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

[jalejos]

Thanks for the tip. Both are covered in version 2. When I got in touch with Richard to give me budget of the operational amplifiers 994, I said, very kindly, to make some changes in my design to reduce noise. These modifications are contemplated in this V2.

[Mivera Audio]

Thanks for the tip. Both are covered in version 2. When I got in touch with Richard to give me budget of the operational amplifiers 994, I said, very kindly, to make some changes in my design to reduce noise. These modifications are contemplated in this V2.

That's good. Just make sure those caps aren't in the way. The SIL 994 is a big opamp. And you want to keep the leads as short as possible or they can pickup noise

[a.wayne]

That's good. Just make sure those caps aren't in the way. The SIL 994 is a big opamp. And you want to keep the leads as short as possible or they can pickup noise

Have you tried the NC500 on any low Z loads , like large ESL's and or ribbons ? Is there an inductor output mod for Low-Z loads ..?


Regards

[Mivera Audio]

Have you tried the NC500 on any low Z loads , like large ESL's and or ribbons ? Is there an inductor output mod for Low-Z loads ..?


Regards

I tried them on a pair of Martin Logan ascent 2's that dip down to 1.2 ohms. We had them cranked up to levels far beyond what I thought those speakers could put out for over 30 minutes. The sound was ultra clean with no sign of strain. And the amp modules were barely warm to the touch. These amps can handle 1 ohm loads. They will just be current limited to around 500w at 1 ohm.

[Dizzie]

I tried them on a pair of Martin Logan ascent 2's that dip down to 1.2 ohms. We had them cranked up to levels far beyond what I thought those speakers could put out for over 30 minutes. The sound was ultra clean with no sign of strain. And the amp modules were barely warm to the touch. These amps can handle 1 ohm loads. They will just be current limited to around 500w at 1 ohm.

Mike, Which amplifier and configuration was that specifically? Quad spoken here.

[a.wayne]

Thanks for the response , drive was never the issue when i have tried class-D it's there tonal balance that took a dive , Timbre , especially on classical and piano sounded odd ..

Interested in trying a pr of these NC500 to see if much improved there ....

Regards

[Mivera Audio]

Mike, Which amplifier and configuration was that specifically? Quad spoken here.

That was some NC 500 based amps I built. But all are the same power wise as long as they use the SMPS1200A700 power supply. I wouldn't be afraid to recommend these for any speaker.

[Mivera Audio]

Thanks for the response , drive was never the issue when i have tried class-D it's there tonal balance that took a dive , Timbre , especially on classical and piano sounded odd ..

Interested in trying a pr of these NC500 to see if much improved there ....

Regards

I've found the same to be true with every class D amp I've heard besides the NC500's with a premium input stage. If you need more low impedance grunt I recommend the Bel Canto blacks.

[nc42acc]

My Nords are on their way!

[MikeCh]

My Nords are on their way!

Sweet Marty! What setup are you planning to insert them into?

[Dizzie]

Marty,

What did you order? I thought Colin was out of NCore modules.

[nc42acc]

He was able to secure a limited number of the SMPS. I ordered mine with the sonic imagery op amp modules.

Marty,

What did you order? I thought Colin was out of NCore modules.

[MikeCh]

My Nords are on their way!

Sweet Marty! What setup are you planning to insert them into?

[Randy Myers]

Seriously considering the Nord amp.... what do you guys think compared to the Goldmund Job?

[Mivera Audio]

I think Colin has finally created the ultimate input buffer for the NC 500's!

[KLH007]

SI 994 FTW! Did you hear it?

[Mivera Audio]

SI 994 FTW! Did you hear it?

I haven't heard Colin's board, but I've heard something similar of my own. Competitors will have a hard time beating this

[a.wayne]

Is it available as a kit, i have my own chassis ...

[joeinid]

I think Colin has finally created the ultimate input buffer for the NC 500's!

Nice!

SI 994 FTW! Did you hear it?

When Colin has enough new input boards to go around, I'll order mine with the new 994 op amps. Can't wait. This will give me another flavor.

