@Brunes
Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that the modulus 286 could be built cheaper if one was to purchase the PCB's and use your own parts to complete the boards? Are you talking about purchasing the completed boards with all the parts? Also, you may want to check out the GaN amps that are built by AGD in California here: https://agdproduction.com/audion/ They are a little pricey, but are rated by some well known people in the audio world as being one of the best sounding amps. I just wish that the DIY kits using Alberto's knowledge would become available! Here is one video of Jay Iyagi reviewing the Audion amp built by AGD:
@Extreme_Boky
The Icepower amps use the GaN FET's as well, but from what I understand, the amps that are designed by AGD are the flagship! Here is a guy talking about them in more depth:
Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that the modulus 286 could be built cheaper if one was to purchase the PCB's and use your own parts to complete the boards? Are you talking about purchasing the completed boards with all the parts? Also, you may want to check out the GaN amps that are built by AGD in California here: https://agdproduction.com/audion/ They are a little pricey, but are rated by some well known people in the audio world as being one of the best sounding amps. I just wish that the DIY kits using Alberto's knowledge would become available! Here is one video of Jay Iyagi reviewing the Audion amp built by AGD:
@Extreme_Boky
The Icepower amps use the GaN FET's as well, but from what I understand, the amps that are designed by AGD are the flagship! Here is a guy talking about them in more depth:
It's a bit off-putting that the first video thumbnail says in large letters on the bottom "Best amplifier of ALL TIME" but the smaller letters on top says "Best Hifi amplifier of 2023." I sometimes watch his channel for entertainment, but there IS a tendency to drum up fanfare and announce "best amp," "best DAC," "best speakers," etc on a rather regular basis.
Mike's channel is entertaining as well, but let's not forget he is a dealer for Audion.
And yes, I would have much less issue with Audion or these Youtubers if the Audion was priced better and not use glowing LED's inside a fake tube...
Do I understand that AGD is around 8- 10,000 USD ?
I'm not sure my ears are good enough to justify that.
I'm not sure my ears are good enough to justify that.
The chassis/case I have is an older modushop case.I believe it may be this one: https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=118_251_253&product_id=128
Not sure if I'd have to add more heatsink or perhaps the case would be sufficient as is for a Class A/B amp? Also as far as price on the pair of the AGD Audion amps, I believe Mike sells them for $7500/pair. I know that's not cheap, but I would be willing to bet that the upcoming Purifi amps will probably incorporate these GaD FET's in their amps. It is also possible a marketing thing, but all the reviews on the sonics from these amps are great! I'd definitely would want to audition a pair before considering purchasing a pair!
Not sure if I'd have to add more heatsink or perhaps the case would be sufficient as is for a Class A/B amp? Also as far as price on the pair of the AGD Audion amps, I believe Mike sells them for $7500/pair. I know that's not cheap, but I would be willing to bet that the upcoming Purifi amps will probably incorporate these GaD FET's in their amps. It is also possible a marketing thing, but all the reviews on the sonics from these amps are great! I'd definitely would want to audition a pair before considering purchasing a pair!
Sorry. No. The Modulus-286 and Modulus-686 are only available as fully assembled modules. I used to offer the Modulus-286 as a bare board and the Modulus-686 as an SMD-only board where you'd buy and mount the rest of the parts.
I've written quite a bit about why I won't support DIY SMD builds and why offering the mix/match SMD/PTH builds will actually result in worse service and higher prices. You can see my thoughts here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/modulus-86-build-thread.267802/post-5738981
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/modulus-86-build-thread.267802/post-6839949
If you insist on completing each and every solder joint yourself, the Modulus-86 is your best option. I fully expect to keep it around for years to come.
Tom
@tomchr
Hi Tom and thanks for your info! I know that sonics from amps differ and are subjective, but I know how my broken Icepower 1200as2 sounded and have heard comments on how much better amps like the Purifi sounded compared to the 1200as2. I also hear that these LM3886 chips in an amp can sound very good as well. So my question is: What would be the difference from what you offer vs the Purifi amps? Thanks!
