kazsud
Member
Why would it be better?
I guess I'm wondering how they compare?
Why would it be better?
I received mine last week from @Audiophonics. Very clean little power amp, goes all the way to the max power (datasheet gives 1.17V input fo it) without audible distortion. Excellent pairing with my ADI-2 DAC.
I liked it so much that I immediately ordered two PA-M250NC (NC250MP) instead!
I wanted more power for my 88db/8ohms speakers. By the way, the NC250MP has the lowest THD + N of the entire NCxxxMP line...
I received mine last week from @Audiophonics. Very clean little power amp, goes all the way to the max power (datasheet gives 1.17V input fo it) without audible distortion. Excellent pairing with my ADI-2 DAC.
I liked it so much that I immediately ordered two PA-M250NC (NC250MP) instead!
I wanted more power for my 88db/8ohms speakers. By the way, the NC250MP has the lowest THD + N of the entire NCxxxMP line.
@Audiophonics should really send these units (or their PA-S250NC/PA-S500NC) to @amirm for review. Sure, datasheets from Hypex already tell a lot of things, but I would be curious to see how these perform under Amir's testing methodology.
One question remains, though: Is there a way that the unbalanced nature of both PA-S125NC/PA-M250NC (RCA only) downgrade the performance somehow?
One question remains, though: Is there a way that the unbalanced nature o both PA-S125NC/PA-M250NC (RCA only) downgrade the performance somehow?
Both are "similar" distortion-wise (and probably in many others tests) but NC400 monoblocks definitely provide more power than one AHB2.How much better is an AHB2 than NC400 mono blocks?
Hypex usually strongly recommends in their datasheets their amplifiers to be implemented balanced. I am surprised that Audiophonics chose to ignore this and implement with unbalanced inputs only. I know the chassis is small but still.
Yes, this could downgrade performance...
For a small sized, desktop system I would go with the small chassis of Nord MP series:
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/nord-one-hypex-ncore-mpxxx-stereo-p
For example the NC502 stereo version has only 240mm width, both XLR and RCA and 2x 500W in 4 ohms.
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-mp-nc500-stereo-power-amp
View attachment 32102
Balanced or unbalanced
All Hypex modules are completely balanced for optimal performance. The modules can be connected to an
unbalanced source. To do this correctly, please read our application notes: ‘Dealing with legacy pin 1
problems’ and ‘Amplifier signal input wiring’.
9.4 Vastly preferred balanced setup: XLR input.
Regardless of whether the remainder of your audio system has balanced connections or not, the very best
way to wire the input of the NC400 is to leverage the advantage of its balanced input. You can get almost all
of the quality improvement afforded by balanced connections even with an unbalanced source, provided that
you have a balanced input.
9.5 Acceptable unbalanced setup
Having made sufficiently clear that there is, in fact, no reason why anyone should ever want to waste a
perfectly good balanced input by putting the module in a box with RCA inputs, it is likely that some will
persist. Two workable methods are given. The first uses differential wiring up to the rear panel to present a
normal unbalanced input to the outside world, the second uses an unbalanced cable as a floating quasidifferential
connection.
If it's only a simple single click when unmuting I wouldn't stress over it too much.
There's a ghost in the machine.
Preamp sorry yes, image attached of the offender, although the other one does it too but much quieter
For a small sized, desktop system I would go with the small chassis of Nord MP series:
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/nord-one-hypex-ncore-mpxxx-stereo-p
For example the NC502 stereo version has only 240mm width, both XLR and RCA and 2x 500W in 4 ohms.
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-mp-nc500-stereo-power-amp
Is that something to do with the grounding of the device? I did notice one of the Hypex giving a hum though the speakers when the XLR was disconnected, I tried a couple of DACs and preamps and they all give the signal click when the XLR is connected to the Hypex.
Yes, I read that, but in the NC400 datasheet:
Thanks. The wiring looks OK, but there is no coupling capacitor on the input, so any DC on the output of your source will be amplified by the amplifier gain - this could cause the popping sound on turn-on/off.
Yes, that must be it! That's why these amps behave differently to my other commercial amps. Any guides available, or can you tell me what I need to do. I have all the necessary tools, soldering station, but now I just need the knowledge!
Thanks for the advice on this
Maybe with a Wima MKP4 2.2 uF
I suggest you start by inserting DC filter capacitors (I would try with 2.2 μF polypropylene) in series with the inputs. What is your source?
Source is a crane song Avocet, changing speaker outputs or mute/unmute causes the clip.
Can it be done on the xlr line if it's in series, are there XLR DC filter accessories?
Or do I need to solder it inside, and in that case which pin does it go between?
I wanted more power for my 88db/8ohms speakers. By the way, the NC250MP has the lowest THD + N of the entire NCxxxMP line...
As the nc400 has a fair bit of voltage gain (26 dB, or a factor of 20), even a small DC offset on the output will cause a pop.
Any "DC filter" would just be the same capacitors. You can put them in a separate small box with XLR ins and outs, but it is much easier to solder them to the input connectors - two capacitors per channel, one between pin 2 and the non-inverting input lead and the other between pin 3 and the inverting input.