Hypex Modules

[Kev]

I've just pulled the trigger on a pair of Hypex NC400 power modules and psu's. It looks really straight forward as a build so hopefully the magic smoke won't get let out when I nail it together. :doh: 6" nails should be OK to fix it the plywood base shouldn't they.

I just need a pair of boxes to put them in now, and of course wait while the machinations of the banks and couriers do their best to fuck it up.

If there's any interest I'll add to the thread as I build

cheers

Kev

 

[davlett]

If there's any interest I'll add to the thread as I build

I'd certainly be interested, especially your opinions on the sound having read a good few positive words on these!

 

[Brumjam]

Best of luck with the build Kev. Give me a shout if you get stuck. I got my cases from Silicon Ray. They took a while to arrive but build quality is very good - they're purpose made for the Ncore modules and come pre-drilled.

James

 

[Kev]

Thanks for the responses.

I reckon it'll be a week or 3 before I can get any sound tests, but I'll definitely put something up about the sound.

Thanks for the offer Brumjam. Those cases do look good.

I notice you've built the DDDDDDDDDac, respect :notworthy:

 

[dan1502]

I've been enjoying mine very much for quite a while now. However they're still in mock-up mdf cases as my engineer friend has so far let me down in respect of the machining. Silicon-ray's case doesn't suit me off the shelf as I have balanced inputs and two sets of speaker posts which is recommended for bi-wiring these (or triwiring as I have done).

 

[Kev]

What an easy build!!! I was going to post some photos but it's so straight forward there's no point. The build is simply fixing modules and wiring them up, even wiring looms are supplied

After I built it I plugged it into some cheapo speakers switched everything on, no blue smoke is a good sign, no sound is a bad sign. Bugger what's gone wrong, turned up the wick, nothing, nada, no hiss no hum no sounds. Gingerly touch an input and jump out of my skin as the speaker cone tries its best to leave orbit. Check everything and embarrassment as I realize I've got the wrong input selected. Try again and sounds ensue. Turn up the wick and louder sounds are emitted, leave it running. After an hour I connect it up to my second system and have a listen. Very very good indeed.

Out of curiosity I selected an input with nothing connected and had a listen, boy is this thing quiet even at full volume.

Kev

 

[roob]

Where in Stoke are you Kevin? There are a couple of fellow Stokies on here.

 

[Kev]

I'm on Meir Park. You?

 

[roob]

On your doorstep Weston Coyney my daughter lives on MP, there is also Steve Bourne(Bourney) who lives in Baddeley Green.

 

[Hornucopia]

You'll have seen this?

http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/ncore/1.html

Great concept.

 

[Kev]

Thanks for sharing that. I can confirm their findings of quiet, boy is it quiet.

The sound is coming on nicely now, they've tamed the potentially strident top end of the ATC40's but still let through the highest frequencies, the bass is all there and when you turn up the volume it just gets louder. The volume level is something I've not come across before, it's disconcerting to turn up the volume and have no indication it's getting louder. A bit of a daft comment until you hear it. There really are no aural clues about the volume until the wife comes in and says "turn it ****** down" I suspect it's down to the ATC's phenomenal ability to go loud without compressing or distorting, and the Ncore's ability to control the speakers.

Early days yet but they are very very good.

Kev

You'll have seen this?http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/ncore/1.html

Great concept.

 

[Hornucopia]

Quad ELSs have the same concept (Volume) Things seem to get CLEARER not louder....until you leave the room and realise!

 

[budgetblown]

This looks very interesting. I've read good things about Hypex modules, how are they with "difficult" speakers? My TJL-3W's are beautifully accurate, BUT they do require amps with significant testicular fortitude to get the best out of them.

 

[dan1502]

I know exactly what you mean about the volume as I too have NCores with SCM40s. However with my Benchmark DAC1 HDR having internal jumpers you set for your listening range and I don't have them set on the highest gain setting I probably haven't stretched either the ATCs or the NCores. At full volume as it is there is no distortion at all.

 

[Ganders]

Kev,do these need any soldering to build or is it all crimp connectors?

 

[Kev]

Don't know what they're like with difficult loads, although the SCM40's are supposedly very inefficient I believe they have a fairly flat impedance curve. I should imagine, given the very low output impedance and the power on tap of the NC400's, that difficult loads should present no difficulty.

Paul, no soldering on the boards at all, in fact the boards come with cable harnesses so its plug in. The only soldering/crimping is on the switch if you fit one and the inputs and speaker outs, and the power connector. As I said in a previous post, the build is ridiculously easy, and the sound is difficult to describe because to me it's the closest thing to Peter Walker's straight wire with gain.

Kev

Kev

 

[Ganders]

Thanks for that Kev,seriously tempted to try these now.

 

[occamsrazor]

Hi, just wondering if you had any further impressions of the nCore amps?

I'm thinking about making or trying to buy secondhand a pair of Hypex nc400 monoblocks...

- Are you still using them?

- Which cases did you end up with in the end?

- Dan I see you are using them with ATC SCM-40s. Do you by chance have an idea how well they would suit some SCM-11s (new style)?

Cheers