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

[GuernseyBunker]

OP disclosure
Subsequent to starting the thread, I have purchased a pair of Nord Three SE 1ET400 MKII Mono Block amps.

My decision was based upon a number of factors, including :

1. Desire to support local UK manufacturer(s)

2. Ability to roll op-amps for experimentation purposes

3. SE MKII aesthetics and build quality (including on/off/dim front LED)

4. Two year warranty and 14 day money back guarantee.

5. Potential factory supported / installed upgrade path (i.e. future Purifi SMPS, different OP Amps etc.)

Whether of not there is a perceptible sonic advantage to the Nord Three SE 1ET400 MKII when compared to other 1ET400 offerings is not known to me. Assuming on balance there is no advantage or that the sonic advantage is only marginal, a purchase decision had to be made.

The genesis of the thread is not a race to the bottom, but a desire to understand the top in terms of purely sonic advantages.

So the OP question still stands and hopefully can be answered at least in part when alternative 1ET400 amps cross my path and a blind test can commence or someone else can herein contribute their observations of the same.

 

[maty]

Loudspeakers?

Can you tell us your subjective review? After a days. With very good recordings and high dynamic rante. Acoustic instruments. Jazz, orquestral...

With modern recordings with synthesized instrumentation ... it sure will sound great given the great specs.

 

[GuernseyBunker]

Loudspeakers?

Can you tell us your subjective review? After a days. With very good recordings and high dynamic rante. Acoustic instruments. Jazz, orquestral...

With modern recordings with synthesized instrumentation ... it sure will sound great given the great specs.

Hi Maty and thanks for asking... (important).

Loudspeakers: Kef R3

DACs: an old Violectric V800 + a new UAD Audio Apollo Twin X (not sure what the DAC chipset is, but I prefer the slightly more articulate sound of the old Violectric)

I will probably upgrade the DAC when RME release an AK4499 chipset version of their venerable ADI-2 DAC FS which must surely be soon???

Happy to post my subjective review after listening to some recordings akin to your suggestions above (among my favourites). If you have any personal go-to DAC revealing tracks, be great to know.

Thanks for the post and suggestions

 

[maty]

Eagles - Hotel California (1976), Vinyl, Asylum, Original US
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5652477.html

Ahmad Jamal - Ahmad's Blues (1959), CD, Chess 1994, Germany
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5652566.html

The Weavers - Reunion at Carnegie Hall (1963), SACD, 2013 Analogue Production Remaster, US
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5655816.html

Jordi Savall - Tous Les Matins Du Monde - OST (1991), SACD 2004, Alia Vox, Austria
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5659270.html

Elmer Bernstein - The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection (2005), CD, Silva Screen Records, UK
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5659346.html

Bruce Springsteen - The River (1980), Vinyl x2, Columbia, US
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5664606.html

Alberta Hunter - Amtrak Blues (1980), Vinyl, Columbia, US
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5665815.html

Yuko Mabuchi Trio (2017), DSD256 (Native), Yarlung Records
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5667055.html

Yello - Toy (2016), Vinyl, Polydor, 180gr, EU
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5669103.html

Kraftwerk - Die Mensch. Maschine (1978), Vinyl, EMI Electrola 1st Pressing, Germany
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5671631.html

Muddy Waters - Folk Singer (1963), Vinyl, Analogue Productions 2011, 45 rpm, US
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5673749.html

Muddy Waters – Folk Singer (1963), Vinyl x4, Classic Records 2012, 45rpm, 200g
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5673757.html

José Cid - 10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte (1978), Vinyl, Orfeu, Portugal
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5674938.html

...

Sutherland, Pavarotti & Richard Bonynge, Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden - Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment (1968), Vinyl x2, Decca, UK
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post6232292.html

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Vinyl x2, Mercury UMC, Bob Ludwig Remaster 2014, Europe
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post6241439.html

Cecilia Bartoli, Les Musiciens Du Louvre, Marc Minkowski - Opera Proibita (2005), CD, Decca, Europe
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post6242835.html

 

[GuernseyBunker]

Maty
Tidal playlist created - think I found most of it (albeit not on vinyl) = 258 tracks 17:54:01 - that's gonna take some time. Some real gems and new discoveries there - thanks heaps

 

[maty]

I have been listening to the acoustic version of Hotel California that vzaichenko has recommended in another forum. It has been a long time since I listened to it and I was surprised, again, by the great sound I have now.

