Hypex Nilai500DIY Amplifier Review

[chris760]

Picked up three Nilai 500W mono block kits from deercreekaudio two weeks ago. It's the same DIYCLASSD box like the other reviewers out there. Had an "assembly party" with a few friends to get them done. We judged speed, looks, did it work the first time you turned it on.... Sadly, while mine looked good I only half plugged in the large ribbon cable and mine failed to output anything until I noticed and pushed it in

So far listening has been a joy. I set it to low gain mode and did not have to turn up my receiver much from my old MC205 level. I love how much smaller and lighter weight they are compared to a big mac amp. I can tuck all three mono blocks into my media center without issues.

 

[Djosh]

Hello everyone,

After a lot of research, I'm hesitating between the SMPS1200A700 / NCx500 mono block and the PS500DIY / Nilai500DIY.

Hypex has "certified" that the Nilai solution is much better. However, that's not really what emerges from the datasheet specifications or ASR measurements. I even have the feeling that the Nilai's power supply is a little light.

If anyone has tested the 2, I'd be happy to have their feedback.

Have a nice Sunday,

Djosh

 

[OldManMatt]

Hello everyone,

After a lot of research, I'm hesitating between the SMPS1200A700 / NCx500 mono block and the PS500DIY / Nilai500DIY.

Hypex has "certified" that the Nilai solution is much better. However, that's not really what emerges from the datasheet specifications or ASR measurements. I even have the feeling that the Nilai's power supply is a little light.

If anyone has tested the 2, I'd be happy to have their feedback.

Have a nice Sunday,

Djosh

I think at this time any opinions between the 2 are going to be subjective..that's if you can even find anyone with user experience of both amps. I was curious about the 2 amplifiers as well and ultimately picked the Nilai DIY Stereo. The power & price had me leaning towards the NCx but I choose the Nilai because of the newer power supply & technology.

I've had other Hypex in the past and was curious if the new technology would give me a different perception. I will say that I feel it's a great amp & I'm using it daily. I was happy with the more expensive amp it replaced but my perception is that the Nilai handles my speakers better at lower volumes..plus the size of the unit is more convenient for me.

Science will tell you that you shouldn't really notice a difference between the 2 amps if all the variables are equal. The NCx does have more power & maybe better specs depending on how you look at it.
Even though I don't really need it I do wish I would have gone with the Nilai mono blocks. I saw a site where I can buy just the power supply though so I'll probably go that route at some point.

Anyway I'm thoroughly impressed by the performance that the Nilai gives me. I've been buying amps since the late 80's and I'm absolutely amazed that this quality of sound can be had for this price. I don't take it for granted..Hypex has done some extraordinary work/engineering.

I don't think you could go wrong with either Model.

 

[SIY]

I think at this time any opinions between the 2 are going to be subjective..that's if you can even find anyone with user experience of both amps.

You found one.

I don't think you could go wrong with either Model.

100% agree.

 

[Craigyp]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Hypex Nilai500DIY class D amplifier module with PS500DIY power supply. Parts were provided by the company and member @Rick Sykora was kind enough to assemble it:
View attachment 262137

As indicated, the single channel amplifier is on the left and the power supply on the right. The amplifier has built-in preamp providing three levels of gain (12, 22 and 28 dB). A jumper selects the appropriate level. At 12 dB, you need about 12 volts to reach full power which requires a pro audio interface or a pre-amp with that level of output. The sole input in this configuration is balanced.

In use the amplifier was exceptionally solid even when pushed hard. It kept going and stayed very cool. It is rated to 2 ohm (see measurements below).

Edit: in the original review I had the top open so I could change the gain settings. Alas, it turns out that doing so allowed some noise pick up around 10 kHz. I re-tested with the lid closed and that issue went away. As a results, we have slightly better performance especially in high-gain.

