Mjj Posted May 30, 2020 Author Posted May 30, 2020 @bunno I’m using Cambridge cxn v2 source to Audio Research LS2 and then ML27. For HOme theatre I run Front pre outs from Marantz Redeiver To LS2 in’s.- which is good enough. It’s the Music setup that I want to optimise.
Grizaudio Posted May 30, 2020 Posted May 30, 2020 12 hours ago, Mjj said: Well thanks @81Vintage for your comprehensive reply and research. I’m currently trying out a Mark Levinson No.27 with Audio Research LS2 - violins sounds really sweet and I do value female vocals, am currently using Jamo c807s (but not forever) but would like the pluses of NCxxx. Are the higher frequencies really so dry? I would personally try the nc400 diy kit. It has lower distortion and very good SINAD. Plus the price is excellent. lots of information on the internet about how this amp sounds (or doesn’t sound). https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-hypex-nc400-diy-amp.5907/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nord-one-nc1200dm-signature-stereo-amp-review.10261/ 1
Grizaudio Posted May 30, 2020 Posted May 30, 2020 (edited) I know when I ran class D on my c807s it helped bring them to life. I used a Powersoft touring amplifier at the time, boasting over 1200 watts a channel. But in my opinion they still lacked considerable dynamics and life. In saying that, if you like the presentation, class D will help Lift them a little. Edited May 30, 2020 by musicbee
Cactusmen75 Posted August 24, 2020 Posted August 24, 2020 On 19/05/2020 at 11:45 PM, 81Vintage said: Now I am in the process of doing up a Purifi 400A to pitt against the NC500 with same PSU/Custom Buffer Board and range of Opamps and will let you know my thoughts in the coming weeks once I have spent some quality listening time with them. I will also compare it to the NC1200 aswell in same buffer/opamp combos to be thorough. Hi 81Vintage I'd be interested in your comparison if you've had a chance to build up and listen to the Purifi 400a amp.
81Vintage Posted August 24, 2020 Posted August 24, 2020 Hi Guys, I have spent a few months with the Purifi now and very happy with it. Rolled through a number of opamps and tried with a few speakers. (Burson V6 Classic + Vivid, Sparkos 3602 + 2590, SIL 990 + 995). I quite like the Burson Vivid with my smaller DC6 series Tannoys and was leaning to the SIL995 driving DC10T Tannoy fullrange and then either the 3602 or 995 FET on the B&W 800D mid top depending on music. To my ears the Purifi is better than the NC500 as a full range amp or mid/top in biamp - but it doesn't hold up to the NC1200 for bottom end/high current requirement speakers though - so my personal setup is now moving to NC1200 or NC2K with stock opamps for bottom end and Purifi 400 with custom buffer board & SIL or Sparkos opamps for the mid-top in a full bi-amp scenario. 2 1
Grizaudio Posted August 24, 2020 Posted August 24, 2020 (edited) 47 minutes ago, 81Vintage said: Hi Guys, I have spent a few months with the Purifi now and very happy with it. Rolled through a number of opamps and tried with a few speakers. (Burson V6 Classic + Vivid, Sparkos 3602 + 2590, SIL 990 + 995). I quite like the Burson Vivid with my smaller DC6 series Tannoys and was leaning to the SIL995 driving DC10T Tannoy fullrange and then either the 3602 or 995 FET on the B&W 800D mid top depending on music. To my ears the Purifi is better than the NC500 as a full range amp or mid/top in biamp - but it doesn't hold up to the NC1200 for bottom end/high current requirement speakers though - so my personal setup is now moving to NC1200 or NC2K with stock opamps for bottom end and Purifi 400 with custom buffer board & SIL or Sparkos opamps for the mid-top in a full bi-amp scenario. I would love to hear a Purifi amp one day. I personally think class A on mids and highs, with D driving the lows is the way to go, with the right speakers. My Firstwat F7 has opened my eyes to what a good class A can do. The naturalness and organic quality is very welcome. Edited August 24, 2020 by musicbee 1
