Cymax Purifi 1ET9040BA with Weiss OP2-BP Dual-Mono Power Amplifier

[AdamG]

Here's an update to the Cymax power amp for 2025. Now with the LPS mounted in the middle and the center partition replaced with nickel plated copper instead of aluminium. The copper shielding between the power supplies and audio modules are more thorough in coverage. This also results in wiring being much neater and a more direct path from the power supplies to the Purifi 9040 modules and Weiss OP2-BP input buffer modules. The final change I did was the WBT 0703 Speaker Binding Post was changed from Silver to Copper (gold plated). The 0703 CU sounded to me a little warmer, more weight in bass, and a presentation that sounds a bit more romantic. The 0703 AG sounded to me being more revealing, more micro-detail, open and airy. The one you pick should be based on your personal preference and system matching. Now that the amp has all nickel plated copper shields internally, it has also become substantially heavier as well.

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Weiss OP2-BP Input Buffer.

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Linear Power Supply with Elna capacitors.

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Dual XLR Inputs enable me to connect my AV Processor (Marantz AV10) and Network Music Streamer (Lumin P1) to the Cymax and select Input 1 or Input 2 per channel from the front rotary LCD Dial.

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@darcman @David_M

Hi vipersg,

Amazing and detailed pictures of the new design and layout. May I ask how you got your hands on this new design. Are you a product tester for Cymax, or just an audio enthusiast who is sharing their experience with these Amps? You seem to have early access to all the updates, including complete re-layout of the wiring.

Thank you for the pictures and information you have documented and shared. Appreciate the effort and contributions.

 

[darcman]

Hi vipersg,

Amazing and detailed pictures of the new design and layout. May I ask how you got your hands on this new design. Are you a product tester for Cymax, or just an audio enthusiast who is sharing their experience with these Amps? You seem to have early access to all the updates, including complete re-layout of the wiring.

Thank you for the pictures and information you have documented and shared. Appreciate the effort and contributions.

The new design is standard to all orders now, Cymax sent me an email with picture last week

 

[darcman]

Here's an update to the Cymax power amp for 2025. Now with the LPS mounted in the middle and the center partition replaced with nickel plated copper instead of aluminium. The copper shielding between the power supplies and audio modules are more thorough in coverage. This also results in wiring being much neater and a more direct path from the power supplies to the Purifi 9040 modules and Weiss OP2-BP input buffer modules. The final change I did was the WBT 0703 Speaker Binding Post was changed from Silver to Copper (gold plated). The 0703 CU sounded to me a little warmer, more weight in bass, and a presentation that sounds a bit more romantic. The 0703 AG sounded to me being more revealing, more micro-detail, open and airy. The one you pick should be based on your personal preference and system matching. Now that the amp has all nickel plated copper shields internally, it has also become substantially heavier as well.

View attachment 433207


View attachment 433211

View attachment 433210

View attachment 433216

View attachment 433214
Weiss OP2-BP Input Buffer.

View attachment 433219

View attachment 433220

View attachment 433215
Linear Power Supply with Elna capacitors.

View attachment 433221

Dual XLR Inputs enable me to connect my AV Processor (Marantz AV10) and Network Music Streamer (Lumin P1) to the Cymax and select Input 1 or Input 2 per channel from the front rotary LCD Dial.

View attachment 433222
@darcman @David_M

The improvements look really good. I want to get this model, but I was thinking the Sparkos SS2590 opamps. My Canadian dollars sucks a$$ now, so I thought about getting the NCx500 version to save a few bucks. With the hypex version you get the improved layout, but the copper/nickel shielding isnt an option. The NCX500 version is about $1000 CAD cheaper for me, regardless I think all the Cymax versions look awesome. Thanks for the nice pics

 

[vipersg]

Hi vipersg,

Amazing and detailed pictures of the new design and layout. May I ask how you got your hands on this new design. Are you a product tester for Cymax, or just an audio enthusiast who is sharing their experience with these Amps? You seem to have early access to all the updates, including complete re-layout of the wiring.

Thank you for the pictures and information you have documented and shared. Appreciate the effort and contributions.

I’m just a customer who ordered from them for myself and a friend. Cymax has been very responsive and I’m happy enough with their service and product to bother taking photos to put up. Pretty sure future updates will come from others since I have 2 units and wont need any more stereo amps.

 

[vipersg]

The ribbon cables in particular should be protected from the edges of the sheet metal.

Good point, ok fixed. 2 layers of insulation tape.

 

[darcman]

I’m just a customer who ordered from them for myself and a friend. Cymax has been very responsive and I’m happy enough with their service and product to bother taking photos to put up. Pretty sure future updates will come from others since I have 2 units and wont need any more stereo amps.

