Why Pay More For Purifi 9040 vs Hypex NCX2k?

[pablolie]

Sorry to veer slightly off topic but I've asked before and the question still nags. Is it worth upgrading to class D from a "Proper" late 90's heavyweight amp like a Bryston or Threshold? I'm tempted to have a go at a DIY class D amp but will I hear a difference?

I don't think anyone can reliably answer that for you, even knowing what you have and what you're considering. We could probably discuss things like "what measures more linear?" and such, but can't answer how much of a difference you'd hear and whether it'd sound "better" to you.

 

[ahofer]

Sorry to veer slightly off topic but I've asked before and the question still nags. Is it worth upgrading to class D from a "Proper" late 90's heavyweight amp like a Bryston or Threshold? I'm tempted to have a go at a DIY class D amp but will I hear a difference?

I’m going to say no (shocker). But your AC bills will go up and your heat bill will go down. I switched from an old Adcom space heater (300 Watts). I did an only-slightly controlled blind test with my son switching cables and making a volume adjustment and couldn’t tell which was which.

 

[Everett T]

Sorry to veer slightly off topic but I've asked before and the question still nags. Is it worth upgrading to class D from a "Proper" late 90's heavyweight amp like a Bryston or Threshold? I'm tempted to have a go at a DIY class D amp but will I hear a difference?

If you don't her audible distortion or clipping, no reason to change other than knowing that one amp measures better than the other, inaudibly, and want that distinction. Without seeing measurements of those two it's difficult to say, except what you hear. I sold off my McIntosh gear for lighter gear and couldn't notice a difference in sound

 

[oleg87]

if you want, you can watch a nilai vs purifi vs ice - on youtube. its just three guys in a living room swapping amps and listening to the same songs. and tell me you can`t spot significant difference between them. im certainly fanboy of either of them. and not an owner

Ok, let's check the levels
Eigentakt to reference: -0.1dB
Nilai to reference: -3.8dB
IcePower to reference: -3db

 

[alvigg]

Sorry to veer slightly off topic but I've asked before and the question still nags. Is it worth upgrading to class D from a "Proper" late 90's heavyweight amp like a Bryston or Threshold? I'm tempted to have a go at a DIY class D amp but will I hear a difference?

I did just that. My amps lost hundreds of pounds and sounded better. ATI to Buckeye

 

[oleg87]

be sure to watch the youtube comparison proving you lot wrong

For anyone curious to try a version of this that might at least be *slightly* useful, i've level-matched/synced an extract of the Eigentakt and Nilai recordings where the mic didn't pick up extraneous noises and put together an abx test out of it: https://abx.funkybits.fr/test/eigentakt-vs-nilai-from-youtube

 

[1roger]

Ok, let's check the levels
Eigentakt to reference: -0.1dB
Nilai to reference: -3.8dB
IcePower to reference: -3db

not saying you are wrong, but how would you measure db levels as off through a cam recording of a room. or did I misunderstand your point completely. in any event, well done if you are right

 

[1roger]

"As yourself, what could make those amps sound different? It's not noise or distortion (we can't hear that). It's not a treble boost on the high hats (flat across the frequency range).
What could make such a huge difference that we actually hear it ... but it doesn't show in measurements ..."

different amp topology design between hypex, purify and ice. and different electrical components in the circuitry

 

[Everett T]

not saying you are wrong, but how would you measure db levels as off through a cam recording of a room. or did I misunderstand your point completely

What in room measurements change anything?

 

[1roger]

What in room measurements change anything?

well, in my thought process..measuring sound from the cam is not the same as measuring speakers directly IN room. btw not trying to be difficult im just struggling to see how this could end up accurate

 

[Buckeye Amps]

different amp topology design between hypex, purify and ice. and different electrical components in the circuitry

What about these things would make the sound different to where only our ears can hear the difference?

 

[101geo]

I’m going to say no (shocker). But your AC bills will go up and your heat bill will go down. I switched from an old Adcom space heater (300 Watts). I did an only-slightly controlled blind test with my son switching cables and making a volume adjustment and couldn’t tell which was which.

Indeed but there's something visceral about large chunky aluminium amps all sat in a row. I feel an itch for a pair of 1200 wpc Icepower amps in custom enclosures. Best of both worlds!

 

[Sokel]

I feel an itch for a pair of 1200 wpc Icepower amps in custom enclosures. Best of both worlds!

Done right and there's no difference, I have tested them a thousand times., they can drive trains.
Do note that you'll need a generous voltage source for foul potential.

 

[101geo]

Done right and there's no difference, I have tested them a thousand times., they can drive trains.
Do note that you'll need a generous voltage source for foul potential.

Do they not come with integral power supplies? Or am I misunderstanding you?

 

[Sokel]

Do they not come with integral power supplies? Or am I misunderstanding you?

They do, in fact they can power external modules at the same time, as 300a1/2 and 400a1/2, they are essentially plug (or put) and play.
What they need is a good case for thermals.

It would also be a shame not to take advantage of their on board controls and indicators, they have a gazillion of them.

Edit: now I see your talking about my voltage source note, I mean the pre or DAC or...

 

[1roger]

What about these things would make the sound different to where only our ears can hear the difference?

can`t go deep into this subject as ive only built a bunch of amps, never designed one and never will^^ too me its just very likely 2 audio product which have different overall design, completely different components and fine tuned by different people in the design process. inherently also will likely sound different from each other

 

[101geo]

You mean your ears not our ears. I refer to Lord Kelvin again "If you measure you know"

 

[Buckeye Amps]

can`t go deep into this subject as ive only built a bunch of amps, never designed one and never will^^ too me its just very likely 2 audio product which have different overall design, completely different components and fine tuned by different people in the design process. inherently also will likely sound different from each other

So you have zero evidence and, just as importantly, zero knowledge to make such a guess. Got it.

 

[1roger]

So you have zero evidence and, just as importantly, zero knowledge to make such a guess. Got it.

yup a small time version of you lot. builder. not designer of these collection of components

 

[Buckeye Amps]

yup an inferior version of you lot. builder. not designer of these collection of components

Then why do you seem to not want to listen to those who provide knowledge and evidence?

Just because you "think" one amp should sound different than another amp (which is a thought based on no evidence or experience)?