Using the Hypex FusionAmp DSP functions

[Nabussan]

What is a cost-efficient way to run a 7-channel system (2 x 2-way + 3 subwoofers) with a DSP-DAC-AMP solution?

As per https://support.biamp.com/Design_Tools/Amplifier_Power_Calculator, at a distance of 3.8 m, with 95db sensitivity 8R speakers, 18 dB headroom (for high-quality recordings with not too much dynamic compression), I achieve 87db average continuous volume if I use 150W amps for my mains -- more than sufficient.

The setup I want to replace: 2 minidsp 2x4 plus IRS2092-based 150W/250/300W amp modules with Connexelectronics SMPSs, fed by an AVR preamp stereo output.

I'd like to have less noisy amps, and signal processing in the digital domain with no prior AD conversion.

At the moment, I seem to prefer the Hypex FusionAmp scenario. The modules have SPDIF optical input, can be daisy-chained via SPDIF coax, and allow crossover design and equalizing like the miniDSP platform.
2 x FA252
1 x FA252 in BTL mode
1 x FA502
Including IR receiver and remote, it's around 1850 € (including VAT) here in Europe.

I compared this to a miniDSP-based solution w/o DIY (except for copying my existing filters)
WI-DG
miniDSP 10x10 Hd
1 x Crown XLS 1001 in BTL mode
3 x XLS 1502
That would cost me about 2150 €.

Advantage: plenty of power. Disadvantage: 5 optically obtrusive boxes that I can't mount at the back of my speakers, unlike the FusionAmps or other DIY modules.

To my surprise, at a comparable power rating, with 4 FA502 modules, I get better specs than with the crown amps (and avoiding their additional AD/DA conversion), at the same price. And optimum WAF (DSP, DAC, and amps disappear completely, except for the IR receiver).

• Can anyone tell about their experience with the FusionAmp DSP functions (Hypex filter design software)?
• What alternative cheaper scenarios do you advise to consider that might trump the FusionAmp solution? For example, the miniDSP 10x10 Hd plus DIY amp modules with comparable specs as the Hypex NCxxxMP modules.
• Are there cheaper DSP solutions to replace the miniDSP 10x10 Hd? The Wondom modules, for example, have analog input if I understand it correctly.
• How could I provide for the option to later upgrade to a DRC solution (DIRAC or Acourate, for example) if I wanted to play around with such things?

 

[Lbstyling]

I run a pair of FA253 fusion amps. The software is easy enough once you get going.

Nothing beats it for the money. Remembering that amplifiers are by far the bottle neck in distortion measurements for electronics, the SINAD comes in at -100db. Load independent output. Unbeatable without spending big money.

The digital coax sounds better than the analogue IMO. But both sound subjectively better than anything I have ever heard.

The Mini DSP units have too much noise for my needs so they went back. The SHD units are better, but you still need to find a good set of amps to go with it. DIRAC is awsome, but is a separate thing to deal with, and in my case not necessary to have as my source is a PC and I can run JRiver/REW/RePhase.

My 6 Connexelectronic amps all blew up!

On the Fusion amps, you are limited to 14 (I think?) filters per channel, but they are IIR filters as opposed to FIR. Again, this doesn't matter if a PC is the source, as you can use RePhase.

 

[Nabussan]

Hi, thanks for your confirmation, I have quoted it under https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ssover-and-multichannel-dac.12489/post-378428.

I'd be surprised if someone came up with an even better combination of cost and function than the FA modules, but let's see.

My miniDSP/IRS2092 amp setup is quite stable since 2013 but the amp modules seem to have degraded significantly over the years. They sound like multi-kW PA amps in an arena ... How have your Connexelectronic amps blown up?

Fortunately, I don't need too many filters. In my miniDSPs I just use about 4 filters per channel to EQ the 25 to 120 HZ range, plus one near the crossover frequency of the main speakers, if I remember correctly. Should not be a big deal to replicate that in the FA DSP.