Hey one thing I wanted to ask you...Does the from nob dim or can it be set to auto dim or set to off

 

[pogo]

Good point

Places like this give me more food for thought:

 

[vipersg]

The improvements look really good. I want to get this model, but I was thinking the Sparkos SS2590 opamps. My Canadian dollars sucks a$$ now, so I thought about getting the NCx500 version to save a few bucks. With the hypex version you get the improved layout, but the copper/nickel shielding isnt an option. The NCX500 version is about $1000 CAD cheaper for me, regardless I think all the Cymax versions look awesome. Thanks for the nice pics

Places like this give me more food for thought:

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I didn’t take a photo as I have closed the casing. The edges around the U now has black tape around the edges There is no tension of the cable against the edge actually. I’ll share this feedback to Cymax so they can consider for future builds. Thanks!

 

[darcman]

Places like this give me more food for thought:

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I wouldnt swet it to much, there is probably some edging that a person could buy. You could probably make some edging out of some tubing. I am sure someone on here has an idea. When I installed my car amp in my trunk I ran cable through the factory holes. I borrowedsome edging from work and put it on the holes.

 

[vipersg]

Hey one thing I wanted to ask you...Does the from nob dim or can it be set to auto dim or set to off

When in operation, it’s shows a blue logo which isn’t distracting.

 

[darcman]

When in operation, it’s shows a blue logo which isn’t distracting.

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Oh you lucky dog you have 2 Cymax 1ET9040BA pro amps. Ya I wasnt so much thinking of it being distracting as I was thinking more longevity where it might burn out? What do you think of my idea of getting the Cymax Hypex NCx500 version? I considered getting the non pro version which has the toggle switches for RCA or XLR selection and you can shut off the front led....the pro and non pro are about exactly the same price...I could go either way

 

[vipersg]

Oh you lucky dog you have 2 Cymax 1ET9040BA pro amps. Ya I wasnt so much thinking of it being distracting as I was thinking more longevity where it might burn out? What do you think of my idea of getting the Cymax Hypex NCx500 version? I considered getting the non pro version which has the toggle switches for RCA or XLR selection and you can shut off the front led....the pro and non pro are about exactly the same price...I could go either way

I have not listened to a power amp based on the NCx500 yet, but I think the performance should be quite good though different from the Purifi. The Pro version enables you to select the input and also set the gain from the front which is pretty convenient. If you are only running a pure stereo setup and not needing to switch inputs from different pre-amplifiers or processors, then the non-Pro with the rear mounted switches can be good enough for your setup. But if you plan to expand your system and run XLR throughout, then having the Pro version could save you a lot of hassle in your expansion plan.

What speakers are you using? The reason why I really liked the Purifi 9040 is because it is load invariant in its frequency response and is able to drive any speaker as challenging as sub 2-ohm with ultra low distortion. The choice of the Weiss OP2-BP is because it has gotten fantastic reviews through Weiss's own hi-end products, so being able to get these components as input buffers is a steal compared to what Weiss products cost. Having pit this combination of Cymax 9040+Weiss against Burmester and D'Dagostino amplifiers and turned out so well proved the combination is performing at or close to products costing many times more. I guess it depends on what you are aiming for.

 

[darcman]

I have not listened to a power amp based on the NCx500 yet, but I think the performance should be quite good though different from the Purifi. The Pro version enables you to select the input and also set the gain from the front which is pretty convenient. If you are only running a pure stereo setup and not needing to switch inputs from different pre-amplifiers or processors, then the non-Pro with the rear mounted switches can be good enough for your setup. But if you plan to expand your system and run XLR throughout, then having the Pro version could save you a lot of hassle in your expansion plan.

What speakers are you using? The reason why I really liked the Purifi 9040 is because it is load invariant in its frequency response and is able to drive any speaker as challenging as sub 2-ohm with ultra low distortion. The choice of the Weiss OP2-BP is because it has gotten fantastic reviews through Weiss's own hi-end products, so being able to get these components as input buffers is a steal compared to what Weiss products cost. Having pit this combination of Cymax 9040+Weiss against Burmester and D'Dagostino amplifiers and turned out so well proved the combination is performing at or close to products costing many times more. I guess it depends on what you are aiming for.

Thanks for your input. I just sold my other pre the Primaluna Evo 400. The preamp I kept is the Classe CP800 and I also use the HT bypass of it with RCA connections. I run balanced connections to my Classe CA-M600 monoblocks. So really I dont need the pro version. The classe amps are awesome, but I am just scaling back a bit. Ya I was all gung ho go for the Purifi 9040, but its kinda overkill for me. My speakers are Paradigm Signature S8 V2, they are actually quite eficient high sensitivity so thats why I thought the NCx500 is plenty. The only thing with the NCx500 you dont get the nice copper covers and divider, I guess thats not a big deal. If I went Purifi 9040 I just figured I might as well get the copper shields.

I told Louis at Cymax that I might just order the Purifi 9040 with the Sparkos SS25900 and see how I get on with that. Then I could always get the Weiss op amps later. Ya sure Id like to get the Weiss, but its all money. Then I started thinking the NCx500 would probably due. I guess I could always get the Weiss op amps for the Hypex version too. So I guess it NCx500 and save $1000 or splurge and get the 9040...ultimately it isnt a bad choice to have either.

