Nelson,
I think it is widely accepted that your work is at or near the pinnacle of Class A design, and AB as well as it comes. Note I've been an Aleph user since the late 90s, and very happy in that regard. Class D, until recently, has had noise issues into the higher frequencies, thus keeping them out of the high end. However, recently, some designs are being touted as actually high end. Everyone knows you like to tinker with all things electronic amplifiers, so this might be something to look into. The state of the art seems to be shared by the Pascal and Anaview boards.
That said, curious if you've heard or played with the Pascal or Anaview boards. Given the melting of the poles there might be some merit to these things. This may seem ridiculous, but I'm looking to upgrading to XA60.8's or maybe 100s if my year goes really well, but might run Pascal or Anaview modules in the summer and then switch over for the winter, when we are heating the house anyway.
Here is a thread on 'gon about some of the very very latest thinking by random internet people that helped get me up to speed on these things. And apparently the most cost effective way to try these things is via the company d-sonic.
AudiogoN Forums: HYPEX,PASCAL OR ABLETEC
1500 watts into 8 ohms and 3000 into 4 is very tempting for Maggies!
Thanks for considering - thought in the extreme case out of First Watt (or a new company "Thousandth Watt") you might be able to do better than these guys have and still maintain the ~86% power efficiency
If you still want to use high efficiency open baffle speakers, that is fine, just spray some thin lead coatings to the cone to slow it down and then you'll eventually need the 3000 watts.
I think it is widely accepted that your work is at or near the pinnacle of Class A design, and AB as well as it comes. Note I've been an Aleph user since the late 90s, and very happy in that regard. Class D, until recently, has had noise issues into the higher frequencies, thus keeping them out of the high end. However, recently, some designs are being touted as actually high end. Everyone knows you like to tinker with all things electronic amplifiers, so this might be something to look into. The state of the art seems to be shared by the Pascal and Anaview boards.
That said, curious if you've heard or played with the Pascal or Anaview boards. Given the melting of the poles there might be some merit to these things. This may seem ridiculous, but I'm looking to upgrading to XA60.8's or maybe 100s if my year goes really well, but might run Pascal or Anaview modules in the summer and then switch over for the winter, when we are heating the house anyway.
Here is a thread on 'gon about some of the very very latest thinking by random internet people that helped get me up to speed on these things. And apparently the most cost effective way to try these things is via the company d-sonic.
AudiogoN Forums: HYPEX,PASCAL OR ABLETEC
1500 watts into 8 ohms and 3000 into 4 is very tempting for Maggies!
Thanks for considering - thought in the extreme case out of First Watt (or a new company "Thousandth Watt") you might be able to do better than these guys have and still maintain the ~86% power efficiency
If you still want to use high efficiency open baffle speakers, that is fine, just spray some thin lead coatings to the cone to slow it down and then you'll eventually need the 3000 watts.
Alas, I am crippled in this area, not having properly heard these products.
What I like about the Hypex is that the design approach is clear to me, the
circuit looks clean and it measures well.
I would pick the N-Core if I didn't know anything else, and I don't.
I would think though that this is your opportunity to beg/borrow/steal a
sample of each of these and listen to them long enough to form an
opinion. Really, that is the only way, and then you can come back and
tell us what you find.
😎
What I like about the Hypex is that the design approach is clear to me, the
circuit looks clean and it measures well.
I would pick the N-Core if I didn't know anything else, and I don't.
I would think though that this is your opportunity to beg/borrow/steal a
sample of each of these and listen to them long enough to form an
opinion. Really, that is the only way, and then you can come back and
tell us what you find.
😎
If the core frequency is high enough and not a direct harmonic, variable frequency class D is now being used, there is no old fashioned detectable distortion or noise issues.
Nelson, I may do that. There are a couple of d-sonic's on 'gon. The obvious manu who is already doing this with the really advanced boards (i.e., not B&O) at high end cost is Jeff Rowland.
I think the best way to put one's feet into the water is either:
M2 Series Amplifiers, Power Amplifiers & Class D Amplifiers for Sale Online
or
- James Romeyn
People might know others. In comparisons to, for example the XA30.5 I've seen a couple comparos (quite the different amps to compare!) and people say the XA30.5 is better, but the distance is being cut very short. I've also seen it said they sit in sound quality very close to Bryston. Remember this is for $2k.
(I was about to buy one of the d-sonic's on 'gon, but decided to pursue the updated Aleph circuit as a project first.)
I think this is happening for real now and that has only been the case very recently.
I think the best way to put one's feet into the water is either:
M2 Series Amplifiers, Power Amplifiers & Class D Amplifiers for Sale Online
or
- James Romeyn
People might know others. In comparisons to, for example the XA30.5 I've seen a couple comparos (quite the different amps to compare!) and people say the XA30.5 is better, but the distance is being cut very short. I've also seen it said they sit in sound quality very close to Bryston. Remember this is for $2k.
(I was about to buy one of the d-sonic's on 'gon, but decided to pursue the updated Aleph circuit as a project first.)
I think this is happening for real now and that has only been the case very recently.
Looking for info on something else, came across this thread.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/269578-anaview-ams0100-2300-build.html
Compared to Nelson Pass-design based Mini-Aleph amplifier (based on BrianGT's boards, with overbuilt PSU and quality components. About 10-15wpc. Class A). I love this amp. It's been my favourite for several years, but it's not really an "always on" amp because of the power consumption, even for this low-powered variation. It sounds great with full range and and 2-ways, has a very lush midrange and seems to make every source sound good. It works well with passive and active preamps. In fact to my ears this amp is just about perfect. At my listening volumes I've never found it under-powered.
In comparison the Anaview has more grip over the speakers, tighter and more detailed bass - the difference on this is very big. In the midange and highs, the Anaview is detailed and transparent where the Aleph is lush... The lows sound better on the Anaview, the mids are perhaps slightly pronounced on the Aleph. The highs are all there in all their glory (or not) on the Anaview, and smoother on the Aleph.
The Anaview modules have exceptional power and grip, incredible detail, incredible bass (I think this is their strongest point), and are certainly the most detailed/clear/neutral amps I've ever heard. Perfect for studio/mastering use.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/269578-anaview-ams0100-2300-build.html
Compared to Nelson Pass-design based Mini-Aleph amplifier (based on BrianGT's boards, with overbuilt PSU and quality components. About 10-15wpc. Class A). I love this amp. It's been my favourite for several years, but it's not really an "always on" amp because of the power consumption, even for this low-powered variation. It sounds great with full range and and 2-ways, has a very lush midrange and seems to make every source sound good. It works well with passive and active preamps. In fact to my ears this amp is just about perfect. At my listening volumes I've never found it under-powered.
In comparison the Anaview has more grip over the speakers, tighter and more detailed bass - the difference on this is very big. In the midange and highs, the Anaview is detailed and transparent where the Aleph is lush... The lows sound better on the Anaview, the mids are perhaps slightly pronounced on the Aleph. The highs are all there in all their glory (or not) on the Anaview, and smoother on the Aleph.
The Anaview modules have exceptional power and grip, incredible detail, incredible bass (I think this is their strongest point), and are certainly the most detailed/clear/neutral amps I've ever heard. Perfect for studio/mastering use.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.