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

[Greg F]

It took about a month of 24/7 on my 1200as2 based amp for the harshness to go away. I wonder if all class D amps need long break in? I'm still not completely satisfied with the amp since on good recordings it sound fantastic but on not so good recording, mostly from the 70s and 80s the music can sound pretty harsh on the upper registers. I do like the company I bought the amp from though. They are Rouge Audio out of Italy. They custom build amps using all of the various class D amp modules. The amp is very well built and looks really good with its 10mm thick faceplate. It also came in a nice flight case which I wasn't expecting.

 

[shadowlight]

It took about a month of 24/7 on my 1200as2 based amp for the harshness to go away. I wonder if all class D amps need long break in? I'm still not completely satisfied with the amp since on good recordings it sound fantastic but on not so good recording, mostly from the 70s and 80s the music can sound pretty harsh on the upper registers. I do like the company I bought the amp from though. They are Rouge Audio out of Italy. They custom build amps using all of the various class D amp modules. The amp is very well built and looks really good with its 10mm thick faceplate. It also came in a nice flight case which I wasn't expecting.

Any link to the Rouge Audio website? When I search I end up with Rouge Audio in PA

 

[Greg F]

Any link to the Rouge Audio website? When I search I end up with Rouge Audio in PA

Here is a link to their website, I worked with Francis who is great to deal with. https://www.rougeaudiodesign.com/

I see you have a big 7, I have an Atlantic Plus with volume and couldn't be happier. Now I'm trying to find an amp that keeps the magic in tact to go along with it. I do like the 1200as2 based amps but for me a good tube amp is hard to beat.

BTW, the US company is Rogue Audio, not Rouge Audio. I was tripped up myself at first, the spelling is so close I didn't notice it.

Greg

 

[hoping]

Thank you for the link, Greg!
How is that Italian-made amp holding up today?
It's been a while since you've shared you'd got it. I wondered if you still like it and if your impressions of it had changed in any way?

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

 

[Golum]

Had a chance yesterday to listen to Acoustic Invader D class power amp based on the IcePower 1200s2 modules driven by Einstein The Preamp driving Boenicke W8SE+. Source was Lampi Golden Atlantic+ TRP.
Previous combo was with Accuphase E550 integrated and the combo tube preamp with D class power amp just demolished Accu in any way you can imagine.
I was never a D class believer but after this experiance i might be ordering one to have it, as it sounds mighty good and neutral. Seems to me that good tube preamp is the the great solution in obtaining tube sound signature while still having plenty of juice provided by D class monster. This AI one is also very nicely done in terms of aesthetics while deploying top notch wiring, connectors, etc.
Overall great Sunday afternoon experiance...

 

[Tipsy]

Hi

Why this post has gone cold all of a sudden?

Anyone else who had a chance to A/B 1200AS2 vs Hypex (500 / 1200) or Pascal (e.g. in Gato Audio) ?
What are your thoughts?
Is really 1200AS2 the most advanced Class D amp on the planet at the moment?

Ric Schultz - how is your work going? Are you finished? Can you share with us what you got please?

Is there any other thread on the net which lists best things to do in order to make 1200AS2 perform its absolute best?
From this thread and also from Ric was saying/advising I got:
-hardwired interconnect
-bypassing speaker terminals entirely (added cost, negative impact on sound but --> limited practicality and safety)

​

-connect only via balanced/XLR
-using high quality and good brand solder
-6A (for europe's 230V) RF/EMI filter made by Shaffner or rather use choke filter for chassis ground only (??)
-no front button switch (high current amp via cheap chinese switch = big no no)
-pay attention to directionality of cables and fit them in proper direction
anything else really important that can be done?

I was thinking about the breaker.
Wouldn't it be wise to change the factory breaker for something of good quality and brand make ? (I am not saying stupidly priced audiophile breakers but something really decent).
And maybe some kind of vibration feet to the chassis? If yes, which ones are really good and don't cost an arm and a leg?

thanks guys for your input and advice

 

[Tipsy]

Hi

Why this post has gone cold all of a sudden?

Anyone else who had a chance to A/B 1200AS2 vs Hypex (500 / 1200) or Pascal (e.g. in Gato Audio) ?
What are your thoughts?
Is really 1200AS2 the most advanced Class D amp on the planet at the moment?

Ric Schultz - how is your work going? Are you finished? Can you share with us what you got please?

