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Expanding on a topic that's come up in another thread, I'm looking to buy my "endgame" power amp - something that not only measures well, but also is sufficiently audibly transparent that I can feel confident that I can put it in my system and not have to think about upgrading ever again.
While equipment, life, and living spaces can of course change in the future, long story short is that I'm confident that the power rating of the 400/500 Hypex and Purifi modules (and equivalent Class AB designs) is more than enough for my needs - and I'm happy to pay the small price premium for a Hypex 500-based amp over a 250-based amp even though a 250 probably would be sufficient.
So... I'm trying to decide among the following - and FYI I like the Audiophonics for Class D because I like the build quality, the positive owner reports here, the availability of both RCA and XLR jacks, and the heatsinking, internal airspace, and front-mounted power button of their component-sized HPA cases:
Obviously I will need to make my own decision and depend on my own judgment. But I do find others' perspectives really helpful and would appreciate folks weighing in if they want.
Thanks!
Best,
Matt
While equipment, life, and living spaces can of course change in the future, long story short is that I'm confident that the power rating of the 400/500 Hypex and Purifi modules (and equivalent Class AB designs) is more than enough for my needs - and I'm happy to pay the small price premium for a Hypex 500-based amp over a 250-based amp even though a 250 probably would be sufficient.
So... I'm trying to decide among the following - and FYI I like the Audiophonics for Class D because I like the build quality, the positive owner reports here, the availability of both RCA and XLR jacks, and the heatsinking, internal airspace, and front-mounted power button of their component-sized HPA cases:
- Audiophonics HPA-S500NC (2x Hypex 500 with inegrated PSUs) - approx $900USD
- Audiophonics HPA-S400ET (2x Purifi 400 + 1x Hypex 1200 PSU) - approx $1400USD
- Benchmark ABH2 - $3,000USD
- The $500 extra for the Purifi unit. On the one hand, it would seem unnecessary if the Hypex-based amp is already audibly transparent. On the other hand, if I'm planning to keep this amp for a decade or longer (basically until it eventually breaks), would it be wiser to go for the better specs to future-proof it against any possible future upgrades of other components that could conceivably reveal a small audible difference between the Hypex and Purifi amps?
- Gain considerations: Benchmark vs Class D. The extra $1600 would be a stretch for me, but not a crazy one - I am fortunate enough to be able to afford it, even though I have to carefully weigh the expense. One concern I have about the Class D amps is that they provide about 25-26dB of gain, while my current amp, an Adcom GFA-5400, provides 29dB. I use my Oppo BDP-205 as a digital preamp, and I do have some room to increase its volume to compensate. Am I correct in assuming that the 3-4dB difference in amp gain corresponds to just a small change in the Oppo's (or any preamp's) volume control? Will the Benchmark's high and low gain switch capability be a significant advantage over the Audiophonics in this regard?
Obviously I will need to make my own decision and depend on my own judgment. But I do find others' perspectives really helpful and would appreciate folks weighing in if they want.
Thanks!
Best,
Matt
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