The DACs inside Fusion amps are quite decent and the amplifiers even more. You could also go Fusion all the way...
(E.g. a 252 in bridge for sub and two 253 for 3way stereo)
I am using Fusionamps almost 3 years for now. My sources are PC, a blu-ray player, a smart TV and sometimes a gaming console.
Currently using the analogue inputs of two FA253 (3-way stereo speakers), feeded by a NAD C510 (because it have more connections than FA, volume and source display, remote and already had that before the Fusions and not least, functions as a master device with a master/slave power strip, where the slaves are the Fusions).
Yeah, there is an unnecessary D/A-A/D cycle and thus "anti-audiophile", but my ears (and others who have heard so far) don't mind.
Currently using the analogue inputs of two FA253 (3-way stereo speakers), feeded by a NAD C510 (because it have more connections than FA, volume and source display, remote and already had that before the Fusions and not least, functions as a master device with a master/slave power strip, where the slaves are the Fusions).
Yeah, there is an unnecessary D/A-A/D cycle and thus "anti-audiophile", but my ears (and others who have heard so far) don't mind.
Thanks! Attention, subjective audiophile buzzwords are coming! They sounds smooth, neutral, full bodied, dynamic, punchy. Yeah, sibilance drives me crazy too, but that's more of a tweeter question than an amplifier I think, at least with the Fusionamps.
The tweeter on the pics is a Faital Pro HF108R with a STH100 horn, that's a very good compression driver for home usage, great control of sibilance, smooth, detailed, powerful, non-fatiguing if used right with the connected horn/waveguide, which is not easy with passive crossover.
Recently I experimented with a Viawave GRT-145W true ribbon tweeter (which is not least an upgrade from the SB Satori Beryllium dome in Joachim Gerhard's Suesskind Beo line speakers) and wow, all the goods of the compression driver but with astonishing resolution and it's even smoother with subjectively better transient response, although the sheer SPL capability is probably lower than of the CD+horn.
After all, I think Fusionamps (even the analog inputs) can even serve such a high definition tweeter.
Btw, it is interesting to mention that the Fusionamps are used by a German loudspeaker manufacturer company named Lyravox. They paired the FAs with ceramic midranges and the most expensive diamond dome tweeters in the 20K-30K+ Euro price category.
The tweeter on the pics is a Faital Pro HF108R with a STH100 horn, that's a very good compression driver for home usage, great control of sibilance, smooth, detailed, powerful, non-fatiguing if used right with the connected horn/waveguide, which is not easy with passive crossover.
Recently I experimented with a Viawave GRT-145W true ribbon tweeter (which is not least an upgrade from the SB Satori Beryllium dome in Joachim Gerhard's Suesskind Beo line speakers) and wow, all the goods of the compression driver but with astonishing resolution and it's even smoother with subjectively better transient response, although the sheer SPL capability is probably lower than of the CD+horn.
After all, I think Fusionamps (even the analog inputs) can even serve such a high definition tweeter.
Btw, it is interesting to mention that the Fusionamps are used by a German loudspeaker manufacturer company named Lyravox. They paired the FAs with ceramic midranges and the most expensive diamond dome tweeters in the 20K-30K+ Euro price category.
Yes, some hiss are audible from the HF108R even at the listening position (in a quiet room appr. 2,5m), but absolutely non-disturbing and after a few music notes the hiss are inaudibe by ear, but don't forget that driver is 109dB/2.83V sensitive.
I tried a fixed -11dB L-pad (made from 10W Jantzen Superes resistors, EQ-ed to the same response as without it), the hiss became totally inaudible, but the subjective detail retriewal and subtlety of the sound suffered somewhat. So after months of listening, I removed the L-pad.
The slight hiss doesn't bothers me (my quiet PC is louder) at all and I would take that compromise any day.
I tried a fixed -11dB L-pad (made from 10W Jantzen Superes resistors, EQ-ed to the same response as without it), the hiss became totally inaudible, but the subjective detail retriewal and subtlety of the sound suffered somewhat. So after months of listening, I removed the L-pad.
The slight hiss doesn't bothers me (my quiet PC is louder) at all and I would take that compromise any day.
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The woofer is an Eminence Kappalite 3012LF (12", 70l vented box), the midrange is an Eighteen Sound 6ND430 (6"), all 8 Ohms.
Total cost is about 2000 Euros/pair with the recent prices. Woodworking is done by me at a friends workshop.
Add.: a possible upgrade in my mind is a 8" mid and double the 12"s, in a new box ofc. But I am satisfied how it sounds actually.
Total cost is about 2000 Euros/pair with the recent prices. Woodworking is done by me at a friends workshop.
Add.: a possible upgrade in my mind is a 8" mid and double the 12"s, in a new box ofc. But I am satisfied how it sounds actually.
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I was expecting the hiss would be present with the HF108R as previously reported here by others who have tried the Fusion with high sensitivity CD.
The Viawave GRT-145W is 98db in sensitivity. is the his present with it as well?
Thanks.
The Viawave GRT-145W is 98db in sensitivity. is the his present with it as well?
Thanks.
Did you try a series resistor on the tweeter as well? Perhaps this could reduce distortion and improve response. Even for my 6nd430 I use one, it helps. Also, I would consider bringing down gain of the amp, it will increase resolution greatly at lower listening volumes...
I am using the 8 Ohm version which have 95dB sensitivity, the hiss is not audible. But even the 4 Ohm version with 98dB would be the same as the 109dB CD with the -11dB L-pad, so probaby no audible hiss from a half meter.
I didn't tried the series resistor, it needs to be very high value for 11dB attenuation I think. Anyway, I experienced that I don't like passive components between the amp and the drivers, all have their own audible negative impact to the sound (other than the function) and that bothers me. Even the most expensive capacitors or resistors have their own sound character IME. But that's just me, maybe I will try the series resistor to check how it reduces distortion (harmonic?) but I don't remember such a thing from my passive crossover era. Anyway, the series resistor swamps the electrical damping, that's sure.
How can a Fusionamp gain be reduced? I just asking, I don't think that I want to solder miniature SMD parts.
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Dear all,
Hypex is ok with sharing the data, so hereby. First the disclaimer: you are on your own if you destroy your PCB by modding, so your warrenty will be gone.
You can change the resistors with circles on the attached image on the NC252MP board. The resistor (Rg) is part of the differential input buffer stage. For the Fusion 253, the resistor values are:
Rf = 3k3, Rg = 1.8k (Rg = R76 and R162)
See manual posted above how to calculate the gain. If you want to lower the gain, you need to raise Rg.
On the NC100HF tweeter board, you need to look for R76. The resistor values are the same there...
Have fun!
Fedde
Above the info... you can also fully remover Rg, this is what I did.