[Mivera Audio]

Is it available as a kit, i have my own chassis ...

No. Anything NC500 based can only be sold as finished commercial products.

[Randy Myers]

You need a Job to compare it against also

Nice!



When Colin has enough new input boards to go around, I'll order mine with the new 994 op amps. Can't wait. This will give me another flavor.

[Mivera Audio]

Nice!



When Colin has enough new input boards to go around, I'll order mine with the new 994 op amps. Can't wait. This will give me another flavor.

I find the 994's have about as close to a lack of coloration as possible, yet still sound completely natural and fluid. You get your cake and eat it too with these. No trade offs. But the cost to build these latest boards are at minimum 10x the cost of the closest competitor who currently makes NC500 based amps.

[joeinid]

You need a Job to compare it against also

Ha!

[joeinid]

Can't wait!

I find the 994's have about as close to a lack of coloration as possible, yet still sound completely natural and fluid. You get your cake and eat it too with these. No trade offs. But the cost to build these latest boards are at minimum 10x the cost of the closest competitor who currently makes NC500 based amps.

[Mivera Audio]

For example here's the LM4562 ic opamp most use:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/LM4562-Dual-Hi...-/160496917340

And here's the SIL994:

http://m.ebay.ca/itm/251471560791?_mwBanner=1

Here's the LM7815 voltage regulator most use:

http://my.mouser.com/ProductDetail/F...16wz%252bgx%2f

Here's the Sparko reg Colin uses:

http://sparkoslabs.com/product/ss78x...age-regulator/

And then there's all the premium caps and resistors as well.

Then people wonder why they don't like the "class D sound"

[Mivera Audio]

Here's the input buffer board on the $5000 Bel Canto Ref600M, NC-500 based amps:

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index....ono-amplifiers

[nc42acc]

Nords with the SI 994 are in the house. Cold start no warm up or break in and I am hearing good things. First thing to strike me is the depth resolution is outstanding. Excellent on micro details and sense of space.

[Mivera Audio]

Nords with the SI 994 are in the house. Cold start no warm up or break in and I am hearing good things.

Give them at least 100 hours around the clock before serious audition.

[nc42acc]

By Sunday I should be in full audio nirvana.

Give them at least 100 hours around the clock before serious audition.

[a.wayne]

Give them at least 100 hours around the clock before serious audition.

I may have missed the memo , NC400 vs NC500 ....?

[Mivera Audio]

I may have missed the memo , NC400 vs NC500 ....?

Marty has both so we can let him comment on that once burnt in.

[KLH007]

Not just a Hypex shootout, Marty has AR, Rogue, and Parasound for comparisons as well. We look forward to Marty's impressions of the Nord NC 500/SI994.

[MikeCh]

I also ordered a pair of the mono OneUp amps. I'm excited to get them here!

[nc42acc]

I have an amp smorgasbord at the house.

Not just a Hypex shootout, Marty has AR, Rogue, and Parasound for comparisons as well. We look forward to Marty's impressions of the Nord NC 500/SI994.

[rklein]

A few years ago I built a pair of NCore 400 monos with all upgraded components.

I sold them for a Job 225. After living with the Job, I realized I missed what the NCores brought to the table. So did I build another pair? Nope...I bought a Modwright KWI-200 integrated. After living with the MW, I still missed the NCores. Anyway after a few other tries with amps, I just ordered the Nords from Colin with the new boards and the 994 opamps.

Should have them by the end of next week!

Randy

[joeinid]

Congrats Randy, I am happy to see the Nord love around here.

[Mivera Audio]

A few years ago I built a pair of NCore 400 monos with all upgraded components.

I sold them for a Job 225. After living with the Job, I realized I missed what the NCores brought to the table. So did I build another pair? Nope...I bought a Modwright KWI-200 integrated. After living with the MW, I still missed the NCores. Anyway after a few other tries with amps, I just ordered the Nords from Colin with the new boards and the 994 opamps.

