Hypex NCx500 Class D Amplifier Review

[DrCWO]

Owner of a NuPrime mcx-2, would upgrading to an Audiophonics model equipped with the NCx500 chip (LPA-S600NCX) be a positive step in terms of sound quality for powering Focal Aria 948 speakers?

I owned a Passlabs XA30.5 exchanged it with a Krell 2250e (which is a really good amp and big improvement) and now by a custom build NCx500 stereo amp like those sold by Apollon. Mine ran without buffers as my ADI-2/4 DAC provides enough input voltage.
With the NCx500 you will hear more detail and an exceptional clean sound. I guess this will be my last power amp. State of the art and any distortions far below audibility. Absolutely no need for more

You should give it a try.

 

[Waxx]

The Nuprime has a jfet transistor input stage, that probally is a bit colouring. If that is what you want, the Audiophonics won't be an upgrade as those are made to be as clean as possible. If you want absolute neutrality, it's an upgrade. The choice is yours...

 

[Palmspar]

I use the Hypex FA501 amp with uses NC500 to power a dual opposed subwoofer with 12 inch scanspeak discovery drivers.
It works fine but each driver can handle 500w in a smaller enclosure, now they have 200w each.
In 2 ohm load the FA501 has 400w.

 

[sandeep_s300]

I heard that there been a significant upgrade to the integrated opamp. I wonder what difference to be expected in compare to Sonic imagery 990 or 994 op amp. Any thoughts?

 

[Julf]

I heard that there been a significant upgrade to the integrated opamp. I wonder what difference to be expected in compare to Sonic imagery 990 or 994 op amp. Any thoughts?

I find it hard to believe that the opamp would make an audible difference. SNR might improve marginally.

 

[sandeep_s300]

I find it hard to believe that the opamp would make an audible difference. SNR might improve marginally.

Nord Acoustics | Nord One NCx500 MKII Dual Mono Stereo Amp

Nord One NCx500 MKII: Dual mono stereo amp. Experience unparalleled audio performance. Delivering exceptional sound quality and power.

nordacoustics.co.uk

This is what making me asking that question.

 

[Julf]

Nord Acoustics | Nord One NCx500 MKII Dual Mono Stereo Amp

Nord One NCx500 MKII: Dual mono stereo amp. Experience unparalleled audio performance. Delivering exceptional sound quality and power.

nordacoustics.co.uk

This is what making me asking that question.

Ah, the "Using Nord REV D input buffers with Sparkos discrete Voltage regulators and choice of discrete Sparkos 2590 or Sonic Imagery 990 Op Amps. These run in full class A and add greater tonal density for a more tonally rich sound. while improving resolution and soundstage. "

That sounds like pure marketing BS. If the op-amp would add anything, it would technically be considered coloration or distortion. I suggest you ask them how many percent more dense the tonal density is, and what the new resolution is, and what the measurement units for tonal richness and soundstage are.

 

[Mulder]

O

Ah, the "Using Nord REV D input buffers with Sparkos discrete Voltage regulators and choice of discrete Sparkos 2590 or Sonic Imagery 990 Op Amps. These run in full class A and add greater tonal density for a more tonally rich sound. while improving resolution and soundstage. "

That sounds like pure marketing BS. If the op-amp would add anything, it would technically be considered coloration or distortion. I suggest you ask them how many percent more dense the tonal density is, and what the new resolution is, and what the measurement units for tonal richness and soundstage are.

Amir once measured different discrete OP-amps. It can be found with the help of the search bar. As expected, those Sparkos and Sonic Imagery didn’t make any significant difference - the most positive to say is that they didn’t ruin anything either.

 

[dan_uk]

O
Amir once measured different discrete OP-amps. It could be found with the help of the search bar. As expected, those Sparkos and Sonic Imagery didn’t make any significant difference - the most positive to say is that they didn’t ruin anything either.

100%, was useful review.

But also, Nord do offer the availability to add them later yourself if you desire... I've got a Nord and never felt the need to add them tho, but do love my Nord amp

 

[sandeep_s300]

Apollon claims that Sonic imagery opamp reduces the distortion further than the integrated opamp.

 

[Julf]

Apollon claims that Sonic imagery opamp reduces the distortion further than the integrated opamp.

Do they have measurements to back up their claims? Anyway, the distortion of the integrated opamp is already way, way, below audible levels.

 

[sandeep_s300]

Do they have measurements to back up their claims? Anyway, the distortion of the integrated opamp is already way, way, below audible levels.

yes. attached.

 

[Sokel]

yes. attached.

The differences shown there are at -105dB THD+N for the worst of them at the worst measuring area and the difference between them are about 0.5dB.
Now try a little experiment.
Play something as loud as you can and then reduce the level by 105dB to reach the worst measurement.What do you hear?
Reduce it another 0.5dB to reach the best.Now?

 

[sandeep_s300]

The differences shown there are at -105dB THD+N for the worst of them at the worst measuring area and the difference between them are about 0.5dB.
Now try a little experiment.
Play something as loud as you can and then reduce the level by 105dB to reach the worst measurement.What do you hear?
Reduce it another 0.5dB to reach the best.Now?

I will hear silence I guess , regardless

 

[Julf]

yes. attached.

Thanks - yes, minimal and inaudible.

 

[A.wayne]

I owned a Passlabs XA30.5 exchanged it with a Krell 2250e (which is a really good amp and big improvement) and now by a custom build NCx500 stereo amp like those sold by Apollon. Mine ran without buffers as my ADI-2/4 DAC provides enough input voltage.
With the NCx500 you will hear more detail and an exceptional clean sound. I guess this will be my last power amp. State of the art and any distortions far below audibility. Absolutely no need for more

You should give it a try.

Hello ,

Could you advise what you are using for speakers , curious as to the load being driven ..

Regards

 

[NTK]

Hello ,

Could you advise what you are using for speakers , curious as to the load being driven ..

Regards

Probably this one since it is DrCWO's creation/product.

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[transformer-coupled]

Does anyone have a list of Class D manufactures using toroidal power supply's ? The only one I can find are ATI's build. They are nice but super pricey.

Well i know what you want, hehe my dream is also LKV VEROS PWR+ (purifi 1et400a with all toroidal psu) but its 10k€... so there is a manufacturer on ebay called Allusione who sells Hypex Ncore nc500 with all linear psu, im about to buy em one and its about same price than audiophonics SMPSish hypex/purifi alternatives searchon ebay for (they are brand new, is a manufacturer) https://www.ebay.com/itm/254637323840

 

[anphex]

Well i know what you want, hehe my dream is also LKV VEROS PWR+ (purifi 1et400a with all toroidal psu) but its 10k€... so there is a manufacturer on ebay called Allusione who sells Hypex Ncore nc500 with all linear psu, im about to buy em one and its about same price than audiophonics SMPSish hypex/purifi alternatives searchon ebay for (they are brand new, is a manufacturer) https://www.ebay.com/itm/254637323840

But about all Hypex/Purifi amps ARE designed to be used with an SMPS. The Hypex SMPS are also smart thingys with exhaustive protection circuits. What's the thought behind needing to include an torodial psu?

 

[Julf]

there is a manufacturer on ebay called Allusione who sells Hypex Ncore nc500 with all linear psu

Uh, why? There is a reason all top class D amps use SMPSs.