Hi Tom and thanks for your info! I know that sonics from amps differ and are subjective, but I know how my broken Icepower 1200as2 sounded and have heard comments on how much better amps like the Purifi sounded compared to the 1200as2. I also hear that these LM3886 chips in an amp can sound very good as well. So my question is: What would be the difference from what you offer vs the Purifi amps? Thanks!
The Purifi amps are Class D, so they're more energy efficient and develop very little heat during operation. The Modulus amps are Class AB, so not as efficient. They will need a heat sink.
Some find Class D amps to sound harsh or sterile and prefer Class AB amps. I find myself in that category but I can easily be accused of bias.
Tom
Some find Class D amps to sound harsh or sterile and prefer Class AB amps. I find myself in that category but I can easily be accused of bias.
Tom
I have an older case I had purchased from the modushop years back. I'm not sure if that case could be used as the heatsink or not? Perhaps you can tell me if I could use it with the Mod86, or perhaps the Mod286? https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=118_251_253&product_id=128
Having owned a wide range of Class T/D types over the past decade and a half, I can certainly attest that that don’t all sound the same - although I can’t speak to the subject of upgrading the power supplies for individual brand/chip types as some YouTubers like to do.
Sounding like a stuck on repeat track playlist here, but I’m currently running a total of 5 channels of Class D in in surround system - recently updated with some Atmos in ceiling middle heights; 3 ICEPower for the front row main, and 2 Hypex UCD180 for pair of LFE subs. The Onkyo receiver’s internal amps are reserved for the surround effects channels. As I personally consider the bulk of the home theatre immersion experience to be related to the size and quality of picture, whatever sonic differences might otherwise be distinguishable among this mix of typologies and brand types is, I think, swamped by not only the visual, but the fact of enthusiastic application of audio tomfoolery in most current surround mixes that render the question of amplifier flavor moot.
All that said, the Modulus 286 in my upstairs music system is an absolutely flavourless delight, and we’re money no object, I’d be warning my den with 686 all ‘round.
Sounding like a stuck on repeat track playlist here, but I’m currently running a total of 5 channels of Class D in in surround system - recently updated with some Atmos in ceiling middle heights; 3 ICEPower for the front row main, and 2 Hypex UCD180 for pair of LFE subs. The Onkyo receiver’s internal amps are reserved for the surround effects channels. As I personally consider the bulk of the home theatre immersion experience to be related to the size and quality of picture, whatever sonic differences might otherwise be distinguishable among this mix of typologies and brand types is, I think, swamped by not only the visual, but the fact of enthusiastic application of audio tomfoolery in most current surround mixes that render the question of amplifier flavor moot.
All that said, the Modulus 286 in my upstairs music system is an absolutely flavourless delight, and we’re money no object, I’d be warning my den with 686 all ‘round.
I actually have several amps on hand being discussed here. In reality, the differences between amps are pretty minuscule compared to something like speakers.
I have a Modulus-286 built by @tomchr . For starters, the build quality is excellent and the feature set is top notch (soft start, speaker protection, speakON connectors, vertical biamp capability, etc.). The sound is as you would expect from a very low distortion design - clean and neutral. I will say if you have challenging speakers to drive and listen loud, it’s modest power can make it sound a little smaller than a more powerful amp - just missing a bit of thrust if that makes sense.
I also have a Purifi-based amp from boXem Audio. It has a couple of nice features - 3 gain settings and Audiosense, which turns the amp on whenever a signal is present. This feature is great if you don’t have a trigger out upstream. The Purifi amp is supernaturally clean - pressing your ear to a tweeter yields absolute silence. Every mixing choice, chair squeak, cough, etc. will be revealed by this amp. Well recorded music is unreal. Power is not an issue at all. Having said all that, I think it’s imaging is a little flat. This is a completely subjective opinion, but one would think with all this clarity and power on tap, you’d unearth every iota of nuance in instruments and reveal the deepest recesses of the recording space. To me it seems like it falls a little short in these areas. Don’t ask me about blind testing as I’m sure I’d fail, but the Purifi gives a hair less sense of real instruments and people.
Lastly, I have an AGD Productions Tempo GanFET amp, which is now my daily driver. It’s got less power than the Purifi, but has better thrust in the bass and does a better job of fooling me into thinking I’m listening to real instruments and people. In addition, its soundstaging/imaging is terrific - it seems like it really does find the recesses of the recording venue and subtle nuances in instruments/voices. In contrast with the Mod-286, the Tempo has no problem driving challenging loads to loud levels - it just gets louder vs harsher. Of course, it’s also twice as expensive as the Mod-286 and about four times the Purifi!
