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How does ICEpower 1200AS2 compares to Hypex NC500 implementation?

I need to buy an amp that works well with a large center channel. I have made up my mind on going with Class D to save space among other things. 

I have narrowed down to two implementations, they are based on ICEpower 1200AS2 and Hypex NC500, links are for the data sheets. 

ICEpower 1200AS2 implementations from Apollon Audio and Nord Acoustics among others look good. And one of this module can power two speakers or act as mono block(no bridging necessary!?) all for less than $1000, seems quite a value.

All the local manufactures seem to be still focused on using older ICEpower modules not sure why. Any one has thoughts or detailed technical input on which amplifier to use?. The speaker in question is Legacy Marquis XD , 4 Ohm nominal, 95 dB and suggested 15 to 400 watts. I do not wish to clip the LF for the speaker. Looking for an economical and cool running amp that can supply ample power when needed at lowest distortion possible for the $.
geek101

Showing 2 responses by matiasreccius

matiasreccius's avatar
matiasreccius
41 posts
 
NC500 is said to be very transparent and there are several buffer implementations that may add their "house sound": Sonic Imagery and Sparkos both have DIP8 and larger sized opamps, Hattor and Marantz PM10 have their custom buffers, etc. Difficult to generalize the NC500 when the buffer can be so different, right?
As for the 1200AS the ICEpower already has input buffer in it, so all implementations should sound very similar, changing only chassis, cables and connectors. Mivera has different possibilities to build to different price points.
1200AS seems the best value, although Apollon and Nord sell both and say the NC500 has the better sound quality.
matiasreccius's avatar
matiasreccius
41 posts
 
Personally if I were to choose the 1200AS I definitely would have chosen to use 2 of them, one for each channel, for maximum power reserves (1.200W in 4 ohms is crazy), power supply headroom and channel separation. The boards are not big, so that using 2 of them in a single chassis is still doable. Ghent Audio has a chassis for 1 or 2 modules, very convenient.

Now we definitely need more end users with experience with both NC500 and 1200AS to report their findings. Or reviews comparing them too.
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