This is part of the beauty and genius behind Hypex amps. I also think a strong reasons for why Hypex now pushes the SMPS over a LPS design. Easier build with less tech support while still offering extremely high results. Almost a "no brainer" for entry level DIY power amps.
After reading close to 1000 pages of this thread I will probably go the LPS route as well. After the testing / modding that I have done with my Ucd's builds, it makes the most sense that a Ncore with a LPS done properly will have results I'm looking for.
I was hoping to read that the newer SMPS Hypex units are far superior to the recommended smps400A4000's that I used in my SMPS amp with UcD400HG with HxR's. It sounds as if most guys go the SMPS route out of easy of build and Hypex recommendation.
Either way, both of my Ucd's sound really great. I will be amazed/pleased if the Ncore's sound better then the UcD's.
A side note: Proper PSU management will change the performance of all opamps, discrete or IC. So getting the PSU right first makes the most sense to me. After that is when I would try opamp options. In my experience most datasheets only show what is needed to make things run stable, not always optimal. Once I nail down which version of PSU and Hypex modules I like best, I may test opamp options.
Anyway, thanks guys for your input.
Last edited:
A bit off topic, does anyone have any experience of calibrating the voltage protection on NC500s? I'm still having problems with dropouts when using HxR regulators in the input buffer (no problem with the standard Hypex board).
I've read about 2 or 3 people who had similar issues with the NC400 and cured it with this process: Post 2746.
I can see that the NC500 has the same 5-pin programming header as the NC400 and wondered if the same process could apply.
I've read about 2 or 3 people who had similar issues with the NC400 and cured it with this process: Post 2746.
I can see that the NC500 has the same 5-pin programming header as the NC400 and wondered if the same process could apply.
Don't people off by being elitist! I think it's perfectly fine to call it DIY.. and it encourages people to get involved even more.
Where should a DIYer start? In at the deep end? Or are we only allowed to join the forum with a provable CV of previous DIY projects?
Ironically this thread, for the last 20 pages or so, has become a thread about a ready-made product as produced by Boggit for profit. Now that definately can't be called DIY...
Boggit generously offered Nord One Up amps with RCAs installed, so that is no longer a problem. I can change those back to XLRs myself, and if needed, after the warranty has expired. I don't want anything extra there, that even could affect the sound or even have negative placebo effect.
I can see myself getting another amp (at least for now
Try to get in on the Group Buy for Bruno Putzy's balanced pre-amp design..
I'm currently using a Pass Labs X2 (cost me £650) and it's superb with the ncores (balanced output) so there should also be an equivalent Pass Labs DIY project on this forum to follow.
Real life, truely natural sound doesn't sound warm and lush to my ears.
Life to my ears sounds open and fresh and vibrant and full of infinte detail. With a good field recording that's what the nc400s give me.
I get strident sound coming through when I hear some studio recordings, more apparent on speech - I hear the response of the microphones and the eq choices and data compression used for streaming internet radio for example.
A good example is a BBC Radio 3 program called "The Late Junction" the speech is often harsh and could be fatiguing due to the studio choices.. yet a lot of the music is lush and warm where it has been recorded as such. Such a contrast within the same program using the same amps implies to me that the amp is being transparent to the source.
Recordings that ARE warm and lush using recording equipment deliberately chosen for a warm and lush sound do indeed sound lush and warm through the nc400s.
If an amp ALWAYS sounds warm and lush no matter what the sound of the source, then it's not a good amp because it colours the sound too much. If you like the sound of an amp which colours then that is perfectly valid as a personal choice.
hypex ncore
Nobody did but if an LPS outperforms the SMPS1200A700, then the Theta should outperform both the Mola Mola Kaluga and Bel Canto Black, both of which use the SMPS1200A700. The only other difference is the input buffers.
Maybe a more direct comparison would be the Acoustic imagery Atsah 1200 vs the Theta prometheus
The only difference I'm aware of between the 2 is the power supply. If Theta made additional tweaks, you would assume they were to improve performance.
Nobody did but if an LPS outperforms the SMPS1200A700, then the Theta should outperform both the Mola Mola Kaluga and Bel Canto Black, both of which use the SMPS1200A700. The only other difference is the input buffers.
Maybe a more direct comparison would be the Acoustic imagery Atsah 1200 vs the Theta prometheus
The only difference I'm aware of between the 2 is the power supply. If Theta made additional tweaks, you would assume they were to improve performance.
Sometimes we hear what we want to hear. I think many just dismiss SMPS purely on ideological grounds - the truth is that both LPS and SMPS can be done well and bad, that they have different strengths. To me it makes sense to so SMPS with Class D - I love My Mighty Tiny Amp. Kudos to Bruno and the Hypex guys.
True, the only way to really know is to build up identical units with comparably specs but different PSU topology. Then do listening test on multiple speaker setups with a few different trusted sets of ears like I have done.
In our testing we used some Tyler DX 1's, ProAc 100's and a pair of custom high emotion audio speakers. The things that translated across all speakers and that everyone noticed seems to be a fair way to judge the differences.
Now that's an Amp and a half!
Some small % of my feedback of the 2 Op Amps I offer lead me to belive, well I don't know! That some people just like completely different sound. Personely I don't think there is a HUGE difference between the Sparkos and the Burson ie I hate this amp, I love this one. But some do! Strange old hobby!
Some small % of my feedback of the 2 Op Amps I offer lead me to belive, well I don't know! That some people just like completely different sound. Personely I don't think there is a HUGE difference between the Sparkos and the Burson ie I hate this amp, I love this one. But some do! Strange old hobby!
It is funny that people can fuss over things like op amps. So much energy spent on minutae which may or may not make a difference. Such is this hobby. Want to add something to your system which actually does make a big difference? Try a pair of RPG Modex Plates. (Btw one of the few things I have found which is cheaper in the UK than in the US. Go get!)
Last time I did ABX was about thirty odd years ago. Then everybody forgot about them. Only goes to show, what goes around, comes around. Would like to be part of one again, but very hard to find anybody that could be bothered. Most just like to make up their own mind, right or wrong. OK with me.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.