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review of PURIFI "EVAL3" 1ET7040SA ?

It's a little odd there are no reviews of the 1ET7040SA or systems based on it (that I can find). It's been out for a little while now.

I'm on the fence between the new Hypex NCx500 based system vs the Purifi 1ET7040SA. I can't really find much on the the latter yet.

I suspect they are both very similar in terms of performance. It would just be good to have data before pulling the trigger lol
 
It's a little odd there are no reviews of the 1ET7040SA or systems based on it (that I can find). It's been out for a little while now.
What's a little odd is that you didn't care using the search function first.;)
Is there already an ASR rview on the PURIFI "EVAL3" 1ET7040SA
or is this possibly planned for the future ?
As always. @amirm measures what he gets.
 
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What's a little odd is that you didn't care using the search function first...

As always. @amirm measures what he gets.
My bad! With it not being int the titles of these posted I missed these. Thanks you for your help!
 
What's a little odd is that you didn't care using the search function first...

As always. @amirm measures what he gets.
thanks a lot,
didn't notice these too,

The Marchaudio P501 seems to be the only one so far that has a decent 2x70VDC Powersupply that enables the 1ET7040SA to output there full specs power (?)

Most of the competitors use a hypex SMPS1200A400 "only" which delivers 2x 63V
and with this voltage the 1ET7040SA Module can deliver the following power output "only":
1 x 750 watts at 2 ohms
1 x 400 watts at 4 ohms
1 x 200 watts at 8 ohms
(it's still enough power for most applications to be honest)
(-> see attachment)

I find it odd though, that Purifi offers no own suitable power supply (or at least recommends one), that fit the 1ET7040SA needs of voltage & power
 

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thanks a lot,
didn't notice these too,

The Marchaudio P501 seems to be the only one so far that has a decent 2x70VDC Powersupply that enables the 1ET7040SA to output there full specs power (?)

Most of the competitors use a hypex SMPS1200A400 "only" which delivers 2x 63V
and with this voltage the 1ET7040SA Module can deliver the following power output "only":
1 x 750 watts at 2 ohms
1 x 400 watts at 4 ohms
1 x 200 watts at 8 ohms
(it's still enough power for most applications to be honest)
(-> see attachment)

I find it odd though, that Purifi offers no own suitable power supply (or at least recommends one), that fit the 1ET7040SA needs of voltage & power
A 2x70V PS allows to gain 0.9 dB before clipping compared to the 2x63V. I personally do not see any value multiplying the power supply part numbers for this, at the exception of bragging rights.
 
@boXem : is your reviewed boXem 4222/E1 listed wrong in @amirm 's Chart ?
(listed accidently as "4215/E1" there ? -> one more reason why I not found this review...)
(Picture is of Jan 15, 2023 of the NCOREx review)

Best class D zoomed amplifier.png
 
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thanks a lot,
didn't notice these too,

The Marchaudio P501 seems to be the only one so far that has a decent 2x70VDC Powersupply that enables the 1ET7040SA to output there full specs power (?)

Most of the competitors use a hypex SMPS1200A400 "only" which delivers 2x 63V
and with this voltage the 1ET7040SA Module can deliver the following power output "only":
1 x 750 watts at 2 ohms
1 x 400 watts at 4 ohms
1 x 200 watts at 8 ohms
(it's still enough power for most applications to be honest)
(-> see attachment)

I find it odd though, that Purifi offers no own suitable power supply (or at least recommends one), that fit the 1ET7040SA needs of voltage & power
I've finally pulled the trigger and just ordered a 3 channel unit from Apollon, using 3 x 1ET7040SA's and a single SMPS3000A400 power supply (3000w).

I was on the fence as to whether to to go with a mono design using 3 SMPS1200A400 from Nord, but in the end felt that one larger PSU rather than 3 smaller units would be more reliable, less heat and hopefully less emf noise having 3 PSUs in a same small enclosure.

Not sure if this is the right call (or whether I would actually be able to tell the sonic difference) but time will tell!
 
I've finally pulled the trigger and just ordered a 3 channel unit from Apollon, using 3 x 1ET7040SA's and a single SMPS3000A400 power supply (3000w).

I was on the fence as to whether to to go with a mono design using 3 SMPS1200A400 from Nord, but in the end felt that one larger PSU rather than 3 smaller units would be more reliable, less heat and hopefully less emf noise having 3 PSUs in a same small enclosure.

Not sure if this is the right call (or whether I would actually be able to tell the sonic difference) but time will tell!
I am interested in the same amp, please report on your findings. Thank you!
 
Still waiting on delivery from Apollen (ordered on the 2 Feb). will keep you posted!
Hi Jamie,
How’s your Apollon 7040 going?

I’m curious about the current. I had a NAD M28 and it didn’t have enough current to drive my Polk L800s with dual 10” woofers that operate down to 2.4ohm vs my NAD T777v3 with less watts than the M28 but higher current.

