Ice Amp 125ASX2

I have not heard all of them but the ICEPower 250ASP are very good. Very neutral with good dynamics.  May be too boring for some audiophiles.  They dont add anything or take it away.  If you are looking for an amp to color your sound the ICEPower modules are not it.

I can also recommend Ghentoo cases and kits.

Best,

Erik

im no historian, but the icepower modules went through a couple of generations.  Make sure to get the latest.

@seanheis1

Sorry they didn't work out for you.  I'm on the other side, they work great for my needs, but then I'm not taking a PC audio output. :)

You asked about inputs. Among some of the things I've read is the use of input coupling transformers. Either 1:1 or 1.4 or 2:1 to increase the apparent input impedance were some of the stories I've read.  I"m actually dying to try some from Jensen, but that's another project that will have to wait.  Not too terribly expensive, about $70 each

There's a lot of claims of vendors doing this or that to the amps to differentiate themselves.  some are true, some are completely bogus but in almost all cases are almost costless. The biggest change which is true is from Theta who started shipping nCore modules with linear power supplies. It's easier to do with nCore since they don't have an integrated power supply like many of the ICEPower modules do. Of course, Hypex sells power supplies, but with the ICEPower 250ASP for instance, the power supply is on board and impossible to remove.

Just to be sure, leave them on 24/7 for a week or so, let us know if the amp warms up at all.

Best,


Erik

Oh, I just realized something.  If you are going from PC to ICE, how are you getting the balanced input??

@seanheis1

Yes, PC's are notorious for causing ground loop issues, using any metal plugs.

For analog outs from a PC the best solution is an isolation transformer from Jensen. Almost all USB DAC's now have galvanic isolation built in, and of course if your PC has optical S/PDIF outs then your good too. :)

Actually any conducting interface in any good dac these days (AES, coaxial, USB) should be isolated, though I'm sure some are too cheap to do this.  Occasionally I'll still read that DAC x has high noise, or jitter, and the tester finally realized there was a ground loop involved.  << sigh >>

Best,

Erik