There really is no right answer here. Your budget and speaker choice should be key factors in what you choose. Not sure how helpful this was, but these differences are subtle and not night/day, so not easy to characterize.
I have a Modulus-286 built by @tomchr . For starters, the build quality is excellent and the feature set is top notch (soft start, speaker protection, speakON connectors, vertical biamp capability, etc.). The sound is as you would expect from a very low distortion design - clean and neutral. I will say if you have challenging speakers to drive and listen loud, it’s modest power can make it sound a little smaller than a more powerful amp - just missing a bit of thrust if that makes sense.
I also have a Purifi-based amp from boXem Audio. It has a couple of nice features - 3 gain settings and Audiosense, which turns the amp on whenever a signal is present. This feature is great if you don’t have a trigger out upstream. The Purifi amp is supernaturally clean - pressing your ear to a tweeter yields absolute silence. Every mixing choice, chair squeak, cough, etc. will be revealed by this amp. Well recorded music is unreal. Power is not an issue at all. Having said all that, I think it’s imaging is a little flat. This is a completely subjective opinion, but one would think with all this clarity and power on tap, you’d unearth every iota of nuance in instruments and reveal the deepest recesses of the recording space. To me it seems like it falls a little short in these areas. Don’t ask me about blind testing as I’m sure I’d fail, but the Purifi gives a hair less sense of real instruments and people.
Lastly, I have an AGD Productions Tempo GanFET amp, which is now my daily driver. It’s got less power than the Purifi, but has better thrust in the bass and does a better job of fooling me into thinking I’m listening to real instruments and people. In addition, its soundstaging/imaging is terrific - it seems like it really does find the recesses of the recording venue and subtle nuances in instruments/voices. In contrast with the Mod-286, the Tempo has no problem driving challenging loads to loud levels - it just gets louder vs harsher. Of course, it’s also twice as expensive as the Mod-286 and about four times the Purifi!
There really is no right answer here. Your budget and speaker choice should be key factors in what you choose. Not sure how helpful this was, but these differences are subtle and not night/day, so not easy to characterize.
That case might work okay-ish for a Class D amp but you will need to add a heat sink if you want to use it with a Class AB amp. You can add the heat sink internally under the vent slots.
I generally recommend the ModuShop Dissipante series.
Tom
The Modulus-686 would be closer to the Modulus-286 than to the Tempo in terms of cost.
I do find that the Modulus-686 sounds better than the Modulus-286 when really cranking it in a larger room with my relatively low efficiency, 8 Ω, KEF R700. I seem to recall them being mid-80s dB SPL @ 1 W, 1 m efficient.
I moved about a year ago and have been working to make the house the way I want it. I sold my Modulus-686 before I moved and as result the Modulus-286 has been my daily driver. The audio room is smaller than at my previous place so I don't really miss the extra power of the Modulus-686. That said, I will build more Modulus-686 and am curious to see if I can hear any difference. I highly recommend the Safe-n-Sane configuration of the Modulus-686.
Tom
@groovybassist
I’d be happy to haul up my 686 for you to listen in your system at some point! It will be interesting to compare for sure.
Best,
Anand.
I’d be happy to haul up my 686 for you to listen in your system at some point! It will be interesting to compare for sure.
Best,
Anand.
I'm slowly convincing myself that a modulus 86 with all the additions, case, soft start and speaker protection as well as the larger power-686 power supply while expensive, would be fun to build and in the future I could then upgrade to the 286 and everything would already be in place.
I'm thinking of using the higher power build option specifically for 8 ohm speakers. I'm not sure if I need the added power of the 286... but maybe I do.
Its more expensive than the Niali offerings but is tried and tested and hopefully won't be out of date in a few months and would allow me to replace parts.
I'm thinking of using the higher power build option specifically for 8 ohm speakers. I'm not sure if I need the added power of the 286... but maybe I do.
Its more expensive than the Niali offerings but is tried and tested and hopefully won't be out of date in a few months and would allow me to replace parts.
