New B&O ICE Power 1200AS2 Module @ Nord: 600W into 8Ohms 1200W into 4Ohms

AJ Soundfield said:
Neither. As I said, both proved to largely transparent (as far as sonic "signature") goes vs the other. The "winner" for me would depend upon power requirements, cost, reliability, etc.
No question that for the money, the 1200AS2 provides a boatload of clean power. For my current needs (i.e. directly coupled to one driver) it's overkill, but never say never. I could see where it might be alluring for folks with low sensitivity, power hungry passive speakers.

cheers,

AJ
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AJ, in that directly coupled situation, would a more powerful module (and over specified for the requirements) result in better sound from the extra headroom? Typically, it works for passive systems but was wondering if that holds true for directly coupled situations as well?
 
Well there are a lot of highly rated Class D amplifiers out there. Whichever flavor they go with, there is a ton more involved, how it is implemented, etc.

Soon I will have a Tube, a Class A/B, and a Class D amp in my rotation.... so whatever mood I am in.... :D
 
a.wayne said:
Have you ever played around with the output inductor , i had theorized this was the cause of timbre issue not heard at 8 ohm but when at 4/2 ohm operation. In wanting to build a full low Z operational Class-D , thought it best to lower the PSU voltage and possibly play with inductor value , i wont have any need for 400-600 watts at 8 ohm, but would like 400 @ 1 ..

The B&O current capabilty look interesting here ....
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No, I leave the inductors alone, no mods. Both are capable of driving speakers that dip to 1 ohm, but it really depends where (frequency) and phase angles, as that is largely a pathological scenario. Yes, I'm aware of some old stats dipping below 1 ohm at HF
 
nicoludio said:
AJ, in that directly coupled situation, would a more powerful module (and over specified for the requirements) result in better sound from the extra headroom? Typically, it works for passive systems but was wondering if that holds true for directly coupled situations as well?
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Not unless the driver can handle it. Yes, headroom is a key consideration in the overall design scheme, as is driver power compression/thermal limits when directly coupling. There is a huge benefit to doing so vs driving a passive/reactive voltage divider with saturation and hysteresis effects, connected to drive units with changing T/S parameters with drive level.
 
Randy Myers said:
You can say that again AJ :D...
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+1 on that. I ordered one of the Mivera amps for the heck of it (hopefully have it in about a month). I have doubts as to how they will drive my speakers but I have multiple systems I can move it to if it doesn't work out.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Don't mean to rain on the parade, but B&O has no technical advantage over the Hypex. In fact the opposite may be true.
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Have you tried also the 1200AS2? It is the first of a new generation of Icepower amplifier modules based on a new chipset. I would not be surprised if it sounded radically different from, say, the 700AS2.
 
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Thank you (if you are welcoming me)! I joined long time ago, almost never participated (never?). Maybe I should introduce myself if there’s a forum/thread for that (sorry for the bad manners).
 
mocenigo said:
Have you tried also the 1200AS2? It is the first of a new generation of Icepower amplifier modules based on a new chipset. I would not be surprised if it sounded radically different from, say, the 700AS2.
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Yes and no "radical" difference whatsoever.
Please note the 1200AS2 sits below top in the Nord hierarchy as well.
I'd say about even. Then again I'm not quite as prone to audiophilia hallucinatory hyperbole of the latest greatest thing since sliced bread. YMMV.

cheers,

AJ
 
To everyone who thinks the 'icepower' sounds great, who have also heard the Nord amp aswell.
Is there really that big a difference between them?
AJ doesn't think there is.
 
Showroom Dummies said:
Is there really that big a difference between them?
AJ doesn't think there is.
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If I wasn't clear, I should add the caveats - That is my comparison with carefully matched gain structure so the voltage outputs across the speaker terminals are matched and then instantaneous rapid switching between the 2 amps. That is not how they are typically compared. Plus I'm not reading all the Mivera stuff that might make PT Barnum blush, so again YMMV.
I am certainly not saying that there can't possibly be any differences, with super low efficiency speakers (<82db) and pathelogical system architecture, etc, etc.
I just don't test under such conditions. Others might.

cheers,

AJ
 
I'm trying to understand what you're saying ..... under your "comparing setup",

-> you didn't hear any different with your spk (which I suppose is > 82dB sensitivity). But you do suspect that if a spk with < 82dB will has some different.

Do I understand you correctly ?
 
tane0019 said:
I'm trying to understand what you're saying ..... under your "comparing setup"
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I didn't hear any difference under those conditions. If you don't match gain/voltage across terminals and instant switch, then you are not comparing how I did...and your results might vary.
If you have 78sb sensitivity passive network speakers with high phase angles and 0.5ohm impedance at 20k, then you are not comparing the non-pathelogical way I did...and your results might vary.
If one is highly susceptible to PT Barnum sales pitches, then your results might vary. Etc, etc.
So what I'm saying is, my results, of my comparisons, are for my specific purposes (research into amplification of active speakers, not purely subjective, anecdotal, enjoyment "listening"). It doesn't mean one can't have different results using different methods. YMMV.

cheers,

AJ
 
This is a fascinating thread and I wanted to say I am very much looking forward to the updates. I have been on the fence for around a year with the nCore based technology after hearing Bruno's Mola Mola's, reading lots of positive reviews of Bruno's technology. I guess the million dollar question that we are all interested in is whether the new ice power module (without buffer flexibility) is as good as we need/possible. Bruno's philosophy as stated was to create an amplifier without any sonic signature. Perhaps utter neutrality becomes a zero differentiator and we focus on other components for personal emphasis of sound..?
 
Am I the only one checking this thread and hoping for more thoughts, feedback and insights into the 1200AS2 vs NC500 based amplification? :-)
 
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