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Replacing an excellent AB amp

erniek

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Apr 5, 2022
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I recently sold my AB power amp (Odyseey Khartago) and would like to ask for a few suggestions in replacing it with a new Class D power amp that will most likely be used with the new Wiim Ultra. This amp will be used to drive KEF r3 speakers and I also have a REL sub that I am thinking of integrating. Source is Linux PC with ripped FLAC files.
 
Your WiiM has Sub-out and some sub management, so that aspect should be taken care of before the amplification.
What's your budget for an Amp, and do you have any power requirements or anything else that you'd like (triggers etc)?
 
For the money NC500 by anyone, are hard to beat. I have 4 pairs of MB and a 3 channel. All have rev D buffers from Nord. 10 plus
years NEVER a single issue except with the VERY early buffers rev A/B. Nord upgraded all their early ones with better voltage regulators.
No problems in over 10 years.

I had a lot better luck than with ICE products. Caps were bulging at 3-5 years. Wired4sound SX1000. All 4 MB had cap bulge. Pissed me off!
Ncore never a single problem. I even had a valve amp cable drop directly onto Ncore and it didn't phase the Ncores and BLEW a transformer
on a MC275. Buddy they have a pretty beefy transformers. Nc500 one Ups just keep on chugging along. BLACK background and dead quiet.
ZERO floor noise. They were quieter than any of the Pass amps I owned, and 1/4 the size and 1/10 the weight.

Regards
 
I recently sold my AB power amp (Odyseey Khartago) and would like to ask for a few suggestions in replacing it with a new Class D power amp that will most likely be used with the new Wiim Ultra. This amp will be used to drive KEF r3 speakers and I also have a REL sub that I am thinking of integrating. Source is Linux PC with ripped FLAC files.
Here you go.
 
I liked my Hypex Nilai 500DIY stereo kit from Deer Creek Audio so much, I bought a second one to bi amp my B&W 802N! I was a non believer in Class D while owning a huge 110 lbs high bias 250/500watt rated 8/4ohms class AB amp for the last 20 years. This kit is all Hypex designed and built, packaged in such a way that appeal to the DIY community, 7 months in use no issues but the sound wins both in clarity and punch!
 
Hypex Ncore 252MP is enough to drive Kef R3 with zero audible distortion. If you have more money to blow, purifi amps measure even better. Though, that will be completely inaudible.
i second the Purifi based amp if you have the cash, it is close to zero comprimises. Most integrators can give you a 12v trigger which can turn it on and off via wiim.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I live in US and prefer to buy from US. I am leaning toward Hypex Ncore build need only 2 channel. Righ now I have a Topping DX3pro as dac and hope to upgrade this along with new amp to a dac/pre. VTV and Buckeye both catch my attention, I like to overall finish of the VTV stuff.
 
KEF speakers are one of my reference brands that I like so matching to these is important.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I live in US and prefer to buy from US. I am leaning toward Hypex Ncore build need only 2 channel. Righ now I have a Topping DX3pro as dac and hope to upgrade this along with new amp to a dac/pre. VTV and Buckeye both catch my attention, I like to overall finish of the VTV stuff.
VTV has some really bad rep from previous years with multiple bad assemblies. Not sure if they improved lately, but if you insist buying US, then Buckeye NCx500 too or NC502MP. IMO always better to have excess power available then risk lacking it.

 
I like the offerings from VTV, are their issues still valid? Buckeye seems to have more customer interaction.
 
I have the Nord VL with Hypex MC 252MP on KEF Q350s, and it seems like a match. About the same performance as AB amps I've used.

Best stereo class D amplifier review.png
 
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