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Hypex Ncore NC252MP market overview

I did a DIY route on the Hypex NC400, dual mono, totally not worth it at all.

1) Most DIY cases out there are pretty ugly for my personal taste.

2) No advance features like remote trigger, signal sensing. I had to install a remote WiFi power relay switch with a power supply for it to be able to remote on/off.

3) Didn't really save all that much money, in fact after the custom WiFi power control and soon to be sand blasted (because silver is only silver front plate, not the entire case), it costs more than buying it from an assembler.

I did a lot of research lately, the best option for me is either Nord or Apollon because I want the full 440/450mm wide case to actually match what's in my rack. Their casework is actually good looking. All the other manufacturers are using the small cases and looks pretty standard plain Jane you get off the shelf. Apollon looks the best, but more expensive. Nord is probably the winner for me, also emailed with Colin to ask some questions, his customer service won me over, he's polite, humble, helpful and patient, unlike some others I have experienced so far.

A lot of the cases used by the assemblers looked like they came straight from Home Depot and RadioShack as well, some of them got the backyard industrial vibe, not exactly showpiece worthy IMO. Personally I prefer Apollon, IOM, and March Audio. :D
 
If you are indeed in the Netherlnds, there is also Boxem, although more expensive.
 
Anyone has any experience with the soundimpress version?


I saw that the audiophonics version has some regular button malfunctioning, so was looking for other options.
Don't mean to go off thread, but I see that SoundImpress also do ICEpower versions at equivalent prices to Hypex. Any particular reason to choose between these?

(edited for spelling)
 
Don't mean to go off thread, but I see that SoundImpress also do ICEpower versions at equivalent prices to Hypex. Any particular reason to choose between these?

(edited for spelling)
The cheap ones are not Ice Power Edge version,so better avoid.
I would wait for the Conductor.
When it comes to ICE small ones go for 300a2 and 400a2 module builds if someone wants less power.
 
The cheap ones are not Ice Power Edge version,so better avoid.
I would wait for the Conductor.
When it comes to ICE small ones go for 300a2 and 400a2 module builds if someone wants less power.
Thanks, that's useful. Appreciated
 
If you are indeed in the Netherlnds, there is also Boxem, although more expensive.
Boxem stopped his Arthur models based on ncore MPxxx modules.
His current Arthur models are purify based.
The new "A" lineup is based on hypex NCX500 modules.
 
Yeah I am indeed from the Netherlands. Boxem is out my budget, it is for a desktop set of ls50 meta. The amp will be hidden from sight so the looks are not that important. A working power button is thought
 
Yeah I am indeed from the Netherlands. Boxem is out my budget, it is for a desktop set of ls50 meta. The amp will be hidden from sight so the looks are not that important. A working power button is thought
Whilst this is not what you are after. This guy I think ships in Europe and has an 8 way NC122 at £1,024. Two weeks ago he had one ( I think ) 8 channel NC252 at £1,200 inc VAT. Cracking price - https://kjfaudio.com/product/8-channel-ma-01-amplifier-125w-black-hifi-front-and-binding-posts/. He is not as well known as Nord in the UK but a lot of guys who have Nord think this is a superior product. Better rear plate layout ( for cabling ) inc. fan's activated if needed, soft start ect.
 
Thanks for showing the option. Sadly he doesn't have 2 channel at this moment.
 

Al the class d amps on soundinports.
But for use with a pc i think a small class d amp with hdmi is a better way to connect the speakers.
An SVS soundbase or other amp with hdmi.

 
They offer very good objective performance for little money, thus have high value. All of those modules offer good sound/power to price ratio, often not easy to reach with designs such as A/B.
Yes. You could argue that this module covers >98% of home audio use cases (adjusted as necessary for channels). Most of the gains of more expensive ones seem inaudible even at strict thresholds.
 
Better than USB?
Hdmi an usb are both digital, but the class d amps i posted have not an usb port also.
Multi channel is hdmi the best option, 7.1 or Atmos HD audio works fine with a windows pc and my denon 3400x receiver.
 
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Well I already have a SMSL SU9 and Singxer SA-1 on my desk (initially for headphones), so I only need a power amp ;)
 
Still pretty happy with my Nord VL. I always preferred a dry analytical sound from my synth and studio times. Coming from some rich AB amps, I can see how people feel like they are missing something with D class, but they are not....nothing that matters.
 
Still pretty happy with my Nord VL. I always preferred a dry analytical sound from my synth and studio times. Coming from some rich AB amps, I can see how people feel like they are missing something with D class, but they are not....nothing that matters.
They are likely just missing the slight distortion and "character" their ears are used to. In other words, small imperfections they grew to love. Understandable, we all are prone to this.

All I can say is, when I compare my 20 year old chonki boi AB (Vincent SV-226MK) to my new Audiophonics NC252MP amp, they're worlds apart in detail and resolution and bass control. Both on my mediocre old Canton RC-K at home, and dad's KEF iQ90. Both amps are easily overkill in terms of power, with both rooms and speakers.

If I hadn't heard it, I'd be sceptical myself. "Class D is always missing something". Yes, even modern, properly designed ones do: colouration and mud. It's absent.
 
"I always preferred a dry analytical sound from my synth and studio times." Very loaded comment. Having done lots of comparisons in my listening room I can confidently say that, for me, the Hypex amps provide the highest level of fidelity that I've experienced. Not dry or analytical at all. Simply accurate to the source. Trying to source amplification to perform EQ functions is a bit of a fools errand in my view.
 
"I always preferred a dry analytical sound from my synth and studio times." Very loaded comment. Having done lots of comparisons in my listening room I can confidently say that, for me, the Hypex amps provide the highest level of fidelity that I've experienced. Not dry or analytical at all. Simply accurate to the source. Trying to source amplification to perform EQ functions is a bit of a fools errand in my view.
For the last 10+ years in my music room I've always run Active speakers for this exact reason, crap in, crap out. No issues with that. If I want to 'tune' the sound I do that it software where I can control it perfectly. The concept of a 'warm' amp ect, nah, I don't get that. I want something to amplify what ever I put in as-is.

In some speakers ( or Subs ) I've got Hypex, some Pascal. They all run cool they can all get cranked up. And when I'm driving these ( current ) speakers via £10 AES cables over 20m, it's digital, no signal loss. Sounds great. ( Dynaudio Core Series Speakers & 'Core Sub' ).
 
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