Hypex Announces New and Improved NCOREx Class-D Amplifier Technology

[Gorgonzola]

View attachment 201528
Sources:

• Hypex NC400
  
  https://www.diyclassd.com/documenten/download/860
• Hypec NC500
  
  https://www.hypex.nl/documenten/download/854
• Hypex NCx500
  
  

  Hypex Announces New and Improved NCOREx Class-D Amplifier Technology

  Hypex Electronics announced a new and improved iteration of its popular NCORE Class-D amplifier technology and unveiled the NCx500 OEM, the first of a new NCOREx family of modules to be launched. According to the Dutch company, the new technology will afford at least 2x better performance...

  audioxpress.com
• Purifi 1ET400A
  
  https://purifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1ET400A-Data-Sheet-1.00.pdf
• Purifi 1ET7040SA
  
  https://en.rougeaudiodesign.com/1et7040sa

Humm ... so apart from the buffer/no buffer aspect it looks like the Hypex NCx500 beats all up to about 11 watts -- for most people much of the time a lot of listening happens below 10 watts.

 

[Zorlac]

How do we calculate the wattage used by our amps at normal listening volume? Just have to use a kill-a-watt meter or something?

I have bypassed the buffer on my amps and my pre-amp sits at about -30 dB pretty much all the time unless I have someone over and I am showing off what my system can do.

 

[capslock]

Seems I the thread I posted in is dead, so I'll repost here. I'd argue the NCx500 is close but not quite as good as NC400 and 1ET400:

I was wondering if it was just 2x improved compared to NC500 or compared to NC400, as the NC400 is already a whole lot better.

Looking at the NC400 - data sheet towards the end of the performance graphs, there are on the bottom left IMD 18.5 + 19.5 kHz, 100 + 100 W in 2 R (funny, it's a mono module - does that mean two modules on one power supply?), on the right there are no watts and ohms, let's assume it's 100 W in 4R. The two fundamentals are at -3 dB. First difference tone (~ HD2) at -100 dB, second at -124 dB. Third is in noise (-138 dB), fourth and fifth at -131 dB.

NCx500 18 + 19 kHz at -3 dB each, 100 W in 4 R: first at -114 dB (quite significantly better), second at -121 (slightly worse), third -131 (significantly worse), fourth -132 (same), fifth -128 (slightly worse).

If the half-bridge technology of the NC500 has been retained (NC400 is full bridge), that's quite an achievement to get to the level of the NC400, which is about even with the Purifi! Difference of NCx500 to NC400 is that higher orders are slightly stronger.

THD+N vs power in 4 R show similar differences. The NC400 reaches its minimum of 0.0003% at just over 50 W and is virtually the same above that for 1 and 6 kHz. The NCx500 has less noise and reaches its minimum of 0.00018% at 5 W, but it deteriorates significantly above that at 6 kHz. At 100 W and 6 kHz the NC400 still has 0.0004%, the NCx500 0.00055%. So less noise, but also less loop gain at higher frequencies.

Both are excellent modules! From a purist's point of view, I'd still say the NC400 is a tad better.

Edit: Purifi Eigentakt for comparison
18 + 19kHz 100 W in 4 R: fundamentals at -3 dB, first diff at -122, second at -128, third at -130, fourth in noise (-137). THD+N minimum of 0.00014% at 250 W.

The Eigentakt is a lot quieter than NC400 and NCx500 at full power. Of course, one would have to look at what buffer was used. Regarding IMD products, one can argue whether NC400 or Eigentakt is preferable. Again, the NC400 shines at high orders, while allowing somewhat poorer performance for low orders.

 

[capslock]

NC500 OEM idle losses are 6.3W. dropping 20% means 5W.
1ET400A idle losses are 1.7W.

Thanks for setting that right. I stopped and thought I can do a better performing class AB if I get 20 W to squander.

 

[Ra1zel]

I see rubycon caps. Wouldn't be surprised if the price is equal to 1ET400A.

Then again isn't Purifi still the better choice overall?

 

[mocenigo]

We seem to be in the midst of Class-D SINAD wars.

Class-D SINAD special operations.

 

[mocenigo]

I see rubycon caps. Wouldn't be surprised if the price is equal to 1ET400A.

Then again isn't Purifi still the better choice overall?

I believe so. Because I have a Purifi amp ;-)

 

[Vacceo]

I believe so. Because I have a Purifi amp ;-)

Can you comment on your use patterns? I´m extremely curious about heat at usual outputs (around 30 watts).

