Is it worth upgrading from Amphion Amp100 (AMS0100) to NCX500 Power Amplifier?

[moleman]

Hi guys!

In looking at upgrade my system I think the power amp is the weakest link, but it's also possible I'm overthinking things.

I come from a pro audio background, and have been using the ATC SCM12 Pro as my monitors for the past year.

To me the matching amp (ATC P1 Pro) was out of budget so I settled on a second hand Amphion Amp100 power amplifier which seems to work OK. The Amphion amp uses the Anaview AMS0100 module.


Do you think I'll notice an improvement for upgrading this amp?

I'm looking at the Nord NCX500 Stereo amplifier.
I was really impressed with the review on this site about the NCX500, but not sure if the impressive numbers translates to the real world listening.


I'm using the RME ADI2-PRO FS as a DAC / audio interface on my PC which I'm really happy with.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @moleman! Welcome to ASR.

Do you think I'll notice an improvement for upgrading this amp?

Only if your current Amp has audible distortion during playback.

 

[Puddingbuks]

It is pointless to upgrade your amp, as your current amp is just fine.

Invest in room acoustics or dsp/room correction, it will make a bigger difference. Or better speakers.

 

[Overseas]

I was really impressed with the review on this site about the NCX500, but not sure if the impressive numbers translates to the real world listening.

Those numbers DO translate to real world listening, otherwise they are fake, but not the way you expect. Or not necessarily audibly.

 

[JustJones]

Depends on your listening level and distance. More power might be an improvement if you're clipping you amplifier.

 

[Matias]

Welcome to ASR. Maybe you can arrange a buy with possible return with Nord for example and test it yourself? Worst case you loose shipping and maybe a return fee not sure, best to check before ordering.

NC502MP for better value.

Nord One MP NC502 Stereo Power Amplifier - Nord Acoustics Ltd

MP, our entry level stereo range, now we say "entry level" but to get similar performance from traditional dealers big brands you would be looking at

nordacoustics.co.uk

 

[moleman]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and welcomes!

I think I will hold off for now, which is great for my wallet and peace of mind.

Thank you @amper42 for the detailed look into the speakers! I do listen at fairly low levels so it sounds like it wouldn't make a huge difference. I think when I next move and have a bigger space it might make more sense to upgrade to a bigger amp when I can drive them a bit louder.

@Matias Thank you - I will certainly consider doing that if I go with them in the future!

I must admit I am much more familiar with active speakers over the years - but I'm enjoying learning more about the amplifier side of things when it comes to passive speakers. It's a rabbit hole for sure!

 

[R.J.]

I have got a pair of ATC SCM11. The SCM11 is the consumer product line whereas the SCM12 is the professional line counterpart. As far as I remember, from the technical specifications they are both almost identical. The SCM11 are rated at 85 db @ 1 W @ 1 m. The maximum SPL is 108 db. I am using a miniDSP flex as a preamp and an AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC (NCore NC252MP) RCA AMP to drive my SCM11. Let's do a simple calculation:

If you apply a power of 1 W to the SCM12, you will get an SPL of 85 db @ 1m.
If you apply a power of 10 W to the SCM12, you will get an SPL of 95 db @ 1m.
If you apply a power of 100 W to the SCM12, you will get an SPL of 105 db @ 1m.
If you apply a power of 200 W to the SCM12, you will get an SPL of 108 db @ 1m, and this is the maximum SPL of the SCM12.

I usually like to listen music quite loudly. I cannot tell you how much SPL it is at my listening position, but I often set my miniDSP flex volume to -10 db and sometimes to -6 db. At 0 db, the miniDSP flex output voltage is 2 V RMS. At -6 db, the output voltage is 1 V RMS. At -12 db, the output voltage is 0.5 V RMS. The AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC AMP reaches its maximum output power at 1.66 V RMS. According to ASR forum measurements, the maximum output power of the MPA-S250NC is 101 W at 8 Ohm. The ATC SCM11 impedance is mostly 8 Ohm with some minor drops to 4 Ohm at some frequencies. So setting the miniDSP flex volume to -6 db translates to an output power of 45 W to the SCM11. 45 W power applied to the SCM11 is approximately an SPL of 101 db @ 1 m.