Review and Measurements of Hypex NC400 DIY Amp

[fpitas]

UdD is lower performing, more distortion, than NCore.

Yet still inaudible distortion, and cheaper. NCore definitely gets the bragging rights.

 

[somebodyelse]

Yet still inaudible distortion, and cheaper. NCore definitely gets the bragging rights.

Not sure they're much cheaper - the FA122 (nc122mp plus DSP, plate, cabling and connectors) is ~€70 more than a couple of UcD180s plus psu and cable set. If one of my UcDs fails I'll be glad they're still available, but if starting fresh now I'd get a pair of FA123s.

Does seem to be a few hanging around, from china though, eBay item number:266142630923

Would you say the nc122 mp is as good as the nc400, just with lower power output
Does the nc122mp have balanced or unbalanced input

Not sure I'd trust the ebay ones, but you might be lucky.

nc122mp doesn't measure as well as the nc400 - see the datasheets for details. I don't think there are any hypex modules that don't use balanced inputs.

 

[fpitas]

Not sure they're much cheaper - the FA122 (nc122mp plus DSP, plate, cabling and connectors) is ~€70 more than a couple of UcD180s plus psu and cable set. If one of my UcDs fails I'll be glad they're still available, but if starting fresh now I'd get a pair of FA123s.


Not sure I'd trust the ebay ones, but you might be lucky.

nc122mp doesn't measure as well as the nc400 - see the datasheets for details. I don't think there are any hypex modules that don't use balanced inputs.

Bruno is a fervent believer in balanced inputs.

 

[Koeitje]

nc122mp doesn't measure as well as the nc400 - see the datasheets for details. I don't think there are any hypex modules that don't use balanced inputs.

Isn't the default balanced? At least it is for the NC400.

 

[ryanosaur]

Isn't the default balanced? At least it is for the NC400.

Yes

 

[Julf]

Bruno is a fervent believer in balanced inputs.

For a good reason. His "G word" paper is great reading.

 

[fpitas]

For a good reason. His "G word" paper is great reading.

I'm rather allergic to single-ended cabling for audio, too.

 

[Rick Sykora]

How would this compare against the nc122mp
Thanks!

You can buy a complete NC252MP amp for a little more than the UcD180 kit. This would be like spending money on a new car or buying a kit of the 10 year old model for the same amount. The UcD would not even be in this discussion if Hypex offered some lower price Ncore modules on diyclassd.com

In the end, a NC122MP is a lower power version of the N252MP. So this comparison is simply a cost per watt case.

 

[Paul Ebert]

You can buy a complete NC252MP amp for a little more than the UcD180 kit. This would be like spending money on a new car or buying a kit of the 10 year old model for the same amount. The UcD would not even be in this discussion if Hypex offered some lower price Ncore modules on diyclassd.com

In the end, a NC122MP is a lower power version of the N252MP. So this comparison is simply a cost per watt case.

Best I can tell, they don't offer any Ncore modules on diyclassd.com. Only a mono NC400 amp kit and FusionAmps. I sure wish they did.

 

[ryanosaur]

Best I can tell, they don't offer any Ncore modules on diyclassd.com. Only a mono NC400 amp kit and FusionAmps. I sure wish they did.

Correct. With the NC400 being discontinued for the newer Nilai500, there isn’t much there right now.
Eager to see them get back into the game as the get the Nilai available and hopefully expand that offering!

 

[Rick Sykora]

The market for DIY amp modules is a niche one. Hypex appears to be carving out the premium space in that market. Despite what hobbyists might like to see, almost anything they do in the value segment of the market will either compete with their (assuredly larger part of company revenue) for OEM market OR be priced not to compete with it. Neither of these seems like a enticing business to pursue imo.

Accordingly setting expectations low. Otoh, with OEMs willing to compete on price, it is a great time to acquire a nice Class D amp. Traditional power amp suppliers are unlikely to survive unless they are ready to show willingness to innovate and compete.

 

[kazsud]

I am sending back a Topping PA7 that isn't strong enough for my Kef Reference 1s, Would a pair of these be able to do the heavy lifting?

 

[Hayabusa]

I'm rather allergic to single-ended cabling for audio, too.

cables with one end do not exist ..

 

[fpitas]

cables with one end do not exist ..

It may be the next high-end fad

 

[AndreaT]

I am sending back a Topping PA7 that isn't strong enough for my Kef Reference 1s, Would a pair of these be able to do the heavy lifting?

It depends on the size of your room and on your listening habits. The stereo Nilai 500 is probably a little short, the mono Nilai 500 might be a better choice. I write this because I often push my Stereo Nilai 500 to -14 to -10 dB range from my Okto Stereo, jumpers on medium in the amps, and I feed a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v.3, a bit more efficient than your Kef Ref. 1, in a medium-large room.

 

[meinhard57]

I am sending back a Topping PA7 that isn't strong enough for my Kef Reference 1s, Would a pair of these be able to do the heavy lifting?

I would say “yes”. They’re driving my Thiel CS 2 2’s with a LOT of room to spare!

 

[ManuCV]

I am sending back a Topping PA7 that isn't strong enough for my Kef Reference 1s, Would a pair of these be able to do the heavy lifting?

I have the Audiophonics HPA-S400NC feeding my Reference 1s and does the job perfectly fine. My room is small-ish though.