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Mytek slams Hypex in Stereophile Amp Review

Mytek's chief designer, Michal Jurewicz, told me. "Hypex [class-D modules] cannot drive it, the amps collapse, but this Brooklyn Amp does it with ease."

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mytek-brooklyn-amp-power-amplifier

Which is pretty interesting, because the closest I could find to their specs is from ICEpower modules. :) 

I've not been able to do comparisons with Hypex vs. ICEpower amps, so I have no idea what this is about. I use both but certainly not with difficult speakers. 
erik_squires
seanheis1
624 posts
 
One of the very interesting and best things about Class D is that those modules can be made modified and made proprietary by engineers.
I'm not so sure about it being possible to modify the modules themselves. I believe that they are pretty fixed.

Perhaps the module makers (Hypex, ICE, TI, etc) could tweak the switching frequency for a company like Mytech to impose a house sound, but Class D is high tech and boutique amp makers don't design semi-conductors. 

Where the boutique amp makers get to play and differentiate themselves is with the case, power supply, outputs, and possibly a pre amp.  
helomech
1,673 posts
 
Do any readers have specific experience with Hypex amps and big speakers to confirm or deny Mytek’s claims?
My experience is with Rogue’s Hypex-based Sphinx and Pharaoh. Neither could produce the lowest octave of my Monitor Audio Silver 8s (not the most efficient speakers, but certainly not anywhere near the worst). The same applied with my Epos Epic 2s - fairly efficient speakers. My $300 Yamaha embarrassed those amps when it came to bass.
helomech
1,673 posts
 
I'm not so sure about it being possible to modify the modules themselves. I believe that they are pretty fixed.
Definitely possible - Rogue does it.
ami's avatar
ami
63 posts
 
I own a pair of Hypex Ncore 500 monoblocks and they are mind-blowing good. They drive a pair of 3 way Ryan MCL 3 that also have complex crossovers and aren't the easiest of loads. In my system, they beat quite a few highly regarded amps, some costing 10x, and by a wide margin...

I believe that Rogue uses the cheaper ucd Hypex modules, not the Ncore.
At it's price point, it makes sense. 

seanheis1
624 posts
 
I'm not so sure about it being possible to modify the modules themselves. I believe that they are pretty fixed.
Definitely possible - Rogue does it.
Rogue adds a tube input stage to sweeten the sound from the Class D output stage. This is a good example of adding a house sound.

Boutique amp makers are under a lot of pressure to differentiate their products from the module, which is also branded. Ice has bundled a power supply with the module, leaving "amp makers" scrambling to find tweaks for the copywriters to wordsmith. 

Things are changing though. Module makers realize that boutique amp makers want more control so they can impart their house sound. Hypex has a module that they won't sell to DIY.

 Anyway, it's interesting to sit on the sidelines and watch a newer market develop inside of our dinosaur hobby. ;-) 
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