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No love for IcePower?

LydMekk

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I also have an 1200AS1 which the italian ebay seller did not honor return and swap on. 1 month after purchase it was mounted and died 2 days later. The one I bought to replace it is still going. He listed 2 weeks coverage...ffs...if only we could buy these directly from ICE and get warranty as per normal 2 years. This nickel and dime crap annoys the hell out of me.
 

Michiel

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I also had 2 1200AS1 units from the Italian Ebay seller failing, one after a few days, other one after about 2 weeks.

The present unit is still going strong after a few weeks.

I was very happy to see that https://www.soundimports.eu/en/ started to sell Icepower since a couple of weeks, including the 1200 series.
Most likely cheaper then the Ebay seller, and probably warranty cases treated in the way they should be treated.

The shop is in my home country, the Netherlands, but they also provide the website in English, and also ship abroad.

I have no personal experience with this shop, so can't tell how trustworthy it is. The reviews are good though https://www.trustedshops.eu/buyerrating/info_XDD2B3157D4611BFA27EAE2346C606146.html

A lot of Icepower modules are out of stock at the moment.
 

Mario Soldier

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I have bought myny modules from soundimport! Very fast shipping they ship the day you bought if it is before 16 hour.

Absolut no problems so far .But all modules are working i can not sy how good is the warranty!But i think a lot better as from the italien man.

He told me after a module died they must be a peice of copper that makes a short cut.(but i solder not with installked mnodules)

I think he is a liar.I send him the broken module i was sure it was not my fold he said icepower say the problems most comes from outside...

Thanks for the info,
it is evident that some problem has occurred, because to burn a power mosfet in the area that is highlighted in the photo, in my opinion the problem is not due to the power supply, but more likely a problem of another kind has occurred ..
Unfortunately, I do not have the right to decide if the module can be replaced .. if you want I can put you in contact with the ICEPOWER ITALIA product manager; more than that I just don't know how to help you
Looking forward to your further info
Best regards
RS

Il giorno dom 6 dic 2020 alle ore 23:59 Mario Makary <[email protected]> ha scritto:
Forgotten to mark the photo.

(26/42
The speaker outputs are fully overload and short circuit protected. In case of an overload or short circuit event, the module will limit the output power and eventually shut down and resume operation when the overload or short circuit has been removed.
Due to the balanced operation, it is not possible to connect one of the outputs to ground. The module is protected against such an event.
On the 1200AS1, only channel 1 speaker output is mounted.
11.3 AC Mains Input
ICEpower1200AS has a universal mains input operating on all common mains supplies. No switching between low and high mains is required. Additionally, the power supply includes Power Factor Correction complying with international standards.
When power is applied to the 1200AS, the module will after a short initialization read the control inputs and start operating accordingly. If the module controls are left unconnected, the module will start normal operation without further action.
The power up and power down timing is shown in Figure 18 and specific timing values are available in Section 8.4.
Figure 18: Power up timing
The 1200AS is fitted with a fuse on the mains input. In case of a burned fuse, the module is defective and must be replaced.)

And this is what i found in the manual.

It says if the main fuse breaks the module is defective?
But it not says why .....


On the photo you can see the crack of the chip underneath the module in the black circle?

I don,t know this part .For me it seems like a Fet with only 2 legs?


Perhaps somebody has the answer which is the couse of the crack.


Regards Mario

In any case, I can start asking if you can contact the ICEPOWER ITALIA manager
As soon as I have information, I'll contact you
RS​


Hi Mario,
Let's forget the rumors about the problems that can happen regarding the amplifiers, each amplifier has its own story and how for men it can be lucky or not ..
Having said that, as far as the repair of your module is concerned, I believe that the broken part can be replaced, the problem is that if we do not find the cause it is very likely that the part will continue to break.
What I can do is send it to the company for the necessary checks, and if they authorize me, I can replace the form for you for free (you just have to pay the shipping costs ..)
Let me know what you decide to do
Best regards
RS