 

[Mnyb]

I didn’t take a photo as I have closed the casing. The edges around the U now has black tape around the edges There is no tension of the cable against the edge actually. I’ll share this feedback to Cymax so they can consider for future builds. Thanks!

There are special plastic "things" you can buy that snaps onto sheet metal edges you cut to length and it fits the edge , there are flexible variants that follows the "U" shape for example

 

[vipersg]

Thanks for your input. I just sold my other pre the Primaluna Evo 400. The preamp I kept is the Classe CP800 and I also use the HT bypass of it with RCA connections. I run balanced connections to my Classe CA-M600 monoblocks. So really I dont need the pro version. The classe amps are awesome, but I am just scaling back a bit. Ya I was all gung ho go for the Purifi 9040, but its kinda overkill for me. My speakers are Paradigm Signature S8 V2, they are actually quite eficient high sensitivity so thats why I thought the NCx500 is plenty. The only thing with the NCx500 the nice copper covers and divider, I guess thats not a big deal. If I went Purifi 9040 I just figured I might as well get the copper shields.

I told Louis at Cymax that I might just order the Purifi 9040 with the Sparkos SS25900 and see how I get on with that. Then I could always get the Weiss op amps later. Ya sure Id like to get the Weiss, but its all money. Then I started thinking the NCx500 would probably due. I guess I could always get the Weiss op amps for the Hypex version too. So I guess it NCx500 and save $1000 or splurge and get the 9040...ultimately it isnt a bad choice to have either.

That Classé CA-M600 is a beast! Well if you do decide to go with Purifi and Sparkos SS2590, I think you will like the copper shields since the components you own are up there in standard of their construction. Perhaps you can ask Louis for the non Pro but with Copper Shields?

 

[David_M]

Here's an update to the Cymax power amp for 2025. Now with the LPS mounted in the middle and the center partition replaced with nickel plated copper instead of aluminium. The copper shielding between the power supplies and audio modules are more thorough in coverage. This also results in wiring being much neater and a more direct path from the power supplies to the Purifi 9040 modules and Weiss OP2-BP input buffer modules. The final change I did was the WBT 0703 Speaker Binding Post was changed from Silver to Copper (gold plated). The 0703 CU sounded to me a little warmer, more weight in bass, and a presentation that sounds a bit more romantic. The 0703 AG sounded to me being more revealing, more micro-detail, open and airy. The one you pick should be based on your personal preference and system matching. Now that the amp has all nickel plated copper shields internally, it has also become substantially heavier as well.

View attachment 433207


View attachment 433211

View attachment 433210

View attachment 433216

View attachment 433214
Weiss OP2-BP Input Buffer.

View attachment 433219

View attachment 433220

View attachment 433215
Linear Power Supply with Elna capacitors.

View attachment 433221

Dual XLR Inputs enable me to connect my AV Processor (Marantz AV10) and Network Music Streamer (Lumin P1) to the Cymax and select Input 1 or Input 2 per channel from the front rotary LCD Dial.

View attachment 433222
@darcman @David_M

Really nice looking kit ....

Did they do a THD+N (or SNR+D) test at 5W into 4 ohms as is normally done here? I see the THD+N of the modified unit at 1Vrms input, but have no idea what power it correlates to. Normally the 9040BA module needs 4.475 Vrms for full power into 4 ohms at 0.1% THD.

 

[d3l]

@vipersg Do you know if its possible to just unplug the front display? Does the unit still work normally.

 

[vipersg]

Really nice looking kit ....

Did they do a THD+N (or SNR+D) test at 5W into 4 ohms as is normally done here? I see the THD+N of the modified unit at 1Vrms input, but have no idea what power it correlates to. Normally the 9040BA module needs 4.475 Vrms for full power into 4 ohms at 0.1% THD.

Unfortunately no, don’t have a test report at 5W so difficult for an equivalent comparison. I think 1Vrms is about 160W.

 

[vipersg]

@vipersg Do you know if its possible to just unplug the front display? Does the unit still work normally.

When the rear power switch is toggled on, the system is turned on in standby mode. The rotary LCD display dial needs to be pressed once for the soft power on of the Hypex power supplies. Hence if the ribbon cable to the display dial is unplugged, I believe the power on won’t work as designed. Some of my oldest AVR and Blu-ray players that is more than 10-15years old still have working LCD displays so I think other components like power supply capacitors might give out earlier than LCD displays.

 

[darcman]

When the rear power switch is toggled on, the system is turned on in standby mode. The rotary LCD display dial needs to be pressed once for the soft power on of the Hypex power supplies. Hence if the ribbon cable to the display dial is unplugged, I believe the power on won’t work as designed. Some of my oldest AVR and Blu-ray players that is more than 10-15years old still have working LCD displays so I think other components like power supply capacitors might give out earlier than LCD displays.

I was kinda worried about the display possibly burning out, but ya for sure it may never be an issue. I recently had the display go out on my Keces P8 linear power supply. The P8 still works, just no display. It is nice to have the option for diplays to time out. I have my DAC and the Classe CP800 both set to time out. I was going to hook up a trigger cable to the amp, just wondering if you tried that?