ICEPower 125ASX2 Class D Amplifier Review

[ohskigod]

Just an update on the 125asx2 monoblocks I built with the new conductor tech.....I think these might be my forever amps. They are just fantastic

 

[Rac]

Just an update on the 125asx2 monoblocks I built with the new conductor tech.....I think these might be my forever amps. They are just fantastic

Yep I agree. Apart from a small turn on click sound they are everything i could ask for. They sound great driving my BlieSMa T25b-6( in a 5in Augerpro waveguide) tweeters.

I've now put together two of the conductor 125asx2 amps and they have both measured the same and both have the same turn on click.

 

[Postlan]

$220 including the enclosure—this unit in the test isn't an authentic IcePower, right? Any internal photos? There's too much variation between the left and right channels.

 

[TNT]

I have to say that I'm very happy with them as well.

//

 

[DWPress]

I have a few of the older units in storage for future use but this new Conductor tech is an interesting development so google leads me to an acticle at Audio Express where in the 2nd paragraph they say:

But at ICEpower, we partner, we don't compete. We honor that trust by continually delivering amplifiers into products which have life times sometimes more than 10 years.

Saying something lasts a decade hardly seems like inspiring confidence or a good marketing approach....

 

[ohskigod]

I have a few of the older units in storage for future use but this new Conductor tech is an interesting development so google leads me to an acticle at Audio Express where in the 2nd paragraph they say:



Saying something lasts a decade hardly seems like inspiring confidence or a good marketing approach....

To be fair it says more than 10 years. Not just 10 years.

In this case they made a significant update to a board that is over 10 years old. I’m fine with it.

 

[dansan69]

Icepower has updated a product that has been in production for a long time without changing mechanics and other external specs. Icepower has done this to respect their customers investment done to incorporate Icepower modules into their own end products, this is a very honorable way to do business IMHO

 

[DWPress]

Lol, I'm not dissing on Icepower or the products - I own several. Just the editors poor choice of words going to print!

 

[ohskigod]

Icepower has updated a product that has been in production for a long time without changing mechanics and other external specs. Icepower has done this to respect their customers investment done to incorporate Icepower modules into their own end products, this is a very honorable way to do business IMHO

I agree……though the fact they did it so low key does show they have disdain for the DIY guy……that said I get why that is

 

[SimonY]

After I bought a couple of amps direct, they sent an email encouraging me to keep in touch regarding the project. It felt pretty genuine tbh. I guess they can’t engage with everyone but they do seem to genuinely engage with their clientele.

 

[Azrael]

The problem with this silent revision is that it's hard for the end customer to know whether it is a new design or new old stock that he/she is buying. I went back and forth between the old datasheet 1.9 and the current 2.2 and there are no clear markings stating the new design, even the part number is the same.

AFAIK the only way to know whether it is a new Conductor version are the chips on the output stage. Because other components like caps or inductors they may change even with the old HCOM+MECC technologies.

View attachment 392805

It looks like Audiophonics in France already has the new modules, doesn't they?:

 

[ohskigod]

I should try ordering from them direct.

 

[perceptionist]

That's fair. But ICEpower is in the confersation now. They really made up ground over the last few years. being at 0.0006% while purify is at 0.00015% is an achievement. With a included powersuply and at 60% of the price of a purify module. The NC502MP is only available in finished products not on it's own I believe but at a fair price at most places.

Perhaps in response to Icepower ICC5 Conductor, now Hypex offers NC“x”???MP.
https://icepoweraudio.com/icepower-module-update/

https://www.hypex.nl/products/amplifier-families/mains-powered-ncorex-family/
“Building on the legacy of NCORE® and incorporating insights from our latest Nilai® research, the NCX Mains Powered Family…”

Competition is good. Hope to see more companies offering completed amplifiers or DIY kits.

 

[ohskigod]

Perhaps in response to Icepower ICC5 Conductor, now Hypex offers NC“x”???MP.
https://icepoweraudio.com/icepower-module-update/

https://www.hypex.nl/products/amplifier-families/mains-powered-ncorex-family/
“Building on the legacy of NCORE® and incorporating insights from our latest Nilai® research, the NCX Mains Powered Family…”

Competition is good. Hope to see more companies offering completed amplifiers or DIY kits.

I’d say the NCx is more competition for the Icepower 700as and 1200as modules. I was torn between an NCx and building a second 1200as to run them in Mono and went with the latter. Very happy but still I gotta assume that hypex is fantastic too. I have the little nc250mp and it’s fantastic.

Class D has come a LONG way but snobby audiophiles still reject it

 

[SimonY]

Perhaps in response to Icepower ICC5 Conductor, now Hypex offers NC“x”???MP.
https://icepoweraudio.com/icepower-module-update/

https://www.hypex.nl/products/amplifier-families/mains-powered-ncorex-family/
“Building on the legacy of NCORE® and incorporating insights from our latest Nilai® research, the NCX Mains Powered Family…”

Competition is good. Hope to see more companies offering completed amplifiers or DIY kits.

Not sure Hypex and co stage product development releases in response to ICEpower. They are however coherently developing their products in line with consumer demand, which is wonderful for everyone and something ICEpower excel at. Though they kind of target different markets imo.

 

[dansan69]

now if only hypex would sell the fully integrated modules to hobbyists, like ICEpower decided to do

 

[ohskigod]

now if only hypex would sell the fully integrated modules to hobbyists, like ICEpower decided to do

You’d think they’d at least do the NC***MP boards with the integrated power supply that way. The 502 would be a perfect sweet spot of power and value for a DIY build if you could remotely find them

 

[Sokel]

Now, that's entirely subjective and mine, but the reasons I went with ice for my semi-actives was:

1. they have no competition for lows, look who's using them (PSA for example) and the higher power modules iron everything down low.

2. was the suggestion of the people who fixed my room and they mostly do pro-audio despite the suggestion of my speaker's company (that's for another thread though)

3. built quality (components but also board as it turned out lately after the bended Hypex ones) , mostly premium stuff.

4. they have any control and report imaginable on board (1200as1/2) but they can also work out the box, just bolting them on a case)

5. usually 5 years warranty and any protection imaginable, along with all the necessary western certifications and tests (even vibration! )

6. a combination of a modestly measuring 1200as2 with a really good measuring 300/400a2 (they hook together for fun, 1200as2 has them covered without any other PS) was indistinguishable from any amp, including Purifi, the same (only the 300a2 part though) has been done blindly even with more that 100dB sens horns.

7. tons of continuous, real world power (not the advertised stuff though) if built right.

8. I WOULD use Purifi insted, if Purifi had their own PSU, on board or separate, Hypex PSUs are no deal for me.

So...

 

[ohskigod]

My 1200as monos are my end game amps. They do everything great.

 

[Sokel]

My 1200as monos are my end game amps. They do everything great.

To you, or anyone else:

Have anyone take advantage of their on board analog meters to expose them on the case, like amp or Volt meters (it has both) ?

I mean I do use them to measure but only with the DMM till now, as sanity check.
But I have seen crazy simple stuff as industrial panel meters on them.