Ultimate 1ET400A Purifi Amplifier sonic shootout - €820 to €8,344

[GuernseyBunker]

Putting aside aesthetics, case design / quality, size / weight, warranty - please step forward if you believe any of these 1ET400A based amps have stood out or should stand out as sonically superior in a blind test and explain why? (op-amp, psu, wiring, snake oil etc etc.)

Listed in order of price for two channels... (please add to this list).

PURIFI AUDIO EVAL1 KIT* (DKK4,775) £640 + *PSU = £820
https://purifi-audio.com/vare/eval1/. *PSU required (i.e Hypex SMPS1200A400 = £180)

VTV Purifi 1ET400A Stereo = (US$959) = £852
https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-stereo-purifi-audio-1et400a-amplifier/

NORD THREE 1ET400A ST Stereo Amplifier = £1,099 ex VAT
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-three-1et400a-stereo-amplifier-1

AUDIOPHONICS LPA-S400ET (€1,349) = €1,124 ex VAT
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...eo-amplifier-purifi-2x400w-4-ohm-p-14557.html

NORD THREE 1ET400A Mono Block £625 X 2 = €1,250 ex VAT
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-three-1et400a-stereo-amplifier

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET (€1,490) = €1,241 ex VAT
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...4393.html?search_query=iet400a&fast_search=fs

APOLLON 1ET400A MINI STEREO AMPLIFIER = €1,490 ex VAT
https://www.apollonaudio.com/apollon-1et400a-mini-stereo-amplifier/

NORD THREE SE 1ET400A MKII Dual Mono Stereo Amp = £1,649 ex VAT
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-three-se-1et400a-dual-mono-stereo-amp

NORD THREE SE 1ET400 MKII Mono Block Single (£850) X 2 = €1,700 ex VAT
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-three-se-1et400-mkii-mono-block-single

APOLLON PURIFI 1ET400A BASED STEREO AMPLIFIER €2,280 ex VAT
https://www.apollonaudio.com/apollon-audio-purifi-1et400a-stereo-amplifier-input-buffer-board/

MARCH AUDIO P451 Mono Block Power Amplifier (US$1,295) €1,150 x 2 = €2,300
https://www.marchaudio.net.au/product-page/p451-mono-block-power-amplifier

ROUGE Alauda MB5 @ €1,155.00 x 2 = €2,310 ex VAT
https://en.rougeaudiodesign.com/product-page/alauda-mb-5

APOLLON PURIFI 1ET400A BASED MONO BLOCK AMPLIFIER = €1,190 X 2 = €2,380 ex VAT
https://www.apollonaudio.com/purifi-1et400a-apollon-audio-monoblock/

VERA AUDIO P150/600 RS AMPLIFIER (29 600 NOK) = € 2733 ex VAT
https://www.vera-audio.com/newsarticle.php?news_id=3

ATM AUDIO EPM3P Mono €1,400 x 2 = €2,800 ex VAT
https://atm-audio.com/product/epm3p/

NAD M33 = €3,999
https://nadelectronics.com/m33/

ATM AUDIO EPM-450 STEREO = €5,695 ex VAT
https://atm-audio.com/product/epm-450-stereo/

BEL CANTO E1X AMPLIFIER (£5,600) = €6,240
https://belcantodesign.com/home/e1x/e1x-amplifier/ (1ET400A architecture to be verified)

ATM AUDIO EPM-450 €4,172 X 2 = €8,344
https://atm-audio.com/product/epm-450-mono/

LKV RESEARCH VEROS PWR+ POWER AMPLIFIER = € TBA
https://www.lkvresearch.com/lkv-veros-power-plus.html


NB For a superb 1ET400A evaluation DIY thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...easurements-of-purifi-1et400a-amplifier.7984/ thanks to amirm


Related contributions:

INPUT BUFFERS
Nord One Rev D Input Buffer - includes Sparkos Labs SS2590 or Sonic Imagery 990Enh Op Amps = €274.50 - €297
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-rev-d-input-buffer-board

Neurochrome Purifi 1ET400A / Hypex NC500 Input Buffer - mono (US$129) €115 x 2 = €230
https://neurochrome.com/products/purifi-1et400a-hypex-nc500-input-buffer

