Hi John, took me a while but I finally had the time to set up the
Hypex NCore NC502MP based custom Apollon amplifier in my main system.
Short version (sighted test, myself only): the NC502MP sounds amazing, extremely revealing and powerful. I would have a very hard time pointing him instead of the resident
NC500 Sparkos SS2590 opamp based main amp in a blind test. Very highly recommended. It is that good!
My speakers are the Thiel CS3.7, large, heavy, coaxial and 3 way, with a very low 2.7 ohms impedance through most of its frequency range. So a very current hungry speaker and kind of a torture test in itself for the small module. Source is the fantastic Mola Mola Makua preamp with DAC, streaming through an ultraRendu, and
fully calibrated room correction for each speaker individually. Amplifier is connected to 230V/60Hz mains.
Listening to electronic music like "ATB - No Silence" or "Daft Punk - Random Access Memories", loud for the neighbors to hear, still clean and clear, open soundstage, precise imaging, bass in absolute control. Or listening in normal volume to well recorded music like "Jacques Loussier Trio - The Best of Play Bach" or "Baremboim, Mederos, Console - Mi Buenos Aires Querido" or "Bobo Stenson Trio - Contra La Indecisión", sounds natural and realistic. Really wire with gain, gets out of the way style of amplification. I was expecting the NC502MP would be a step below from the main NC500 based amp, but no, they are on the same level really. Awesome just like his older brother but costing a fraction of the price.
It really is amazing how such a small amplifier board can do all that. Below the inside of my Apollon amp (750 euros), a very nice assembly.
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