Hypex Nilai500DIY Measurements
Let's start with lowest gain setting:
View attachment 262735

That is superb performance with distortion at or below -140 dB! Here is the response at higher grain settings:
View attachment 262139

View attachment 262736

With all thee gain settings, the amp lands in our top 20 best amplifiers ever reviewed based on combined noise and distortion rating (SINAD):
View attachment 262737

Noise performance is excellent but just shy of state of the art:
View attachment 262738

But gets there at full power:
View attachment 262143

As we expect from Hypex, frequency response is load impedance independent:
View attachment 262144

Multitone performance is excellent:

View attachment 262739

View attachment 262740

Amplifier is stable on power up:
View attachment 262741

Let's look at available power at 4 ohm:
View attachment 262149

Looks like we no longer have to decided between superbly low noise and distortion and available power! State of the art performance is once again achieved in low gain while still producing lots of power (342 watts). Allowing distortion to climb to 1% naturally gives us more power (and matches company spec):
View attachment 262150

We still have healthy power even with 8 ohm load:
View attachment 262151

Since the amp is rated at 2 ohm, I measured that as well:
View attachment 262152
View attachment 262153

There is a bit of penalty but still great performance. Seems power supply is limiting power so you don't get more juice.

I was a bit surprised at the ballooning of the distortion at higher frequencies:
View attachment 262154

EDIT:
There is more of a noticeable pop on power off than power on:
View attachment 262742

As requested, here is the switching response:
View attachment 262743


Conclusions
It is clear Hypex is taking competition in class D amplifiers seriously responding with a DIY friend amplifier solution that has a ton of power and wonderful performance. While we could nitpick here and there, but in the larger context of the amplifiers out there, this is a superb offering of great performance and lots and lots of power.

FYI I don't have pricing for the kit. If someone has it, please post. I see online ads saying around $900 to $1,100 for a single channel.

I am happy to add Hypex Nilai500DIY amplifier and its companion PS500DIY power supply to my recommended list.

----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

I bought a pair of these after seeing this review as I couldn’t decide between this and Purifi. I can confirm they sound phenomenal. Exceptionally good. Very happy. When I bought them a few weeks ago from KJF Audio here in the UK they were £850 each (including VAT). I can strongly recommend them. After hearing them, my cousin is selling his very expensive Musical Fidelity Mono Blocks and getting these.

 

[Matias]

Hello everyone,

After a lot of research, I'm hesitating between the SMPS1200A700 / NCx500 mono block and the PS500DIY / Nilai500DIY.

Hypex has "certified" that the Nilai solution is much better. However, that's not really what emerges from the datasheet specifications or ASR measurements. I even have the feeling that the Nilai's power supply is a little light.

If anyone has tested the 2, I'd be happy to have their feedback.

Have a nice Sunday,

Djosh

Welcome to ASR. More here.

Deciding Between NCX500, Purifi Eigentakt and Nilai

I’m getting ready to replace my 7 year old Emotiva BasX A300 amp. I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, NCX500, Purifi Egentakt or Nilai. After researching this forum it seems that all 3 choices will sound the same. So I’ve concluded the NCX500 would be the most cost effective. The Purifi...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[antho625]

Hello everyone,

Sounds like a lot of great feed back. I will be getting my Nilai Mono's today. I was very content with the NAD c399, but I had the audiophile itch to get something more powerful. I'll chime in once I give'm a go!

 

[Rob Fens]

Hello everyone,

Sounds like a lot of great feed back. I will be getting my Nilai Mono's today. I was very content with the NAD c399, but I had the audiophile itch to get something more powerful. I'll chime in once I give'm a go!

Hi Antho 625,

I am using the Nilai stereo for about a year now and i am still very impressed with it, with previous amps after a short period of time i always felt there was something wrong/ too much or lacking. With the Nilai i just listen to music and enjoy it, when i think of other amps i've heard, only Spectral comes to mind. This off course is relative since the Spectral was in a different set-up in a different place, but it says something about the (lack of) character. I am sure you will be very happy with it.

Enjoy it, Rob.

 

[antho625]

I received my Nilai Mono's today. How the f$$k do you slide the tops back on . Changed gain to high. This is a nightmare. Ready to take a hammer to them. Anyone help. Lining it up is a bitch!

Thanks

 

[OldManMatt]

I received my Nilai Mono's today. How the f$$k do you slide the tops back on . Changed gain to high. This is a nightmare. Ready to take a hammer to them. Anyone help. Lining it up is a bitch!

Thanks

You probably need to loosen some screws. When I finished building mine I tried to slide the top on. Not even close . I had to loosen the front plate & sides.

You said like I did. I found putting it together annoying.