VTV Amplifier Custom Input Buffer Hypex NC500 NC1200 NC2K Purifi (US$145) €129 x 2 = €258
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/vtv-amplifier-custom-input-buffer-hypex-nc500-nc1200-nc2k/

ATM Audio 1ET400A input buffer + / - Op-Amp (SIL990, SIL994, Sparko) = €329 to €819
https://atm-audio.com/product/buffer-hypex-nc500/

ATM Audio 1ET400A input buffer Buffer with Korg Nutube valve = €1,175
https://atm-audio.com/product/buffer-korg-nutube/


POWER SUPPLIES - SMPS
Hypex SMPS1200A400 = €179
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/smps...g-power-supply-module-1200w-2x64v-p-8574.html
Amps that use it - Audiophonics HPA-S400ET & LPA-S400ET, Apollon PURIFI 1ET400A Mono Block, VTV Purifi 1ET400A Stereo,

Hypex SMPS1200A700 = €179
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/smps...g-power-supply-module-1200w-2x85v-p-5523.html
Amps that use it - ROUGE Alauda MB5,


OP AMPS
Sonic Imagery Labs Op Amp SIL990 Enh (£61.50) = €68
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/sonic-imagery-994-op-amps

Sonic Imagery Labs Op Amp SIL994 Enh (£85) = €95
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/sonic-imagery-994-op-amp

Sparkos Labs SS3602 Op Amp (£70) = €78
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/sparkos-labs-ss3602-op-amps

Sparkos Labs S2590 Op Amp (£50) = €56
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/sparkos-labs-ss2590-op-amp

 

[Panelhead]

VTV Purifi 1ET400A Stereo = 852.04 Euros

 

[GuernseyBunker]

VTV Purifi 1ET400A Stereo = 852.04 Euros

thanks heaps Panelhead
Price of the VTV = almost exactly 1/10th the price of the ATM EPM-450 = WOW!!!

 

[maty]

The Purifi 1ET400A module does not need double mono (Hypex SMPS1200 x2), it is a silly way to waste money.

Neurochrome buffer and other SMPS with better components than Hypex is much better idea. And...

 

[mgwloka]

This index of 1ET400A amp vendors is very helpful!

For a correct comparison, I recommend to:
- list all prices without VAT or local sales tax: the above quoted Audiophonics prices have VAT included as of June 13.
- list the origin of shipping, to factor in import duties

 

[GuernseyBunker]

The Purifi 1ET400A module does not need double mono (Hypex SMPS1200 x2), it is a silly way to waste money.

Neurochrome buffer and other SMPS with better components than Hypex is much better idea. And...

Thanks Maty - please can you throw some (retail) links up so I can integrate (edit) that valuable info into the original post

 

[maty]

Nope. For now only DIY.

 

[GuernseyBunker]

This index of ET400A amp vendors is very helpful!

For a correct comparison, I recommend to:
- list all prices without VAT or local sales tax: the above quoted Audiophonics prices have VAT included as of June 13.
- list the origin of shipping, to factor in import duties

Thanks mgwloka - I will address the ex-VAT prices - if you know any figures that need correcting, please let me know as I am happy to make the changes... same goes for the the origin of shipping / import duty factors.

 

[boXem]

This index of ET400A amp vendors is very helpful!

For a correct comparison, I recommend to:
- list all prices without VAT or local sales tax: the above quoted Audiophonics prices have VAT included as of June 13.
- list the origin of shipping, to factor in import duties

I totally agree with your suggestions, my main issue is that this is not an index
An index would be a classification from A to Z of the manufacturers building modules with 1ET400A. Prices would be welcome, but would require maintenance.
Here, what I read (maybe not the intent of the Op) is: "forget all value added, the best is the cheapest, here are the prices" .
Which in my mind is not better than "the cheaper the worse"

 

[March Audio]

other SMPS with better components than Hypex is much better idea. And...

Based on....?

 

[GuernseyBunker]

I totally agree with your suggestions, my main issue is that this is not an index
An index would be a classification from A to Z of the manufacturers building modules with 1ET400A. Prices would be welcome, but would require maintenance.
Here, what I read (maybe not the intent of the Op) is: "forget all value added, the best is the cheapest, here are the prices" .
Which in my mind is not better than "the cheaper the worse"

Hi and thanks Fred... certainly (as OP) I am not going for "forget all value added, the best is the cheapest, here are the prices" -

Actually, I am asking folks to step up and explain why they (their ears) experience(d) superior sonic performance in a blind test and explain (retrospectively) with logical reasons why that may have been the case...

