AbidingDude
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2021
- Messages
- 11
- Likes
- 12
I am currently piecing together a two channel system. It'll probably have a subwoofer most likely unless I find some truly full-range floor-standers that aren't like 8 ft tall and weigh 300 lbs like the JTR Noesis 215RT-- although those would be sweet, I just am not sure they will fit in my listening space. Speakers I was considering were like the KEF R11s (I like the wide listening angle, it gives me positioning flexibility in my living room) and the Dynaudio Evoke 50s (I have a pair of DM 2/6s that I love running on a NAD 3020-- that's what I use in my garage/gym when I am wrenching or lifting weights). I am also open to suggestions here.
I already have the pre-amp-- I ended up finding what I thought was a decent deal on a used Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 (I wanted one when they came out, but didn't have the scratch back then) that had just been serviced by Emotiva. Originally I was looking at the Rotel RC-1590 MKII, since it had a built in DAC, but I got the Emotiva, because I have a Pro-Ject Audio turntable and I want to upgrade the cartridge and platter and the Emotiva has a decent phono stage with selectable MM/MC. As it stood I was probably going to end up using an external stream box or laptop anyway. I'm currently looking at the Cambridge Audio DACmagic 200m (although, feel free to suggest alternatives) because it does have BT Aptx, 32bit DAC chipset and XLR outs which I could feed to the XSP-1.
So, I thought, oh I will still get the Rotel either RB-1582 or RB-1590, until I started reading about the Hypex NC400/NC1200 and Purifi 1ET400A on here and the success ASR members have had with them. It looks like for the price of what I would've spent on the RB-1582 or less, I can get something that will be on-par or outperform the RB-1590.
I was impressed by the measurements of the 1ET400A implementations that have been posted here, but was wondering just in case I decide to go with monsters like the JTR floorstanders, would the NC1200 be a downgrade as far as sound quality/accuracy? Would I be okay going with say the basic VTV NC1200 stereo amp. I realize now I know I want to avoid the crazy buffer and just go with either the EVAL1 or "stock" Hypex buffer with the TI OPA1612s, since the Sonic Imagery and Sparkos ones don't really seem to do much except degrade the signal.
I was reading about some issues with implementation of the VTV on here last night, specifically related to how the power supplies are oriented in relation to the buffer and amplifier boards and that this could introduce noise? Also maybe they skimp on internal wiring, did I understand that correctly? Meanwhile, I saw other members recommend them because the issues can be addressed? I am in the U.S. so VTV is the most economic option for me, but I also saw this place called Deer Creek Audio offers kits.
The only reason I was avoiding a kit is that it looks like the prebuilts might offer some useful features for basically the same price: like something other than SpeakOn connectors (which I am not opposed to but I built all my own cables for my surround system using monoprice banana plugs, so I already have some wire and plugs) and 12v trigger (or even the audio signal sensing that I think it's boXem offers). I am not opposed to a kit if it's a simple matter of connecting another board and some wires to add 12v trigger and stuff, though. I've just never built an amplifier before-- I've soldered and done 12v work on car electrical systems, I've done low voltage cabling in homes and even some minor electrical work on my house (replacing breakers, outlets, adding fixtures, etc.). If someone's already broken it down "barney style" somewhere that'd be cool.
P.S. not sure if it matters, but I was looking at a SVS SB-3000 or 4000 if I got a sub, there was a REL that one of the sales people at the stereo shop was pushing me to get, but I feel like the SVS offer better performance for the same or less money. Rythmik is also an option for me, as well.
EDIT: Oh yeah, speaking of speakers and PSBs. I just saw something that reminded me. I had a chance to hear a set of PSB Imagine T3 towers, if I found a set of those used, I would spring for those or the PSB Synchrony Ones. The Imagine T3s left a huge impression on me after hearing them.
I already have the pre-amp-- I ended up finding what I thought was a decent deal on a used Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 (I wanted one when they came out, but didn't have the scratch back then) that had just been serviced by Emotiva. Originally I was looking at the Rotel RC-1590 MKII, since it had a built in DAC, but I got the Emotiva, because I have a Pro-Ject Audio turntable and I want to upgrade the cartridge and platter and the Emotiva has a decent phono stage with selectable MM/MC. As it stood I was probably going to end up using an external stream box or laptop anyway. I'm currently looking at the Cambridge Audio DACmagic 200m (although, feel free to suggest alternatives) because it does have BT Aptx, 32bit DAC chipset and XLR outs which I could feed to the XSP-1.
So, I thought, oh I will still get the Rotel either RB-1582 or RB-1590, until I started reading about the Hypex NC400/NC1200 and Purifi 1ET400A on here and the success ASR members have had with them. It looks like for the price of what I would've spent on the RB-1582 or less, I can get something that will be on-par or outperform the RB-1590.
I was impressed by the measurements of the 1ET400A implementations that have been posted here, but was wondering just in case I decide to go with monsters like the JTR floorstanders, would the NC1200 be a downgrade as far as sound quality/accuracy? Would I be okay going with say the basic VTV NC1200 stereo amp. I realize now I know I want to avoid the crazy buffer and just go with either the EVAL1 or "stock" Hypex buffer with the TI OPA1612s, since the Sonic Imagery and Sparkos ones don't really seem to do much except degrade the signal.
I was reading about some issues with implementation of the VTV on here last night, specifically related to how the power supplies are oriented in relation to the buffer and amplifier boards and that this could introduce noise? Also maybe they skimp on internal wiring, did I understand that correctly? Meanwhile, I saw other members recommend them because the issues can be addressed? I am in the U.S. so VTV is the most economic option for me, but I also saw this place called Deer Creek Audio offers kits.
The only reason I was avoiding a kit is that it looks like the prebuilts might offer some useful features for basically the same price: like something other than SpeakOn connectors (which I am not opposed to but I built all my own cables for my surround system using monoprice banana plugs, so I already have some wire and plugs) and 12v trigger (or even the audio signal sensing that I think it's boXem offers). I am not opposed to a kit if it's a simple matter of connecting another board and some wires to add 12v trigger and stuff, though. I've just never built an amplifier before-- I've soldered and done 12v work on car electrical systems, I've done low voltage cabling in homes and even some minor electrical work on my house (replacing breakers, outlets, adding fixtures, etc.). If someone's already broken it down "barney style" somewhere that'd be cool.
P.S. not sure if it matters, but I was looking at a SVS SB-3000 or 4000 if I got a sub, there was a REL that one of the sales people at the stereo shop was pushing me to get, but I feel like the SVS offer better performance for the same or less money. Rythmik is also an option for me, as well.
EDIT: Oh yeah, speaking of speakers and PSBs. I just saw something that reminded me. I had a chance to hear a set of PSB Imagine T3 towers, if I found a set of those used, I would spring for those or the PSB Synchrony Ones. The Imagine T3s left a huge impression on me after hearing them.
Last edited: