Merrill Audio VERITAS Amps: Any other experiances?

Very intriging. I started reading this thread to learn more about the Merril Veritas class D monoblocs.

However, this thread quickly evolved(devolved?) into a discussion of ownership rights to various class D technologies, patent and trademark ownership in both Europe and the U.S. and other undisclosed matters.

It's obvious that 'Audiozen' has a different viewpoint than 'Hifial' and 'Guidocorona'. Hifial and Guidocorona, on one side, are arguing that Hypex owns "hypex"and "ncore" technologies and trademarks but not the Ucd technology and trademark, conceding that Phillips owns these since Bruno Putskeys invented this while employed by Phillips. Audiozen, on the other side, agrees that Phillips owns the UcD rights but implies that the "ncore" rights may belong to Phillips, since he claims the "ncore" name and technology may have begun developement under Bruno while he was still employed by Phillips.

It seems like each side is trying to establish timelines for either current or future legal disputes regarding 'hypex" and "ncore" ownership rights. Does anyone know if Hypex and Phillips are engaged in a legal dispute or potential future litigation? Or is this just a public spat between rival class D companies?

I find this very interesting but I have no stake in this game/dispute. In trying to understand the hidden agendas displayed in their respective thread postings above.
It appears to me that:

1. Hifial is definitely Jean-Peter van Amerongen, CEO and owner of Hypex Electronics in The Netherlands. His position in this dispute is clearly backing Hypex's interests which is completely understandable.
2. Guidocorona is an Italian named Guido ? that appears to work for, or with, Hypex. I'm not sure what his employment position is but he is clearly in support of Hypex's interests.
3. Audiozen, I currently think either works for or represents the interests of Phillips but I'm not certain. He seems intent on trying to muddy the waters in regards to when Bruno Putzkeys began work on the "ncore" technology. He also seems to have an undisclosed agenda but he may just be a rival razzing a competitor and spreading misinformation.
4. Bruno Putzkeys is a Polish born amplifier engineer and designer whom both sides refer to often in their thread posts. He worked for Phillips in The Netherlands when he invented the UcD (Universal class D) technology and modules that utilized PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) which marked the birth of class D amplification. Sometime in 2005, Bruno left Phillips and joined Hypex as their head of R&D in order to further his development of his class D technology, since Phillips had just previously discontinued funding for his amplifier research and development. Whether or not Bruno worked on 'ncore', or even referred to any part of his UcD creation with the name 'ncore, is a major point of contention between the 2 parties since this could imply ownership rights of 'ncore'.

Even though I have no skin in this game, I'm going to follow future developments closely. If anyone has aditional knowledge of this dispute, or wants to clarify or correct any of my statements or information, please post them. I may be reading too much into this, but I think I'm smelling ulterior motives and an undisclosed story here.

Audiozen, can you tell us if you have an undisclosed stake in this dispute and whether you're employed by any audio company? If so, is it Audio Research or Rowland?

Guidocorona, can you tell us if you have a stake and if you're employed by Hypex? If not, are you employed by another audio company?

Just my 2 cents and thanks,
Tim

Hi Guido,

I'm just an audiofool, myself. One who, obviously, has too much time on my hands since retiring ( former distribution operations manager).

I also am very excited about the potential of the new various class D amplifiers/technologies and have been following developments closely. I'm a Class D Audio SDS440SC owner and love this amp. I'm also thinking of trying my hand at building a pair of Hypex momoblocs with NC400 amp modules, figuring this will save me about $8-10k, with the finished monos that use the top of the line Hypex modules costing so much. I'll post my impressions if I do build these. I would also love to see a review comparing the various class D amps to each other as well as to some top class A, A/B and tube amps.

I apologize for letting my imagination run wild. I now understand that this thread was just fellow audiofools being passionate about their viewpoints, not high-end company bigwigs discussing industry happenings under cover of psuedo-usernames.

In my defense, however, you 3 are so involved and passionate in your opinions/brand biases, that I think you all may have unwittingly taken on the personas of your favorite companies' owners. Kind of like very committed actors being devoted to their roles.
I also falsely assumed Hifial was Jan-Peter of Hypex because he included a quote from Hypex in one of his posts that was signed by Jan Peter at the end.

I don't consider myself a conspiracy theorist. But, I sure took this thread and embellished the f*&!ck out of it. I'm so glad that my post will provide so many hours of amusement for you guys.

No charge and have fun.
Thanks,
Tim

Hi Guido,

Thanks for the info. I've been reading the forums on Audiocircle and that's where I got the idea to build my own monoblocs. With things happening so quickly with class D, I'm a little concerned that my monoblocs may be obsolete by the time I complete them. But I could always use them somewhere.

Thanks for being cool about my ramblings,
Tim

Hi Al,

Thanks for the info. I would love to use the NC1200 modules in my possible amp build (but I know they're only available in finished amps that are beyond my budget) so I'll probably use the NC400 modules or some other class D modules. Or I could write a string of conspiracy novels in order to afford the better nc1200 based amps. We all know I have the aptitude to be successful at it.

I live in Indiana so I won't be able to hear the Veritas but would love to.

Thanks for being so understanding of my temporary insanity. I now know you have no affiliation with Hypex or Merrill; I mistakenly thought Jan Peter wrote one of your posts which I later found out was just a quoting of one of his emails that you included in one of your posts.

Thanks again,
Tim

"PS Just incase you did not know and it could make a difference, Merrill Audio has a trade up program and I have heard it has helped others. Otherwise go with the above."
Hifial (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Hifial,
If Merrill really wanted to help me out with their trade up program, they would accept my mother inlaw.

If I still had the discretionary income I had when I was working, I would probably go with the Merrill Veritas monoblocs or something similar.

But,if I go with the Hypex NC400 modules in kit form,
I'll follow your advice and do it right : Litz cabling, quality binding posts, solid chassis with Stillpoints Mini isolation.

Thanks,
Tim

Hifial,

Thanks for all the good advice. I'll try to follow all of it. You've been a big help.

Thanks,
Tim

Guido,

I would just like to chime in, as several others already have, and congatulate and thank you for your series of well written and articulate posts that formed, when taken as a whole, an excellent review of your very nice amps. I found it very interesting and informative on how your impressions of their performance changed as they broke in.
Thanks again,
Tim

Guido,

Just to be clear, I was mostly commenting on your review of your Rowland 825 monoblocks on a separate thread but your Veritas review was also very good.

Thanks,
Tim

Guido,

Yes, I meant your new Rowland 925 mono/4pc amps. My mistake.

Thanks,
Tim