Sinewave Posted August 25, 2020 Posted August 25, 2020 I’d like to add my opinion if I may? A couple of years ago I moved from class A/B to class D and absolutely cannot imagine going back. I was planning to get a Bryston 4B3 but thought I’d try some NC400 monoblocks to see how they would work in my system and was utterly blown away by them. I had been using for some years 2x Rotel RB1080s in monoblock/vertical bi amp configuration and thought it would be very hard to improve on their performance but the NC400s controlled my hard to drive speakers incredibly well. My modified VAF I93mk2 (now hybrid mk3) love power and so I’m now tri-amping with 3x NC400s per side now with active crossover- it sounds spectacular. I have spent time listening to my speakers with Chord and Devialet amps, but the NC400s win every time in my experience. 1 1
Sinewave Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 On 24/08/2020 at 5:47 PM, 81Vintage said: Hi Guys, I have spent a few months with the Purifi now and very happy with it. Rolled through a number of opamps and tried with a few speakers. (Burson V6 Classic + Vivid, Sparkos 3602 + 2590, SIL 990 + 995). I quite like the Burson Vivid with my smaller DC6 series Tannoys and was leaning to the SIL995 driving DC10T Tannoy fullrange and then either the 3602 or 995 FET on the B&W 800D mid top depending on music. To my ears the Purifi is better than the NC500 as a full range amp or mid/top in biamp - but it doesn't hold up to the NC1200 for bottom end/high current requirement speakers though - so my personal setup is now moving to NC1200 or NC2K with stock opamps for bottom end and Purifi 400 with custom buffer board & SIL or Sparkos opamps for the mid-top in a full bi-amp scenario. I’ve just bought a stereo NC502 from March audio for my bass drivers, with 2x stereo NC400 for mid+ high. Just so see if it’s an improvement. I’d love NC1200 but thought it might be overkill. I’m very interested in moving to 4 channels of Purify next year with NC500 for bass
Ittaku Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Sinewave said: I’ve just bought a stereo NC502 from March audio for my bass drivers, with 2x stereo NC400 for mid+ high. Just so see if it’s an improvement. I’d love NC1200 but thought it might be overkill. The 400s are cleaner than the 1200 even if the 1200s have a lot more power. For mid and especially high you don't need anywhere near as much power as you would for bass drivers. I'd say the 400s are better in that application. Edited August 26, 2020 by Ittaku 1
Sinewave Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 Just now, Ittaku said: The 400s are cleaner than the 1200 even if the 1200s have a lot more power. For mid and especially high you don't need anywhere near as much power as you would for bass drivers. I'd say the 400s are better in that application. Sorry, I meant to say that I’d use the 1200 for bass, rather than a 400 monoblock per side as I currently use. Interesting to hear you think 400> 1200 for high range. I haven’t heard them so value your advice thanks 1
Ittaku Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 Just now, Sinewave said: Sorry, I meant to say that I’d use the 1200 for bass, rather than a 400 monoblock per side as I currently use. Ah okay, yeah very much so 1
81Vintage Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) My 2 cents... The NC1200 for bass duties absolutely - if you have speakers that love current then this is the way to absolute driver control even if the "power" figures sound far too high, its the current and capacitance in reserve that counts here. The NC400 and NC500 are on par for me in mid/top duty with stock eval board/opamps. The Purifi is better than the NC400 and NC500 with stock eval board/opamps from my testing and gets better again with dedicated buffer board, proper power supply to it and good opamps. I have had many of that series Rotel and they were great for their day - the nCore and Purifi leave them for dead though in every aspect. Also to clarify - the NC1200 are in no means "dirty" or distorted and will leave most average and above average class A/B and earlier class D + Icepower amps in the dust for full range duties.... but at lower listening levels with really sensitive or revealing speakers - you can hear the Purifi is nicer in the mid/top over the NC1200. Edited August 26, 2020 by 81Vintage Info 4
gwurb Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 51 minutes ago, 81Vintage said: My 2 cents... The NC1200 for bass duties absolutely - if you have speakers that love current then this is the way to absolute driver control even if the "power" figures sound far too high, its the current and capacitance in reserve that counts here. Do you think giving the bass driver more power than it's rated for won't be a problem?
