So, let’s get into some meaningful spec-manship. Let’s compare the frequency response, and output impedance (8 / output impedance = damping factor) of ICEPower and nCore to see about what could matter with different speakers.
Here are the source docs I start with:
Ncore docs:
https://www.diyclassd.com/documenten/download/860
ICEPower :
http://www.icepower.bang-olufsen.com/files/solutions/icepower250aspdata.pdf
I’ll use a couple of examples. My own custom built speakers which have around 9 Ohms of impedance at the top octave, and ESL’s which are basically giant capacitors, and murderously low impedance at the top octave often near 0.3 Ohms. I should point out most SS amps have coils at the output to protect from hyper-sonic oscillation. This coil acts as a low pass filter and will cause the frequency response to droop at the top octave. This is not by itself unusual or ONLY about Class D amplifiers.
Using a "normal" speaker like mine let's examine how the output impedance changes response at the 20kHz mark:
nCore: -0.003 dB
ICEPower: - 0.3 dB
0.3 dB isn’t inaudible.... but VERY subtle. Below this, in the bass where many speakers get difficult to drive, there’s only tiny differences in response. Certainly better than most tube and zero feedback SS amps. This is a small difference which fits well within the idea of "system matching" an amp to personal preferences, speakers and room tuning.
But let’s take an extreme case of an ESL which has around 0.3 Ohms in the top octave:
nCore: -0.08 dB
ICEPower: -6 dB
This is a case where the nCore could make a very significant, audible difference when playing the same speakers.
My point to this is, based on specs, both modules will perform very well with normal loads. Any differences in the top octave may be inaudible, or useful.
This is one example of where I think specs and technology can help us understand how to match an amplifier with our system better.
Best,
E
Here are the source docs I start with:
Ncore docs:
https://www.diyclassd.com/documenten/download/860
ICEPower :
http://www.icepower.bang-olufsen.com/files/solutions/icepower250aspdata.pdf
I’ll use a couple of examples. My own custom built speakers which have around 9 Ohms of impedance at the top octave, and ESL’s which are basically giant capacitors, and murderously low impedance at the top octave often near 0.3 Ohms. I should point out most SS amps have coils at the output to protect from hyper-sonic oscillation. This coil acts as a low pass filter and will cause the frequency response to droop at the top octave. This is not by itself unusual or ONLY about Class D amplifiers.
Using a "normal" speaker like mine let's examine how the output impedance changes response at the 20kHz mark:
nCore: -0.003 dB
ICEPower: - 0.3 dB
0.3 dB isn’t inaudible.... but VERY subtle. Below this, in the bass where many speakers get difficult to drive, there’s only tiny differences in response. Certainly better than most tube and zero feedback SS amps. This is a small difference which fits well within the idea of "system matching" an amp to personal preferences, speakers and room tuning.
But let’s take an extreme case of an ESL which has around 0.3 Ohms in the top octave:
nCore: -0.08 dB
ICEPower: -6 dB
This is a case where the nCore could make a very significant, audible difference when playing the same speakers.
My point to this is, based on specs, both modules will perform very well with normal loads. Any differences in the top octave may be inaudible, or useful.
This is one example of where I think specs and technology can help us understand how to match an amplifier with our system better.
Best,
E