hypex nc252 with Ghent audio case

[cbelmont3]

First off i love this forum thank you to all for the amazing amount of hard work that goes into providing this data.
Does anyone have experiece using Ghent audio to build Hypex amps? i built a hypex kit many many years ago 20+
I seem to remeber that kit being very plug and play not much opportunity to connect it wrong( i know i am oversimplifing)
planning on using the nc 252 from Parts express and the corresponding 2 channel case from Ghent
If you have used Ghent, did all the wire to hook it up come with the case? were there instructions or did you go off the info from Hypex?
Thank you in advance.
Edit found the detailed build instructions on the ghent site. thanks

 

[RickS]

With the exception of some minor parts errors (he promptly resolved), I have found Ghent Audio products to be attractive and complete. For Hypex cases that do not require any machining to build an amp, am not aware of a better value.

 

[cbelmont3]

With the exception of some minor parts errors (he promptly resolved), I have found Ghent Audio products to be attractive and complete. For Hypex cases that do not require any machining to build an amp, am not aware of a better value.

thank you Rick!

 

[mwk1001]

thank you Rick!

FWIW I built this setup in 2020, this year my nc252mp burnt up and I learned a bit more.
1) I purchased a replacement model new 2026 and see they have improved the components and the design on the 2026 board. ( I see this has been discussed elsewhere but the small ghent case runs hot all the time ... not great.)
2) In my planning to add a good quality silent fan to fix this forever I see that Ghent's choice was to jumper the amp to always on mode J6 PIN3->PIN9 Understandable since the amp is not on without it BUT it is generating heat 24/7 while doing nothing much of the time by being on I mistakenly assumed the sense circuitry was embedded and it was on only when line in signal was present - oops
3) Knowing this I would certainly have behaved better and turned it OFF.
4) Probably overkill at this point but I have embarked on a mod to open up the top holes to 4mm and insert a low profile 120mm fan I reviewed a bunch and have a Noctua 120mm 12v 15mm , that measuring the old one, It will squeeze inside - that is capable of silent running at 5v with power from the J6 pin3 or I may go full on and implement a music sensor circuit and truly leave the amp off (and the fan ). This was the best balance of moving enough CFM to keep the bard at 45c not 75c and slow enough at 5v to make no air noise thru the holes or otherwise run truly silent on magnetic assisted bearings.
5) The new board revisions and the knowledge of what you are setting up is probably all you need to never have a problem. Cheers.
6) FYI old (black caps ) New (blue caps) - Pic 4483 you can see the heat damage on one channel - Pic 4484 is the redesigned all AL replacement section so there is proof , if you will that Hypex, became aware and updated the product which should be a comfort if you are looking at this setup.

Ghent if you are listening - would do well to improve the passive airflow in this case since I can attest it is aways warm with an always on nc252mp board bigger holes please.

-- I forgot to add that the fact that I am fixing it should tell you that I love the music it makes and the case is a fine product that just does not move enough air !!

 

[mwk1001]

FWIW is did complete the first part of my mod for the Ghent case cooling and it looks good temp/case looks/no noise very happy. It has been playing as loud as I care to have it and the case temps have not moved above 32c ( it is 29 in the room right now no ac today ). I have the fan mounted under the upper cover directly over the board. I have sealed all the small holes except my larger fan mount on the upper cover forcing the air to pull only from the bottom up and out. I am currently testing it with a 5v line from an outside USB brick and the low voltage (5v) of the 12v fan is working fine starts/stops no issues . Cool and quiet and not to much of a hit on the looks ! Happy camper. I only needed 1 tie down on the power lines to keep them from touching the blades. I have a 20v->5v dc converter by Pololu that i will splice into the front LCD feed to power the fan permanently when it arrives. Low heat no interference conversion unit ... cheap 6$

 

[mwk1001]

Wrap up on the fan if anyone else wants to do this .... I found a short 4 pin fan harness and rearranged / spliced into the 4 pin female to take to Vaux+/Gnd wires coming into the LED board- Red and Grey pair on left. The spliced in black/red twisted wires run into that 4 pin female connected to the tiny DC voltage converter ( part number in picture ) 20V+ to Vin replaced input on Pin 3 and Black/GND was joined/spliced at pin2 with FAN ground. Pin 1 is Vout 5V and is direct to the fan . Pin4 standby was unused. Works well and is now powered by the nc252mp board. It is also ready no changes needed If I wan to add a music selection circuit since that would automatically turn off/on the Vaux line that I am using for the FAN/LED.

Also: After running for a few days I see that the temperature has never gone above 33c and it keeps the unit +3c over room temperature cool as can be ...