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I Think I'm Going to Build ncore Monos


(I'm posting this here as well as in the amp forum, as there are often a lot of people with DIY experience in computer forums)

I'm thinking it's time to jump into the DIY pool for these amps. I have almost nil experience; I can solder, but they look pretty basic to build.

I've done a fair bit of searching, so if anyone who has built them would like to share the "insider info" on the parts/build, I would appreciate it.

It seems I need the following besides the NC400 and SMPS600 pairs for mono amps:

XLR female chassis connector
Speaker binding posts
Mains inlet
Mains switch

I assume I can simply swap RCA chassis connector for XLR and wire it accordingly. No? Yes?

I'm looking for high quality parts, not limited by budget. My goal is the best result sonically, not the cheapest.

Links to good, solidly built chassis? Looks like I will need pre-drilled for the ncore elements.

I appreciate any leads, walkthrough links, photo build links, and warnings what to avoid on the build!

Finally, a question: Has anyone found a method/plan to build ncore monos which utilize both XLR and RCA inputs? Can this be done on the NC400 platform, or would I need to build two sets of monos? TIA! :)
douglas_schroeder
7 responses Add your response
dpatterson
105 posts
 
Doug,

Lot's of information on Audiocircle on this topic. I have ncore mono blocks in Aluminati cases but I didn't build them myself. Someone else assembled them for me. I ordered the modules from Hypex. Contact Matt of Aluminati Sound for info on chassis.

Don
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Doug , Mike from MPLS , MN here . Bought your first pair of kings . Been using the nc400 monos for about a year . If you can , build four and biamp . The results on the v.1 kings is amazing .
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
You will want to probably use your clarity wire for internal wiring ? Need about 6 " of wire. As to rca and xlr , mine were built with a toggle switch. Have not done a a/b comparison on sound between the two . The AC forum majority and designer Bruno state the xlr is sound wise the only way to go .
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
I've been thinking about the same, but I'm now going through an ambitious DIY speaker project and need to stay focused. I've been impressed with the knowledge base at diyaudio.com regarding speakers. It might be worth searching for these builds as well.

My to-be speakers will be multi-amped, and these NCores are certainly appealing. Please let us know how your project evolves.

Have fun!
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Hello Doug, another suggestion to check AudioCircle. There's a section devoted to the Hypex amps with all the info you could ask for; plenty of helpful owners also. Good luck with the project.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Someone suggested: "Contact Matt of Aluminati Sound for info on chassis."

Absolutely! Matt is a superb CNC machinist and has produced some of the nicest looking amp chassis I've ever seen. His attention to detail is superb - highly recommended.

-RW-
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
"Matt is a superb CNC machinist and has produced some of the nicest looking amp chassis I've ever seen. His attention to detail is superb - highly recommended."

+1
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