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Purifi/Hypex Amp Choice for 7.4.6 Setup

Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
46
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16
Location
United States
Need some help deciding on amplification for my 7.4.6 setup, looking to purchase in the next 1-2 weeks. Have messaged all builders and gotten good service, so the choice is tough :)

Speaker Amplification - FL/FR (Focal Aria 948) + SRL/SRR (Focal Aria 936) + C (Focal Aria CC 900)
(A1) Apollon 5 Channel Purifi - $2,910 USD
https://www.apollonaudio.com/3-channel-purifi-1et400a-apollon-audio/

Pro
-Established Builder
-High Build Quality
-Good looking case
-Cost Similar to Audiophonics + 1 channel
-1 box / 1 power cord for FL/FR/CC/SRL/SRR
-Can get with XLR + RCA
Con
-Cost
-12V triggers $100 extra
-Shipping $140

(A2) Audiophonics HPA Q400ET + MPA M400NC - $2,450 + $690 = $3,140 USD
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...oies-class-d-purifi-4x400w-4-ohm-p-14452.html
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...oies-class-d-purifi-4x400w-4-ohm-p-14452.html

Pro
-Established Builder/Retailer
-Above average build quality
-With an additional mono Purifi amp cost to Apollon 5 Channel Purifi
Con
-2 boxes
-4 week lead time

(A3) VTV 3 Channel + VTV 2 Channel Purifi Amp - $1,400 + $1,000 = $2,400 USD
https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-three-channel-purifi-audio-1et400a-amplifier/
https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-stereo-purifi-audio-1et400a-amplifier/

Pro
-Cheap
-Located in USA
-Cost cheaper by $400 over Apollon/ Similar to Audiophonics
Con
-Build quality has been questioned


Speaker Amplification - Surrounds/Height 2x Focal Aria SR 900 + 6x Focal 300 ICW8
(B1) Apollon NCMP8200 $2,325
https://www.apollonaudio.com/product/apollon-ncmp8200-amplifier/

Pro
-Established Builder
-High Build Quality
-Good looking case
-Keep same with FL/RF/CC/SRL/SRR amp builder
-1 box
Con
-Cost
-12V triggers $100 extra
-Shipping $140

(B2) 2x Audiophonics HPA Q250NC 2*$970 = $1,940
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...annel-class-d-ncore-4x250w-4-ohm-p-14356.html

Pro
-Cost cheaper by $400 over Apollon / Similar to VTV
Con
-2 boxes

(B3) VTV AMPLIFIER 8 Channel Hypex NC252MP Ncore
https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-eight-channel-hypex-nc252mp-ncore-amplifier-250wx8/

Pro
-Cheap
-Located in USA
-Cost cheaper by $400 over Apollon
-1 box
Con
-Build quality has been questioned

(B4) Buckeye 8 Channel Hypex NC252MP Ncore $1,550
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...amplifier-builder-line-up-announcement.16835/

Pro
-Cheaper by $350-$400 over VTV / Audiophonics
-Located in USA
Con
-New builder
-No counter sunk screws on front panel
 

Zoomer

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Messages
323
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468
You're almost there.
The decision is always the most difficult part ;)

OK, I'll nudge: why not give Buckeye a chance? My impression is he knows what he's doing and is eager to build a good reputation.
 

Bsinger

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
23
Likes
15
Did you look at the kjf audio ma-01. They are a touch more than vtv but less than most. Unfortunately not in us. I like the rackmount option, the speakon conector option, the dc protection, the clip indicator and yes the dual fans. I don't care what u audio snobs say, You stick 5 to 8 channels in a 3.5 inch enclosure you need cooling and 2 big variable speed fans are inaudible. He is talking home theater, not 2 channel in an anechoic chamber
 
OP
R
Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
46
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16
Location
United States
Did you look at the kjf audio ma-01. They are a touch more than vtv but less than most. Unfortunately not in us. I like the rackmount option, the speakon conector option, the dc protection, the clip indicator and yes the dual fans. I don't care what u audio snobs say, You stick 5 to 8 channels in a 3.5 inch enclosure you need cooling and 2 big variable speed fans are inaudible. He is talking home theater, not 2 channel in an anechoic chamber
Those look really nice, definitely think clip/overheat protection is worth the extra money over the VTV, also they offer more customization. Same price as Nord, just different feature set that I prefer over the Nord. That being said I've decided to listen reasonably and save money with Buckeye amps :)
 

CDMC

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
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I have an older 5 channel Sunfire Grand Cinema, but I'm excited for Class D with ~light weight (use closet shelves), low heat (again closet), and 2ohm stable/load invariance (2ohm dips with Focal 948/936).

You may just have upgraditus, but your Grand Cinema already comes pretty close, it runs cool, is stable down to 2 ohms, and has plenty of power. Why not keep using that? If you are concerned about its condition you can have Bill Flanery service it, replace the caps, and bring it up to the most current specifications for about $500.
 
OP
R
Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
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Location
United States
Actually I blew up all but one channel of my Sunfire when walking my bi-amped Lynn speakers back into place and the upper metal plate bridging two sets of binding posts slid loose touching the lower metal plate (as you can quad-amp it). Inside the case is a mess, so I am cutting my loses and learned a lesson to rest the metal plate on the top, not hold it in compression from the bottom...
 
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