Im going to chime in here as a new owner. Now that I have lived with them for a while its a little surprising to me these new modules from Hypex are not getting a little more attention.
My opinion is that these amps are more than just the continued evolution of class D, I think they have crossed over into something possibly sonically unique. I have not been following class D very closely. I have checked in now and again over the past 6-7 years. My initial impression came from a demo of Rowlands 500 watt ICE based amps on Harbeth 40.1 in my home for a few weeks. These were not good sounding amps IMO
Most recently I took a spin with a local ICE amp New Clear NC1000L, a transformer coupled ICE amp. This was huge step forward over my recollection of the Rowlands, a very very good amp but still lacking the absolute refinement in the midrange and treble that the best A A/B has been capable of for the past 10-15 years in particular. Still the overall performance of the NC would make it extremely competitive at the 3k price point with traditional A A/B designs if all things sonically are considered.
The Ncore 1200 modules IMO are something downright different entirely than anything I have owned or heard all the way from high powered SE valve amps to brute SS class A designs. Describing the "sound" of electronics is not usually that valuable. What I will say is that most of the attributes most critical listeners tend to seek in world class sound, these amps have in spades. All wrapped up in a noise floor that goes into uncharted territory and you have sonics that I suspect but cannot prove, no traditional SS or tube design regardless of price could exactly duplicate.
The real debate, and the one I am surprised is not going on as we speak, is whether the combination of sonic traits the Ncore 1200 is producing is closer to the ideal amplifier sonically if such a thing is possible. I happen to think it is and I say that with ease having lived with them now for a while. I just simply cannot find a single fault with them sonically.
Would love to hear from other owners, there have to be more out there that can share their impressions. I find it a little interesting that most of the detractors are supply side peeps that have a lot to lose with the way class D has been brought to production heavily direct to consumer in many instances.
My opinion is that these amps are more than just the continued evolution of class D, I think they have crossed over into something possibly sonically unique. I have not been following class D very closely. I have checked in now and again over the past 6-7 years. My initial impression came from a demo of Rowlands 500 watt ICE based amps on Harbeth 40.1 in my home for a few weeks. These were not good sounding amps IMO
Most recently I took a spin with a local ICE amp New Clear NC1000L, a transformer coupled ICE amp. This was huge step forward over my recollection of the Rowlands, a very very good amp but still lacking the absolute refinement in the midrange and treble that the best A A/B has been capable of for the past 10-15 years in particular. Still the overall performance of the NC would make it extremely competitive at the 3k price point with traditional A A/B designs if all things sonically are considered.
The Ncore 1200 modules IMO are something downright different entirely than anything I have owned or heard all the way from high powered SE valve amps to brute SS class A designs. Describing the "sound" of electronics is not usually that valuable. What I will say is that most of the attributes most critical listeners tend to seek in world class sound, these amps have in spades. All wrapped up in a noise floor that goes into uncharted territory and you have sonics that I suspect but cannot prove, no traditional SS or tube design regardless of price could exactly duplicate.
The real debate, and the one I am surprised is not going on as we speak, is whether the combination of sonic traits the Ncore 1200 is producing is closer to the ideal amplifier sonically if such a thing is possible. I happen to think it is and I say that with ease having lived with them now for a while. I just simply cannot find a single fault with them sonically.
Would love to hear from other owners, there have to be more out there that can share their impressions. I find it a little interesting that most of the detractors are supply side peeps that have a lot to lose with the way class D has been brought to production heavily direct to consumer in many instances.