Not as far as I know, so we probably shouldn't be discussing the nc500 here in the diyAudio forum...
hypex ncore
It sounds to me like 1 or more companies with OEM accounts are selling the units direct to people. If I was an OEM manufacturer of a stand alone amp based on the NC500, I would be pretty choked about this. If Hypex wanted this, it would probably be listed for sale along with their other DIY modules.
I don't think there's any problems discussing the NC500's here. Because you can still modify finished amplifiers based on the NC500.
It sounds to me like 1 or more companies with OEM accounts are selling the units direct to people. If I was an OEM manufacturer of a stand alone amp based on the NC500, I would be pretty choked about this. If Hypex wanted this, it would probably be listed for sale along with their other DIY modules.
I don't think there's any problems discussing the NC500's here. Because you can still modify finished amplifiers based on the NC500.
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In that case I assume Hypex are aware of it by now, and take appropriate measures if they feel the need.
I don't see any problem in discussing *modifying* nc500's, but this is probably not the best place to discuss commercial offerings based on the nc500.
I would still like to hear about direct shootout with nc400 vs nc500 (vanilla assembly) builds by people on this Forum, please! I am not fussed about how the tests are done, blind or not - if people who have nc400 are moving on, or sticking with nc400 am interested to hear the who how what where why.
In my opinion, when enough User reports come to similar conclusions, I'm likely to believe an element of truth where there is commonality.
Mr Julf will probably object but he is the resident thread Objectionist...which leaves us with balanced results (don't be afraid of us nonetheless) I reckon
In my opinion, when enough User reports come to similar conclusions, I'm likely to believe an element of truth where there is commonality.
Mr Julf will probably object but he is the resident thread Objectionist...which leaves us with balanced results (don't be afraid of us nonetheless) I reckon
I think discussing the technology and the sound of commercial amps using the NC500 or NC1200 is okay. But using this thread for direct advertisement of a commercial product might be crossing the line.
hypex ncore
I'll tell you right now. Bruno's discrete buffer on the NC400 is much better than the LM4562 based input buffer board Hypex sells. As far as the amp goes, they sound exactly the same. Only the NC500 is more powerful. The NC500 has the potential to sound better, but that requires skill, and cost to achieve.
I would still like to hear about direct shootout with nc400 vs nc500 (vanilla assembly) builds by people on this Forum, please! I am not fussed about how the tests are done, blind or not - if people who have nc400 are moving on, or sticking with nc400 am interested to hear the who how what where why.
In my opinion, when enough User reports come to similar conclusions, I'm likely to believe an element of truth where there is commonality.
Mr Julf will probably object but he is the resident thread Objectionist...which leaves us with balanced results (don't be afraid of us nonetheless) I reckon
I'll tell you right now. Bruno's discrete buffer on the NC400 is much better than the LM4562 based input buffer board Hypex sells. As far as the amp goes, they sound exactly the same. Only the NC500 is more powerful. The NC500 has the potential to sound better, but that requires skill, and cost to achieve.
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It could also simply be a result of groupthink. If the audible differences are small (or non-existent), collective confirmation bias will ensure convergence of opinions...
Mr Julf will probably object but he is the resident thread Objectionist...which leaves us with balanced results (don't be afraid of us nonetheless) I reckon
I object to that!
If one of us claims 2 + 2 is 4, and another that it is 5, is 4.5 then a "balanced result"?
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I mostly agree - my only modification would be "the NC500 has the potential to sound better as long as the load doesn't exhibit a very low impedance and can benefit from extra power".
Mr Julf will probably object but he is the resident thread Objectionist...which leaves us with balanced results (don't be afraid of us nonetheless) I reckon
The amp is fine at low impedance's. It's only a 30w difference at 2 ohm. As I mentioned earlier, they handled driving Martin Logan's that dip down to 1 ohm with ease at ear shredding levels. The higher power output of the amps in the range 98% of speakers on the market operate at, will allow the amp to put out more power with less distortion if one requires. So this is 1 area the NC500 has the advantage.
The 2nd area comes from the buffer. And in this case it will be a truly subjective better based on personal tastes.
Right. So at a low impedance the nc500 doesn't have any advantage - the advantage only shows up at higher impedances, as I wrote. The advantage is 3 dB more headroom at 8 ohm.
Yes, so that really goes into the "different" rather than "better" category.
An amplifier has 2 parts, the input stage and the output stage. If we were to just compare the output stages, the 500 and 1200 would have an advantage over the 400 based on higher power output with less distortion.
But it's simply not an apples to apples comparison when comparing the different output stages, when combined with different input stages. The NC400 has a built in input stage that can't be bypassed. Hypex doesn't sell that input stage to be used in combination with the NC500 or 1200. I'm guessing the Mola Mola Kaluga uses something similar though.
To be precise, the nc400 has lower distortion at "normal" power levels - but the 500/1200 can go higher in power (up to 3 dB, in the case of the nc500) before clipping.
hypex ncore
If you were to measure the distortion levels of the NC500 and 1200 at the 4 ohm rating of 400w of the NC400, you'll probably find that the distortion is lower than the 1% rated for the NC400. It would be nice to see an distortion and noise plot at the different power levels. But my ears tell me the NC500's are distorting much less at high output levels with my 4 ohm speakers.
I think having twice the power reserves on tap with dual SMPS1200A700's helps in the dynamics department as well.
Listening to the DXD version of the Sheffield drum and track disk with 1 SMPS1200A700 vs 2, you can definitely feel the difference.
If you were to measure the distortion levels of the NC500 and 1200 at the 4 ohm rating of 400w of the NC400, you'll probably find that the distortion is lower than the 1% rated for the NC400. It would be nice to see an distortion and noise plot at the different power levels. But my ears tell me the NC500's are distorting much less at high output levels with my 4 ohm speakers.
I think having twice the power reserves on tap with dual SMPS1200A700's helps in the dynamics department as well.
Listening to the DXD version of the Sheffield drum and track disk with 1 SMPS1200A700 vs 2, you can definitely feel the difference.
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Julf, I do have to ask - have you ever actually compared an nc400 to an nc1200 (and not just on paper)...because I have not come across one single comment or review yet that does not claim that the nc1200 IS in a different league - detail (extended highs) and midrange being the most noticeable!
The nc1200 I am likely to believe is superior and not just on raw power...Bruno would be foolish to make the perfect DIY amp that equals his current Prize piece of work and nobody would pay £10K
The nc1200 I am likely to believe is superior and not just on raw power...Bruno would be foolish to make the perfect DIY amp that equals his current Prize piece of work and nobody would pay £10K
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