Have had the rev c boards with Sonic Imagery op amps for a couple of days now and they are definitely better than the Burson V5s that I had been using for some time. They make instruments seem more real and clearer.
Still got the Sparkos that I did not like originally perhaps some time in the future I will try them with the rev c boards.
Still got the Sparkos that I did not like originally perhaps some time in the future I will try them with the rev c boards.
Rest of system is Audio lab 8200 CDQ (Soon to be Lake west FDAC) and Troels Gravesen designed Illumina 66 floor standing speakers. All works very well together.
After more consideration, I think i am going to use LME49990 (with Rev C board) on my system, instead of the SI994:s. It just suits my system better overall and everything is just right. Which does not mean SI994 is bad in anyway. But for instance in my room acoustics the bolder and bigger bass is just too overwhelming. It messes with so many things i have been trying to avoid now when i have more control of the result.
Also i just feel more relaxed while listening to LME49990, the sound is more laid back but still provide great sound stage with depth (like OPA2132P, but better). This is just a personal preference too. I might try SI994 later, but I think its just trying to fix something that is already really good and as near perfection as i understand it.
Also i just feel more relaxed while listening to LME49990, the sound is more laid back but still provide great sound stage with depth (like OPA2132P, but better). This is just a personal preference too. I might try SI994 later, but I think its just trying to fix something that is already really good and as near perfection as i understand it.
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Where can I get hold of a pair of LME49990? I thought they were no longer produced?
I have had about 15 hours of music time now without buffers, and I can confirm my initial reaction. It is the best way to utilise this amp within my System. I have just enough gain (10-15 db prior to max on 85.5 db speakers) for any source - (including a Film and upsampled DSD with correction filters), which means my noise floor appears to be rock bottom.
By the way - I too find the Hypex Buffer boards slightly plasticy, however I found if I implemented a gentle slope from 1000khz to 48,000khz (-6.8db) cut out the slightly hard edge and presented a much more realistic sound stage.
I have had about 15 hours of music time now without buffers, and I can confirm my initial reaction. It is the best way to utilise this amp within my System. I have just enough gain (10-15 db prior to max on 85.5 db speakers) for any source - (including a Film and upsampled DSD with correction filters), which means my noise floor appears to be rock bottom.
By the way - I too find the Hypex Buffer boards slightly plasticy, however I found if I implemented a gentle slope from 1000khz to 48,000khz (-6.8db) cut out the slightly hard edge and presented a much more realistic sound stage.
They're still available in a few places. RS Online in the UK for example. And free UK delivery.
Hi Sebby
So are you saying the default HYPEX Input Buffer is not completely transparent ? I still find my nc500 on the bright side compared to everything else I've had in my system.
Thanks
Thanks SGK I will order a pair now and some DIP adaptors.
Might be a couple of weeks till I have time to listen to them.
Might be a couple of weeks till I have time to listen to them.
Come over and listen 🙂 Then you can tell me!
I never said they were transparent, I said my Hi-Fi is pretty transparent and I aspire to having a transparent Hi-Fi, objectively and subjectively.
The boards are neutral, but the combined amplifier is certainly not the best amplification I have heard in my system. They're the best that I had tried with the NC500's prior to going bufferless.
Just seen your edit: What input buffers are you using? You can borrow my Sonic Imagery's if your using the standard buffers. Many minds is better than one.
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DID ANYONE BUT THE VENDOR Listen to NC500 VS 400 side by side ?
Why this need of reworked inputt buffers ? Did Bruno missed Something or Hifist just like colored music and need of different buffer to adapt their tastes ?
Is a too damped sound of the Hypex amps or just matter of tastes about the Fhz curves with different buffer ! The more I read this thread the more I want to go thre opposite with expensive electrical cunsumption Class A !
What is the average equilibrium here between the two Hypex units ? Just a matter of integration with the sources and the speakers than the vendor manage for the health of his wallet, or maybe a to exclusice sound from Hypex (monitoring sound ?)
Why this need of reworked inputt buffers ? Did Bruno missed Something or Hifist just like colored music and need of different buffer to adapt their tastes ?
Is a too damped sound of the Hypex amps or just matter of tastes about the Fhz curves with different buffer ! The more I read this thread the more I want to go thre opposite with expensive electrical cunsumption Class A !
What is the average equilibrium here between the two Hypex units ? Just a matter of integration with the sources and the speakers than the vendor manage for the health of his wallet, or maybe a to exclusice sound from Hypex (monitoring sound ?)
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I haven't listened to them side-by-side and it was two years ago since I had the NC400's. I won't bother trying to do a comparison, every component has changed.
I will say - the power of the NC500 is addictive.
I will say - the power of the NC500 is addictive.
How will you describe the difference in relation to the sound please ?
After all they are relativly close in power and hability to drive low impedance speakers !
For instance, is one snappier in the bass, or subjectivly deeper in the low end, etc ! I now this is subjective but it will help to illustrate your thought about more powerness behavior of one over the second 🙂
It's to try to follow, I rate pretty high my own amp which has smps PS but not an hypex amp design, mine is an old Chord SPM 1000 B I find good between power and musical behavior !
After all they are relativly close in power and hability to drive low impedance speakers !
For instance, is one snappier in the bass, or subjectivly deeper in the low end, etc ! I now this is subjective but it will help to illustrate your thought about more powerness behavior of one over the second 🙂
It's to try to follow, I rate pretty high my own amp which has smps PS but not an hypex amp design, mine is an old Chord SPM 1000 B I find good between power and musical behavior !
If Hypex sold discrete buffer boards based on the NC400 discrete opamp circuit, then that would be a formidable option. It would be what the Mola Mola Kaluga uses if that were the case.
I honestly couldn't. I am not saying the NC400's have less susceptible power. I just don't remember them having this much drive at the insane volumes I have tried with lower sensitivity speakers, but that might be rubbish 🙂 My hearing may of aged - who knows.
I have even moved house in that time!
I do know someone who has the Nc400's who is keen to do a showdown, but its just the small matter of finding time 🙁
I have even moved house in that time!
I do know someone who has the Nc400's who is keen to do a showdown, but its just the small matter of finding time 🙁
Hi Bavmike ,
Do I understand you rate the NC400 higher than the NC500 while liking the better equilibrium the power of the NC1200 gives ?
Do I understand you rate the NC400 higher than the NC500 while liking the better equilibrium the power of the NC1200 gives ?
I have compared them head to head many times. I prefer the NC-500's higher power delivery, and the more natural sound from my SIL-994 based buffer. They also measure better if that means anything.
Maybe the different subjective curve is more confortable with higher volume with the NC500 : you know Fletcher & Mundson curve changes a little with spl ! I'm sure the NC400 has no higher distorsion than the NC500 tweaked with Noisier outsourced buffers. You may subjectivly like more the buffer than the Hypex amp module (façon de parler !)
I have to say all my speakers sound (with the same devices) tottaly different from a room to an other ! Even the good Kef 104/2 ref which are my second best speakers 🙂 (love them )