Combo balanced inputs can be either XLR or TRS (Neutrik Jack). Single ended are RCA. The balanced have priority and are auto detected and will disable the RCA via relay if they are connected. This is to prevent overlapping inputs which may overload the amp.
There is no cooling fan - it is all natural convection and by conduction to the main chassis plate. Note the generous cooling vents on top. The chassis is 5mm thick CNC’d aluminum all around.
There is no cooling fan - it is all natural convection and by conduction to the main chassis plate. Note the generous cooling vents on top. The chassis is 5mm thick CNC’d aluminum all around.
X, for what it's worth here's my review after a few weeks of EP600.2SE ownership. I'll be sending it to Walter as well in case he wants to use it. Thanks to you and the team on such wonderful work!
The first thing I immediately noticed after installation was the tightness of the bass. This is my first foray into Class D amplification and the tales of its tight, clean, and authoritative bass are definitely true. After a short listening session my wife offered her unsolicited opinion which primarily included soundstaging that was wider and deeper than the PASS Labs X5 that it replaced. (Thanks to Walter she has now declared herself to be an audiophile!) In addition, from my perspective, it was also blacker (quieter) which meant the lower noise floor revealed more musical detail on familiar passages.
After a week in solid state mode I engaged the tubes. Not having experienced tubes since the 1970s when I had a Harman Kardon integrated amp as a teenager I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I heard was not dramatic but it was noticeable. Musical passages were slightly softer, that is to say rounder. The tube stage seems to make the biggest difference with female vocals, giving a bit more air and presence to them.
The more I listen the more I feel vindicated in replacing the PASS Labs X5. Not only is the sound better overall but its 15 lb weight versus the 85 lb X5 means my back won’t suffer if it needs to be rearranged in the equipment rack. There are a couple of minor caveats. One is the On/Standby light that is way too bright. I’ve ameliorated this by some judicious application of theater lighting gel that changes it to a more tolerable blue (from white) and tones it down somewhat. I know other reviewers have mentioned this as well. The second is a very loud thump when the amp is turned off with the tube stage engaged, however, this can be worked around by taking it out of tube mode before turning off the amp.
I could happily listen to this amp just in solid state mode and I’ve noticed that I tend to use the tubes only for extended music listening sessions. To that end I would suggest that Walter consider a solid state-only version by removing the tube stage and the VU meters (which seem to need a lot of power to get moving anyway) and offer a (hopefully) less expensive version that could be considered the bigger, more powerful brother to Walter’s 150 watts/ch LSA Warp-1 or even the 350 watts/ch LSA Voyager GAN 350.
System Equipment
Power conditioning:
Core Power Technologies Deep=Core 1800
Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 1800 Mk III
Puron Power Conditioner
Swiss Digital Fuse Box with Super Sluggo (copper in gold immersion)
Amplifier:
Emerald Physics EP600.2SE (set to 22dB gain versus factory 28dB setting)
Preamp:
Audio-GD Master 9
Sources (Digital Only):
Audio-GD R8HE MK2 DAC using Invictus.Audio Palladium ACSS cable to preamp
Panasonic DP-UB820 DVD player
Sony DVP-C650D DVD-CD player used as transport only
LG G2 TV
Speakers:
DIY 3-way using Madisound 10208 10” woofer, Vifa D75MX 3” dome midrange, Vifa H26TG 1” horn-loaded tweeter, Dynaudio Variovent aperiodic vents
DIY quarter wavelength transmission line using Madisound 6102 6.5” woofer, Audax 4x6 coax mid/tweeter
The first thing I immediately noticed after installation was the tightness of the bass. This is my first foray into Class D amplification and the tales of its tight, clean, and authoritative bass are definitely true. After a short listening session my wife offered her unsolicited opinion which primarily included soundstaging that was wider and deeper than the PASS Labs X5 that it replaced. (Thanks to Walter she has now declared herself to be an audiophile!) In addition, from my perspective, it was also blacker (quieter) which meant the lower noise floor revealed more musical detail on familiar passages.
After a week in solid state mode I engaged the tubes. Not having experienced tubes since the 1970s when I had a Harman Kardon integrated amp as a teenager I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I heard was not dramatic but it was noticeable. Musical passages were slightly softer, that is to say rounder. The tube stage seems to make the biggest difference with female vocals, giving a bit more air and presence to them.