Im hoping to find someone using the the 7040 to drive large speakers. Is that you? I’ve been looking at the Apollon for an 11 channel version of:

Purifi 1ET7040SA Multichannel Amplifier (6-12 Channel)​


I believe the that the Hypex SMPS3000A400 can be connected to a 30amp circuit to give maximum headroom. I’m not an electrical engineer so not sure how to read the Hypex specs but if this is correct my intention would be to give it max power for all channels driven.
 
Hi Jamie,
How’s your Apollon 7040 going?

I’m curious about the current. I had a NAD M28 and it didn’t have enough current to drive my Polk L800s with dual 10” woofers that operate down to 2.4ohm vs my NAD T777v3 with less watts than the M28 but higher current.

Im hoping to find someone using the the 7040 to drive large speakers. Is that you? I’ve been looking at the Apollon for an 11 channel version of:

Purifi 1ET7040SA Multichannel Amplifier (6-12 Channel)​


I believe the that the Hypex SMPS3000A400 can be connected to a 30amp circuit to give maximum headroom. I’m not an electrical engineer so not sure how to read the Hypex specs but if this is correct my intention would be to give it max power for all channels driven.
I would love to be able to report on my Apollen 3-Channel Purifi 1ET7040SA, which I ordered nearly 2.5 months ago (2nd February 2023), but in hasn't arrived yet...!

In fairness when I originally ordered, I thought I had read 30 days lead time. When I messaged Apollen to ask, I was told 30 working days (mon-fri only exluding public holidays).

Around the 2 month mark I received an email saying the unit was complete. However, I am still waiting for it to arrive 2 weeks later. I've reached out 3 times to ask for the tracking number, but they haven't provided it yet. I don't know if it lost in transit, or simply hasn't been sent. Incidentally, they charge EUR 236 for UPS expedited shipping, so I was expecting 3-5 days.

When it finally arrives, it better blow my mind...
 
I would love to be able to report on my Apollen 3-Channel Purifi 1ET7040SA, which I ordered nearly 2.5 months ago (2nd February 2023), but in hasn't arrived yet...!

In fairness when I originally ordered, I thought I had read 30 days lead time. When I messaged Apollen to ask, I was told 30 working days (mon-fri only exluding public holidays).

Around the 2 month mark I received an email saying the unit was complete. However, I am still waiting for it to arrive 2 weeks later. I've reached out 3 times to ask for the tracking number, but they haven't provided it yet. I don't know if it lost in transit, or simply hasn't been sent. Incidentally, they charge EUR 236 for UPS expedited shipping, so I was expecting 3-5 days.

When it finally arrives, it better blow my mind...
Hi Jamie,
thanks for the update. "UPS expedited shipping" is one of UPS' services which typically is 3-5 days and includes UPS' customs processing fess, vs paying UPS 9-18% for processing the customs broker. This is just UPS' fee not customs or taxes. So its best to have this UPS expedited shipping service vs just UPS standard on items over USD$2,000. I just went thru this with Starke Sound two weeks ago on shipments to Canada, learnt lots along the way.

Im suspicious you dont have a shipping number. You can call UPS and tell them you cant find your tracking number and see if they can find it by address.
 
Besides the Hypex smps are there alternatives that can be used with this module?
 
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Hi Jamie,
thanks for the update. "UPS expedited shipping" is one of UPS' services which typically is 3-5 days and includes UPS' customs processing fess, vs paying UPS 9-18% for processing the customs broker. This is just UPS' fee not customs or taxes. So its best to have this UPS expedited shipping service vs just UPS standard on items over USD$2,000. I just went thru this with Starke Sound two weeks ago on shipments to Canada, learnt lots along the way.

Im suspicious you dont have a shipping number. You can call UPS and tell them you cant find your tracking number and see if they can find it by address.
Hi WozzaDog,

I finally received my Apollen around 1 week ago (2.75mons in total...)

So to get the negatives out the way first, their order times frames are a joke. Honestly, I would have ordered a similar product from Nord if I had known!

Visuals/Build Quality
With the negatives out of the way, the Apollen unit is beautifully built, excellently painted and simply looks and feels like a proper high end product. Packaging is basic, and no power cord included. I'm not a huge fan of the light up logo badge on the front. I just find the branding a little old fashioned, but is my personal taste.

My system
Goldenear Triton Reference - Front (exceptionally good speakers. by far the best purchase in my system)
B&W HTM2 D3 - Centre - (excellent speaker and actually a nice match the the Tritons IMO)
B&W 704 side surround
B&W 705 Rear surround
Velodyne DD12+ sub
Bose double cubes - used as middle+rear heights (Yes I know they are sh_t! Just recycling old kit as not much gets played in height channels anyway to warrant spending more, although their crapness does bug me now!)

