 euro in the long run... I think they worth it.

About the Purifi PSU, there's a word in the street that there's one coming at sometime, one that would perfectly match specs and quality (very useful for the higher power modules though)

 

[esk]

200 euro in the long run... I think they worth it.

About the Purifi PSU, there's a word in the street that there's one coming at sometime, one that would perfectly match specs and quality (very useful for the higher power modules though)

Purifi gain settings:
RCA Gain / Input sensitivity for max power at 1% THD
12.5dB / 5.03Vrms
20dB / 2.12Vrms
25dB / 1.24Vrms
29dB / 0.75Vrms

Does this mean that by using the 2,0V output setting from Wiim, I will have almost all available power with 20dB gain?

 

[Ropeburn]

Purifi gain settings:
RCA Gain / Input sensitivity for max power at 1% THD
12.5dB / 5.03Vrms
20dB / 2.12Vrms
25dB / 1.24Vrms
29dB / 0.75Vrms

Does this mean that by using the 2,0V output setting from Wiim, I will have almost all available power with 20dB gain?

Yes it does. It also means there's a hint of safety margin (2.21 vs 2) so you can't overdrive the amp accidentally.

 

[Digital_Thor]

They can also be prone to a bit higher noise floor and slightly tilted in the higher frequencies... because, frankly these things matter much less when you primarily just need to blast 110dB onto the dance floor for 500 drunk people, who mostly yell at each other anyway, because they try to communicate with mixed luck

When you sit quietly in your living room, you much rather want something silent, so only the music stand out

 

[respice finem]

They can also be prone to a bit higher noise floor and slightly tilted in the higher frequencies... because, frankly these things matter much less when you primarily just need to blast 110dB onto the dance floor for 500 drunk people, who mostly yell at each other anyway, because they try to communicate with mixed luck

When you sit quietly in your living room, you much rather want something silent, so only the music stand out

This. I've never really understood why all parties must be so loud. But I've always been a bit different.