NCore Amp

[jtwrace]

Do you have to build these? I like mine pre made!

Yes, but it's really not too tough, it's just wiring modules together, not stuffing boards

And the wires from the modules are pre-made too.  You need to connect power in to an IEC or connector of choice, hookup speaker wire from NC400 to binding posts and solder the premade Mogami input wires to your supplied XLR connector. 

Of course this is after you select the chassis of choice. 

Very simple!

[machinehead]

Cool. I have a solder kit shouldn't be too hard I guess

[rollo]

  Does one actualy require an enclosure ? What about using the Altman DAC method of attaching to a spruce board or wood of the day. ? Will the modules benifit from RFI/EMI shielding from an enclosure say Aluminum ? 
   


charles

[richidoo]

It would work on a board, but the risk of electrocution from ~40VDC PS is too great to leave the connections exposed. Even the Altmann DAC had plastic PS connectors on the DAC PCB. Only the battery terminals were exposed and should be covered for interior use.  It would be better to build the wood board into a full wood box.  After having built many wood boxes for electronics to save money, I will probably never do it again. The price for a good aluminum box from Par metal is low compared to the extra effort it takes to make connectors designed to mounting in sheet metal work in thicker wood. Only the IEC connector is difficult, all other connectors can be cut with a 1/2" unibit.

The full shielding does make a difference, maybe it is the ground reservoir concept, or noise shielding. The modules won't benefit from shielding as much as the outside world will benefit from shielding the noisy amp.

[TomS]

I would definitely use an enclosure. The exposed voltage and current of the SMPS600 supply is very high and there are several metal contact points, so it is a safety issue. I bought my pair of nicely finished compact cases (RE2207) from www.siliconray.com for about $150 total, shipped from China. Drill 2 XLR holes and 4 binding post holes and you're done. The IEC openings are even cut for you.

[richidoo]

Nice source Tom!

http://www.siliconray.com/mechanical/enclosures.html

Which box did you get?

[Bill O'Connell]

Rich,
 Go into the mechanical pull down menu and you will see RE2207 at the website

[jtwrace]

 Does one actualy require an enclosure ?

Yes, it''s a very good idea.  Not only for safety but also for longevity of the NC400.  The module gets very warm without a heat sink but once it's on an aluminum enclosure (which is a heat sink) it's barely even warm.  

See the data sheet here and look at section 10.1
http://www.hypex.nl/docs/NC400_datasheet.pdf

Will the modules benifit from RFI/EMI shielding from an enclosure say Aluminum ?  

Bruno the designer say's no.  

Nice source Tom!

http://www.siliconray.com/mechanical/enclosures.html

Which box did you get?

The only hint I'll make with "Mike" is that you have him ship using EMS otherwise it will take ~20 days to the USA.  I've ordered 6 cases from him now....

The only thing that I've done are new faceplates.   

[Barry (NJ)]

This enclosure could probably hold 2 amps and 2 power supplies, so dual mono except for the power chord.

[machinehead]

Is the sound better than any class D available today?
I like that Bruno is only selling to the end user. Kind of cool!

[Barry (NJ)]

For whatever it's worth, these aren't exactly cheap. It'll cost 1010 Euros for 2 amp modules, and 2 power supplies, currently $1330.00 plus a case or two and hardware and you're looking at $1,500. Not at all crazy by Hi-End standards, but not cheap either. Just wanted to bring that perspective to the thread

https://www.hypexshop.com/DetailServlet?detailID=4466

[hogg]

Has anyone compared the Ghent ICE amp to the NCore?  If you're not familiar with the Ghent amp, here's a link:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/icepower-125asx2-a200b-mono-550w-x-2-ch-se-amp--2

I've owned the Ghent amp for a few months.  I think it's very good and far better than the Class D amps or the earlier ICE generations.  I'm using it as two mono blocs in one chasis.  The output is claimed to be 550W/channel.  It's one of the few amps that doessn't clip, when playing the Japanese Kodo drummers at high volume on my ATC SCM11's.   I paid $670 incl shipping for this amp fully-assembled.

I'm hoping the two amps can be compared, when the NCore is with Martin Joseph or Paul Kaplan.

                                                        Jim

[AcidJazz]

Make the trip down Jim, bring the Ghent...I think the Ncore should be in NY as soon as next week.
I am looking forward to hearing this much praised amp.

[Face]

I'd love to hear these side by side against W4S's monos...

[machinehead]

Me too. Maybe we can hear them at Emils? Oh Emil....