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

CDMC

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My Apollon Purifi 1ET400A amp arrived a few weeks ago. It is by far the best case for amplifier I have seen so far. Case is thick and solid, while paint job is outstanding. Apollon logo looks great while not being too flashy/aggressive in a dark room. When I unpacked it, I was so amazed that I did not want to touch it with my bare hands and opted for using gloves instead. :D Also power button is now hidden under the amp near the front plate to the left which I find optimal for my use case. I must say that enclosure is a big upgrade compared to NC800SL , which I also have, in terms of design/size/quality. Sound performance is of course awesome, as good as it gets and what is expected from Purifi modules. Case gets barely warm during prolonged usage, which was also a pleasant surprise.
View attachment 82950
View attachment 82951
All in all I am more than satisfied with my purchase, it was a great decision, thus completing my HIFI setup for a long time to come. :)

And here I was feeling all cocky with my IOM Hypex amp on my desktop system. Now I am jealous.
 

Canth

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Really not a fan of the NAD amps looks. I really do love the looks of the Nord and Apollon amps, though, so I'll probably go with one of those for my bedroom system.

I have a Nord amp (1200AS2) and although the case looks nice it really is a flimsy affair. When connecting my XLR plugs I could effortlessly move the back. I do like the look of the Apollon mini, that case seems quite well made.
I think I will go with the NAD C298, it should be a nice fit for my NAD C658
 

muslhead

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I have a Nord amp (1200AS2) and although the case looks nice it really is a flimsy affair. When connecting my XLR plugs I could effortlessly move the back. I do like the look of the Apollon mini, that case seems quite well made.
I think I will go with the NAD C298, it should be a nice fit for my NAD C658
Can anyone tell me why the nadc298, using the same purifi module, can be bridged with increased output, while no other supplier (that i have seen yet) provides a bridged offering. Per purifi it is recommended they not be bridged. What does NAD do that everyone else doesnt want to?
 

Apollon Audio

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Is any documentation available on your 1ET400A Mini control board (buffer)? For example does it switch off the SMPS if the amp's DC protection circuit throws a DCP-latch-off condition?

In HW Mode, DCP-latch-off condition asserts FATAL signal low. In our mini we use the FATAL signal to switch off the power supplies if the amps DC protection circuit throws a DCP-latch-off condition. There are also led lights on the buffer board (ready, fatal, clip) that indicate the state of the amplifier module.
 

Apollon Audio

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Can anyone tell me why the nadc298, using the same purifi module, can be bridged with increased output, while no other supplier (that i have seen yet) provides a bridged offering. Per purifi it is recommended they not be bridged. What does NAD do that everyone else doesnt want to?

Two Purifi channels can be bridged very easily with a simple cable. We supply these cables if a customer needs bridge operation. We have tested bridging two Purifi modules without any problems.
 

muslhead

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Two Purifi channels can be bridged very easily with a simple cable. We supply these cables if a customer needs bridge operation. We have tested bridging two Purifi modules without any problems.
Since you dont mention this on your website (that i could find) nor publish the specs, what are your power ratings bridged?
 

James Romeyn

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Nope. For now only DIY.

With all due respect, comparing DIY to a finished package is apples vs. oranges. It's not "buy X" instead of Hypex; it's "buy X and build it" instead of buying a finished Hypex SMPS. Do you suggest a pre-designed empty PCB that needs only parts stuffed and soldered? PCB link?

What makes the DIY potentially "better" and how would you qualify/quantify the audible difference?

I like DIY a lot but am not particular comfortable soldering SMD, at least not yet.

Thank you!
 

mocenigo

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Do not underestimate the cost to DIY an amplifier. At quantities of one or two the parts add up.
Using a switcher power supply levels it some. Power transformers, diode banks, and filter caps can add up quick.
Same with a prefab case.
It looks like the case and power supplies are used for multiple products by these builders. They can order dozens at a time.
Trying to second guess what a Purifi Eval2 will bring is easy. Bruno must never sleep.
It will be better. Whether that is distortion/noise, bandwidth, size, cost, or all the above. Bandwidth is where he really has room to advance. 100, 200, or 500 kHz -3 dB point.

Why should the bandwidth of the buffer be that wide when the power module itself has -3Db at 60khz?

Roberto
 
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My short list to drive 4 Focal Aria 936's (300W max / 92dB / 2.8ohm min impedance) and possibly the Focal Aria CC (200W max / 91dB / 2.8ohm min impedance):
(1*) Forthcoming? - Apollon 5 Channel Purifi ~$3000 {*top choice if coming out in the next 1-2 months)
(2) VTV 4 Channel Purifi $1700
(3) Audiophonics HPA Q400ET 4 Channel Purifi ~$2,450 {Not sure it is worth the $750 price premium over VTV}
(4) TBD - Buckeye 4 Channel Purifi {joking as he is focusing on Hypex, but would be nice to have another affordable Purifi player in the United States}

Should I stick to powering my center channel with Purifi or would Hypex be ok? Worry that too many different gain amplifiers in my system and different speaker sensitivities could cause issues across different volumes.
Purifi
8Ω @1%THD : 227W
4Ω @1%THD : 425W
2Ω @1%THD : 450W

Audiophonics MPA M400NC Hypex NC400
2Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 580W
4Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 400W
8Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 200W
 

Billy Budapest

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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

These “discrete opamps” are all a bit silly and are indicative of audiophile bling more than anything else. I’d prefer the TI OPA1612, or a similar low noise opamp—better performance at a much cheaper price.
 

MrOtto

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Purifi EVAL1 uses OPA1612. Why should one use about $200-$400 more on different input buffer boards for 1ET400A? Should be good sound, why would they otherwise demonstrate it as an audio listening product: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1420-purifi-audios-pint-sized-powerhouses

Screenshot 2020-11-23 124805.jpg
 
Last edited:

mocenigo

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Vincentponcet

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My short list to drive 4 Focal Aria 936's (300W max / 92dB / 2.8ohm min impedance) and possibly the Focal Aria CC (200W max / 91dB / 2.8ohm min impedance):
(1*) Forthcoming? - Apollon 5 Channel Purifi ~$3000 {*top choice if coming out in the next 1-2 months)
(2) VTV 4 Channel Purifi $1700
(3) Audiophonics HPA Q400ET 4 Channel Purifi ~$2,450 {Not sure it is worth the $750 price premium over VTV}
(4) TBD - Buckeye 4 Channel Purifi {joking as he is focusing on Hypex, but would be nice to have another affordable Purifi player in the United States}

Should I stick to powering my center channel with Purifi or would Hypex be ok? Worry that too many different gain amplifiers in my system and different speaker sensitivities could cause issues across different volumes.
Purifi
8Ω @1%THD : 227W
4Ω @1%THD : 425W
2Ω @1%THD : 450W

Audiophonics MPA M400NC Hypex NC400
2Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 580W
4Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 400W
8Ω, 1kHz, THD = 1%: 200W

LCR should be the same as much as possible.
In movies, the most used loudspeakers are the center and the sub.
 

Puska

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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
Please add to list:
NAD C298
 
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