Hypex NCx500 Class D Amplifier Review

[CtheArgie]

Saludos! From what I understand, now the manufacturers can only sell modules to their existing customers, not to NC500 owners from other brands. So if you have a Nord amp you can only buy NCx500 from Nord, or Apollon amp buy only from Apollon, etc.

Also we have to pay more initially, return the old modules, and only then get a refund for the deposit. Plus the NCx500 is out of stock for several months...

They are making this as difficult as they can, but still I managed to get mine.

Gracias. I thought so. I tried to get mine through Colin at Nord but have to wait until October. There is no rush.

 

[Matias]

Here is a pretty picture after assembled.

 

[kazsud]

FWIW, all of the NCx modules I have had shipped to me come with the onboard Buffer enabled.

What is the benefit of the buffer?

 

[Julf]

What is the benefit of the buffer?

Gain and impedance matching. Downside is a (slight) reduction in SNR.

 

[super_sun]

Hello.
I have Cerwin Vega SLX 12 speakers. No subwoofer. DAC SMSL DO300.
I need power amplifier with two chanels.
What amplifier will be better to choose?
1. Hypex NCx500 Amplifier, 2-channel (gain cannot be changed).
2. Hypex NCx500 Amplifier, 2-channel (allowing for Low/Med/High gain).
3. Purifi 1ET400A Amplifier, 2-channel
4. Hypex NC252MP Amplifier, 2-channel.
Thank you for support.

 

[Matias]

Hello.
I have Cerwin Vega SLX 12 speakers. No subwoofer. DAC SMSL DO300.
I need power amplifier with two chanels.
What amplifier will be better to choose?
1. Hypex NCx500 Amplifier, 2-channel (gain cannot be changed).
2. Hypex NCx500 Amplifier, 2-channel (allowing for Low/Med/High gain).
3. Purifi 1ET400A Amplifier, 2-channel
4. Hypex NC252MP Amplifier, 2-channel.
Thank you for support.

I would upgrade speakers first and room accoustics next, and leave the amp last. NC502MP until then, nice value and leaves $ for the rest.

 

[grobalt]

Who knows what is wrong in the datasheet ?

2.2.states a max voltage of 15V while in 2.4 a max power value of 14.2 Vrms is shown that would result in 20V peak.

At the same time buffered needs 2.16V for max power to increase by 15.3db the unbuffered value should be 12.57Vrms and not 14.2. but even 12.57Vrms is at peak higher than max 15V input allowed

 

[grobalt]

Answer from Hypex arrived after i sent them some information:

I have just checked with our engineer and there are indeed mistakes in the datasheet. The gain buffered needs to be 27,8db. Then the values should make more sense. The absolute maximum ratings are also not correct. Buffered you can go up to 10V and unbuffered even up to 30V without damaging anything.

We will change this in the datasheet. Thanks for highlighting this to us. Highly appreciated.

 

[Turcoda]

Now I'll have to wait for NCx plate amp!

Anyone have any news on a updated plate amps? Looking to start a new project soon and not sure if its worth buying the old plate amps when we might be on the cusp of something much better.

 

[grobalt]

New plate more end of 2024 ...

 

[CleanSound]

The Hypex published specs vs what ASR measured doesn't match. Any thoughts?

 

[Matias]

The Hypex published specs vs what ASR measured doesn't match. Any thoughts?
View attachment 293093View attachment 293094View attachment 293095

You are comparing different things. Look at the X axis: the ASR graph is power, while the Hypex graphs are frequency.

 

[CleanSound]

You are comparing different things. Look at the X axis: the ASR graph is power, while the Hypex graphs are frequency.

Same thing, just a different unit of measure. Just convert it.

Edit:
And different representation. Take a look at it again. The same data is in both graph.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Apollon NCx500ST listed. Possibly the cheapest assembled NCx500 in EU...

Hypex NCx500 ST NCOREx Stereo Amplifier

The Apollon Audio NCx500 Stereo Amplifier utilises the newest Hypex NCx500 amplifier module as its core. This exceptional technology provides abundant power and remarkable precision, making it an ideal choice for discerning audiophiles and professional studioapplications.

apollonaudio.com

 

[Philipp]

Possibly the cheapest

Is it? Price is before-tax, you get a double-mono for that at audiphonics.
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...lass-d-ncore-ncx500-2x600w-4-ohm-p-17591.html
What am I getting wrong?

 

[VintageFlanker]

Is it? Price is before-tax, you get a double-mono for that at audiphonics.
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...lass-d-ncore-ncx500-2x600w-4-ohm-p-17591.html
What am I getting wrong?

I got 1400€ shipped + VAT to France. Versus 1490€ inc. VAT (but without shipping) at Audiophonics.

BTW, it's not "double mono" for both. One SMPS1200.

 

[Philipp]

BTW, it's not "double mono" for both. One SMPS1200.

Ok, its not double mono because it draws power from the same power supply.
Is that a fix term, double mono is only if there are two Independent power circuits?

So it is misleading from audiophonics to write: The Audiophonics HPA-S600NCX dual mono power amplifier, an updated and improved version of the HPA-S600NC?

Is the Apollon and Audiophonics basically the Same in construction, just naming it differently.
The Apollon names a custom buffer-board while Audiophonics just uses the on-board-buffer-board, don’t they?

 

[CleanSound]

The Hypex published specs vs what ASR measured doesn't match. Any thoughts?
View attachment 293093View attachment 293094View attachment 293095

According to Amir measurements, at 4 ohms, 300w for 10kHz, the distortion is -92db, which is .0025%.
However, according to Hypex, at 4 ohms, 300w for 10kHz is .001%

What's interesting is that from Hypex's graph, it shows that from 10kHz and up, the distortion is almost none.

@amirm any insights?

 

[mdsimon2]

According to Amir measurements, at 4 ohms, 300w for 10kHz, the distortion is -92db, which is .0025%.
However, according to Hypex, at 4 ohms, 300w for 10kHz is .001%

What's interesting is that from Hypex's graph, it shows that from 10kHz and up, the distortion is almost none.

@amirm any insights?

Different bandwidth, ASR is using 45 kHz bandwidth, Hypex data sheet is 20 kHz bandwidth. This is why THD drops down above 10 kHz because the 2nd harmonic is above 20 kHz.

Michael

 

[CleanSound]

Different bandwidth, ASR is using 45 kHz bandwidth, Hypex data sheet is 20 kHz bandwidth. This is why THD drops down above 10 kHz because the 2nd harmonic is above 20 kHz.

Michael

Any link that can explain the what bandwidth means?