The more I listen the more I feel vindicated in replacing the PASS Labs X5. Not only is the sound better overall but its 15 lb weight versus the 85 lb X5 means my back won’t suffer if it needs to be rearranged in the equipment rack. There are a couple of minor caveats. One is the On/Standby light that is way too bright. I’ve ameliorated this by some judicious application of theater lighting gel that changes it to a more tolerable blue (from white) and tones it down somewhat. I know other reviewers have mentioned this as well. The second is a very loud thump when the amp is turned off with the tube stage engaged, however, this can be worked around by taking it out of tube mode before turning off the amp.
I could happily listen to this amp just in solid state mode and I’ve noticed that I tend to use the tubes only for extended music listening sessions. To that end I would suggest that Walter consider a solid state-only version by removing the tube stage and the VU meters (which seem to need a lot of power to get moving anyway) and offer a (hopefully) less expensive version that could be considered the bigger, more powerful brother to Walter’s 150 watts/ch LSA Warp-1 or even the 350 watts/ch LSA Voyager GAN 350.
System Equipment
Power conditioning:
Core Power Technologies Deep=Core 1800
Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 1800 Mk III
Puron Power Conditioner
Swiss Digital Fuse Box with Super Sluggo (copper in gold immersion)
Amplifier:
Emerald Physics EP600.2SE (set to 22dB gain versus factory 28dB setting)
Preamp:
Audio-GD Master 9
Sources (Digital Only):
Audio-GD R8HE MK2 DAC using Invictus.Audio Palladium ACSS cable to preamp
Panasonic DP-UB820 DVD player
Sony DVP-C650D DVD-CD player used as transport only
LG G2 TV
Speakers:
DIY 3-way using Madisound 10208 10” woofer, Vifa D75MX 3” dome midrange, Vifa H26TG 1” horn-loaded tweeter, Dynaudio Variovent aperiodic vents
DIY quarter wavelength transmission line using Madisound 6102 6.5” woofer, Audax 4x6 coax mid/tweeter
Hi Craig,
Thanks for your review! Nice system you have there and I am pleased to hear that you like the sound. It is indeed a quiet amp. The tube stage is very subtle. It is an analog sound processor that imparts slightly more second order harmonic distortion vs the SS route which is third order dominant (sound with more bite - less rounded). Overall THD does not change much if using J&J E88CC tubes which are stock.
I will take your suggestion for an all solid state version into consideration. The buffer that is on the Warp-2 can easily be used to drive the 1200AS2. But there is start up and shutdown sequences that need to be followed.
Thanks,
X
Thanks for your review! Nice system you have there and I am pleased to hear that you like the sound. It is indeed a quiet amp. The tube stage is very subtle. It is an analog sound processor that imparts slightly more second order harmonic distortion vs the SS route which is third order dominant (sound with more bite - less rounded). Overall THD does not change much if using J&J E88CC tubes which are stock.
I will take your suggestion for an all solid state version into consideration. The buffer that is on the Warp-2 can easily be used to drive the 1200AS2. But there is start up and shutdown sequences that need to be followed.
Thanks,
X
Hi, I’m waiting a shipment of the 600. Do you still like the 6n1p over the JJ’s? If so, current production or the earlier production?
Thanks, dartx
Thanks, dartx
The 6N1P’s have a slightly sweeter more organic sound. The J&J E88CC’s are closer to solid state but add that touch of SET sound signature (dominant second harmonic vs lower third harmonic distortion). Not sure what you mean by current or earlier production - of J&J tubes? The 6N1P’s are all Voshkod NOS from Russia. Both are great. Depends on what signature you prefer.
Balanced (XLR/TRS) or single ended RCA. Only one at a time though as there is an auto sensing switch and relay to ensure only 1 input at a time. There is no fan needed. All passive cooling via conduction to the massive aluminum base plate (5mm thick) and natural convection vent slots on the top.
Hi. Anyone has matched the HyperSET to the ICE1200 power module like in the Emerald amp? Can someone help me with the ICE module pins to select? I built mine but keep getting a rather loud noise at power on. It is like the HyperSET start mute delay is not long enough, so the tube have not enough time to stabilize, or I’m using the wrong start pins on the ICE interface. Any help appreciated.
Btw the ICE1200 sound by itself is rather flat, but open up quite nicely with the tube buffer engaged, it will be a very nice amp once I can make it work.
sB
Btw the ICE1200 sound by itself is rather flat, but open up quite nicely with the tube buffer engaged, it will be a very nice amp once I can make it work.
sB
Please refer to the HyperSET thread. I think several people have managed to connect the HyperSET and 1200AS2 to get behavior operating nicely like EP600 amp.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/btsb-with-tube-buffer-hyperset-gb.396848/
This connection diagram gives you everything you need.
I think Plott connected it and it works well. He gave connection tips in the thread as well.
