ICEpower 125ASX2 vs newer amps from Fosi or Hypex? Can I tell the difference?

[taxonomy]

Let's start off by saying that I am going to be sixty this winter. My hearing drops off pretty hard at 13khz. My speakers are Magnepan MG12 along with a pair of SVS SB2000 subs and I want an amp with a ton of headroom. This Peachtree 220 amp came up on the local Facebook marketplace for $250. It uses twin bridged ICEpower 125ASX2 modules. Is this at a big disadvantage against modern Hypex etc based amps or anything with PFFB? Should I just get Fosi V3 for the same money?

I am not listening at crazy high volumes but we may occasionally have people over and need to fill the large space with sound.

I tend to think of amps as a more or less solved problem. There may be measurable differences but are these so small as to be imperceptible?

 

[CDMC]

Let's take a step back. What is the rest of your system? The short of it it is that Maggies are pretty much a resistive 4ohm load, but have low efficiency, so they requires an amplifier that puts out more power than most speakers. I have owned a lot of maggies over the years (SMGa, 2.7, MG-12, 3.6) and would not use an amplifier for the MG12 of less than 200w/ch into 4 ohms.

You don't say what preamp you are using or what crossover if any you are using to high pass the maggies? You should be running a high pass at about 80hz to lower distortion and bass power demands for the maggies (as well as potentially slapping the panels if you have enough power and are playing at a high enough level).

So give us some more information to help you.

 

[taxonomy]

The bridged 125asx2 are good for 400w per side supposedly.

I’m running a WIIM ultra as a pre. I may use that to high pass or just use the sub’s built in high pass.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[CDMC]

You would want to use your WIIM as your cross-over for the subs and Maggies and take care of integrating and equalization for the for the room. I didn't realized the Peachtree was configured with a BTL, so the power is sufficient. My concern would be reliability, as many of their products have reliability issues. You will have to research if the amp is one of them.

It is significantly more, but a well sorted product that will be reliable and provide enough power is the Buckeye NC252 model for $625 - https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers/hypex/ncx252mp/2_channel

Another option would be to grab a Schiit Vidar with 200w/ch into 4 ohms, you can get them for $400-500 (no affiliation but one listed for sale)- https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650329261-schiit-vidar-1/

 

[taxonomy]

At the Schiit price point isn’t the Fosi V3 a better choice? I am not sure why but I want to go class D with this round.

 

[Sokel]

The ICE modules used in Peachtree is at least 3 generations back in line.
You can do way better with the new modules if you can DIY a little.

 

[taxonomy]

The ICE modules used in Peachtree is at least 3 generations back in line.
You can do way better with the new modules if you can DIY a little.

I'm unlikely to DIY. I'll just wait for Black Friday and see where we are by then. I am OK up to about $1200 as long as it's value I am buying.

 

[Matias]

For 1200 you can access a lot better options on the market like:

Apollon 1ET6525SA ST Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Apollon 1ET6525SA ST Purifi based class D stereo power amplifier. It was kindly loaned to me by a member and costs 1,190.00€ (USD $1,348). Apollon designs are unique a step up from some of its competitors. Even the power switch feels nice and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Apollon NCx500ST stereo class D amplifier based on Hypex NCOREx NCx500 modules. It was kindly drop shipped from the member and costs 1,090.00€ (US $1,168) with standard opamp. While the case is stamped aluminum, it is a heavily customized one...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Svend P]

There is nothing wrong with the ICEpower modules. For the money I think it is fine

ICEPower 125ASX2 Class D Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of a DIY amplifier based on ICEPower 125ASX2 module in Ghentaudio case. It is on kind loan from a member. The owner says the total cost is only US $220. I can't find the amp at the price he bought it so maybe it costs a few dollars more but still, it...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[CptKaos]

At the Schiit price point isn’t the Fosi V3 a better choice? I am not sure why but I want to go class D with this round.

take a look at the 3e Audio A7 Mono's, a nice step above the V3's yet quite affordable

3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the A7 / "A7 Mono" stereo power amplifier with balanced inputs. It was sent to me by the company. I have no idea what it costs in US. Audiophonics lists it for 379,00 €tax incl. While the A7 may look like its competitors, it has a heft to it that I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[CDMC]

At the Schiit price point isn’t the Fosi V3 a better choice? I am not sure why but I want to go class D with this round.

The Schiit has about 2db more headroom as it puts out over 300 watts for short term peaks (Class D Amps don't). But given your budget is up to $1200 I would just grab a Buckeye in the flavor of your choice (assuming you are in the USA). The one I recommended is from the later Nilai series which has better specifications than the original Ncore, but there is no audible difference. Want more power, you can get the older NC502MP at 500 watts/ch 4 ohm for $750, newer NCx500 at 700w/ch in 4 ohms, or Purifi 1ET652SA with 450w/ch into 4 ohms for $1,195. I don't think Buckeye has sales, they price at bottom pricing year round. If you are in Europe, look at the Apollon as mentioned above, Nord, or IOM amplifiers.

 

[taxonomy]

The Schiit has about 2db more headroom as it puts out over 300 watts for short term peaks (Class D Amps don't). But given your budget is up to $1200 I would just grab a Buckeye in the flavor of your choice (assuming you are in the USA). The one I recommended is from the later Nilai series which has better specifications than the original Ncore, but there is no audible difference. Want more power, you can get the older NC502MP at 500 watts/ch 4 ohm for $750, newer NCx500 at 700w/ch in 4 ohms, or Purifi 1ET652SA with 450w/ch into 4 ohms for $1,195. I don't think Buckeye has sales, they price at bottom pricing year round. If you are in Europe, look at the Apollon as mentioned above, Nord, or IOM amplifiers.

I think I will probably buy a Buckeye but I think I will also likely wait. I am buying this to run my magnepans in the new house but I think that I'll just wait until the house is done. My maggies are setup in my workshop now and running off my hafler, which is fine for what it is. As the Class D space moves so quickly waiting another year might yeild better results.

I was really tempted by the Fosi V3 monos which would probably do the job for me but I may as well wait and see what the next 10-12 months brings.

 

[CDMC]

I think I will probably buy a Buckeye but I think I will also likely wait. I am buying this to run my magnepans in the new house but I think that I'll just wait until the house is done. My maggies are setup in my workshop now and running off my hafler, which is fine for what it is. As the Class D space moves so quickly waiting another year might yeild better results.

I was really tempted by the Fosi V3 monos which would probably do the job for me but I may as well wait and see what the next 10-12 months brings.

What Hafler are you using? It is unlikely you will see anything new from Hypex or Purifi in the next year, others you may.

 

[Waveform Fidelity]

There is nothing wrong with the ICEpower modules. For the money I think it is fine

ICEPower 125ASX2 Class D Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of a DIY amplifier based on ICEPower 125ASX2 module in Ghentaudio case. It is on kind loan from a member. The owner says the total cost is only US $220. I can't find the amp at the price he bought it so maybe it costs a few dollars more but still, it...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Ive just made a 6 ch amplifier with 3 x 100AS2 for my active loudspeaker. I bench tested one of them and apart from clipping can’t get THD distortion above 0.003% even at 5W output which where I measure audio performance. Parts express has some good pricing on these modules. The noise floor is 70uV - very good.