@groovybassist
I appreciate your info! So the AGD Tempo amp you have, you say it "thrust in the bass and does a better job of fooling me into thinking I’m listening to real instruments and people." I'm a little confused as to if it fools you, either you are hearing a better sound, or is this a psychological thing?
Also, I had purchased an Acurus D100 integrated amp years ago, and was told that they were built like a tank. I did some mods to it and was pleased from what I heard. This Acurus amp is class B, so I'm assuming that the top tiers of Class D amps like Purifi, Nilai, would sound the same?
I appreciate your info! So the AGD Tempo amp you have, you say it "thrust in the bass and does a better job of fooling me into thinking I’m listening to real instruments and people." I'm a little confused as to if it fools you, either you are hearing a better sound, or is this a psychological thing?
Also, I had purchased an Acurus D100 integrated amp years ago, and was told that they were built like a tank. I did some mods to it and was pleased from what I heard. This Acurus amp is class B, so I'm assuming that the top tiers of Class D amps like Purifi, Nilai, would sound the same?
@FSHZ42
I consider all listening to hifi at home to be an illusion - after all, none of the performers are present in my room. My goal is to create the best illusion I can within my budget, room constraints and patience.
Since all of my comments were subjective, I can’t point to something specific and say it’s the reason the sound of X is better than Y. What I can say is I feel like the AGD does a better job of creating the illusion of what instruments and voices sound like, and it gives those things a dimensionality the others are missing. Unfortunately, without a controlled, blind test, these statements are all accompanied by my unconscious and conscious biases. I can switch amps back and forth, but the few minutes it takes to do that is just too long for aural memory to be meaningful/valid.
I consider all listening to hifi at home to be an illusion - after all, none of the performers are present in my room. My goal is to create the best illusion I can within my budget, room constraints and patience.
Since all of my comments were subjective, I can’t point to something specific and say it’s the reason the sound of X is better than Y. What I can say is I feel like the AGD does a better job of creating the illusion of what instruments and voices sound like, and it gives those things a dimensionality the others are missing. Unfortunately, without a controlled, blind test, these statements are all accompanied by my unconscious and conscious biases. I can switch amps back and forth, but the few minutes it takes to do that is just too long for aural memory to be meaningful/valid.
@groovybassist
Well there must be something special from what you are hearing with the AGD. If it sounds the best at reproducing instruments, voices, and such, I'd say it's sonically better. I have also read some of the comments that mentioned nothing but good things on the AGD amps! I'm fairly sure that the ones who had commented about them, surely must have known what they were talking about! But I may be wrong as they do have a lot of fake news out there..lol.. I have also heard that the Peachtree amps with the GaN's in their amps didn't sound as good, so evidentially the guy that designed these AGD amps must know something special..lol
The Purifi amps were suppose to come out with a new module that was supposed to be even better that any other model. That was around 2 years ago or so and they still haven't released it. Perhaps they are also going to be using the GaN FET's? I guess time will tell.
Well there must be something special from what you are hearing with the AGD. If it sounds the best at reproducing instruments, voices, and such, I'd say it's sonically better. I have also read some of the comments that mentioned nothing but good things on the AGD amps! I'm fairly sure that the ones who had commented about them, surely must have known what they were talking about! But I may be wrong as they do have a lot of fake news out there..lol.. I have also heard that the Peachtree amps with the GaN's in their amps didn't sound as good, so evidentially the guy that designed these AGD amps must know something special..lol
The Purifi amps were suppose to come out with a new module that was supposed to be even better that any other model. That was around 2 years ago or so and they still haven't released it. Perhaps they are also going to be using the GaN FET's? I guess time will tell.
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@poseidonsvoice
Hi Anand! I use to read some of your comments years ago when I was more active in the audio world..lol I am getting back into again, and was wanting to know what your personal choice is when it comes to picking one amplifier that you would choose out of the rest? I understand this is subjective, but I was just curious to hear your input! Thanks!
Hi Anand! I use to read some of your comments years ago when I was more active in the audio world..lol I am getting back into again, and was wanting to know what your personal choice is when it comes to picking one amplifier that you would choose out of the rest? I understand this is subjective, but I was just curious to hear your input! Thanks!