Tell me the problem behavior you are getting. Is it a substantial pop when it comes on? The main thing you need to have is that the HyperSET needs to have power well before the 1200AS2 - this is done with 12vdc going to HyperSET as “always on”. The power switch logic doesn’t turn on tube filament or HV plates until enable is pressed. The opamps on HypeSET need to be always on (controlled via main rocker switch on IEC). The other enable functions are soft logic from front panel switch.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/btsb-with-tube-buffer-hyperset-gb.396848/
This connection diagram gives you everything you need.
I think Plott connected it and it works well. He gave connection tips in the thread as well.
Tell me the problem behavior you are getting. Is it a substantial pop when it comes on? The main thing you need to have is that the HyperSET needs to have power well before the 1200AS2 - this is done with 12vdc going to HyperSET as “always on”. The power switch logic doesn’t turn on tube filament or HV plates until enable is pressed. The opamps on HypeSET need to be always on (controlled via main rocker switch on IEC). The other enable functions are soft logic from front panel switch.
Hi,
I would like to give a short summary to (almost) this amp.
Why almost? In my build I used the same HyperSET board and the same SMPS, and the same 1200AS module - with the difference, that I used the mono modules.
I made my tests with my OB speakers, so other systems may differ.
The verdict first: it is an incredible amp. It is very fast, it has extreme power reserves that never seem uncontrolled, and it has a great bandwidth. In terms of sound, the amp appears lively and natural, with great imaging. Since I built two monos and the HyperSET is in its own housing, I had the opportunity to try out the monos with different preamps - all transistor-based. And then I experienced that in such a configuration the class D modules can sound sharp, annoying, tiring and unpleasant. That all changed when I turned the tube stage in HyperSET on - after that the system sounded like a dream.
But it gets even better: I had the opportunity to listen to a friend's PS Audio Stellar 1200 monos (they use the same modules with some modifications, and also have a tube buffer stage built in - now it's clear why) and compare them with my monos at home, in a blind test.
Yes, the friend was annoyed after that.
Was there a difference? Yes. Were the PS Audios better? Well - no.
In many respects the two were equal, in terms of stage imaging and naturalness my system (i.e. HyperSET plus 1200AS) was a bit ahead.
All in all: a great amp and a clear recommendation from me, not just considering the price (but look at what the PS Audio costs...), but across all classes.
Thanks, Viet!
I would like to give a short summary to (almost) this amp.
Why almost? In my build I used the same HyperSET board and the same SMPS, and the same 1200AS module - with the difference, that I used the mono modules.
I made my tests with my OB speakers, so other systems may differ.
The verdict first: it is an incredible amp. It is very fast, it has extreme power reserves that never seem uncontrolled, and it has a great bandwidth. In terms of sound, the amp appears lively and natural, with great imaging. Since I built two monos and the HyperSET is in its own housing, I had the opportunity to try out the monos with different preamps - all transistor-based. And then I experienced that in such a configuration the class D modules can sound sharp, annoying, tiring and unpleasant. That all changed when I turned the tube stage in HyperSET on - after that the system sounded like a dream.
But it gets even better: I had the opportunity to listen to a friend's PS Audio Stellar 1200 monos (they use the same modules with some modifications, and also have a tube buffer stage built in - now it's clear why) and compare them with my monos at home, in a blind test.
Yes, the friend was annoyed after that.
Was there a difference? Yes. Were the PS Audios better? Well - no.
In many respects the two were equal, in terms of stage imaging and naturalness my system (i.e. HyperSET plus 1200AS) was a bit ahead.
All in all: a great amp and a clear recommendation from me, not just considering the price (but look at what the PS Audio costs...), but across all classes.
Thanks, Viet!
Hi Istvan,
Thanks for sharing this blind test with you and your friend. The amps are the same internally except for the tube buffer stage - which for HyperSET is a hybrid tube/opamp design. I think PS Audio uses 12AU7 tubes but not sure the topology.
Did you use E88CC or the Russian NOS 6N1P?
Thanks for sharing this blind test with you and your friend. The amps are the same internally except for the tube buffer stage - which for HyperSET is a hybrid tube/opamp design. I think PS Audio uses 12AU7 tubes but not sure the topology.
Did you use E88CC or the Russian NOS 6N1P?
Hi Viet, I tried the Russian tubes from the kit, and also mil spec E88CC and 6922 earlier, but just for fun, I haven't done a proper test yet, but maybe soon. It's a bit complicated because of the preheating process (cold tubes don't sound good either). Regarding PS Audio, they have modified the modules, some components including some power transistors have been replaced; the information comes from some official testers. It may or may not be true.