Hi Mario,
OK Do not worry..
You can send the form to the following address: STELLA ROBERTO
Via Roma 22
CAO 28844 - Villadossola - VB
ITALY

As soon as I receive it I will try to get a quick assistance, but I warn you that we are in a period of holidays and COVID, therefore I have no idea of the necessary times ..
Best regards
RS

Hi Mario,
Yes, the form has arrived and has already been delivered to my contact person who takes care of ICEPOWER,
We are waiting for an answer ..
As soon as I receive information, I will notify you
Best regards
RS

Hi Mario,
Finally I received an answer from ICEPOWER and I am very sorry to inform you that after their careful analysis, I found that the failure occurred for reasons not deriving from the module (external reasons) for this reason they do not recognize the free replacement.
What I have been able to do is ask for a new module at half price and I am waiting for their response
I hope they agree to this solution to try and help you ..
As soon as I have news, I'll contact you
Best regards
RS

Hi Mario,
Difficult to have all the answers ..
The things I can tell you are the following,
As for the module problem, I think it is due to a power surge in the network that somehow created a power failure, and since there were 2 modules, probably one of the 2 saved himself by sacrificing the other ..
As for the temperature, the operation of these modules generates temperatures that are not related to the power supplied, but are a function of the switching of the power supply, in fact most of the heat is due to the power supply but not to the power supply, in fact once you reach the operating temperature of about 40-50 degrees, the heat remains constant even without asking for a lot of power (but even at maximum power the temperature varies a little ..)
The listening differences of the different modules is not recognizable in quality, but rather in dynamics, given the difference in power, the dynamics of a 300asc and a 700as1-2 or a 1200as1-2 is in dynamics (with the same speakers. )
I can tell you that during some tests, we also found that for example the 1200as2 module had a more pleasant result than the "dual mono" which used 2 1200as1 modules ..
As I have already written to you, I asked to be able to give you a 1200as1 module at half the price, and in this regard I have confirmed that I agree.
This means that with around 220 € you can have a new 1200as1 module
You must confirm your willingness to proceed with this formula
Otherwise you could get a considerable discount if you decide to buy a different module (700as1-2 etc.)
Waiting for your reply, thank you for your cooperation.
Best regards
RS

Il giorno sab 20 feb 2021 alle ore 02:43 Mario Makary <[email protected]> ha scritto:
Ok understand.Is there an idea what can be this external reason?To avoid them for future?
I have the idea the 1200 AS1 is an Diva.... not very robust at all .
Seems the 700 and 300 modules are imun to this external reasons .And the pascal modules are imun too.

Could it bee problems with the 230 Volt?or problems with the ground earthing?
it should be protectetd. but i heard last not all protection features on some modules are 100 % fail safe ?
I read an 300 ASc will crack if one speakeroutput is be shortetd to ground.but ists not sure it will crack.

replaycing broken part on the module is not possible?Or are there more parts broken?
if not asking for rabatt is good idea thanks.

On the other side im thinking of using on my other speakers 300 and 700 or 125 asx2(btl) where i do not need so much power.(of course this one 1200 i think is have to replace with an 1200)

On hifi speaker at all i dont think i must use more 1200 modules than nessecary.

But i read they would sound much more better than 300 or 700 modules......

But i can hear no difference ? on situations i only need 50 or 100 watt .

For example i tried an 300 ASC on Klipsch RP6000 (for sourround) .one ASC module for one RP6000 not ASC AS combi power sharing.

I found that even at full power the 300 ASc never took more than 50 Watt out of the wall power.And at idle the 300 only needs 11 watt.

At this time i use on pascal S-pro 2 on the RP6000 , but one module for both speakers.normaly i go mono but i dont hear a difference...

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00J8LB3ZI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

inside the sta1000 is only one s-pro 2 .cheap and no problems with warranty but very very ugly . and if you open the warranty is gone i think.

there seems no way for buying pascal modules .....

But what i will say , i hear no difference.

so what i will say it seems using much more power than will be needed seems not to make sense.

