Hypex NCx500 Class D Amplifier Review

[GXAlan]

I hear no noise. This is quite amusing that the entry level amp that cost me £500 is just fine and you don't need to spend thousands of pounds on equipment

This is very true.

We just conducted a blind test between a straight wire with gain and a 22 dB sinad amp with a heavy high frequency roll off. While some listeners could hear the difference, and the straight wire with gain had the most votes, the difference didn’t reach statistical significance. It’s much harder to hear differences consistently with all music.

Speakers can make a big difference!

 

[Julf]

What kind of load should be expected to require those 400+ watts of power?
Is it designed for a massive low-sensitivity floorstanders? Or subs with 1m woofer?

Just curious, will I reveive any kind of benefits of using such an amp with bookshelf speakers at home? Or 100-200w Hypex module will sound just the same?

(P.s. sorry for my low theoretical basis and dumb questions )

The power into different load impedances is documented in the data sheet, but no, it doesn't take unusual loads to get them to deliver full power. You might not want to do it if you value your speakers....

 

[GXAlan]

What kind of load should be expected to require those 400+ watts of power?
Is it designed for a massive low-sensitivity floorstanders? Or subs with 1m woofer?

Just curious, will I reveive any kind of benefits of using such an amp with bookshelf speakers at home? Or 100-200w Hypex module will sound just the same?

(P.s. sorry for my low theoretical basis and dumb questions )

Peak SPL Calculator

Not all bookshelves will handle 400 watts. The JBL XPL 90 is advertised as such. That ends up at 104.8 dB at 12 feet (3 meters).

 

[glorious_iguana]

Thank you for the clarification. That makes sense. Was thinking you might be waiting for the stuff to get even better

I chose the wrong words, the core technology is obviously already really good. But more choice will definitely help. I am not that keen yet spending GBP 1000+ because I don't fully understand what benefits I will get over my integrated amps. One appealing property of course is lower power consumption, which is really nice given the energy market.

But you can import other brands as well.

Import duty will raise the cost even further. I might do it next time I travel to Europe, but I don't want the hassle for now.

 

[SIY]

More amplifiers available from different manufacturers. Here in the UK I could only find one from Nord Acoustics.

With the starting qualifier that you don't need this- you really don't- there are other superb and reasonably priced offerings in this class from Purifi, Orchard, and Nilai. all available in the UK.

 

[glorious_iguana]

What kind of load should be expected to require those 400+ watts of power?
Is it designed for a massive low-sensitivity floorstanders? Or subs with 1m woofer?

Just curious, will I reveive any kind of benefits of using such an amp with bookshelf speakers at home? Or 100-200w Hypex module will sound just the same?

(P.s. sorry for my low theoretical basis and dumb questions )

I am also not sure if these amps can perceivably improve the sound even on my floor standers with 2 woofers, which are currently driven by a 50W integrated amplifier.

 

[AkodoGilador]

Import duty will raise the cost even further. I might do it next time I travel to Europe, but I don't want the hassle for now.

Yes, but you don't pay VAT, so it evens out.

Alex

 

[Matias]

I am also not sure if these amps can perceivably improve the sound even on my floor standers with 2 woofers, which are currently driven by a 50W integrated amplifier.

Depending on where you live (country), you can order one with a trial period and ask details about the return policy, and if you agree, order one and try it yourself to be sure.

 

[glorious_iguana]

With the starting qualifier that you don't need this- you really don't- there are other superb and reasonably priced offerings in this class from Purifi, Orchard, and Nilai. all available in the UK.

Yea, the KJF Audio that Matias linked earlier looks good enough, and I think I would be perfectly content with an NC252MP with its 250W into 8Ohm.

Depending on where you live (country), you can order one with a trial period and ask details about the return policy, and if you agree, order one and try it yourself to be sure.

I might indeed try that with KJF Audio.

 

[Matias]

Yea, the KJF Audio that Matias linked earlier looks good enough, and I think I would be perfectly content with an NC252MP with its 250W into 8Ohm.


I might indeed try that with KJF Audio.