For example: "In a blind test, I identified that amp A performed sonically much better than amp B and posit that it was because op-amp / psu / wiring design Y contributed X to the sonic response measured (perceived) by my ears"

 

[murraycamp]

Actually, I am asking folks to step up and explain why they (their ears) experience(d) superior sonic performance in a blind test and explain (retrospectively) with logical reasons why that may have been the case...

Why not compare measurements and connect them to those types of engineering differences?

 

[boXem]

Hi and thanks Fred... certainly (as OP) I am not going for "forget all value added, the best is the cheapest, here are the prices" -

Actually, I am asking folks to step up and explain why they (their ears) experience(d) superior sonic performance in a blind test and explain (retrospectively) with logical reasons why that may have been the case...

For example: "In a blind test, I identified that amp A performed sonically much better than amp B and posit that it was because op-amp / psu / wiring design Y contributed X to the sonic response measured (perceived) by my ears"

I see what you mean, but I personally consider this logic flawed for two main reasons:
1) value of a product is not only it's sonic qualities, functionality, aesthetics, attention to details, quality of the implementation ... are important too and have an impact on the price
2) why only the 1ET400A? Are you sure that any of it's implementations can be recognized in dbt when compared to a berhinger A800? I am sure that people on the market for a 1ET400A want something else than a A800, like in example engineering excellence.
If only price is important, get an A800 and stay away from the 1ET400A. If not, be neutral and sort by name, or color, or country of origin or whatever.
Getting an objective comparison of all the models available would be very interesting, but that would require measurements, tear downs, listing differentiators, etc,

 

[boXem]

other SMPS with better components than Hypex is much better idea. And...

When somebody will have an accident with one of the DIY SMPS you recommend, will you tell his family "yeah, it was not certified for safety, but I saw on internet it had Nichicon caps"?

 

[maty]

When PURIFI puts its own SMPS up for sale, I suppose we can forget about Hypex SMPS, or at least I hope so.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

The Purifi 1ET400A module does not need double mono (Hypex SMPS1200 x2), it is a silly way to waste money.

Neurochrome buffer and other SMPS with better components than Hypex is much better idea. And...

I would recommend the VTV buffer as a much better choice. Already has proper regulators and one can choose op amps.
A good choice is the opa1612.
https://www.cimarrontechnology.com/product/browndog-970601-so8-to-dip8-adapter

 

[maty]

Purifi 1ET400A / Hypex NC500 Input Buffer
https://neurochrome.com/products/purifi-1et400a-hypex-nc500-input-buffer

$ 20 more expensive and without specs:

VTV Amplifier Custom Input Buffer Hypex NC500 NC1200 NC2K Purifi
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/vtv-amplifier-custom-input-buffer-hypex-nc500-nc1200-nc2k/

 

[GuernseyBunker]

Purifi 1ET400A / Hypex NC500 Input Buffer
https://neurochrome.com/products/purifi-1et400a-hypex-nc500-input-buffer

$ 20 more expensive and without specs:

VTV Amplifier Custom Input Buffer Hypex NC500 NC1200 NC2K Purifi
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/vtv-amplifier-custom-input-buffer-hypex-nc500-nc1200-nc2k/

Thanks for the links Maty

 

[jae]

When PURIFI puts its own SMPS up for sale, I suppose we can forget about Hypex SMPS, or at least I hope so.

Any ETA for this?

 

[kukocz]

Any ETA for this?

I have no idea if they are going to develop their own amps. For sure you’ll see EVAL2 (mono blocks) very soon.
And here’s the question if mono blocks can bring measurable improvements and how big they could be in relation to additional costs..,
Building monos could be even 30-40% more expensive than stereo version (two smps, two enclosures, etc.).
It seems that from performance/costs point of view, the best solution is to buy EVAL1 and put it into DIY enclosure. You probably won’t hear any difference between this and other very expensive variations (even measurements possibly won’t differ very much?).