Hypex Nilai500DIY Amplifier Review

[Psnibbles]

So seeing as the Nilai500DIY was released 2.5 years ago (and price hasn't come down), does it make sense to wait for a successor?

The Nilai500DIY had many improvements over its previous version so I would assume it should improve even further with the next step forward in Class D technology.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Why would you think that? Pure guess? Take a mature computer processor or graphics chip. Do you really expect a significant improvement? Or is this naive wishful hoping?

 

[gfinlays]

So seeing as the Nilai500DIY was released 2.5 years ago (and price hasn't come down), does it make sense to wait for a successor?

The Nilai500DIY had many improvements over its previous version so I would assume it should improve even further with the next step forward in Class D technology.

The Nilai500DIY's measured performance is almost perfect. Any improvement in a future generation will be very marginal - measurable, yes; audible, absolutely not.

I see no reason to wait.

 

[cfwotzka]

So seeing as the Nilai500DIY was released 2.5 years ago (and price hasn't come down), does it make sense to wait for a successor?

The Nilai500DIY had many improvements over its previous version so I would assume it should improve even further with the next step forward in Class D technology.

If prices don't drop that could also mean even after 2,5 years value/performance relation still match...

 

[Psnibbles]

The Nilai500DIY's measured performance is almost perfect. Any improvement in a future generation will be very marginal - measurable, yes; audible, absolutely not.

I see no reason to wait.

Maybe it would be cheaper?

Will the Nilai500DIY see some sales perhaps, now that it is a mature release?

 

[boXem]

Price won't decrease anytime soon. It's a flagship product in a niche business unit.

 

[AndreaT]

Why? More power perhaps? The Nilai 500 is the pinnacle of technology and it is currently sold at a very competitive price. I own one DIY, the stereo model, it has performed flawlessly for the past 2 years, it measures well below any ear threshold for distortion and it has lots of power.

 

[ArturoKiwi]

Why? More power perhaps? The Nilai 500 is the pinnacle of technology and it is currently sold at a very competitive price. I own one DIY, the stereo model, it has performed flawlessly for the past 2 years, it measures well below any ear threshold for distortion and it has lots of power.

The stereo model too? Because this configuration has less power the the mono or the old NC400 stereo.

 

[AndreaT]

The stereo model too? Because this configuration has less power the the mono or the old NC400 stereo.

Plenty of power in a 400 sq ft open space listening room driving Paradigm Studio 100 v.3

 

[ArturoKiwi]

Plenty of power in a 400 sq ft open space listening room driving Paradigm Studio 100 v.3

Good to know. I have a 36mq living room and a couple of old Kef reference 205... I need to look at Black Friday discount

 

[terryforsythe]

The stereo model too? Because this configuration has less power the the mono or the old NC400 stereo.

For an 8 ohm load the Niliai500 Stereo has the same output power as two Niliai500 Monos, though two Monos output more power at 2 ohm and 4 ohm loads due to having individual power supplies.

 

[Psnibbles]

Here is a link to a Google Docs spreadsheet to calculate amplifier power needed:

Amplifier Power Requirement

docs.google.com

Read and consider the notes to the right of some of the input parameters when selecting a value for those parameters.

Is there an error in that sheet? the field " Amplifier Power Required to Get Desired Maximum SPL: " is staying blank and not showing anything regardless of what I entered in the above section

 

[terryforsythe]

Is there an error in that sheet? the field " Amplifier Power Required to Get Desired Maximum SPL: " is staying blank and not showing anything regardless of what I entered in the above section

Things can go awry if multiple people are using the spreadsheet at the same time. I just tried it and it is working. You might give it another try.

 

[ArturoKiwi]

Why? More power perhaps? The Nilai 500 is the pinnacle of technology and it is currently sold at a very competitive price. I own one DIY, the stereo model, it has performed flawlessly for the past 2 years, it measures well below any ear threshold for distortion and it has lots of power.

I think that I'll make myself the nilai500 as Xmas's gift.
But, if I remember well, also between my NC400 and the nilai500 there isn't audible differences, just numbers over the human threshold.
But anyone says that nilai500 is better...

 

[Julf]

But anyone says that nilai500 is better...

Some people say that nilai500 is better. Some people also say they have been abducted by UFOs, and that Earth is flat.

 

[Psnibbles]

Some people say that nilai500 is better. Some people also say they have been abducted by UFOs, and that Earth is flat.

I don’t think they are here though!

 

[Julf]

I don’t think they are here though!

There are some people here who seem to be of the "I believe my ears" variety...

 

[Russ_L]

Can you get the stereo kit with two psu?

As of November 29, 2025 the answer is no.

Russ

 

[terryforsythe]

As of November 29, 2025 the answer is no.

Russ

There is an upgrade kit available:

Hypex Nilai Stereo to dual mono adapter kit

This Hypex Nilai Stereo to dual mono adapter kit allows you to upgrade your Hypex Nilai Stereo kit to full dual mono operation. If you don't already have a second PS500DIY power supply, you will need to purchase one separately.

kjfaudio.com

Also, the following thread has the information necessary to do the upgrade yourself:

Hypex Nilai stereo/mono kits cases

Hi dear members of ASR ! This is my first post here, to ask some informations to Hypex Nilai stereo/mono kits owners. Sorry for my poor english level, I'm french :-) I plan to buy a Hypex Nilai stereo kit and do some modifications on it (adding a second Nilai PSU to do a dual mono amp). But...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I upgraded mine. Here are some notes I generated at the time: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...lai-stereo-mono-kits-cases.48769/post-2055317

 

[Vhond]

As of November 29, 2025 the answer is no.

Russ

Yes, you can order this (two psu's, two amps one case)