Hypex Ncore NC1200 Amps at NY Audio Show in April

Good points ESanchez... I tend to think of class D power conversion modules as basic electronic parts, around which a designer implements a particular circuit design, exactly like a KT88 or 6550 tube. Such a design can be quite minimalist, in which case the inherent characteristics of the part yield the most noticeable character to the amplifier, good or bad as it may be. Other designers prefer to create around such parts more sofphisticated topologies, that harness the underlying potential of the part into a whole that instantiates the amplifier's creator philosophy more than any idiosyncratic behavior of the module.

G.

Kana813: Well this has been done before with Hypex UCD.

An example is the Genesis Reference Amplifier.

Link. http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/grefamps.html

And done very well.

I am also very curious to see how well the PS Audio amps turn out.

Noble100: Mola-Mola is Hypex/Ncore.

I hate to burst your bubble but it is my understanding that Hypex has no plans to have the Ncore at a lower price point. Maybe someday they will release a down the product line Ncore. But that is why they have the UCD line. So I doubt it.

03-29-13: Jtwrace
"Since he has ties to Merrill, you will not get a unbiased review. "

Wow, that is funny coming from someone who got a sweetheart deal for beta testing the Atsah nc1200 product....Guess you forgot to mention that....

Hello Hifial,

Yes, I do know that Bruno P., who created the UCD (Universal Class D)line while working for Phillips and who invented the later Hypex amp modules while working with Hypex, formed the Mola-Mola company (not sure if he's sole owner or has partners) as a means to introduce/produce his own version of a completed class D amplifier utilizing his own Hypex Ncore 1200 module. As you know, these amps were debuted, in monobloc form, at the NYC Audio Show you just attended.

Bruno P. has also stated, in an effort to support the DIY market, that he will make available to the general public all but the top of the line 1200 modules (700 and smaller power modules). He is reserving his top 1200 modules for sale as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)licensed product to other audio companies that want to make completed amplifier products with his modules.

My understanding is that PS Audio probably will not be utilizing the Hypex Ncore 1200 modules in their soon to be released new class D amp. Instead, they will most likely utilize one of the recently updated UCD modules in an effort to keep their offering more affordable.

I think PS Audio's new amp will use a proprietary Input Stage attached to a UCD700 and the current target price is $3,000. Mr. McGowan implies that his Input Stage is very good and will improve the performance of any UCD or Hypex modules it's mated to.

Thanks,
Tim