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NCore vs. Ice -- single or separate cases

Hey guys,

I've recently gotten a bug that I can't shake. I went to sleep thinking about it last night.

I want to try out a class D amp.

I've narrowed my choices down to something based on either the NCore NC400 or the IcePower 125asx2.

If I went the way of the NC400, I'll be building them myself. If I went the way of the Ice, I may build it myself or just buy the assembled units. Either way, the NC400 builds will run about twice that of the Ice builds.

Is there anyone out there that can comment on which is better? If the answer is that the NC400 is better, is it worth twice the price?

My next question is whether I should build the mono units into separate boxes or a single box? In other words, is it better to use a longer interconnect with a short speaker cable or vice versa?

Thanks.
tonyangel
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Tony, ICEpower modules are by now legacy parts that some very experienced amp designers are still able to use, together with a great deal of creative ingenuity, to implement amplifiers that make actual music... By themselves, ICEpower modules inside bare bone amp implementations have audible limitations... They lack subtlety, and do sound "matter of fact" to say the least... That is, if one wants to be kind. Hence the stereotypical stigmata -- only occasionally unjustified -- of the "class D sound"

Hypex Ncore modules are a totally different kettle of fish... Even utilized into very simple amplifier implementations, without custom circuitry for power supply regulation, fanciful input signal management, etc... they make absolutely wonderful and effortless music, with lots more power than the 125ASX2s.

Hence my recommendation is... If you are comfortable with the joys of DIY... Source a couple of NC400 modules with their matching power supplies, some quality connectors and good wires/solder, perhaps a pair of reasonably looking enclosures.... And get yourself some magnificent sound.

Could you do even better than Ncore NC400? ... Of course.... NC1200 commercial amps are bound to sound even better.... Merrill Veritas, Acoustic Imagery ATSAH, Mola-Mola, but.... Their price ranges from $9K to $15K.

Saluti, G.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I purchased one of Ghent's amps a couple years ago. No complaint for the price and he was easy to deal with. But I would concur with G's "matter of fact" assessment of the modules used in bare box. No comparison to the Bel Canto Ref500 amp with the modules.
tonyangel OP
309 posts
 
Guidocorona and Timrhu,

Thank you for your comments. Although I do have the issues above that I'd like to deal with, it sounds like trading my Aragon 2004 for a 125axs2 build is going to be a step backwards in sound quality.

I suppose that if I go class D, the NC400 build will be the way to go. That does, of course, leave me with another dilemma. For the price of building the NC400 amps, I could get one heck of a nice conventional amp.

I hate to keep harping on cost, but discretionary funds are limited right now.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Tony, what is your target budget? Guido
wilsynet's avatar
wilsynet
264 posts
 
Amplifiers based on NC400 modules are very, very good. I don't mean good for $2000, I mean good for $5000.

I don't know what your priorities are, but if the most pertinent question is whether they're worth the money, the answer is yes. In fact, they are a bargain for the money.

If you want to save on the build, get two modules, two power supplies, and a single chassis built for dual mono. Put both modules and supplies in the same chassis and that should cut down the cost.
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