anyone using Hypex boards in a car amp ?

Reviving an old thread from the depths!

But yes there is a company that has built some awesome little Hypex module based amps with their own custom power supply compatible with mobile 12v automotive power.

The company is called Biketronics. There assemble the amps in the USA and offer a full time warranty.

UcD Based:

BT2180 = 2 x 180w UcD OEMLP modules
BT4180 = 4 x 180w UcD OEMLP modules
BT2250 = 2 x 250w UcD OEMLP modules
BT4250 = 4 x 250w UcD OEMLP modules
BT6180 = 6 x 180w UcD OEMLP modules (Not on website. Have to call in to order)
BT2700-2 = 2 x 700w {@ 2ohm} (Not on website. Have to call in to order) - It is made using 4 x 400w UcD OEMLP modules wired in parallel to offer the big power 700w @ 2ohm for subwoofer duty.

NCore Based:
NC2500 = 2 x 500w NC500OEM modules
 
Here are some pictures!

Size comparison of BT4180 and BT4250 vs an iPhone 6s:
59527908-85-C9-477-A-91-E1-0-EDB473-E86-F6.jpg


BT4250 above and BT4180 below:
22-EEC0-A0-B93-E-4-F2-C-ADD6-238-BE1-BA1-C05.jpg



BT4180:
77-AEF908-C89-D-41-EA-A1-CB-EAF172-C92-BFB.jpg


BT4250:
EB7-B55-F5-4-D36-42-B6-9-ED3-0-B2980-BB27-D5.jpg
 
You’ll notice my BT4180 and BT4250 bear a custom logo which Biketronics is able to accommodate onto the cover for you if you desire in place of their stock plate design.

B469-EF34-F84-F-4411-9269-886-ECCBCDFA9.jpg


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Project euphōnos

In homage to the UcD modules, is the hypex electronics wave graphic. Then in similar line of thought as Biketronics’ allusion to ancient Greek mythology with its current “Titan” Power reference, I put the Ancient Greek word εὔφωνος or euphōnos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced".
 
01-D496-A7-2-C70-4-F81-8-B2-A-00531-ACC930-D.jpg


The BT2700-2 is 2 ohm optimal and pumps out 2 x 700 watts.

For anyone curious.. the 4ohm ratings for the BT2700-2 is ~450 watts per channel @ 4ohms loads.

This is mainly due to how the UCD modules handle current as there are two 400 watt 4-ohm UcD modules in parallel to produce the 700 watts @ 2ohm.
 
It’s important to remember that these amps are small and pretty much dense as can be. They can be placed close to each other or stacked. Just like the Hypex modules are modular so are the Biketronics amps in premise.

Between the options of:

UcD
2 x 180w
2 x 250w
4 x 180w
4 x 250w
6 x 180w
2 x 700w
NCore
2 x 500w

Users can install any combination of amps to power a wide variety of speaker setups in a similar footprint as if it were ONE amp enclosure in the first place.

The amps are very stable thermal wise due to the extremely high efficiency of the Hypex modules, it’s overbuilt power supply, and the two internal cooling fans.

They are stable to be stacked in the following configurations:

a55930f0-dc3e-4038-9a0e-506cfafd179d-jpg.233857


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Active cooling is on all current models.

No gain pots on the BT2180, BT2250, BT4180 models. (The input voltage that brings the amp to full tilt can be set to your desired value when ordering)

Individual channel gain pots for BT4250 (or no gain pot stage upon request).

Gain pots for channel pairs on BT6180

Gain pots for each channel on BT2700-2

Single gain pot for both channels on NC2500

The speaker output connectors can fit 14awg. Bare wire works but is tedious.

The terminals are specifically designed to use Deutsch Novello connectors. Makes things a lot easier. They push in and ‘clip’ in very secure.

238-EE5-F2-9231-475-D-8837-618-AC8-B01-AFA.jpg


BT2700-2 the NC2500 supports 12Awg speaker wire. It specifically had the more traditional Weidmuller Spring-Cage speaker terminals. So regular 12ga ferrules will work.


Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Novello-Connector-Male-Pins-NIL-WHCM/dp/B000WPF9W2

Gold:
0460-202-1631, Pin Terminal

Or

50x Deutsch DT Pin 20-16 AWG Gold Contact Male Terminal for DT Connector Plug | eBay
 
For speaker wire purposes the Novello connectors take up very little space on the amp enclosures!

For power the amps feature XT 60 or XT 90 connectors (BT4250, BT2700-2, NC2500). Very convenient and secure!

I’m also personally using Power Pole connectors in my power cable runs:

BT4250:
XT90(power connection @ amp) —> OFC Cable —> Power Pole 75 (for quick disconnect point) —> OFC Cable —> Eyelet Stud (Connection @ power distro block)

BT4180:
XT60(power connection @ amp) —> OFC Cable —> Power Pole 45 (for quick disconnect point) —> OFC Cable —> Eyelet Stud (Connection @ power distro block)
 
I have my Biketronics amps installed in a 2016 Civic Sedan on stock alternator. Efficient power houses that don’t require you to upgrade your electrical.

Specifically in my build I have a Class A tube buffer circuit that sends the analog signal out into the inputs of Class D high efficiency amplifiers for dynamic speaker power.

