hypex ncore

[Mark Verhoeven]

If they had send mine as promised in Week 11, there would have been another review, but that isn't the case.... Still waiting... (until week 18)

[akasha]

sorry for you, I just made an order, wonder how many nc400 is out there, not much writing bout actual performance, I hope it's because people are too busy enjoying and listening to music :0)

[RogerSch]

Today I'll finish the assembly of the last 3 NCore's. Then I'll close the lid of the cases and do some testing on some cheap mini loudspeakers to verify if there are no thermal problems whit the cases. After that I'll install my 5 NCore's in the main AV system. I hope to do this tomorrow. Only then I can start doing some listening tests.
So have some patience...

[Audioschipper]

Originally Posted by RogerSch

Today I'll finish the assembly of the last 3 NCore's. Then I'll close the lid of the cases and do some testing on some cheap mini loudspeakers to verify if there are no thermal problems whit the cases. After that I'll install my 5 NCore's in the main AV system. I hope to do this tomorrow. Only then I can start doing some listening tests.
So have some patience...

[kbergsson]

Originally Posted by akasha

sorry for you, I just made an order, wonder how many nc400 is out there, not much writing bout actual performance, I hope it's because people are too busy enjoying and listening to music :0)

I can try to put some words on performance. I have revealing speakers and have been using tube amps exclusively for many years so I was afraid the Ncores would be too clinical for my tastes. Also because many of my records contain music i love but are far from audiophile quality.
This fear was unfounded. The Ncores are dynamic from top to bottom and in my system present a homogenious, big, believable and stable 3d image. They are detailed and resolve a lot of fine detail from records and CDs (Aiff files). They are at the same time musical and never sound harsh or edgy, still brass has bite, voices are full of emotion and drums have slam. Im enjoying all of my records, from the simple to the complex, rock, jazz, prog, classical etc..
I have a small problem with one of the nc400 modules, fluctuating off and on when I have had it turned on for 5hours. Still I have ordered new boxes and a second SMPS600 so I can implement Ncore monoblocks using the preferred xlr balanced setup. I have a feeling the Ncores will be in my system for a long time.

My system is at the moment: VPI Classic with Shure V15VxMR, Leben RS28CX preamp and the Ncore NC400s, Altec Lansing Model 17 (604-8g and 620A) with Werner Jagusch autoformer crossovers, Mac / Pure Music / Zero DAC (not the best or most resolved of dacs but errs on the musical side).
Regards
Kjartan

[ArthurDK]

Thanks for your input Kjartan :-)

Some years ago I build some LC Audio 2.3 dual mono Class D amps, which had an unbelievable control in the bottom, but sounded a little bit harsh in the upper mids. But still I liked them.

Later I build a NewClassD amp, with the high end discrete opamps in the input stage. That one sounded much better, and I think I would have kept it, if it wasnt for a not too well designed crossover in my ScanSpeak based speakers.

After that I had a Bewitch 6550 tube amp, which sounded good but had too little power to drive my speakers.

Right now I use a Musical Fidelity A3 for the side systems (1", 6 1/2" and 10" SS), and a Hypex 4.0 for the bottom (12" SS).

It sounds quite good, but I suppose youre allways on the hunt for something better ;-)

The Hypex substituted another plateamp, and gave a substantial better control.

Thanks
Arthur.

[akasha]

Originally Posted by kbergsson

I can try to put some words on performance. I have revealing speakers and have been using tube amps exclusively for many years so I was afraid the Ncores would be too clinical for my tastes. Also because many of my records contain music i love but are far from audiophile quality.
This fear was unfounded. The Ncores are dynamic from top to bottom and in my system present a homogenious, big, believable and stable 3d image. They are detailed and resolve a lot of fine detail from records and CDs (Aiff files). They are at the same time musical and never sound harsh or edgy, still brass has bite, voices are full of emotion and drums have slam. Im enjoying all of my records, from the simple to the complex, rock, jazz, prog, classical etc..
I have a small problem with one of the nc400 modules, fluctuating off and on when I have had it turned on for 5hours. Still I have ordered new boxes and a second SMPS600 so I can implement Ncore monoblocks using the preferred xlr balanced setup. I have a feeling the Ncores will be in my system for a long time.

My system is at the moment: VPI Classic with Shure V15VxMR, Leben RS28CX preamp and the Ncore NC400s, Altec Lansing Model 17 (604-8g and 620A) with Werner Jagusch autoformer crossovers, Mac / Pure Music / Zero DAC (not the best or most resolved of dacs but errs on the musical side).
Regards
Kjartan

Thanks Kjartan,
great and informative text, you cover so much in few words, all the way around.
I hope you get the (thermal?) on off problem solved soon

[3lviz]

Originally Posted by akasha

sorry for you, I just made an order, wonder how many nc400 is out there, not much writing bout actual performance, I hope it's because people are too busy enjoying and listening to music :0)

That might be right. Only the ones having technical problems are mostly talking, and of course the ones helping them.

If nCore had some sort of characteristic "sound" maybe then people would be cheering more of how it "sounds great" but since there is little to none characteristics in the sound, its very hard to grasp how to describe it, other than it sounds like the record you are playing (or the speakers and acoustics). In other words, it performs very very well.

I predict that for many nCore owners it will be the one component that is easily forgotten it is part of audio reproduction and once you get used to it's level of transparency not many other things will satisfy. And nCore is very easy to get used to.

[Julf]

Originally Posted by 3lviz

I predict that for many nCore owners it will be the one component that is easily forgotten it is part of audio reproduction and once you get used to it's level of transparency not many other things will satisfy. And nCore is very easy to get used to.

I have to agree - haven't posted any listening impressions, because it is pretty clear that until I get my speakers upgraded, all I am hearing are the faults of the speakers...

[StigErik]

I've been listening to the NC400's for almost 3 1/2 months now, and there isnt really much to say about them..... which is a good thing! :-)