Thread: Nord One Up Ncore NC500 amps, Class D ready for prime time .....

Originally Posted by sypderman88

Hi,

I am thinking of trying Nord NC500 MKII with SI990. My current amp is Job 225 driving Spatial Hologram M3 speaker. Will this be a substantial upgrade ? Kindly advise. Thanks

FWIW, Joeinid's comparision of Job v Nord UP monos/ SI 994 (bearing in mind the latter paired with tube preamp)

https://www.audioshark.org/showthrea...l=1#post212138

New to the forum. I was looking at buying a pair of Bel Canto REF600Ms when I ran across a post that mentioned the Nord's used the same NCore modules. After reading through this entire post (lots of interesting info), I decided to order the Nord NC500 MkII with SI990 buffer and NeoTech wire upgrade.

I have been using a Krell FFB300 that I purchased about 25 years ago, but it is starting to have some problems. I have already re-capped it once about 8 years ago, but the right channel is now exhibiting some distortion when it warms up, and there is occasional mechanical buzzing from the transformer. I no longer have the shipping boxes, so I'm hoping to sell it cheap to someone local that wants to deal with getting it repaired.

Other gear in the chain are a PC based Roon server networked to a Bryston BDP-2 with AES-EBU to a Schiit Yggdrasil, balanced to a Schiit Freya preamp. Speakers are Goldenear Triton 2+.

The Triton 2+'s are a relatively new addition. These are set up in a fairly small listening room (about 14' x 14'). The almost equal length and width dimensions make room acoustics challenging, but with some tube traps in the front corners and center wall, and bass trap/diffusors on the wall behind the couch, the sound of these speakers is pretty spectacular. I've owned a fair number of high end speakers (Magnepan Tympani IV, MG3.5R, Revel Gems & Studios, Duntech Sovereigns) over the years, and these are the most impressive speakers for the money by far that I've experienced.

I've been pretty happy with the Schiit Yggy DAC, but less so the Freya preamp. I've swapped out the tubes twice with "upgraded" tubes, but have never really experienced the tube "magic", and the tubes don't seem to last more than 6-9 months before they start to make weird noises. I also hate the tiny, incomprehensible symbols on the front panel. I have to pull out the manual to figure out what mode I'm in. So my next upgrade is to replace the Freya. I'm currently thinking about the Bryston BP-17 cubed but I'm open to suggestions. I'm leaning heavily toward SS because I don't want to deal with tube life issues.

Anyway, thanks for all the great info. Seems like a nice group of enthusiasts who respect each other's opinions.

Originally Posted by JayT

I've been pretty happy with the Schiit Yggy DAC, but less so the Freya preamp. I've swapped out the tubes twice with "upgraded" tubes, but have never really experienced the tube "magic", and the tubes don't seem to last more than 6-9 months before they start to make weird noises. I also hate the tiny, incomprehensible symbols on the front panel. I have to pull out the manual to figure out what mode I'm in. So my next upgrade is to replace the Freya. I'm currently thinking about the Bryston BP-17 cubed but I'm open to suggestions. I'm leaning heavily toward SS because I don't want to deal with tube life issues.

I've been researching the Freya extensively the last few days, seems to be a great value and many folks love it. I wonder if your 25 year old Krell was holding it back? I know my system wasn't unleashed until I went Rev D on my Nords! I heard every single improvement I made upstream but there was no magic until the Rev Ds. I don't think the couple of 25 year old Threshold amps I have lying around would have been better but I guess I should have tried them out. I would love to hear what tubes you tried in the Freya and feel free to PM me when you put it up for sale but I would wait until you try it out with your new Nords.

Hi Matias and Joe - I have looked at the W4S preamp. I have a W4S Dac-2 that I use in another system. It was pretty easily bested by the Schiit Yggy, but the Yggy is somewhat more expensive and is a newer design. But the STP-SE with the Stage 2 upgrade has certainly received plenty of accolades and looks like an excellent value.

I have a bunch of old gear in my basement that I am hoping to trade-in on (toward) a new preamp through one of the two local dealers that take trade-ins. I don't have the original boxes for most of my stuff, so trying to sell it on audiogon, ebay, etc would be a lot of hassle. One of the dealers carries Bryston and the other carries Parasound, which is one of the reasons I've been leaning toward the BP-17 cubed and the JC-2.

If I went with a used preamp, I'd probably lean toward the Pass XP-10 or XP-12. I built one of Nelson Pass's DIY designs (40w class A amp) in the late 70's and have fond memories of the experience and sound, and I think the Pass preamp would work well with the Nord amps.

Re the Freya, the only tubes I tried were the Tung-Sols, so maybe I haven't given it enough of a try. I've gone through two sets of these and each time they started making a lot of noise after 6-9 months of use, so I've been reluctant to invest in expensive NOS tubes. I also blew a tweeter on my old speakers (Totem Mani-2 which I repaired and still have in another system) when I switched output modes and got a loud pop. It may have been the result of one of the tubes wearing out, but it has soured me somewhat on the Freya. And, as I mentioned in my first post, I HATE the indecipherable little symbols that Schiit uses on their front panel.