Should have them by the end of next week!

Randy

Coloration's get old after a while. The NC400's are brutally transparent and for some people it's too much and can give the impression of being dry and cold. I find the NC500's with the SIL994's at minimum match the nc400's in transparency, yet sound more natural and non fatiguing. Is this because of coloration's, or euphoric distortions? If it is you would never know it by measurements. My NC500 build with the SIL994's measured even better than the NC400's!

[a.wayne]

Link to measurements ...?

[Mivera Audio]

Link to measurements ...?

I haven't seen Colin's measurements yet. But here's the THD+N of some prototype boards based on the 994's I built:

[Dizzie]

How much heat do these amplifiers generate at idle and while operating? I know that is a somewhat subjective question unless someone has actually measured case temperature with a thermometer or thermocouple via multi-meter.

Since the heat sinks on the amplifiers are not large I will assume case temperature is a relatively good assessment of heat produced. How warm are the cases to touch? At least that would give me an idea.

[Mivera Audio]

How much heat do these amplifiers generate at idle and while operating? I know that is a somewhat subjective question unless someone has actually measured case temperature with a thermometer or thermocouple via multi-meter.

Since the heat sinks on the amplifiers are not large I will assume case temperature is a relatively good assessment of heat produced. How warm are the cases to touch? At least that would give me an idea.

They are the coolest running amps I've ever encountered. Cooler than even the NC400's. After hours of high SPL output my cases are barely warm to the touch. For example when I tried them on the Martin Logan Ascent 2's that drop down to 1.2 ohms, I didn't even have them in a case. The amp modules were just sitting on the floor with no heatsink. After 30 of listening at levels where I thought the electrostatic panels were going to rip to shreds at any time, I could hold the amp modules in my hand without getting burnt.

[Dizzie]

Mike,

Thank you for the information. I saw this on the Nord website and did not quite know how to interpret the subjective words (emphasized).

Regarding the case:

"All 280mm deep and are designed for optimal airflow, air is sucked from the bottom vents across the modules and out of the top vents. As cool as the modules run they still produce a fair amount of heat. The layout ensures optimum cooling and module reliability."


My usage would never be as brutal as what you just reported.

[Mrppv]

I'm seriously tempted to buy one of these amps. What are you guys using for preamps? Any models or brands that seem to work better with the Nords than others?

Also: anyone have the chance to compare the Nord to Benchmark's AHB2? They seem to be somewhat comparable... size, price, and performance-wise. AHB2 has a lot of reviews saying how neutral and low noise it is, kind of like Ncore, but using a different technology.

[nc42acc]

Save some money and buy these.

https://www.hypexshop.com/DetailServlet?detailID=7616

[Mivera Audio]

Save some money and buy these.

https://www.hypexshop.com/DetailServlet?detailID=7616

Since you're the first one who's tried both and has said this, it really makes me wonder if you got faulty boards.

Maybe ask Colin to send you some of the Hypex input boards to compare.

[Mivera Audio]

Since you're the first one who's tried both and has said this, it really makes me wonder if you got faulty boards.

Maybe ask Colin to send you some of the Hypex input boards to compare.

However if you sell them, let me know who the buyer is. I'll send him some of my boards to compare with them.

[a.wayne]

Since you're the first one who's tried both and has said this, it really makes me wonder if you got faulty boards.

Maybe ask Colin to send you some of the Hypex input boards to compare.

Good Point , Maybe you heard a faulty Devialet ...

[Mivera Audio]

Good Point , Maybe you heard a faulty Devialet ...

Maybe. But I can imagine Devialet measures their units before shipping to insure it passes QC.

[nc42acc]

I mentioned my concerns with Colin. Fell on deaf ears. I trust my ears and my system and the Hypex NC400 are the winners in this arena.

[a.wayne]

And Nord doesn't ? what about Hypex, quite a few told me the XLS2000 Crown sounds better than the NC400 ...

Maybe. But I can imagine Devialet measures their units before shipping to insure it passes QC.