Nord is also with a new line of entry level NCoreMP amps with great prices and 14 day trials.

Nord Value-Line MP NC252 Stereo Power Amplifier

SPECIFICATION (Per Channel) • Standard Stereo Case (optional SE case) • Hypex NCore NC252MP twin channel Module • RCA or XLR Input • Auto sensing 100-240V mains input operation • 0.12W standby operation • 650W Main PSU • 47K Ohms Input Impedance, low output impedance • THD 0.0015% •...

nordacoustics.co.uk

 

[glorious_iguana]

Nord is also with a new line of entry level NCoreMP amps with great prices and 14 day trials.

Thank you, this one looks good, though I might top up for a version with a nicer enclosure. Is 14 day trial something Nord specifically mentions and promote or is it just what UK (or other countries') law offers to the customers?

 

[Matias]

Thank you, this one looks good, though I might top up for a version with a nicer enclosure. Is 14 day trial something Nord specifically mentions and promote or is it just what UK (or other countries') law offers to the customers?

Its on his main page, we can ask Collin for more details or other case styles. @boggit10

 

[glorious_iguana]

Its on his main page

Awesome, thanks! I found it now

 

[SIY]

Awesome, thanks! I found it now

I'll repeat my earlier warning- if your current amps are quiet enough and don't clip at the levels you play them, any sonic improvement with a new amp is almost certainly going to be illusory.

 

[glorious_iguana]

I'll repeat my earlier warning- if your current amps are quiet enough and don't clip at the levels you play them, any sonic improvement with a new amp is almost certainly going to be illusory.

Thanks again and that's why I'm not going to upgrade the amplifier soon. And even if I do it, I'll keep the option of returning it if I don't like one, but then as you say any comparison I make might be biased in favour of more "superior" amp. My question is, though, why even bother with the amplifiers like Purifi Eigentakt or NCx500 for home uses if they provide an excessive power that 95% of users realistically don't need even for big speakers?

 

[Julf]

Thank you, this one looks good, though I might top up for a version with a nicer enclosure. Is 14 day trial something Nord specifically mentions and promote or is it just what UK (or other countries') law offers to the customers?

It is definitely European law. UK might not have gotten rid of it yet.

 

[Julf]

Thanks again and that's why I'm not going to upgrade the amplifier soon. And even if I do it, I'll keep the option of returning it if I don't like one, but then as you say any comparison I make might be biased in favour of more "superior" amp. My question is, though, why even bother with the amplifiers like Purifi Eigentakt or NCx500 for home uses if they provide an excessive power that 95% of users realistically don't need even for big speakers?

What's the point of a car that can do 250 km/h?

 

[SIY]

Thanks again and that's why I'm not going to upgrade the amplifier soon. And even if I do it, I'll keep the option of returning it if I don't like one, but then as you say any comparison I make might be biased in favour of more "superior" amp. My question is, though, why even bother with the amplifiers like Purifi Eigentakt or NCx500 for home uses if they provide an excessive power that 95% of users realistically don't need even for big speakers?

I use them because I occasionally clipped the amps in my M10 and needed more power. Since I had the chance to review and measure them, I knew first hand that they were powerful enough for the speakers I use in the room I have, with the music I play.

Some might choose them for non-auditory esthetic reasons: it can be fun to some to own the "best" even when it brings no sonic benefit.

 

[Ornette]

Thanks again and that's why I'm not going to upgrade the amplifier soon. And even if I do it, I'll keep the option of returning it if I don't like one, but then as you say any comparison I make might be biased in favour of more "superior" amp. My question is, though, why even bother with the amplifiers like Purifi Eigentakt or NCx500 for home uses if they provide an excessive power that 95% of users realistically don't need even for big speakers?

• Compactness
• Cool-running, energy efficient
• Inexpensive per watt
• Invariant frequency response vs. (difficult) load
• You're the other 5%

 

[glorious_iguana]

it can be fun to some to own the "best" even when it brings no sonic benefit.

I think this is important to know beside reading favourable reviews.