So I've been using the Freya with the FET buffer only over the past few months. I have to say that for the money, it's an excellent sounding unit, and the remote is nice and simple and works fine for volume up/dn which is all I use it for. But since I'm willing to spend a few thousand dollars or so, I think I can find a better sounding preamp without the Freya's quirks.

I got mine today and while lovely, there is that hardness. If it resolves, it’ll be the best amp I’ve ever owned.

SWMBO decided for me.

I got my mkii stereo amp Friday last. The soundstage is amazing. I think the top a bit harsh but that may be mellowing. Colin is a real gentleman.

Just a brief follow up: the slight top end harshness appears to end around 50 hours or so. I’ve got about 100 hours in and the sound is lovely, lush and very detailed. The soundstage has to be heard to be believed. Here is the thing about Colin-he is a genuinely nice guy, who wants a happy customer. We exchanged a number of emails during which he educated me on class D, and I ultimately asked HIM to spec the amp based on my desire for detail and soundstage over all else. What I believe I have far exceeds that spec at a bargain price, from a great guy. How can you top that? If you are on the fence, drop me a pm and I’ll help anyway I can. I’m in the Pacific Northwest.

Samoyed - what else do you have in your system? I'm also in PacNW. I'm currently trying to figure out what I want to do about cables since mono blocks change my equipment layout a bit. Thinking about building some short DIY speaker and power cables using DH Labs bulk cables.

Kef r900 speakers, and I alternate transparent plus and Duelund speaker cables. My DAC is also my preamp, a Nuprime Evolution 10. My only sources are a Nuprime cdt 8 pro and an Innuous Zen Mini.

Over on audiogon, look for a guy named grannyring. He builds and sells very affordable duelund cables and interconnects.

Hello JayT
I use the DH Labs AC Power Plus with my Nord stereo (Rev D boards with Sparkos Op Amps) and Ive had very good results. Although I havent tried another Power Cables, I like how it sounds.

Originally Posted by boggit

Because I have heard them both and compare in a critical manner! And I advise customers in an open and honest professional manner.

I assume that by this you mean before the sale, bcause certainly not when it comes to after.

Thanks PLGA. Given how cost effective the Power Plus cable is, that's what I am going to try first. I'm using the SI op amps on Rev D boards.

I made the mistake of asking George47 to bring round his MkI NC500 One UP, I have now ordered the 3ch NC500 MkII One UP with Rev D 990 boards ....now need to be patient!

Have anyone compared Nord amps with the Nad m22??

Plga, I have Sparkos on the way to compare. Why do you like them? Thanks

Originally Posted by Mr Underhill

I made the mistake of asking George47 to bring round his MkI NC500 One UP, I have now ordered the 3ch NC500 MkII One UP with Rev D 990 boards ....now need to be patient!

Inviting George around is always a mistake!

I have some Sparkos on the way to compare. One real benefit of this amp is Colin-he is a great guy, who really seems to value his customers.

Well, I’m just playing....

Hello Samoyed
Im sorry for the late reply.
I have the Nord One UP NC500DM stereo with Rev D boards and Sparkos Op Amps.
Ive had before the same amp, but with Rev C boards.
On that boards Ive tried both, Sonic Imagery and Sparkos Op Amps and with that boards Ive prefered the Sparkos because for me, in my system, they had more body, but the same detail and soundstage. The Si where Kind of lean and dry.
I havent tried the Sonic Imagery on the Rev D boards, but the Sparkos sound great for me on them: dynamic, detailed, 3D, toneful, with body and bass, just incredible.

Thanks. As the monkey said when he caught his tail in the revolving door, “It won’t be long, now.” My Sparkos arrive tomorrow.

Originally Posted by IAmRael

I assume that by this you mean before the sale, bcause certainly not when it comes to after.

I just find it intriguing that boggit hasn't inquired. I know if it were my business and someone brought up a customer service related issue I sure as heck would want to know what the issue is especially since the item in question was purchased due to this very thread......boggit?

What’s the issue? The guy is Johnny at the rathole whenever I send email....

Chaps, I will be using a valve pre with my Nord power amp. My intention will be to leave the Nord powered, but should I turn the power amp off before turning my pre-amp on? Common sense says - YES; but your experience may be otherwise. Thx

Ohhh, I contacted him via email. I bought both a mono and a stereo amp for F,C,R in my ht system. D’agastino is in different system with a different class of service to go along. Without going into too much more detail at this point I have a broken stereo amp version that doesn’t work any more and no offer by the manufacturer to repair. I can buy the parts and have them shippped to me for about $400.00 US but I need to figure the rest out on my own. Never have I felt so disregarded as a participant in this hobby. Good thing I can take the financial hit without too much issue but nevertheless it pisses me off how irresponsible people can be

Originally Posted by Mr Underhill

Chaps, I will be using a valve pre with my Nord power amp. My intention will be to leave the Nord powered, but should I turn the power amp off before turning my pre-amp on? Common sense says - YES; but your experience may be otherwise. Thx

I bought a 12 volt trigger and if your preamp has one, use it. Otherwise, buy the Emotiva external version and use that-I would always power up the Nord last. Mine makes a light pop on power up.