Is there any other thread on the net which lists best things to do in order to make 1200AS2 perform its absolute best?
From this thread and also from Ric was saying/advising I got:
-hardwired interconnect
-bypassing speaker terminals entirely (added cost, negative impact on sound but --> limited practicality and safety)

​

-connect only via balanced/XLR
-using high quality and good brand solder
-6A (for europe's 230V) RF/EMI filter made by Shaffner or rather use choke filter for chassis ground only (??)
-no front button switch (high current amp via cheap chinese switch = big no no)
-pay attention to directionality of cables and fit them in proper direction
anything else really important that can be done?

I was thinking about the breaker/fuse.
Wouldn't it be wise to change the factory fuse for something of good quality and brand make ? (I am not saying stupidly priced audiophile breakers but something really decent).
And maybe some kind of vibration feet to the chassis? If yes, which ones are really good and don't cost an arm and a leg?

thanks guys for your input and advice

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

 

[norman1982]

Hi

Why this post has gone cold all of a sudden?

Anyone else who had a chance to A/B 1200AS2 vs Hypex (500 / 1200) or Pascal (e.g. in Gato Audio) ?
What are your thoughts?
Is really 1200AS2 the most advanced Class D amp on the planet at the moment?

Ric Schultz - how is your work going? Are you finished? Can you share with us what you got please?

Is there any other thread on the net which lists best things to do in order to make 1200AS2 perform its absolute best?
From this thread and also from Ric was saying/advising I got:
-hardwired interconnect
-bypassing speaker terminals entirely (added cost, negative impact on sound but --> limited practicality and safety)

​

-connect only via balanced/XLR
-using high quality and good brand solder
-6A (for europe's 230V) RF/EMI filter made by Shaffner or rather use choke filter for chassis ground only (??)
-no front button switch (high current amp via cheap chinese switch = big no no)
-pay attention to directionality of cables and fit them in proper direction
anything else really important that can be done?

I was thinking about the breaker/fuse.
Wouldn't it be wise to change the factory fuse for something of good quality and brand make ? (I am not saying stupidly priced audiophile breakers but something really decent).
And maybe some kind of vibration feet to the chassis? If yes, which ones are really good and don't cost an arm and a leg?

thanks guys for your input and advice

Just wondering what is your experience with the amp?
And what where you used to before?
How does it compare?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G965F met Tapatalk

 

[Phil A]

Hi



Ric Schultz - how is your work going? Are you finished? Can you share with us what you got please?

I can answer that one. My amp will be the first one. I spoke to Ric on Thursday and hoping my amp goes out this week. If I don't hear about shipping by the end of this Thursday, I'll give him a call.

 

[daspringham]

If you're asking which ones I've used that throw a better sound stage I can answer that.

A friend brought over some 845 based amps, I can't recall the brand right now. These threw the biggest soundstage I have ever heard and sounded magical but they were a just little dark for my liking and not as quiet. In fact the noise floor wasn't that great. My Butler 2250 throws a huge soundstage and sounds very similar to the 1200as2 in tone but it's not as quiet either. I would say it is at least as big, maybe a little bigger than the 1200as2. The other amp is also a friends amp, the Don Sach Kootanay 200 which also threw a huge soundstage in my room. That amp I would be hard pressed to find flaw with and it may be better than the 1200as2. But since it isn't mine I haven't had a lot of time with it. The worst amp for soundstage I have heard in my system is the Crown XLS1500. This amp is classic class D in that it has a somewhat harsh top end, it's thin sounding and the soundstage is very small. In fact it wins for the smallest soundstage I've heard in my room to date.

I've got a Don Sachs Kootenay 120 as referred to above by Greg F as well as a Mivera 1200AS. The Kootenay is an excellent amp that has received almost universal praise from it's owners. For a medium power KT88 design the Kootenay is extremely extended at both end of the spectrum, quiet, transparent/detailed and provides an enveloping soundstage. It has wonderful tone with it's 6SN7 input tubes and is thoroughly enjoyable. I purchased it after owning the Mivera for a short time and initially thought is was noticeably superior to the 1200AS, especially in the "presence" factor.

