Figured I'd put up a post on the matter after exchanging pics with another member. Bought the VTV Hypex NC1200 build using on-board buffers before Christmas and just had the chance to take the lid off and get some pics this evening. As always, if this goes against any forum rules, please let me know and I'll do what's necessary to comply. Not sure if this counts as a plug for this product or whether plugs are allowed. Couple of notes in no particular order...
* I didn't know this prior, but it looks like the NC1200s have the buffer on the same board, unlike the NC400s and 500s which require a second (Hypex stock or custom) buffer board. Here I opted for stock rather than any fancy op-amps (unsure what was even on offer in that regard) because I've got a lot of experience with the NC500s w/ stock everything and they sounded just fine. No 'house' sound to speak of. Just flat and clean.
* This amp tends to heat up A LOT on the bottom in the back on each side, so it would appear that it's the n-core modules that are responsible and not the big 3-channel-capable SMPS. In the past using NC500s it's been the SMPS that generates the most heat and it the larger XFMR seems to be the primary source, pun intended. I did purchase a set of 4 box fans to place underneath and wired up a little control knob to keep it cool because the temps were getting up to about 130-150F. That's a lot hotter than NC500s run in my experience. The fans aren't audible since I've got the amp in an enclosed built-in cabinet under the TV, which also contributes to heat build up over time. I drilled holes in the wood for all the various wires that go in and out, primarily to keep the aesthetics to my wife's liking.
* As far as sound goes, the thing is a beast. I'm particularly impressed by the dynamics coupled with the JBL speakers I'm using. Even at very low volume, most of the dynamics and details are still there. It can go from VERY soft to VERY loud in the same track and I hear no distortion at discotheque levels. I've also created an EQ setting on the RME ADI-2 v.2 for stereo home theater where I've boosted the bass and adjusted the midrange according to Amir's T&M report on the JBLs. No subwoofer needed, it's that good. I'm not sure what the general ASR consensus on damping factor is, or whether an 'official' test has been done on NC1200s, but it's gotta be very high. Extremely good control of the woofers. As cliche as it may be, it's a blast cueing up some old favorites and hearing new life breathed into them - at all volume levels. It's amazing what high power can do even if we only use the first few watts in most listening. It doesn't hurt that the speakers are very efficient. The closest thing I've heard in my own (admittedly limited) listening in terms of raw power is the IcePower 1200AS2, which I think might have more distortion than the Hypex. Both can rock the house with ease. NC500s are great, NC1200s are a real step up. I had a very nice Krell for a number of years that I never thought I'd part with, but after listening side by side with the NC500 build I decided to sell it. This ups the bar even further.
* Build quality is good by me.The XLR input lead cables use what looks like an extra layer of shielding which has been soldered to the back of the cabinet. In my past experience, these signal cables only used the 3 pins on the back of the XLR connector, but here there are 4 'conductors' including the extra (?) shielding. EDIT: I was wrong and after inspecting more closely it looks like the cables have the normal shielding which is soldered to the cabinet. For what looks like Pin 2 on the back of the XLR inputs, that too is soldered to the case. I'm going to do some more research on this.
I suppose the speaker leads could've been twisted a bit more tightly, but the wires he used are very nice and I doubt it makes a bit of difference in my application. He's using a standard Ghent Audio case, which are among the highest quality pre-fab cases you can get, and the front plate is customized with the VTV logo in the center as we've seen on their other amps. All the soldering is about as good as I tend to do myself, so no complaints there.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this particular amp configuration from VTV, especially at the price - and I'm sure it measures very well.
P.S. I also recently acquired a Nord Acoustics Nord Three SE Purifi-based integrated which I'll take apart and post separately. I'm using that one in a smaller office setting and it sounds great too and is highly recommended if you can get a decent price.
Attached are some internal pictures which I've taken no particular care in framing or making look pretty (for example, the dust particles come right off with compressed air).
* I didn't know this prior, but it looks like the NC1200s have the buffer on the same board, unlike the NC400s and 500s which require a second (Hypex stock or custom) buffer board. Here I opted for stock rather than any fancy op-amps (unsure what was even on offer in that regard) because I've got a lot of experience with the NC500s w/ stock everything and they sounded just fine. No 'house' sound to speak of. Just flat and clean.
* This amp tends to heat up A LOT on the bottom in the back on each side, so it would appear that it's the n-core modules that are responsible and not the big 3-channel-capable SMPS. In the past using NC500s it's been the SMPS that generates the most heat and it the larger XFMR seems to be the primary source, pun intended. I did purchase a set of 4 box fans to place underneath and wired up a little control knob to keep it cool because the temps were getting up to about 130-150F. That's a lot hotter than NC500s run in my experience. The fans aren't audible since I've got the amp in an enclosed built-in cabinet under the TV, which also contributes to heat build up over time. I drilled holes in the wood for all the various wires that go in and out, primarily to keep the aesthetics to my wife's liking.
* As far as sound goes, the thing is a beast. I'm particularly impressed by the dynamics coupled with the JBL speakers I'm using. Even at very low volume, most of the dynamics and details are still there. It can go from VERY soft to VERY loud in the same track and I hear no distortion at discotheque levels. I've also created an EQ setting on the RME ADI-2 v.2 for stereo home theater where I've boosted the bass and adjusted the midrange according to Amir's T&M report on the JBLs. No subwoofer needed, it's that good. I'm not sure what the general ASR consensus on damping factor is, or whether an 'official' test has been done on NC1200s, but it's gotta be very high. Extremely good control of the woofers. As cliche as it may be, it's a blast cueing up some old favorites and hearing new life breathed into them - at all volume levels. It's amazing what high power can do even if we only use the first few watts in most listening. It doesn't hurt that the speakers are very efficient. The closest thing I've heard in my own (admittedly limited) listening in terms of raw power is the IcePower 1200AS2, which I think might have more distortion than the Hypex. Both can rock the house with ease. NC500s are great, NC1200s are a real step up. I had a very nice Krell for a number of years that I never thought I'd part with, but after listening side by side with the NC500 build I decided to sell it. This ups the bar even further.
* Build quality is good by me.
I suppose the speaker leads could've been twisted a bit more tightly, but the wires he used are very nice and I doubt it makes a bit of difference in my application. He's using a standard Ghent Audio case, which are among the highest quality pre-fab cases you can get, and the front plate is customized with the VTV logo in the center as we've seen on their other amps. All the soldering is about as good as I tend to do myself, so no complaints there.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this particular amp configuration from VTV, especially at the price - and I'm sure it measures very well.
P.S. I also recently acquired a Nord Acoustics Nord Three SE Purifi-based integrated which I'll take apart and post separately. I'm using that one in a smaller office setting and it sounds great too and is highly recommended if you can get a decent price.
Attached are some internal pictures which I've taken no particular care in framing or making look pretty (for example, the dust particles come right off with compressed air).
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