Denon X-8500HA Receiver doing surrounds + heights & Apollen 3-Channel Purifi 1ET7040SA (front LR +Centre)

Before adding the Apollen
In terms of sound quality, given I had to wait 2.75 months for the Apollen, I had time to experiment with using the Denon in both a 5.1, 7.1 and then a 7.1.4 system. Upgrading from the 5.1 B&W system to the the 7.1 system with Tritons honestly blew my mind. The Tritons are so much better than the 704s! Truly amazing speaks. Adding the height speakers reduced the wow factor, but I think that was overstretching the Denon running 11 channels. Anyway, I digress LOL!

In 2-channel Pure Direct mode from the Denon (this mode switch off all fancy trickery, display, audessey and allows more power to to LR since other channels are switched off), the Denon actually did a great job. When I added all 11 speakers from the Denon, It was still very good but films with high intensity scene had deteriorated from the 5.1 system. The main issue was getting good high quality sounds and dialogue through the HTM2 at normal volumes levels, which didn't sound crazy loud in actions scenes. I tried tweaking volumes on the center channel to solve this with limited success. This was less of an issue with dedicate Dolby Atoms films, but for decoding Dolby Digital content, I literally had to keep the volume in hand during certain movies and increase/ decrease volume between dialogue and big action scenes!

Denon (2 channel pure direct mode) vs Apollen 2 Channel.
The difference is actually quite subtle unless you play very loud, in which case the clarity and depth of the sound is improved. It's wasn't the smack in the face improve I was expecting, at least at lower listening levels. I put this down to how easy the great and easy the Tritons are to drive (FYI they are a true full range speaker going down to 20hz due to power built in subs). Anyway, they literally shone with both.

Denon doing all 7.1.4 channel vs Denon/Apollen combo - AV
The problem with volumes during quiet scenes and sounds scenes is gone and the B&W HTM2 became much cleaner. I put this down to the B&W's been much harder to drive, and thus benefitting from the extra power/amps available from the Purifi 1ET7040SA models (and the surround channels getting more power as the fronts and centre now removed).

So if you have an underpowered/overstretched Amp and/ or hard to drive speakers then the Purifi will definitely improve the situation IMO. If you aren't, maybe stick with a good quality AV amp, which will do most of what you want in a 5.1 or 7.1 system (chase incremental improvements in HIFI is definitely subject to the law of diminishing returns!).

The Apollen 3-Channel uses 1 larger PSU for all 3 1ET7040SA modules rather than 3-channel mono designs. Since I can't A/B test both options, I can't comment on which is better. All I can say is there was no audible distortions or clipping I could detect at all levels. This would be a better question for Amir : )

Note. specifically to Denon owners (or other av amps that can individual Amp Assign channels).
Unlikely the lower Denon models, the flagships models allow you to individually turn off individual amps via Amp Assign (not just the speak setup page, which will leave power to the amps even if not speakers connected). The benefit of switching off unused channels is more power can then go to the other channels. The Denon unfortunately doesn't have balanced pre-out, so I'm use the RCA pre-outs. I don't know if there is any audio benefit of going to balanced. Balance was orignally intended for concerts etc where cables might be 50m+ long (hence subject to noise environment). over 1m, I can't see this being an issue. Also, getting a AV processor with 11 balanced pre-outs and then separate amps + cables is crazy expense.

In short, this the Denon/Apollen hybrid solution suits me just fine. Just remember to do a Audessy/room correction calibration after switching amps as it made a big difference!

Overall
I am crazy happy with my system now, which sounds cleaner and more defined at any level during AV. You need to push the volumes higher to hear significantly better performance than a good 2 channel (at least in my opinion, but that depends how easy your speakers are to drive like my Tritons. If I had harder to drive speakers such as the B&W 8002D I would definitely suggest getting a better/additional amplifier, at least for the main channels, which are the most important.

One final point I wanted to share... Since upgrading, I've started listening to a lot more music and music videos in Dolby Surround mode (yes I know this is sacrilege to the 2 Channel hardcore LOl). However, on certain tracks/ videos, particularly live performances, it can honestly be amazing! If you haven't tried, search for "Metallica - Nothing Else Matters 2007 Live Video Full HD" via Youtube an give it a try! Close your eyes and you feel like you are in the stadium with a good surround system and Dolby Surround. My friends comment on this effect most than 2 Channel when I showed it off. Go figure!

I've been trying a lot of Dolby Atoms recorded tracks from Tidal also, with less success. Some great stuff, but a lot of average tracks. I guess this audio class is still maturing.
 
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Thank you for your in depth post, it’s much appreciated.

I hope as the months and years roll on the delayed wait time is overwritten by the beauty of the unit itself vs the Nord which I think doesn’t look as nice, but that’s me.

How is the bass on two channel fronts only? And the sound stage on the Apollon vs the Denon?
 
@jamieT spelled apollOn but yes, shipping times are long in my experience too.
 
I finally received my Apollen around 1 week ago (2.75mons in total...)

So to get the negatives out the way first, their order times frames are a joke. Honestly, I would have ordered a similar product from Nord if I had known!
That looks reasonable lead time for Apollon Audio given my experience.... It took them 2 months for an upgrade of OPA on my multichannel amp for which I waited for about 6 months for the build....
 
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