Sylph Audio FB360 Mono Amplifier Kit Review

[amirm]

The way better apart from measurements (I wait to see the power cube and the lows power ability of ice) comes from my personal way of view (mainly ease of any pre and post sale interactions, as ice is European (though they build in Malaysia I think) , so easy on warranty, etc.

For a $145 device? How do you know that process is better for ICE module vs this company?

 

[Sokel]

For a $145 device? How do you know that process is better for ICE module vs this company?

Because I have both interacted with European and non-European shops.
European ones, takes a week top for 2-way returns, etc.

BUT I stand corrected if Sylph are sold here in Europe as well, even for a premium.

 

[welwynnick]

Thanks for the review, Amir.
I'm no fan at all of ICEPower, but the current 125AX2 does seem to have some advantages that crept beneath my radar.
According to the spec sheets, it actually performs better in some respects than the A400, which I had thought was the premium model (Marantz, Trinnov etc).
The125AX2 is a stereo amplifier, but it works well in BTL mode, even into 4 ohms, and produces a bucket of power.
It also keeps distortion vs frequency in check rather well. This actually rather good for a class D amp.

This is the manufacturers measurement, but given that they publish AP tests for different supply voltages as well as different loads, and have a historical record and reputation for conscientiousness and rigour, I think they're probably reliable even if they are tested in more favourable conditions than ASR.

 

[rsqt]

Power vs. distortion of Sylph is nearly exactly the same as 3E Audio 480.

 

[Sokel]

Thanks for the review, Amir.
I'm no fan at all of ICEPower, but the current 125AX2 does seem to have some advantages that crept beneath my radar.
According to the spec sheets, it actually performs better in some respects than the A400, which I had thought was the premium model (Marantz, Trinnov etc).
The125AX2 is a stereo amplifier, but it works well in BTL mode, even into 4 ohms, and produces a bucket of power.
It also keeps distortion vs frequency in check rather well.

View attachment 545206

This is the manufacturers measurement, but given that they publish AP tests for different supply voltages as well as different loads, and have a historical record and reputation for conscientiousness and rigour, I think they're probably reliable even if they are tested in more favourable conditions than ASR.

The premium model (for now) is SC400a2, the older technology found in Trinnov (400a2) follows.

 

[Redacted]

What's not to like?
I'm tempted to get a pair, a box and a caged smps, as a quick project!

 

[rsqt]

But for the same money you can buy a non-diy Topping Mini 300. Use it bi-amped with both channels you even have more power and less distortion above 5kHz.

 

[welwynnick]

According to the spec sheets, it actually performs better in some respects than the A400, which I had thought was the premium model (Marantz, Trinnov etc).

The premium model (for now) is SC400a2, the older technology found in Trinnov (400a2) follows.

My bad. I meant the 400A2.

 

[Sokel]

My bad. I meant the 400A2.

Also lets not forget the punishing 10dB more gain for the ice module, about 15dB gain for Sylph vs 24dB gain for ice (SE mode) .

 

[welwynnick]

Also lets not forget the punishing 10dB more gain for the ice module, about 15dB gain for Sylph vs 24dB gain for ice (SE mode) .

And the small matter of 250W into 8Ω and 500W into 4Ω .

 

[amirm]

This is the manufacturers measurement, but given that they publish AP tests for different supply voltages as well as different loads, and have a historical record and reputation for conscientiousness and rigour, I think they're probably reliable even if they are tested in more favourable conditions than ASR.

Measurement bandwidth has a huge effect on the graphs you are showing. Unless they are the same as mine, you can't go by them. At this level of difference (above 100 dB SINAD), we need to be very specific about this.

 

[Hayabusa]

As noted in the review, it's negligible.

Really quite an incredible amp module for the money.

? I just mentioned a typo...

 

[fwwwk]

The amp is built on the popular TI TPA3255. The included power supply is 48 volt from Moorsun.

Thanks for review Amir, do you know if it works in PBTL or BTL mode ? No info on manufacturers side

 

[Gremlins]

This DIY module tpa3255 is useless in my opinion. Get a fosi mono for much much cheaper than this for the same kind of measurements
When you add board, aluminium box,power supply and all necessary components you can get two fosi mono and some Cd's .. and a retail value when you will decide to change

 

[TNT]

Frequency response shows some of the best tuning of PFFB I have seen:

I see no droop. Rather a not too well behaving PFFB - hence the rise and drop at around 20k... did you post the wrong data? Droop is a "drop", right!? Thats a rise or, a 'riise' we should try ti get hold of the latest version of the ASX125 - icepower dont do new model numbers, they do versioning so that the certification can be withheld by commercial products using the units without recertification... but for normal consumer products that is perhaps not the best strategy as it seems ni new products come out - any normal company would have release a new product with a fanfare and called it ASX126 ;-)

//

 

[daniboun]

My bad. I meant the 400A2.

The Ice Power SC400A2 is promising indeed
It will be aimed at the OEM integrator market. It is somewhat similar to Purifi modules.
Let's wait until Amir has the opportunity to offer some measurements ).

 

[Roland68]

This DIY module tpa3255 is useless in my opinion. Get a fosi mono for much much cheaper than this for the same kind of measurements
When you add board, aluminium box,power supply and all necessary components you can get two fosi mono and some Cd's .. and a retail value when you will decide to change

The overall level of engineering—including the circuit design, components, and pre-stage power supply—is significantly higher quality in the Sylph Audio FB360 than in the V3 Mono.
Yes, the V3 Monos are cheaper, but in that case, I would sooner opt for the 3e Audio A7 or PAM252.

 

[kyuu]

? I just mentioned a typo...

Apologies, didn't catch that's what you were referring to.

 

[SylphAudio]

Hi Amir, Thank you very much for your review! Much appreciated!

 

[Roland68]

Thanks for review Amir, do you know if it works in PBTL or BTL mode ? No info on manufacturers side

Since it uses a TPA3255 in a mono configuration with high power and two inductors at the output, it can be assumed that it's a PBTL circuit.

Excerpt from the manufacturer's description:
"An upgraded post-filter feedback (PFFB) implementation achieves class-leading SINAD and IMD performance for a TPA3255 operating in mono PBTL configuration, resulting in clean and controlled output across the audible range."