 

[OldManMatt]

From my experience building the Nilai this is my tip to others with big muscles. Mine was the Stereo version. When putting it together only be tight when mounting the modules, wiring, jacks. Semi-tight with the enclosure screws. Tighten it all up when complete. The top cover won't slide in if you over torque everything

 

[antho625]

Deer Creek put it together. I loosened what I could and still f@#ked up. I'm sending the son of abitch back. I'VE nerver had this much trouble with any equipment. Wasted almost 4 hours f@#ING aroung with this. Thanks for your advice. Worth a try

 

[OldManMatt]

Deer Creek put it together. I loosened what I could and still f@#ked up. I'm sending the son of abitch back. I'VE nerver had this much trouble with any equipment. Wasted almost 4 hours f@#ING aroung with this. Thanks for your advice. Worth a try

Bummer to hear about your experience. I understand wanting to send it back..it shouldn't be so complicated to slide the top back on. If you give it another go try loosening the feet as well. I'm just going off memory though.

When I get home & look at it I'm sure I'll recall what I did to slide the top in. I'm guessing you popped the top to switch gain? Did you get a chance to listen at all? I'll trade you a nicely put together stereo version for your 3/4th put together mono blocks lol.

Maybe just step away from it for a couple hours or til tomorrow & give it another go..unless you already know it's not for you. I've had frustrating moments with audio gear in the past. No fun. Good luck

 

[HoweSound]

Audiophonics is now selling a stereo Nilai unit with dual mono power supplies. It appears they have discontinued the single power supply stereo unit - too bad, I really like the Audiophonics case for the original stereo model.

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-DM500NIL Power Amplifier

Hand-assembled in our workshop in France, the Audiophonics HPA-DM500NIL power amplifier is a high-performance Class D dual-mono model, based on the new Hypex Nilai500DIY amplification solution.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[antho625]

Bummer to hear about your experience. I understand wanting to send it back..it shouldn't be so complicated to slide the top back on. If you give it another go try loosening the feet as well. I'm just going off memory though.

When I get home & look at it I'm sure I'll recall what I did to slide the top in. I'm guessing you popped the top to switch gain? Did you get a chance to listen at all? I'll trade you a nicely put together stereo version for your 3/4th put together mono blocks lol.

Maybe just step away from it for a couple hours or til tomorrow & give it another go..unless you already know it's not for you. I've had frustrating moments with audio gear in the past. No fun. Good luck

I did step away. I have it at high gain. I'm listening with the tops off. I'm so pissed I can't enjoy it. Thanks for your help. Give it a go after work tomorrow. Gtta see if there's enough difference between the NAD 399 and Nilai to justify it.

 

[antho625]

Audiophonics is now selling a stereo Nilai unit with dual mono power supplies. It appears they have discontinued the single power supply stereo unit - too bad, I really like the Audiophonics case for the original stereo model.

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-DM500NIL Power Amplifier

Hand-assembled in our workshop in France, the Audiophonics HPA-DM500NIL power amplifier is a high-performance Class D dual-mono model, based on the new Hypex Nilai500DIY amplification solution.

www.audiophonics.fr

That does look sweet!

 

[tmtomh]

That does look sweet!

The Audiophonics case top can be a little finicky to re-seat properly, but it's a 1-2 minute job, not a 4-hour one.

 

[Rob Fens]

The Audiophonics case top can be a little finicky to re-seat properly, but it's a 1-2 minute job, not a 4-hour one.

Hi Antho625,

Because i felt sorry about your experience i tried the same with mine, it took less only e few mins without any effort, everything went smooth.
What might help is loosen the feet a little, so the sides will be more flexible and you can shove the top in, all parts are finished to extremely close tolerances, so there is no play.
By the way do not tighten the screws too much, they are very small and the housing is aluminum, so threads are vulnerable.

Hope you can still enjoy it,
Rob.

 

[antho625]

Hi Antho625,

Because i felt sorry about your experience i tried the same with mine, it took less only e few mins without any effort, everything went smooth.
What might help is loosen the feet a little, so the sides will be more flexible and you can shove the top in, all parts are finished to extremely close tolerances, so there is no play.
By the way do not tighten the screws too much, they are very small and the housing is aluminum, so threads are vulnerable.

Hope you can still enjoy it,
Rob.

Thanks Rob! I'll try that later this afternoon.

 

[antho625]

Thanks Rob! I'll try that later this afternoon.

I looked at a video on you tube where someone had trouble placing the top lid on. It turns out that loosening the feet might be the fix. This person slid it on afterwards. I will try this when I get home later today. Thanks again for your advice!