The big modules get hotter and need much more idle power and the benefit is?

An 300 ASc has an continius power 100 watt at 25 degree.

The Rp6000 needs 3Amp and 10 Volt for 106 db (its the max db ....) .


So i am not sure if i bee on the right way....

Speakers with bad sensitive of course need more power .

Regards Mario

Gesendet: Freitag, 12. Februar 2021 um 11:14 Uhr
Von: "roberto stella" <[email protected]>
An: "Mario Makary" <[email protected]>
Betreff: Re: Re: Amp

Hi Mario,
 
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Mario Soldier

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Hi,
To pay the form with PayPal you can use my email address ([email protected])
Yes, for shipping you must remember your full address (also a telephone number for the courier)
The price to be paid including shipping is 220 €
I really hope that after this replacement, the problem is solved ..
Thank you
Best regards
RS+++In the end i paid 220 euro with shipping for an 1200 AS1 (i think the module costs only 150 euro)

When i ever bvuy an 1200 AS1 or AS2 i buy them from soundimports (probaly he sells moduled that are not 100% OK ???)


And i thin k warranty problems witrh soundimports are no problem.

Its strage that only the 1200 modules brake...

I have 2 1200 as1 and 1 1200 as2 but i have respect to connect them....

the first two modules a power mosfets was broken, the third modules the fuse is ok but it makes a strange sound from the trafo i think.

None of my other modules failed so far.

So please what should that be the problem that comes from outside use a yamaha 3060 as preamp and all modules are on the same power line.???
 

Mario Soldier

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Nov 13, 2021
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I also had 2 1200AS1 units from the Italian Ebay seller failing, one after a few days, other one after about 2 weeks.

The present unit is still going strong after a few weeks.

I was very happy to see that https://www.soundimports.eu/en/ started to sell Icepower since a couple of weeks, including the 1200 series.
Most likely cheaper then the Ebay seller, and probably warranty cases treated in the way they should be treated.

The shop is in my home country, the Netherlands, but they also provide the website in English, and also ship abroad.

I have no personal experience with this shop, so can't tell how trustworthy it is. The reviews are good though https://www.trustedshops.eu/buyerrating/info_XDD2B3157D4611BFA27EAE2346C606146.html

A lot of Icepower modules are out of stock at the moment.


The Problem with the ebay seler ,he toild me iam the first one with problems 1200 as1 bought dec 2020.

Iam verry unhappy with the 1200 AS1 (couse of 3 breaks) ,but iam not sure where is the problem,the seller or the module itself.
It has verry big capacitors ,cought that be the problem?

My first idea was buying 11 1200 AS1 one for each speaker ,but after the break is was disapointed.
There are people in hifi forum that say hypex is shit N core is just a little bit better than UCd and the modules are not fully balanced.
He swears on the icepower 1000 ASP (best module evener bla bla).

And i believed.....
 
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Michiel

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That's a whole lot of text! I also got some problems having the units replaced, but Ebay and Paypal protection helped me out. The last unit i ordered via a friend from the Italian seller because i wasn't sure if he would send out another one. That was just a few weeks before Soundimports started selling Icepower. Next time i will order via Soundimports for sure.

The problem with my units was they were working fine, and after switching it off it did not want to turn on again. Sometimes after 20x it would turn on again, or the next day. When it turned on they were playing fine. The first one was having this problem after a few days, the second one after a few weeks. Same story for me, that is was due to solder or whatever. There was no reason for the units not to start, even with only the power cable attached it would not start every time.

I am not a electronics specialist but an all-round technical guy, but also deal a lot with electronics and have soldered a lot the last 25 years. Enough experience to know id didn't make a mistake building this 1200as1 dual mono amp.

I love the sound and limitless power on my B&W 802D's though ;-)
 

Mario Soldier

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That's a whole lot of text! I also got some problems having the units replaced, but Ebay and Paypal protection helped me out. The last unit i ordered via a friend from the Italian seller because i wasn't sure if he would send out another one. That was just a few weeks before Soundimports started selling Icepower. Next time i will order via Soundimports for sure.

