Review and Measurements of Hypex NC400 DIY Amp

[Rick Sykora]

My NC252MP eats 17W at idle and half of that eats the SMPS

View attachment 260821

It is another myth that class D are always "Greener" than linear amplifier. Depends (idle current etc.). Class D starts to be efficient only at high output power. And normally the average power during listening is not high.

How does that idle consumption compare to other amps you have built?

 

[pras1011]

Using SMPS600N400 to power one nc400 module, what is the power this can produce?

 

[Julf]

Using SMPS600N400 to power one nc400 module, what is the power this can produce?

600W according to the data sheet.

 

[pras1011]

I think that 600w is at 1khz though?

 

[Julf]

I think that 600w is at 1khz though?

650 W @ 1 kHz, 600 W @ 20 Hz (the most demanding frequency for the PSU).

 

[pras1011]

Which psu is needed to get 600watts?

 

[Julf]

Which psu is needed to get 600watts?

The SMPS600N400 you asked about...

 

[Sonny1]

I’ve had one of these, NC400 based amp, for over ten years of regular use and it’s still going strong. Will take pictures and post to the thread one of these days. It’s a dual mono so each amp module has a PS. The guy who put it together used the power supplies they recommended when the amps were introduced. Mounted everything in one case. Single power cord. He put little surface mount heat sinks on the power supply but I don’t know if they actually contributed to the longevity. I guess they help dissipate some heat but it’s pretty cool running anyway.

The power cord snaps on with a Neutrik Speak-on connector. Works well.

 

[goryu]

The power cord snaps on with a Neutrik Speak-on connector. Works well.

Are speakons rated for line voltage/amperage? I know they make powercons for just such an application which are rated for line power...Could be a less than safe situation if the speakons aren't rated for line power.

 

[Killingbeans]

Maybe it's actually a powerCON and not a speakON? They look similar.

 

[Sonny1]

Are speakons rated for line voltage/amperage? I know they make powercons for just such an application which are rated for line power...Could be a less than safe situation if the speakons aren't rated for line power.

The one I have is supposedly rated for power, it’s the Powercon mode. It’s been fine for over a decade. Might even be fifteen years. I don’t recall when the NCore came out.

I call all of the speak-on type connectors speakon, sorry, bad habit. I also have speakon connectors from my external crossovers to monitors. When I convert to full active I’ll continue using them. So convenient.

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Neutrik NAC3MPA-1 powerCON Chassis Connector Power In BluePowerCon® is a lockable 3-pole equipment (AC) connector with contacts for line, neutral and premating safety grounds. Color coded for easy identification, PowerCon® offers power-in (blue) and power-out (gray) versions with different...

www.parts-express.com

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Neutrik NAC3FCA powerCON Cable Connector Power In BluepowerCON® is a lockable 3-pole equipment (AC) connector with contacts for line, neutral and premating safety grounds. Color coded for easy identification, powerCON offers power-in (blue) and power-out (gray) versions with different keying to...

www.parts-express.com

 

[goryu]

The one I have is supposedly rated for power. I hope so at least! It’s been fine for over a decade. Might even be fifteen years. I don’t recall when the NCore came out.

The powercon version is much bigger physically than the speakon. It should be obvious which one you are using.

 

[Sonny1]

The powercon version is much bigger physically than the speakon. It should be obvious which one you are using.

I’m looking at it and it doesn’t look much bigger.

The powercon version is much bigger physically than the speakon. It should be obvious which one you are using.

It’s not letting me post a picture but they look pretty similar know size. Mine is the 45 degree mode same style as my speakers. Looks cleaner than the standard one.

 

[john11]

The nc400 is rated at 400 watts. There is no way I am going to use so many watts. I’m more of a 10-20 watts per channel kind of guy, I listen to my stuff at a modest volume. Can you recommend any hypex modules with the usual high hypex sound quality but with more lower power output, which might save me some cash

 

[fpitas]

The nc400 is rated at 400 watts. There is no way I am going to use so many watts. I’m more of a 10-20 watts per channel kind of guy, I listen to my stuff at a modest volume. Can you recommend any hypex modules with the usual high hypex sound quality but with more lower power output, which might save me some cash

A friend has used UcD180s for years.

Hypex UcD180HG HxR amplifier module analysis and review

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www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[somebodyelse]

The nc400 is rated at 400 watts. There is no way I am going to use so many watts. I’m more of a 10-20 watts per channel kind of guy, I listen to my stuff at a modest volume. Can you recommend any hypex modules with the usual high hypex sound quality but with more lower power output, which might save me some cash

Probably something using the nc122mp or nc252mp - these modules aren't for sale to end users though. Audiophonics and Buckeye do some low priced ones. If you want to diy you can get the corresponding FusionAmp plate amp, unbolt the amp module and sell the DSP board.

 

[john11]

Probably something using the nc122mp or nc252mp - these modules aren't for sale to end users though. Audiophonics and Buckeye do some low priced ones. If you want to diy you can get the corresponding FusionAmp plate amp, unbolt the amp module and sell the DSP board.

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

 

[Matias]

The nc400 is rated at 400 watts. There is no way I am going to use so many watts. I’m more of a 10-20 watts per channel kind of guy, I listen to my stuff at a modest volume. Can you recommend any hypex modules with the usual high hypex sound quality but with more lower power output, which might save me some cash

Probably something using the nc122mp or nc252mp - these modules aren't for sale to end users though. Audiophonics and Buckeye do some low priced ones.

Also the new Nord Value Line.

Nord's new Value-Line Hypex NCore MP series

Nord has released a new range of Hypex NCore MP series amps with great prices using more affordable cases. "Our new Value-Line range of lower priced amplifiers. Built to compete with the budget box shifters offering a no frill amplifier with the same sonic performance of our standard range...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john11]

A friend has used UcD180s for years.

Hypex UcD180HG HxR amplifier module analysis and review

Hypex UcD180HG HxR module analysis and review After buying and testing AIYIMA A07 amplifier (based on TPA3255 class D chip) in January 2021 I was quite disappointed with the frequency response modulated by speaker complex impedance and its audible consequences. This is, unfortunately...

www.audiosciencereview.com

How would this compare against the nc122mp
Thanks!

 

[Matias]

How would this compare against the nc122mp
Thanks!

UdD is lower performing, more distortion, than NCore.