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

Thanks to Jalejos and hopefully this can put a few 'theories' to rest assuming I have arrived at the right conclusion.

I assume you have injected a 1kHz signal at about 15db and measured the noise. So for the V2 Lm4562 the average noise is about -120db with a small 2 kHz spike at -105db. For V3 the measurements are about the same with the 2kHz spike being at -98db. The overall noise is therefore 135 db below the signal which is astonishing and better than a lot of pre-amps and DACs.

With the 994 chip, the V2 board's 2 kHz spike goes from -105db to -110db. Overall the noise level is at -120db with a +15db signal.....

Anyway, the use of the newer op amps and boards has not added any noise and it may have actually reduced noise levels from the stock op amp. The Burson chip looks the noisiest if you can call something that low as noisy. Basically noise is not an issue and is unlikely to be ever.....
 
I'm seeing some of you guys from AC over here and sounds like you're happy with these Nords. I have yet to figure what my next move will be. Been thinking of the Job stuff but going back to class d is intriguing, especially since I have yet to hear a Hypex amp. I've had some of the older W4S monos and a Pascal board amp but wasn't really happy with either and eventually sold them.

Just so I know, the website for the Nords has a pair of One Up with your choice of Sparkos, Sonic Imagery 994, and one other. Is this "One Up" the latest rendition of these amps? Thinking real hard of pulling the trigger...
 
tomy2 said:
I'm seeing some of you guys from AC over here and sounds like you're happy with these Nords. I have yet to figure what my next move will be. Been thinking of the Job stuff but going back to class d is intriguing, especially since I have yet to hear a Hypex amp. I've had some of the older W4S monos and a Pascal board amp but wasn't really happy with either and eventually sold them.

Just so I know, the website for the Nords has a pair of One Up with your choice of Sparkos, Sonic Imagery 994, and one other. Is this "One Up" the latest rendition of these amps? Thinking real hard of pulling the trigger...
Click to expand...

The "One Up" is the latest of everything, yes. Don't hesitate, they are great amps!.....mind blowing actually. Given the proper hours for break in (300 minimum, 600 best) they are a super value for their power, finesse, dynamics/drive and timbre accuracy. I am extremely happy with my pair of NC500 One Up mono's.
 
Thinking that some time down the road I might purchase one of Colin's One UP NC500DM ST Dual Mono Stereo Power Amps for my upstairs system. Has anyone compared the latest revision of this stereo amp with his mono amp offerings? Any differences you might share?

Jack, was it you that was thinking of getting the NC500DM ST? Is that still in the cards?

Mike
 
+1

Power, grace, 3D, air, articulate bass and depth. Not much more you can ask for in an amp. They really are awesome and for the money, outstanding.

MikeCh said:
The "One Up" is the latest of everything, yes. Don't hesitate, they are great amps!.....mind blowing actually. Given the proper hours for break in (300 minimum, 600 best) they are a super value for their power, finesse, dynamics/drive and timbre accuracy. I am extremely happy with my pair of NC500 One Up mono's.
Click to expand...
 
Mike

The One Up Stereo with Sparkos is in the shopping cart. Will pull the trigger after the 1st. I can't see them being any different other than a second power cord in most applications. They don't draw that much current compared to other types of amps with linear power supplies. Tomy I had Joe's pair for about three weeks and was really impressed. Might also want to see if you can get a "test drive" from one of the dealers of the Nuprime ST-10. Also a very impressive amp.
 
Jack,

Those Nuprime amps look awesome. Not much money too.



Jack said:
Mike

The One Up Stereo with Sparkos is in the shopping cart. Will pull the trigger after the 1st. I can't see them being any different other than a second power cord in most applications. They don't draw that much current compared to other types of amps with linear power supplies. Tomy I had Joe's pair for about three weeks and was really impressed. Might also want to see if you can get a "test drive" from one of the dealers of the Nuprime ST-10. Also a very impressive amp.
Click to expand...
 
Looking to get the Nords with the Sonic Imagery but also want to try the Sparkos. On the Sparkos site they have the dual discrete ss3602 and single ss3601. Which one goes in the Nord amps?
 
I thought somewhere on this thread it was said that you have to order the Sparkos from the Sparkos website but I'm now seeing them offered on the Nord site. Just placed an order for the Nord monos with Sonic Imagery but want to get the Sparkos as well.
 
Joe

I had it on good authority before I bought it that it was very good, but if you want to just "try one on" you can always try one through AA and just be out the $25-30 shipping to send it back with their 30 day return policy. I have only seen one come up for sale used on AC and it sold in hours.
 
Tomy

Colin said it was easier and cheaper for customers in North America to order directly from Co., but to tell them that he sent you and they are for the Nord amps.
 
Jack said:
Tomy

Colin said it was easier and cheaper for customers in North America to order directly from Co., but to tell them that he sent you and they are for the Nord amps.
Click to expand...

Doesnt appear to be the case at the moment. Not sure if what happened over there has caused the pound to decrease but the Sparkos site has two op amps for $160 where the Nord site has them for 90 pounds which is around $123 right now. Unless I'm missing something...

I guess I'm thinking Colin could throw in the extra op amps in the Nord amp box but maybe not. If he has to ship separately then there's the added cost.
 
Don't forget to add the currency exchange fee plus the more costly shipping to the equation. In addition it will be days before Paypal or the CC companies recognizes the lower exchange rate. E-mail Sparkos directly and tell them Colin sent you and see if you get a better deal. If not have Colin put them in the box with the amps and save on extra shipping. He said that about three weeks ago so maybe something has changed.
 
Hi All:
I joined the club today by ordering three (LCR) of Colin’s amps with the SI 994 and 12 volt triggers. Not sure if they will be the right op amp as I’m getting new speakers for a new room which I haven’t heard yet! But looking at all the posts, I probably can’t go too wrong, although I might eventually prefer the Sparkos.
System will be:
HQPlayer - MicroRendu – W4S Dac2 DSDse – Nord Ncore 500 Mb’s – Martin Logan Impression 11A

Bob
 
Indeed, well done George. I'm hoping these are the class d amps I've been waiting for.
 
Anybody played around with various power cables and/or fuses with these amps? I remember on the Job 225 thread hearing quite a few people had various reactions/responses to cables and fuses.
 
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