The problem with my units was they were working fine, and after switching it off it did not want to turn on again. Sometimes after 20x it would turn on again, or the next day. When it turned on they were playing fine. The first one was having this problem after a few days, the second one after a few weeks. Same story for me, that is was due to solder or whatever. There was no reason for the units not to start, even with only the power cable attached it would not start every time.

I am not a electronics specialist but an all-round technical guy, but also deal a lot with electronics and have soldered a lot the last 25 years. Enough experience to know id didn't make a mistake building this 1200as1 dual mono amp.

I love the sound and limitless power on my B&W 802D's though ;-)
Right iam also only a car mechatronic but iam alo sure i made no mistake for sure (mounted so many modules without problems....)

The first module i tried to use the auto on music option , i made you have to bring the module in standby with a 10 k ohm .

So the first time i thought it has something to do with the auto on.

But with the second module i used not auto on, and the same mosfet (ubder the platine broke).

The third module broke another way , the fuse was ok and the led of the ghent case was lightning.
but there was a strange sound comming from the power stage of the module iam sure it is the power supply.

Sorry for the long text ,.this is the e mailing with the seller......

I have not a good feeling buying another module........1200 AS1 .

I have one this run severly month but now there is a hypex nc 400 (center channel dont need 1200 watt)

I had a dual mono for my front and 3 times one of the modules failed.

Also i had the feeling the module that failed was getting very hot!I measured 45 grad C case temp (ghent case)

The 1200 AS1 that is Ok runs very cool (i have now only one module in this case it never gets hotter than 35 grad)

Problem is the sound of the dual mono at the front was good.......


But i heard now difference to the 1200 AS2 i also have.

The italian seller means the 1200 AS2 sounds better in stereo mode......


Iam not sure but first he said he can repair the module. than he said he has senbd it to icepower and trhe fault was not the module.
I think he is a liar.


I was not sure with going the paypal way, so the whole thing has cost me 1000 euro /broken 3x 370 euro) +220 for the replacement

And i have 2 1200 AS1 and a 1200 AS2 i can not trust (1200 euro) 370 for the as1 and 480 for the 1200 as2 , and alo bought two ghent cases (500 euro) .

That was a expensive learning.

For 3000 euro i had better bought an NC 1200 dual mono.

I hope purifi will bring out a stronger module.So probably i buy an amp from Boxem , im from Saarland just 80 km away.....


I like the auto on off so much and the clipping function.couse i have not goof ears cant hear differneces beetweeen amps.

At the moment i use two bridged Pascal S pro 2 .Couse one modul i could bring to clipp....

I mounted all from an immg stageline in a nodushopo case.

A complete amp with case etc cost me 450 euro. thats cheap for an pascal s2 pro i think.And with auto on off (icepower extend)

I had aslo the stupid idea running eleven 300 asc
 

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buzzy

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ICEpower was revolutionary when it was introduced, in terms of sound quality and power for the price. For class D, ICEpower and hypex were the options to get much better sound and higher power levels. I had an NHT amp that was a miraculous beast. But it has been 18 years or so, there are more options now.

Maybe it has been mentioned but you can buy several of the ICEpower modules from Parts Express in the US:

50ASX2SE:

Also, anyone wanting to just hear one or mess with it - look for a Sonance ASAP 3D SE on eBay, they use this module. If you can wait, they may come up in good condition at a low price. They are essentially a module and a power supply in a case, well built. You do have to mess around a little with the custom install features (like auto switching) if you want to just use it as a power amplifier. Also, they may be 10-15 years old at this point, not sure if that raises any concerns about the integrity of the components.

At this point you can get a complete TPA3255 amp for these prices (though not the same build quality), so they may not have the appeal they did at one time. Maybe it depends on whether one's goal is enjoying excellent quality sound vs. constantly chasing perfection.
 
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