Hypex NCore Amps

[NoahG]

There's been lots of talk about the class D Hypex NCore amps on the net.

Hypex claims:

"Ncore® is the first class D amplifier not just to nudge the best linear amplifiers, but to surpass them in every aspect relevant to sound quality."

Has anyone on AA heard the NC400 DIY modules or the NC1200 OEM units?

[Face]

I haven't yet, but have heard good things about them from friends.

[joeinid]

I have also heard they outstanding. The modules are relatively cheap but finished amps can be expensive.

[NoahG]

From this post:

Stuck in the middle | PS Audio

It looks like PS Audio and Jeff Rowland are working amps using these modules.

[Elberoth]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I have also heard they outstanding. The modules are relatively cheap but finished amps can be expensive.

Maybe by Dart standards Joe

The NCORE modules are uberexpensive for a switching amp the size of postcard.

IMO the price reflects the R&D more than anything else. Would love to hear one.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Maybe by Dart standards Joe

The NCORE modules are uberexpensive for a switching amp the size of postcard.

IMO the price reflects the R&D more than anything else. Would love to hear one.

Makes sense. I don't think I've read any bad reports on how they sound. I guess they will start becoming more available as time goes on. From what I understand, the power supply is of utmost importance in extracting the highest fidelity with these modules. I guess that goes for everything in this hobby.

[Drubin]

The NC 400 modules and their partner power supplies are being offered only to the DIY community. The larger NC 1200 modules are for the OEM market.

The Ncore technology is trickling into the latest generation of Hypex's other modules, which carry lower prices. It turns out that PS Audio will be using one of those products and not the Ncore. Not sure about Rowland.

I built a dual mono configuration of the DIY modules last week. Too soon for detailed listening impressions and I'm going to re-do some of what I built. But I'm pretty excited by what I'm hearing. Parts cost for Hypex stuff was around $1400. Add another $200+ for a plain chassis and connectors. What's the usual ratio of parts cost to end-user price for a finished product in the high end? 4x - 5x maybe? So this would be a fairly pricey amp as a finished product. In my hands, it's worse than pedestrian looking but it works.

[Drubin]

I'd like to answer that after I've had a little more time with the Ncores.

[rw@cn]

Just read a nice review of the Rogue Hydra amp. The amp is a hybrid and uses a modified Hypex module. Nice review.

[NoahG]

Originally Posted by Drubin

I'd like to answer that after I've had a little more time with the Ncores.

So, are you keeping the NCores or the Magtech?