Class D amps

I received my NCores in the first batch, but I just haven't put them together yet. I have been running UCD400HG with HxR for 2 or 3 years. They are fabulous and I expect the NCores will be considerably better based on what I have read.

Kijanki,

I agree. My Hypex UCD400HG with H x R monoblocks I built took well over 400 to bloom. More like 600-700 hrs. Until that point they were okay, somewhat flat and lacking air.

Now they ere phenomenally 3D, tons of air, huge soundstage and incredibly detailed. Best amps I have owned.

Class D amps aren't necessarily small, and/or at least not lightweight.

My Hypex amps I built have (1) 500va toroidal transformer per side, all Neotech solid core wiring, upgraded IEC, RCAs and binding posts. They are not light. And to answer the question above, my amps took hundreds of hours of PLAYING time to really shine.

I agree with Ciphercomplete. My amps sound nothing like how a number of professional reviewers have described them. I think their criticism is primarily snob appeal and protection of the well-established, high-end amp manufacturers who are clearly threatened by more efficient and cost effective technology. I can afford virtually any amp I want, but so far, I have not been tempted to purchase any other amps.

Hypex amps are the best I have had in my system (only after lots of hours) and Hypex has also announced a new amplifier, NCore, which they contend will meet or exceed the SQ of any SS amplifier technology available at any price. Time will tell whether this is simply marketing or if Bruno Putzey, has indeed, pushed the envelope on Class D.

Stringreen, I have owned 2 of the 3 you mentioned and if I understand you to mean that Class D can't compete with them, I would have to respectfully disagree. IMHO, of course. Believe me, if my current amps couldn't cut it, I would do what I have done countless times in the past - spend gobs of money chasing my Holy Grail. I'm not saying the UCD HG with H x R are the Holy Grail, but I will say I have enjoyed them as much as anything I have owned.

And If I am not mistaken, the Kharma amp that someone referenced here as being exceptional uses the Hypex UCD modules, albeit with a tremendous markup,

If I completely misinterpreted your comments, my apologies in advance.

Uh oh, I think I did misinterpret your meaning, sorry.

Might want to do some homework on the latest Hypex NCore amps. They have kicked a lot of big names out of some very high-end systems.

Dob, I just finished my NCores yesterday. They are clearly better than my UCD400 monoblocks and I loved my UCD400s.

The NCores are more transparent, bass is tighter and there is simply more information presented. Without a doubt instruments and voices are more nuanced and the soundstage appears more defined. In complex passages everything remains sorted our, not that it was congested with the UCDs, but the NCores are simply better.

I was afraid they were going to be analytical or sterile based on some reports I read, but not in my system. I built my UCDs unbalanced and the NCores balanced. My front-end is the PS Audio PerfectWave combo with the upgraded DAC so balanced seemed like the obvious choice.

I did use upgraded Furutech XLR and IEC parts, Cardas Patented binding posts and Neotech wire for my internal speaker connections. But I used the same combo in the UCD400s. The only difference in my setup is the NCores and a balanced configuration.

If I had to say how much better I think the NCores are using a percentage, I would just take a stab at it by saying the NCores are at least 20-30% better except the soundstage. My UCDs threw a huge soundstage and the NCores are at least even, just more defined and nuanced.

I know my UCDs improved over time and if the NCores improve they will exceed the UCDs by a rather large margin.

Drubin,

I used this chassis in all aluminum - 330mm x 280mm.

I was very pleased with the result.

http://www.modushop.biz/ecommerce/cat136_l2.php?n=1