Ittaku Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, gwurb said: Do you think giving the bass driver more power than it's rated for won't be a problem? Too much gain in a sensitive system can be a problem, but too much power itself is never a problem, even with very sensitive speakers, provided the gain structure is correct. In practice, unless you have very efficient horns, it's basically never an issue, and most woofers need far more power than they appear to on paper, due to current and phase angle requirements. Edited August 26, 2020 by Ittaku 1
buddyev Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) I'm considering a new power amp for my B&W805d3 to replace my Elektra reference. TBH its a good amp and nothing is particularly deficient but its around 15 years old and i wouldn't mind trying something else. I'm considering these options form March Audio: 2 x Purifi 1ET400A monos 2 x NC1200 monos 1 x Purifi 1ET400A stereo amp (available soon). The Purifi mono or stereo would probably do the job but can't help wondering about the improved dynamics the 1200s will give me. Any thoughts? Edited August 26, 2020 by buddyev
Irek Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 What about preamplifiers, they can make huge difference.
81Vintage Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 21 minutes ago, gwurb said: Do you think giving the bass driver more power than it's rated for won't be a problem? Absolutely not - more headroom/power on tap = driver control.... just don't push them past the limits 1
gwurb Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 Just now, 81Vintage said: Absolutely not - more headroom/power on tap = driver control.... just don't push them past the limits No volume at 11?
81Vintage Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 12 minutes ago, gwurb said: No volume at 11? Maybe 9.9 safest 1
81Vintage Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 28 minutes ago, Irek said: What about preamplifiers, they can make huge difference. Whole new thread there... if we go that direction next it will be cables and interconnects thrown in the mix.
Essence Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 Been using a Purifi for last month or so and its been great! My unit's buffer just uses a LM4562 opamps, I am not too fused over opamps but if you really wanted maximum performance the only way to go is to run it in bypass mode. Too bad quality high voltage line-stage preamplifiers are a dime a dozen. Time to hunt for a Benchmark LA4. Have yet to see a second hand unit on the classifieds... 1
Irek Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 8 minutes ago, 81Vintage said: Whole new thread there... if we go that direction next it will be cables and interconnects thrown in the mix. I mean the same power amp with the same speakers but connected to $3k pre vs $200 DAC may sound very different so I think discussing just power amps may be a little bit misleading.
81Vintage Posted August 26, 2020 Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) The job of the amplifier is exactly that - to amplify whatever its fed. So yes, there will be differences in pre and source material that a more obvious with such a neutral, high power, low distortion amp. The thread is regarding the amps and their capabilities Vs each other (Class D Vs UCD Vs nCore Vs Purifi), so answer is based on that and not everything else in a system. Just saying.... stay on topic or start a new thread "How do Hypex based power amplifiers compare to Primare or others" Edited August 26, 2020 by 81Vintage 1
HomerJ Posted November 16, 2020 Posted November 16, 2020 (edited) @81Vintage I’m hoping you can help with advise on a new multichannel Nord amp. I have a pair of B&W 802D (front), a pair of 804D2 (sides) and HTM2 (centre) in my 7.2.4 system (all the others are Focals). Currently I’m driving my 5 B&Ws using an Arcam AVR600 (120W class G) via analog outs from a Denon AVR X7200WA. The Denon drives by rear and ceiling channel Focals. My concern with a Nord N500 5 channel is comments the Nord class D may add high frequency to the B&W Diamonds. So based on your comments and experience with Nord HyperX what input buffer/Op Amp options/config would you recommend ? I’m pretty keen on a Nord solution due to my budget and found my way here after researching a suitable multichannel amp, the NAD M27 was on my short list. My system is mainly used for hires multichannel music. 80% music, 20% movies. Edited November 17, 2020 by HomerJ Added ‘multichannel’ music 1
Irek Posted November 17, 2020 Posted November 17, 2020 1 hour ago, HomerJ said: @81Vintage I’m hoping you can help with advise on a new multichannel Nord amp. I have a pair of B&W 802D (front), a pair of 804D2 (sides) and HTM2 (centre) in my 7.2.4 system (all the others are Focals). Currently I’m driving my 5 B&Ws using an Arcam AVR600 (120W class G) via analog outs from a Denon AVR X7200WA. The Denon drives by rear and ceiling channel Focals. My concern with a Nord N500 5 channel is comments the Nord class D may add high frequency to the B&W Diamonds. So based on your comments and experience with Nord HyperX what input buffer/Op Amp options/config would you recommend ? I’m pretty keen on a Nord solution due to my budget and found my way here after researching a suitable multichannel amp, the NAD M27 was on my short list. My system is mainly used for hires music. 80% music, 20% movies. For music you need only 2 ch amp. You have excellent AVR already. I would borrow class D amp and try it at home before buying. Integrated vs AVR + power amp.
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