However, I decided to try a different power cord configuration with the Mivera and the net result was startling. The vocal reproduction (which I use to judge amplifier presence) on my Harbeth 40.1's really jumped a notch. In fact it is now at the level where it is within spitting distance of the Kootenay. The Sach's may have a "slight" bit more presence/palpability/wetness but it's extremely close. The soundstage width and depth of the Mivera is right on par with Kootenay along with detail and transparency - actually the notes from the 1200AS seem to jump out a little more coming from that absolute black background that the Class D's are known for.

At this point I would have a hard time deciding which amp I enjoy more. The fact that in my system they are that close may be somewhat surprising to the Class D detractors. Ultimately with it's high efficiency, low heat production and ability to be left on 24-7 in preparation for immediate musical enjoyment I find myself playing the 1200AS more often without the feeling of missing out on any tube goodness.

It's worth noting that I'm fronting both amps with a Vinnie Rossi LIO with the latest DAC and DHT preamp stage utilizing premium 300b's (Takatsuki). I think this may have a lot to do with the ultimate performance of the 1200AS. The DHT stage (no output transformers and extremely clean regulated power supplies) is extremely holographic with heavenly tone and great bandwidth and it seems that the Icepower amp is simply and accurately passing along what it sees at it's input (XLR connection). Seems to me to be an ideal setup.

On another note, I did have the NORD ONE SE UP NC500 monoblocks and sold them in favour of the Icepower. During the time I had the Nord's I was never able to achieve the level of midrange (ie vocal) presence that I'm getting with the Mivera. Seems to be a real nice compliment to the big Harbeths.

By the way, I'm using Moray James power cables but I'm sure that there are a plethora of premium cable brands that could unleash the real potential of the 1200AS. It does reinforce, however the influence of mains cable.

That's my story...

Cheers,
Dave

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Dave, thank you for joining.

 

[Village Tricycle]

I've got my own builds of a 1200AS2, a Hypex NC500 with 'stock' (OEM) buffers and an SMPS3K700 power supply, a Hypex NC502MP and two PS Audio 'monoblock' amps built with Icepower 700AS1s.

I just completed the 1200AS2 today using a Ghent chassis and Ghent supplied wiring harnesses/wires (he screwed up and got the left channel's input wiring harness pinout wrong), so I've only listened to it for about 45 minutes. Sounded good right out the gate.

Be happy to entertain any comparison requests and if you're in Austin, TX might even be able to arrange some listening tests with one of the two systems in my home.

 

[Village Tricycle]

I honestly doubt that there are any benefits to using boutique expensive power cables with a switch mode power supply. The biggest trace in the PCB couldn't be even equivalent to 12AWG. I've swapped a few in and out and noticed nothing. Absolutely no difference using my PS Audio DirectStream (sr.) DAC and JBL Project Array 1400s connected with Canare 4S11 cables.

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

 

[Village Tricycle]

Can anyone share the retail price for their IcePower 1200AS2 amps? I see that Nord's page is not up yet and from what I hear Minerva was "blowing out" some of these things last year, but I cannot find any current listing.

I just built mine yesterday as a hobby project and have listed it for sale on Craigslist, but I'm not sure if forum rules allow me to post a link. I have priced mine at $1000 which is exactly my cost MINUS shipping. I'm using a Ghent solid aluminum chassis and stock Icepower and Ghent internal wiring/harnesses. May upgrade the AC mains leads to a heavier gauge just for peace of mind, but it works great now - it's been tested and burned in for about 3 hours, continuing to improve with time.

Anyway just wondering if my price is too high for the market as again I'm selling at less than my cost - I just have too many amps sitting around (including a yet to be built Hypex NC502MP that I am also probably going to sell).

Any input appreciated!

P.S. I am having trouble uploading reasonably sized files but can add pics if any interest.

 

[Jack]

That's close to the price of Mike's last batch built with the Ghent cases. The Nord prices have been up for months.

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-two-ice1200as2-in-black

 

[Village Tricycle]

That's interesting about Nord because this is the page that is linked on his Products listGdmnit....I can't include a link until I've made 10 posts). I will see if I can find a way to do this...

Nothing about pricing or options - so maybe something is wrong with my browser. I've been checking in for a few months, and before today I encountered an "Coming Soon" banner, but never any pricing. Your link does work, but I wonder - how did you navigate there from his main page?

 

[Village Tricycle]

ww w . nordacoustics DOT co DOT uk/nord-two-ice-power-1200as2-power-am

Remove spaces here and replace dots with "."

No pricing, options or other specifics provided.