B0-AACAE4-C1-D1-4-F89-96-FB-51-E6-E80-D5-C4-A.jpg


A match made in heaven.

* A stock of iFi iTube2 units that feed:

* Biketronics BT4180
- 180 Watts (4ohm) x 1 - Front Center Passive 2-Way Component
- 180 Watts (4ohm) x 2 - Rear R&L Tweeters

* Biketronics BT4180
- 180 Watts (4ohm) x 2 - Front R&L Tweeters
- 180 Watts (4ohm) x 2 - Front R&L Midrange

* Biketronics BT4250
- 250 Watts (4ohm) x 2 - Front (R&L) Midbass Drivers
- 250 Watts (4ohm) x 2 - Rear (R&L) Midbass Drivers


“Biketronics? Aren’t those for motorcycles? What are those doing in an SQ build?”

Biketronics is indeed primarily a motorcycle amplifier company. But there amps use the specific patented technology for their implementation of the class D topology that we all know is very conducive to SQ. This class D technology is of course the well regarded Hypex UcD modules. Meaning a clear and accurate signal reproduction. The UcD modules more than deliver on their power ratings and do so while maintaining integrity to the source material.

Biketronics is a staple in the motorcycle/Harley community for those that are in search of a quality upgrade to their bike’s stereo system. You might be asking yourself.. SQ on a Harley? Why on a loud motorcycle? But hey, who are we to judge? Many home audio peeps think the same of us car audio folk. We all have our reasons. What matters is that the demand led to a supply. The supply for an audiophile level amplifier, able to fit in a small footprint, and be durable enough to survive on a motorcycle. These factors eventually lead to Biketronics combining Hypex UcD modules with their own custom 12v power supplies.

Thank you Mike Meehan. This for me is a car audio dream. These are exactly what I was looking for. An amp with no extra distracting features. Wire with gain mentality. An amp with power and headroom for dynamics and hungry drivers to feed. An amp that I could fit without sacrificing much space. An amp that my “reinforced” stoc Civic electrical could handle comfortably. An amp with with audiophile SQ specs. All the boxes were checked for me.

But wait.. there is a life time warranty? It’s made in the USA?

What’s better?
 
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Audiophile straight amp with no XO, or gain pot stage, to contaminate the sound in any way.

They can set the input voltage to whatever your headunit or DSP output voltage is. To ensure you get the amp powered to full tilt. (It can be changed just has to be sent in to them to do so). Don’t forget there is a lifetime warranty.

But nowadays with DSP’s in the mix. a gain nob isn’t quite necessary. Individual channel gain can be adjusted via DSP instead.

BT4250, BT6180, BT2700-2, NC2500 have gain nobs that can be removed if requested.
 
01-D496-A7-2-C70-4-F81-8-B2-A-00531-ACC930-D.jpg


The BT2700-2 is 2 ohm optimal and pumps out 2 x 700 watts.

For anyone curious.. the 4ohm ratings for the BT2700-2 is ~450 watts per channel @ 4ohms loads.

This is mainly due to how the UCD modules handle current as there are two 400 watt 4-ohm UcD modules in parallel to produce the 700 watts @ 2ohm.

What size fuse should be run in this for 700watts RMS per channel?

Also if you parallel this for 2 + 2 that would give each of the 4 speakers 350 watts RMS each speaker?
 
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For speaker wire purposes the Novello connectors take up very little space on the amp enclosures!

For power the amps feature XT 60 or XT 90 connectors (BT4250, BT2700-2, NC2500). Very convenient and secure!

I’m also personally using Power Pole connectors in my power cable runs:

BT4250:
XT90(power connection @ amp) —> OFC Cable —> Power Pole 75 (for quick disconnect point) —> OFC Cable —> Eyelet Stud (Connection @ power distro block)

BT4180:
XT60(power connection @ amp) —> OFC Cable —> Power Pole 45 (for quick disconnect point) —> OFC Cable —> Eyelet Stud (Connection @ power distro block)


How about
Active cooling is on all current models.

No gain pots on the BT2180, BT2250, BT4180 models. (The input voltage that brings the amp to full tilt can be set to your desired value when ordering)

Individual channel gain pots for BT4250 (or no gain pot stage upon request).

Gain pots for channel pairs on BT6180

Gain pots for each channel on BT2700-2

Single gain pot for both channels on NC2500

The speaker output connectors can fit 14awg. Bare wire works but is tedious.

The terminals are specifically designed to use Deutsch Novello connectors. Makes things a lot easier. They push in and ‘clip’ in very secure.

238-EE5-F2-9231-475-D-8837-618-AC8-B01-AFA.jpg


BT2700-2 the NC2500 supports 12Awg speaker wire. It specifically had the more traditional Weidmuller Spring-Cage speaker terminals. So regular 12ga ferrules will work.


Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Novello-Connector-Male-Pins-NIL-WHCM/dp/B000WPF9W2

Gold:
0460-202-1631, Pin Terminal

Or

50x Deutsch DT Pin 20-16 AWG Gold Contact Male Terminal for DT Connector Plug | eBay

How about using 14/12 Deutsch male pins for BT4180 and BT2700-2?