Nevertheless, I'll look into the REW/RePhase thing. I assume it wouldn't improve my speakers much, but technically it teases my curiosity.

I run a pair of FA253 fusion amps. The software is easy enough once you get going.

Nothing beats it for the money. Remembering that amplifiers are by far the bottle neck in distortion measurements for electronics, the SINAD comes in at -100db. Load independent output. Unbeatable without spending big money.

The digital coax sounds better than the analogue IMO. But both sound subjectively better than anything I have ever heard.

The Mini DSP units have too much noise for my needs so they went back. The SHD units are better, but you still need to find a good set of amps to go with it. DIRAC is awsome, but is a separate thing to deal with, and in my case not necessary to have as my source is a PC and I can run JRiver/REW/RePhase.

My 6 Connexelectronic amps all blew up!

On the Fusion amps, you are limited to 14 (I think?) filters per channel, but they are IIR filters as opposed to FIR. Again, this doesn't matter if a PC is the source, as you can use RePhase.

 

[Lbstyling]

Hi, thanks for your confirmation, I have quoted it under https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ssover-and-multichannel-dac.12489/post-378428.

I'd be surprised if someone came up with an even better combination of cost and function than the FA modules, but let's see.

My miniDSP/IRS2092 amp setup is quite stable since 2013 but the amp modules seem to have degraded significantly over the years. They sound like multi-kW PA amps in an arena ... How have your Connexelectronic amps blown up?

Fortunately, I don't need too many filters. In my miniDSPs I just use about 4 filters per channel to EQ the 25 to 120 HZ range, plus one near the crossover frequency of the main speakers, if I remember correctly. Should not be a big deal to replicate that in the FA DSP.

Nevertheless, I'll look into the REW/RePhase thing. I assume it wouldn't improve my speakers much, but technically it teases my curiosity.

I can't remember the name of the unit I used, but it was a very high power connex one. 1200w RMS each and 12 channels total.

They all worked well - (bit too noisy for the high Efficiency speakers I run now) for about 2 or 3 years, then one by one the channels all made funny noises for a few mins followed by silence. One physically went bang when on standby one day.

There is no comparison to the hypex fusion amps. No pop when turning on/off, very low noise floor, notably detailed sound generally, basically flawless.

I am keen to hear the purefi amps at some point as Bruno is not someone to talk BS generally, but despite the measurements being essentially the same, he clearly thinks the purefi amps sound different to the Ncores.

I don't hear any improvements when globally changing phase (apart from reversing one speaker Vs the other), not sure I hear much of anything at high frequencies, but removing phase wrap in the midrange is subjectively better IMO. I would stress this is prob just my flawed subjective bias....but still, the impression is a strong one.

 

[Chrise36]

Hi, thanks for your confirmation, I have quoted it under https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ssover-and-multichannel-dac.12489/post-378428.

I'd be surprised if someone came up with an even better combination of cost and function than the FA modules, but let's see.

My miniDSP/IRS2092 amp setup is quite stable since 2013 but the amp modules seem to have degraded significantly over the years. They sound like multi-kW PA amps in an arena ... How have your Connexelectronic amps blown up?

Fortunately, I don't need too many filters. In my miniDSPs I just use about 4 filters per channel to EQ the 25 to 120 HZ range, plus one near the crossover frequency of the main speakers, if I remember correctly. Should not be a big deal to replicate that in the FA DSP.

Nevertheless, I'll look into the REW/RePhase thing. I assume it wouldn't improve my speakers much, but technically it teases my curiosity.

Minidsp Nanodigi 2x8 to 4 d10 or d30 dacs would be about 550 to 600 dollars.2 x 4 channel the t amp d4 500 4 x500 w 4 ohm would be about 800? or look for the cheaper e4 2500 in thomann germany.For better quality there are nord 8 channel hypex 250w modules amps or audiophonics 4 channel amps.