March Audio Hypex Ncore Power Amplifiers

[March Audio]

Hi

Quite a number of forum members were very keen to find out more about the forthcoming March Audio Hypex Ncore power amp range and I promised to post something today. So I have quickly taken some photos. Sorry they arent that good and please excuse the finger marks on the cases. This is going to be brief, I will flesh it out with more details tomorrow.

https://www.marchaudio.net.au/hypex-ncore-power-amplifiers

To summarise what I have posted elsewhere. All performance specs are currently Hypex sourced. Final product performance to soon to be confirmed and/or corrected with data from independent measurements.

Four models will be available:

• P122 - Stereo 120 watts into 4 ohms
• P252 - Stereo 250 watts into 4 ohms
• P502 - Stereo 500 watts into 4 ohms
• P701 - Mono Block 700 watts into 4 ohm

Balanced XLR input design (compatible with single ended RCA)

As an example, some of the P252 other performance parameters:

THD+N: 0.0015% (thats SINAD of 97dB)
SNR: 121dB
Output Noise: 30uV
Power BW: 20Hz to 35kHz
Gain: 26dB
Current Limit: 17.5 A
Output Z: 1.5 mOhm
Input Z: 47K

The 122,252 and 502 share similar performance but the P701 is a step up again, and I will post more specs later.

EDIT P701 additional performance parameters

THD+N: 0.001% (thats SINAD of 100dB)
SNR: 135dB
Output Noise: 9uV
Power BW: 20Hz to 35kHz
Current Limit: 26 A
Output Z: 1.5 mOhm


All units share the same solid milled anodized aluminium casework . Minimalist in the same style as the DAC1. The power standby button is a flush mounted piezo touch design. No moving parts. I have suffered switches fail on some of my kit in the past.

This is the P252. It will be off to Amir for test and review very soon.

Now the big question people are desperate to know the answer to.......price

OK, There is an introductory discount for a limited period. US$

• P122 - Stereo 120 watts into 4 ohms - $650
• P252 - Stereo 250 watts into 4 ohms - $800
• P502 - Stereo 500 watts into 4 ohms - $1000
• P701 - Mono Block 700 watts into 4 ohm - $900 ea

Please note it will be a few weeks before the amps will be available for sale. Estimating end of January 19.

 

[Hugo9000]

Nice, clean styling! Are those prices in U.S. Dollars or Australian Dollars? (I'm guessing U.S. although you're in Australia, as those prices would be really low if Australian Dollars! )

 

[March Audio]

Thanks, US$

Yep, made that mistake yesterday, it didnt end well

 

[jtwrace]

Which Hypex modules are you using?

 

[Hugo9000]

I'm glad you chose the "sweet spot" of 250W into 4 ohms to send to @amirm for testing first! I'm very interested to see the results, as it could be a good match for my KEF LS50s (Yeah, I'm sure 120W into 4 ohms would be fine, but I like to know there is extra power there, especially since I listen almost exclusively to classical/opera with huge dynamic transients!)

 

[DonH56]

Pretty impressive specs, especially the high SNR. I'd love to see how it compares to the ATI and Benchmark units.

 

[Dogen]

Well done! I very much like the simple aesthetics, and the prices are within reason given the craftsmanship, and the prices of competitive units. It’s sad to realize how few quality speaker amps are out there; most of the attention is on headphones these days. Looking forward to Amir’s measurements.

 

[LarsS]

Built a pair of Hypex nCore NC400 monoblocks a few years back, now sold. Interested to know if you've done any enhancements vs the standard nCore modules eg similar to the Nord amps.

 

[rajapruk]

You are consistent in putting Left/Right on the wrong side

I like the design of the cases.

 

[rajapruk]

Have you implemented your own input buffers? If so, do they have a "tone"? (sorry I could not resist using that word!)
Or is it Hypex standard buffers?

 

[Krunok]

Have you implemented your own input buffers? If so, do they have a "tone"? (sorry I could not resist using that word!)

LOOL

 

[Dogen]

You are consistent in putting Left/Right on the wrong side

I like the design of the cases.

Having the speaker cables cross near the unit cancels out any flux eddies created by perpendicularly aligned positron tunneling. /s

 

[Hugo9000]

You are consistent in putting Left/Right on the wrong side

That's for people who wish to show off their fancy cables, who would surely have the unit's rear facing out for maximum cable visual impact!

 

[stunta]

Will a standard XLR cable work with this or does it need an adapter?

 

[Sal1950]

Pretty impressive specs, especially the high SNR.

Yes, that was the number that caught my eye also.

 

[amirm]

Will a standard XLR cable work with this or does it need an adapter?

It does. They are combo sockets accepting normal XLR and 1/4 jacks.

 

[stunta]

It does. They are combo sockets accepting normal XLR and 1/4 jacks.

OK, that is useful. I have seen such sockets in amps before and taken them out consideration because it wasn't clear if they will work with XLR connectors. Sometimes manufacturers shoot themselves in the foot with lack of such information or its obvious to their target customer base and I am just an ignorant outlier. The latter is more likely I would guess.

 

[stunta]

@March Audio Can you post dimensions? (The "Learn More" link on your website for the amps is not working. Chrome browser on Win10).

 

[amirm]

OK, that is useful. I have seen such sockets in amps before and taken them out consideration because it wasn't clear if they will work with XLR connectors. Sometimes manufacturers shoot themselves in the foot with lack of such information or its obvious to their target customer base and I am just an ignorant outlier. The latter is more likely I would guess.

I agree. They are frequently used in Pro audio world but rarely in consumer and hence lack of awareness. It sure "looks like" they can't accept standard XLR even though they do.

 

[DonH56]

Yah, I immediately recognized them, but I have a fair amount of pro audio experience. I would have been happy (probably happier) with Neutrik SpeakOns instead of banana jacks for that matter.