Eagles - Hell Freezes Over (1994), Vinyl x2, Geffen, 180g, UK
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/312866-global-loop-amplification-post6253875.html

I always use the original version to verify the modifications I make to my second system. Last time we hallucinated two people after bypassing a cheap capacitor in the KEF Q100 tweeter with a Miflex KPCU-01 0.22uF 600Vdc, comparing one loudspeaker with it with the other without it.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

OP disclosure
Subsequent to starting the thread, I have purchased a pair of Nord Three SE 1ET400 MKII Mono Block amps.

My decision was based upon a number of factors, including :

1. Desire to support local UK manufacturer(s)

2. Ability to roll op-amps for experimentation purposes

3. SE MKII aesthetics and build quality (including on/off/dim front LED)

4. Two year warranty and 14 day money back guarantee.

5. Potential factory supported / installed upgrade path (i.e. future Purifi SMPS, different OP Amps etc.)

Whether of not there is a perceptible sonic advantage to the Nord Three SE 1ET400 MKII when compared to other 1ET400 offerings is not known to me. Assuming on balance there is no advantage or that the sonic advantage is only marginal, a purchase decision had to be made.

The genesis of the thread is not a race to the bottom, but a desire to understand the top in terms of purely sonic advantages.

So the OP question still stands and hopefully can be answered at least in part when allternative 1ET400 amps cross my path and a blind test can commence or someone else can herein contribute their observations of the same.

A sensible choice, I think you’ll be very happy, nice amps. Which opamp did you choose? I like 3602s.

 

[mocenigo]

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

My god, such a disaster. I also head that using a hypex SMPS increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

[mocenigo]

I have no idea if they are going to develop their own amps.

I would say it is a given they won't. Unless you count the Lyngdorf ones based on the same technology, which of course will be sort of a "house amp".

For sure you’ll see EVAL2 (mono blocks) very soon.

Yes? Who told you?

 

[mocenigo]

The VTV is sonically superior. It leaves more money in your pocket for better speakers and room treatments.

Why? They definitely seem to be awful inside.

 

[mocenigo]

You still need to add regulation to the Neurochrome. IMO the vtv would be a better choice. Ymmv

You can use the Neurochrome with the regulated AUX from the Hypex SMPS, or remove the regulation from the Hypex SMPS and add your own regulator.

 

[maty]

My god, such a disaster. I also head that using a hypex SMPS increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.

It would not be surprising, since Hypex SMPS uses Su'scon electrolytics of very questionable quality.

 

[Bjorn]

Added price:

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

 

[VintageFlanker]

I will probably upgrade the DAC when RME release an AK4499 chipset version of their venerable ADI-2 DAC FS

A product released in 2018 is not venerable.

which must surely be soon???

Not a chance.

 

[GuernseyBunker]

A sensible choice, I think you’ll be very happy, nice amps. Which opamp did you choose? I like 3602s.

Thanks rebbiputzmaker
Opamp = Model 990Enh-Ticha
Sparkos Labs 3602 opamps sound inviting - Nord offered the build with SS2590 or 990Enh
Rolling opamps is new territory to me - in addition to the 3602s, any thoughts / observations / suggestions going forward?

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

Thanks rebbiputzmaker
Opamp = Model 990Enh-Ticha
Sparkos Labs 3602 opamps sound inviting - Nord offered the build with SS2590 or 990Enh
Rolling opamps is new territory to me - in addition to the 3602s, any thoughts / observations / suggestions going forward?

Nice choice. Differences if any would be very small so I would not go crazy to try different Opamps unless you can borrow them. It can get a bit costly.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

Why? They definitely seem to be awful inside.

There is nothing at all wrong with the vtv amps.

 

[GuernseyBunker]

Added price:

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

Uploaded to the OP with thanks for the link and congratulations on the release

 

[Trouble Maker]

The genesis of the thread is not a race to the bottom...

Sorry, I realize my previous post may have sounded a bit harsh. I also don't think there should be a race to the bottom. Clearly we are in/entering into a golden age of good, relatively cheap, high performing appliers. I also don't think we've nearly seen what the industry can do in terms of price/performance ratio. Even now what someone can put together DIY is amazing. For already built, I personally wouldn't get the cheapest one either due to build quality. But once you get up past something like March Audio in terms of build quality and price I just don't get it. The guts inside of the $8k amp are basically the same as you can put together for around a tenth of that price DIY and maybe something like double that at most to get what seems like a very high quality product. Or one can do 2 Benchmark AHB2s and a pretty nice set of speakers for about the price of the most expensive product on this list. That's the part that I can't wrap my head around.

 

[Trouble Maker]

There is nothing at all wrong with the vtv amps.

It has duct tape inside of it holding a connector together.