I hate heat, I do loathe it, and if it were possible, I´d slap a cold plate and a closed-loop of water to cool an amp just like I do on my pc.

 

[Ra1zel]

Can you comment on your use patterns? I´m extremely curious about heat at usual outputs (around 30 watts).

I hate heat, I do loathe it, and if it were possible, I´d slap a cold plate and a closed-loop of water to cool an amp just like I do on my pc.

Well its class D, the most efficient one.

Pretty much any other amp will get hotter.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Well its class D, the most efficient one.

Pretty much any other amp will get hotter.

Not sure that's right. Usually class D amps have just a plate of aluminium to get cooled, which isn't much. Class AB usually have a lot larger heat sinks.

6 watts into a tiny heatsink might run hotter than 15 into a very large one.

 

[mocenigo]

Can you comment on your use patterns? I´m extremely curious about heat at usual outputs (around 30 watts).

It is always cold, but with my speakers I rarely use more than a couple of watts

 

[sigbergaudio]

Not sure that's right. Usually class D amps have just a plate of aluminium to get cooled, which isn't much. Class AB usually have a lot larger heat sinks.

6 watts into a tiny heatsink might run hotter than 15 into a very large one.

Are we discussing how hot the unit itself gets to the touch, or how many watts are generated in heat? If the latter, any Class D will beat AB every day of the week. The reason AB designs have significantly larger heat sinks is because they generate much more heat.

 

[Vacceo]

Are we discussing how hot the unit itself gets to the touch, or how many watts are generated in heat? If the latter, any Class D will beat AB every day of the week. The reason AB designs have significantly larger heat sinks is because they generate much more heat.

Watts in heat are a more interesting measure, I´d say. Basically because I´m not using the amp to place a pan and fry bacon (that´d be a class A), I´m more interested in keeping a well-ventilated room in order to keep a good dissipation.

My current class AB Denon makes the room quite hot in warm days and it´s quite inconvenient.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Watts in heat are a more interesting measure, I´d say. Basically because I´m not using the amp to place a pan and fry bacon (that´d be a class A), I´m more interested in keeping a well-ventilated room in order to keep a good dissipation.

My current class AB Denon makes the room quite hot in warm days and it´s quite inconvenient.

A class AB amp is typically 60-65% efficient, while a class D amp is ~90%. The remaining percentage in both cases goes to heat generation. So there will be a significant difference.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Are we discussing how hot the unit itself gets to the touch, or how many watts are generated in heat? If the latter, any Class D will beat AB every day of the week. The reason AB designs have significantly larger heat sinks is because they generate much more heat.

I guess i can give an example. I have a Yamaha A-S1200. It gets only hand warm, but probably burns >20 watts or so during idle. But this thing is a huge 25kg mountain of parts, it's hand warm with a very large surface.

I tested a NC252MP from Audiophonics, which burns <10 watts during idle. It was a lot warmer to the touch, but obviously it's just one kg or so and has a lot smaller surface.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[Rottmannash]

Can you comment on your use patterns? I´m extremely curious about heat at usual outputs (around 30 watts).

I hate heat, I do loathe it, and if it were possible, I´d slap a cold plate and a closed-loop of water to cool an amp just like I do on my pc.

I also have a Purifi and I played it for 10-15 minutes one day at VERY high volumes and it didn't even get warm. Around 85-88 dB. I've never felt the top of the case more than room temp.

 

[Music1969]

Bruno has no involvement in this new model right?

He's left Hypex?

 

[JSmith]

He's left Hypex?

Yes, end 2014;

https://be.linkedin.com/in/bruno-putzeys-1946597

JSmith

 

[clearnfc]

A class AB amp is typically 60-65% efficient, while a class D amp is ~90%. The remaining percentage in both cases goes to heat generation. So there will be a significant difference.

Yes!! Class D amps are just as efficient as the PSUs used in our PCs. Look at a 1000-1500w psu, dont need giant heatsinks or noisy fans to keep it cool. The same goes for class D amps. Small in size, lots of power and cool running!!

 

[sigbergaudio]

I guess i can give an example. I have a Yamaha A-S1200. It gets only hand warm, but probably burns >20 watts or so during idle. But this thing is a huge 25kg mountain of parts, it's hand warm with a very large surface.

I tested a NC252MP from Audiophonics, which burns <10 watts during idle. It was a lot warmer to the touch, but obviously it's just one kg or so and has a lot smaller surface.

Hope that makes sense.

Yes that makes sense, as long as your realize that the hotter unit actually generates less heat.