hypex ncore

[gillib]

Listen, listen, listen...

Try the SMPS600 and listen, try another PS, listen...

Keep the better one.

IOM only the source seems to be the weekest link.

I love the amps, I listen to them since January.

gillib

[Ianmac]

Originally Posted by pieter t

It is up to members if they want to discuss the power supply subject.
A discussion on power supplies will always make sense when amplifiers are at stake. Especially in the case of class D and class A/B amplifiers the influence of the power supply on sound quality is big, and can not be underestimated.

My point was that IMO the information provided here by Hypex was misleading.
Not anyone is able to read and interprete datasheets well.

I'm sorry if I gave you the impression I was trying to stop discussion on power supply issues I was not.. Indeed we have a section in the forum to do just that.
You have edited the sentence I used in my post and commented on what is now a distorted view of my response to the previous post

The information provided by Hypex is IMO crystal clear. They state that the main output voltage(s) is proportional to the input mains voltage. ( Note 3 page 4) (Note1 page 8) and that these are fully short circuit protected (Note 2 page 8) one concludes to work with the protection circuitry to avoid damage to a connected loudspeaker. I have unintentionally tried this with a Ucd400 and SMPS400 and it works.

The auxilary voltage(s) is also proportional to the input mains voltage ( Note 1 page 8) but does not include any short circuit protection (note 2 page 8). I used this voltage pair to drive my LED indicators on my chassis.

I have listened to my NCores now for some weeks and in my book they are the best amps Ive owned and the last thing I would want to do is tweak in any fashion the excellent design and marriage of a Power Supply and Amplifier as provided by an NCore and SMPS600.
Its plug and play with some thought given to the layout.

No doubt there will be those who think they can and build power supplies like generating stations which will also heat their homes.

Listen listen listen
enjoy enjoy enjoy
the only downside is they may highlight the weak links in your Hi Fi chain

[pieter t]

Originally Posted by Ianmac

I'm sorry if I gave you the impression I was trying to stop discussion on power supply issues I was not.. Indeed we have a section in the forum to do just that.
You have edited the sentence I used in my post and commented on what is now a distorted view of my response to the previous post

The information provided by Hypex is IMO crystal clear. They state that the main output voltage(s) is proportional to the input mains voltage. ( Note 3 page 4) (Note1 page 8) and that these are fully short circuit protected (Note 2 page 8) one concludes to work with the protection circuitry to avoid damage to a connected loudspeaker. I have unintentionally tried this with a Ucd400 and SMPS400 and it works.

The auxilary voltage(s) is also proportional to the input mains voltage ( Note 1 page 8) but does not include any short circuit protection (note 2 page 8). I used this voltage pair to drive my LED indicators on my chassis.

I have listened to my NCores now for some weeks and in my book they are the best amps Ive owned and the last thing I would want to do is tweak in any fashion the excellent design and marriage of a Power Supply and Amplifier as provided by an NCore and SMPS600.
Its plug and play with some thought given to the layout.

No doubt there will be those who think they can and build power supplies like generating stations which will also heat their homes.

Listen listen listen
enjoy enjoy enjoy
the only downside is they may highlight the weak links in your Hi Fi chain

Ian,

The misleading information is about the power supplies to be of the voltage regulating variety, or not.
Once more, Hypex SMPS's are unregulated power supplies, which is clear when checking the datasheets. Some members believed the supplies to be voltage regulated.

About heat generating power supplies: based on the feedback here I guess that the SMPS600 generates more heat than a linear power supply.

[Ianmac]

I have revisited the Hypex data sheets and the only issue I can see is that they call the Auxillary Voltages unregulated. Perhaps implying to some that the main voltages are regulated. It may be a term to describe the lack of S/C protection and auto shut down has been mixed up with unregulated?
I have commented before that I thought the Hypex data sheets would benefit from a simple schematic showing all the interconnects and options - to me a drawing speaks a thousand words.

My N Core have been on all day and there is no issue with SMPS or Ncore generating heat. The amp cases are relatively cool, slightly cooler than my UcD400/SMPS400.
Both my Ucd and Ncore case designs are identical and I did ensure adequate ventilation for the case to operate vertically behind my speakers with very short cables or in conventional horizontal mode on a rack or shelf.
Perhaps some of those giving feedback of a heat issue may have fallen short on allowing adequate airflow through the case?

[serengetiplains]

Sonic effects of psu voltage fluctuations (by definition, those fluctuations must create such effects) can be remedied in part by operating two Ncores in bridge mode.

[pos]

Originally Posted by Ianmac

Both my Ucd and Ncore case designs are identical and I did ensure adequate ventilation for the case to operate vertically behind my speakers with very short cables or in conventional horizontal mode on a rack or shelf.

That is what I intent to do. Could you please post pictures?

[Jan-Peter]

Originally Posted by Julf

Jan-Peter,

My apologies for dragging on with this conversation, but I am just trying to understand how the SMPS600 works. What is the difference between the "normal" output voltage (J2:1+2, J2:7+8) and the "unregulated" aux voltage (J1:3, J1:7) apart from impedance/current capability?

I don't understand the confusing, the SMPS600 is unregulated. The fact we have written expliciet for the aux. voltage that these are unregulated doesn't means that the high power rails are regulated.

The SMPS600 has one transformer, all voltages are generated from one transformer and are all proportional to the input voltage.

[Julf]

Originally Posted by Jan-Peter

The fact we have written expliciet for the aux. voltage that these are unregulated doesn't means that the high power rails are regulated.

Thanks for the clarification, Jan-Peter.

[Bruno Putzeys]

There is not a single regulator on the SMPS600. Its main benefit, as I have stated several times in this thread, lies in the synchronously rectified secondary side. The UcD and NC amps have symmetrical PSRR. Since the synchronous rectifiers force the ripple to be symmetrical, it cancels in the amp. As a result, the benefit of regulation (reduced AC mains components in the output signal) is obtained without the trouble of regulation.

@Pieter T., Z.

[Juhleren]

Originally Posted by Bruno Putzeys

There is not a single regulator on the SMPS600. Its main benefit, as I have stated several times in this thread, lies in the synchronously rectified secondary side. The UcD and NC amps have symmetrical PSRR. Since the synchronous rectifiers force the ripple to be symmetrical, it cancels in the amp. As a result, the benefit of regulation (reduced AC mains components in the output signal) is obtained without the trouble of regulation.

@Pieter T., Z.

Thanks, this makes good sense.
Clever way to do it

A rather different question if I may:

For the NCORE, besides the extra power potential of the smps600 and its driver supply, what should be the reason for choosing the smps600 over the smps400?

Are these designs essentially similar and should deliver the same sound quality on the Ncore´s if used within their respective power spec´s?

Or, is tweaking/specific ncore tuning playing in on the performance?

best,