if the measured results of the combination of SMPS1200A700, buffer board, and NC-500, meets or exceeds all of the measured data provided on the NC-400 spec sheet...
To date I haven't seen any measurement that suggest they do.
As far as I'm concerned, if the measured results of the combination of SMPS1200A700, buffer board, and NC-500, meets or exceeds all of the measured data provided on the NC-400 spec sheet, then any tests beyond that should be preformed subjectively.
And what does "preforming tests subjectively" mean? Casual, uncontrolled listening, or controlled test conditions (for example as described in the ITU recommendations I referred to earlier)?
Nah - it means listening after having swallowed a load of 'propaganda' about 47k resistor noise and op amp output current needs
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Eeesh guys, probably best to take it down about 10 notches. This is a SQ vs. Measurements thread right now, and not so much an NC500 thread. :/
The THD+N measurement data Richard provided was of his discrete opamp installed in his buffer board circuit.
May be I missed something, can you give a link? The only picture I've seen so far (2 pages before) only tells that there is no mains harmonics above ~ -120dB when idle. This picture doesn't suggest anything good about noise floor. And I also don't think it is a THD+N measurement as there is neither 1kHz spike nor any signs of rejection filter.
Eeesh guys, probably best to take it down about 10 notches. This is a SQ vs. Measurements thread right now, and not so much an NC500 thread. :/
Or is it is actually a discussion about how claims should and could be substantiated?
To date I haven't seen any measurement that suggest they do.
We will see what the OEM's come up with. Stiff competition out there these days.
And what does "preforming tests subjectively" mean? Casual, uncontrolled listening, or controlled test conditions (for example as described in the ITU recommendations I referred to earlier)?
If they want to put in earplugs and watch the audio data dance across the screen of a spectrum analyzer when evaluating the amp, let them. It doesn't matter. What matters is if they are satisfied with the product or not.
May be I missed something, can you give a link? The only picture I've seen so far (2 pages before) only tells that there is no mains harmonics above ~ -120dB when idle. This picture doesn't suggest anything good about noise floor. And I also don't think it is a THD+N measurement as there is neither 1kHz spike nor any signs of rejection filter.
That's a THD+N measurement, and that's all he provided. As I said earlier, any OEM who wants to use the circuit, will have to do their own measurements if they want more measured data.
If they want to put in earplugs and watch the audio data dance across the screen of a spectrum analyzer when evaluating the amp, let them. It doesn't matter. What matters is if they are satisfied with the product or not.
Yes - I think that was precisely what I wrote earlier:
Sure. And some people buy gear just based on how it looks, or because they like the brand. It is our own money, and as you write, we don't need to justify it to anyone.
Making recommendations to others, or making claims about the superiority of one piece of gear over another is a different story.
and
While organisations such as IEC and ITU have specified a bunch of useful test standards, it seems the high-end industry is mostly ignoring them- reflecting the positioning of "high-end" gear as lifestyle/luxury products rather than technical equipment.
Oh boy....
What do you suppose the measurement is of?
Does this one look better?

Or is it is actually a discussion about how claims should and could be substantiated?
Pretty much one in the same, wrt to subjective vs measurements. Anyhow, I'm not helping, so I'll peace out.
So we have 2 circuit designs, and 2 measured results provided by Nerdman. If his "Ultimate fix" circuit measured result is of THD+N like the measured result of the stock LM 4562 based buffer, this would mean he has one hell of a measurement system.
SGK says BS! Those measured results are not correct! Nerdman hasn't responded. So I guess from here to move forward one of the following things need to occur:
1: Nerdman chimes in to explain in detail how he came up with those measured results, and claims of 70mA being required from the NC-500's
2: Someone else builds the circuit (in real life) and provides measurement results.
3: Someone builds a completely different circuit and provides measurement results.
Here's the THD+N measurement of the 994 on its own:
SGK says BS! Those measured results are not correct! Nerdman hasn't responded. So I guess from here to move forward one of the following things need to occur:
1: Nerdman chimes in to explain in detail how he came up with those measured results, and claims of 70mA being required from the NC-500's
2: Someone else builds the circuit (in real life) and provides measurement results.
3: Someone builds a completely different circuit and provides measurement results.
Here's the THD+N measurement of the 994 on its own:

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This is becoming boring and tedious...I seem to have to repeat myself for bavmike.
Let's be clear. I challenged two statements: (1) that the 47k resistors were the dominant noise in the circuit and (2) that the "Hypex Amp needs current drive > 70mA"
Your words not mine
SGK says BS!
Let's be clear. I challenged two statements: (1) that the 47k resistors were the dominant noise in the circuit and (2) that the "Hypex Amp needs current drive > 70mA"
Those measured results are not correct!
Your words not mine
Okay, maybe Nerdman will respond to this. The claim of 70mA being required does seem high, but I'm not going to argue with a guy who not only has produced an opamp that sounds stunning with the NC-500's, but has also backed it up with measured results.
Looking back in my emails from months ago I have found a measurement plot of the bone stock Hypex OEM LM 4562 boards after the resistor change. So now we can compare measured results of the “before” and “after":
Looking back in my emails from months ago I have found a measurement plot of the bone stock Hypex OEM LM 4562 boards after the resistor change. So now we can compare measured results of the “before” and “after":


a measurement plot of the bone stock Hypex OEM LM 4562 boards...
Those are ~two orders of magnitude worse than stock Hypex LM4562 based buffers as found on the NC1200 or on the UcD boards... For the NC1200 you can find measured results in the datasheet and I doubt the stock buffer for NC500 is any different. For the UcD the main contributor of distortion is not the buffer but the noise floor is still as low as with the nCore. So, as 'measurements' in your post are a lot worse from the datasheets and from a general experience from users of those modules/amps, please stop posting them until you can describe the conditions and procedures in detail. There is definitely something very wrong with them. As you can't support those 'measurements' in any meaningful way - there is nothing to discuss.
Note that the data sheet 'recommended buffer' typology doesn't have the R14 2.2M resistor between the two 47k. Just ground R9 R13 in your drawing. I believe the equivalent references in Colin's Rev B are R6 and R11 - with R5 being the resistor not included in the rec design.
Not that these resistors contribute much noise (pV) to the buffer in a properly deployed circuit. Add 470u DC blocking caps and they'll contribute even less (any noise is low-pass filtered) and there will be protection against poorly designed/functioning source equipment.
The dominant noise sources are (Colin's rev B) R7 (3.3k), R9 (1.5K) R12 (3.3K). Their noise is amplified by the op amps. Improving on that requires a more complex circuit but it is possible.
Not that these resistors contribute much noise (pV) to the buffer in a properly deployed circuit. Add 470u DC blocking caps and they'll contribute even less (any noise is low-pass filtered) and there will be protection against poorly designed/functioning source equipment.
The dominant noise sources are (Colin's rev B) R7 (3.3k), R9 (1.5K) R12 (3.3K). Their noise is amplified by the op amps. Improving on that requires a more complex circuit but it is possible.
I agree with Igor. As I have said before the first plot is so bad there must be a lot more wrong. It certainly isn't the 47k resistors!
Those are ~two orders of magnitude worse than stock Hypex LM4562 based buffers as found on the NC1200 or on the UcD boards... For the NC1200 you can find measured results in the datasheet and I doubt the stock buffer for NC500 is any different. For the UcD the main contributor of distortion is not the buffer but the noise floor is still as low as with the nCore. So, as 'measurements' in your post are a lot worse from the datasheets and from a general experience from users of those modules/amps, please stop posting them until you can describe the conditions and procedures in detail. There is definitely something very wrong with them. As you can't support those 'measurements' in any meaningful way - there is nothing to discuss.
I'm just sharing Richards measurement results. If someone else has measured them as well, maybe they can share and we can compare.
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