one and done amplification: Nilai500, NcX500, 1ET6525, or 1ET9040BA?

[DaaDaa]

Hi guys, I've been in this hobby for a long while but I have not really been following latest developments for a few years now. I decided I want to get a state of the art class D to basically take me through the second half of my life and then completely say goodbye to gear swapping. I have owned a bunch of mark levinson and similar amps and also a bunch of escoteric boutique tube amps like yamamoto and such. Right now I have a kinki studio integrated which is fantastic but still big and heavy.

the purpose of this topic is to ask around to see what is the all around best state of the art solution in terms of performance but also which one has best reliability and ease of use? I could choose to buy a ready made one or buy the Hypex kit and put it together but I basically want to make sure I get the best that there is ibn terms of performance.

I am also wondering if the common wisdon is to get these solution with the stock input stage or do people prefer to use 3rd party input stage like those fancy opamps?

right now i am leaning to order a stereo unit from apollon but am not sure to go with purifi? or hypex? and if its hypex, is it better to get the comerical Ncx500 or the DIY nilai or are there other contenders that I am not aware of? i have looked at the measurements for these soluitions and they all look damn near ideal to me but when i look it apollon website there are so many solutions. there is Eigenkekt and then there are a bunch of others on hypex website. is there a clear recommended choice that is widely accepted?

 

[delta76]

Yes. All end game. Buy what suits your eyes best. Reliability is unknown at this point, they are certainly not unreliable but only time will tell if they will last you 5y+, so buy from an "integrator" which you trust.
I would personally pick 1ET9040BA (newest, most clean, although that does not matter but nice to have), but you can't go wrong with those

 

[Matias]

Purifi 1ET9040BA is the way to go. Now which manufacturer or model depends on your budget.

Apollon has several options. Boxem and March Audio have monos. Can't go wrong with any of those IMO.

Just beware most will be build to order, so weeks or months waiting while they are built. No carton on the shelf waiting to ship here.

 

[SHB]

Not sure what your power requirements are, but. if you can get by with around 150-170W, the Topping B200 is at the top of my list.

It’s at the top of ASR’s list as well.

 

[DaaDaa]

My speakers are Tannoy DC10, almarro M3A and a pair of small custom transmission lines. I cant imagine ever need more than 80 watts but I want something that no matter what speaker i end up with it will just work. all of these will do more than enough. The topping B200's look great but i dont just go by highest SINAD.

 

[delta76]

Not sure what your power requirements are, but. if you can get by with around 150-170W, the Topping B200 is at the top of my list.

It’s at the top of ASR’s list as well.

Not everyone needs or wants monoblock, just saying.
Long term support and service are, however, crucial for any end game purchase

 

[boXem]

It’s at the top of ASR’s list as well

What list ?

 

[SHB]

What list ?

Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping B200 "monoblock" (single channel) audio amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. I don't think it is possible to make the unit more solid and high-quality feeling in this form factor. The amp is heavy for its size...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Click these links to see the ASR amplifier list (two different views)

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/best-high-end-amplifier-reviewed-2025-png.432845/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/best-high-end-amplifier-reviewed-zoom-2025-png.432846/

 

[SHB]

Not everyone needs or wants monoblock, just saying.
Long term support and service are, however, crucial for any end game purchase

My thought is that all the box amps listed come in mono configurations and, in absolute terms, a monoblock gives you the best performance.

Also, B200’s are $1,200/pr. so the price is more than competitive.

As to long term support, all the companies making box amps are very small. A stiff wind could blow them away so I wouldn’t consider Topping to be at any disadvantage in that regard.

 

[boXem]

Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping B200 "monoblock" (single channel) audio amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. I don't think it is possible to make the unit more solid and high-quality feeling in this form factor. The amp is heavy for its size...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Click these links to see the ASR amplifier list (two different views)

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/best-high-end-amplifier-reviewed-2025-png.432845/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/best-high-end-amplifier-reviewed-zoom-2025-png.432846/

SINAD is far to be the most important parameter for a speaker amp. Power, frequency response and stability in difficult loads are much more critical.
Said by a guy who has several amps at the top of the SINAD list.

 

[Ropeburn]

Purifi 1ET9040BA is the way to go. Now which manufacturer or model depends on your budget.

Apollon has several options. Boxem and March Audio have monos. Can't go wrong with any of those IMO.

Just beware most will be build to order, so weeks or months waiting while they are built. No carton on the shelf waiting to ship here.

Don't wanna wait? Tadaa:

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-DM750ET Power Amplifier Purifi 1ET9040BA

The Audiophonics HPA-DM750ET is a Class D power amplifier featuring dual mono architecture. Integrating two Purifi 1ET9040BA amplifier modules and two independent Hypex SMPS1200A180 power supply boards,

www.audiophonics.fr

In stock.

 

[delta76]

My thought is that all the box amps listed come in mono configurations and, in absolute terms, a monoblock gives you the best performance.

Also, B200’s are $1,200/pr. so the price is more than competitive.

As to long term support, all the companies making box amps are very small. A stiff wind could blow them away so I wouldn’t consider Topping to be at any disadvantage in that regard.

They can be built in monoblocks but not necessary always monoblock. Many people want stereo because it is simpler and cheaper.
Yet those companies have been very good to deal with. Topping support, on other hand, is not that well regarded. I would definitely support a small, local business with good products and services