Hi All,
Change of topic, however, I don't think off topic.
After researching the March, Audiophonics and BoXem hypex range of amps I decided on the Buckeye NC 252MP @ 150W into 8 Ohms for US$579 plus shipping to Australia.
https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p/hypex-nc252mp-amplifier-2-channel
This amp was "measured" by Amir (ASR) in a 6 channel set up and he described the THD + N ratio as excellent and the signal to noise ratio as superb.
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye Hypex NC252MP based, 6-channel amplifier. It costs US $1149 as of this writing. The owner/builder is @Buckeye Amps on our forum. The looks are fine for a well-priced build: The unit is quite light courtesy of rather thin sheet...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Archimago also built the NC252 as a DIY project and then measured:
A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.
archimago.blogspot.com
In his review(s) he stated:
"If 150W into 8Ω, 250W into 4Ω, and even 180W into 2Ω is all the stereo power you need, it's going to be very hard to justify the "need" for something of even higher fidelity.
What I'm excited by is the idea of ongoing refinement, even better power efficiency, smaller physical footprint, and of course even lower prices in the days ahead as technology marches forward and provides
value to those seeking
high fidelity audio. Progress does not look or sound like 100-pound solid state behemoths or anachronistic tube-jobs costing 4+ figures, IMO. Rather, this amplifier is a nice example of
high-fidelity in the real world of the 21st Century - potentially unassuming devices that can provide
beautifully clean, "clinical", and some might even call "sterile", empty, sonic canvases upon which the "colors", noise, "grunge", and harmonics of your music arises from with ease.
At some point, as much as some audiophiles want to believe that they're
always hearing better and better sound (ironic because as we get older past our prime, our ears get worse!), we need to contend with the idea that technology has already matured to the point where there really is no further audible fidelity to achieve. Beyond the point of transparency, we're simply left with subjective idiosyncratic preferences.
This amplifier has more than enough resolution for hi-res digital playback; the question is whether the rest of your audio chain can maintain the fidelity. For sure, one can spend more money and achieve even lower noise level and lower distortions (yeah, I know, the Benchmark AHB2, Hypex NC400, NC500, and Purifi amps are all awesome - anyone got level-controlled blind test results to show audible differences?!)."
If you really do need more power (electrostatics) you can choose the NC502 with double the power (300W+ into 8 Ohms) for only another US$180.
So why are we continuing this mindless, and to me meaning less, search for higher and higher fidelity, when for less than US$1,000 you can get a transparent and bit perfect front end ...... simply add your own computer or streamer (computer chromecast audio or raspberry pi) with a Topping or SMSL DAC.
So why are we are going down this rabbit hole. Why are we sweating the small stuff when there are bigger fish to fry.
It would be great if we could put more focus and more of our efforts where we will get the biggest rewards - speakers, DSP and room set up. Linkwitz had the right idea.