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

MikeCh said:
Mike,

I appreciate you filling in the gaps for me.

So, further reading on the Nord site, I see the description of Sparkos Labs SS3602 vs Burson Supreme Sound V5 op amps. Dang, more options.

I listen to a ton of Classical music but also mix in other genres to, so wonder which one would be a better fit for me? Has anyone done a comparo between the Sparkos Labs SS3602 and Burson Supreme Sound V5 they might share?
Click to expand...

If you read the feedback on the Nord page you will see some impressions. At the end of the day your complete system "synergy" is what will determine what's best for you. That combined with personal taste. But a basic comparison is the Sparko's are smoother and more laid back, and the Burson's have more sparkle and energy to them. However my take is the Sonic Imagery's beat both in all departments and I think they have the perfect balance for most systems. They are also the best measuring, and have by far the highest current drive capability. So they are actually the best unit's all around, as long as the input board is properly engineered. Nobody offers a comprehensive spec sheet like they do.

http://www.sonicimagerylabs.com/pro...e_HD_OpAmp/994Enh_DiscreteOpAmp_Datasheet.pdf
 
Class D has come a long way. Having the ability to "roll" op amps on my Nord amps is a home run.
 
joeinid said:
Class D has come a long way. Having the ability to "roll" op amps on my Nord amps is a home run.
Click to expand...

Duh.....rather than futz around trying to pick an op amp combo to "live with" I can choose both types from Nord and roll both to find out. Very nice!
 
MikeCh said:
Duh.....rather than futz around trying to pick an op amp combo to "live with" I can choose both types from Nord and roll both to find out. Very nice!
Click to expand...

There's actually probably at least 20 opamp types that can be used if you really wanted to get adventurous. Plus there's always new and better ones coming out from several different manufacturers. Some are as cheap as $1 a piece. So rather than swap amps all the time, swap opamps instead. If you have a collection of 20 sets of opamps, it's exactly the same as having 20 different amps. The opamps are amps. They are just little "preamps" for the main amps. Since the NC-500 output stage amp is so amazingly transparent, all you hear is the opamp.

Here's an example from 3Lviz from Diyaudio's impressions on a few different opamps tested in the Nord 1 up buffer:


"Here is my notes on LM4562 and Burson V5.

Burson V5
Overall it is quite good, but i am not sure if it is the best fit for the nCore input buffer. There seems to be a lot of upper bass but something is missing in the low freqs. The mids are very detailed and powerful tho. Especially drums are great. They seem to have extra punch. Highs are ok too. But i think the sound stage is lacking spatial information is it not especially wide and its kinda "messy" overall. Maybe this is because all the little details sounds as separate components but they dont integrate so well into one working art piece. This opamp is missing the fun in this application compared to some less expensive options.

LM4562
Well balanced sound. But, after listening to all these options it is maybe little dull. While listening to this opamp i constantly want to change the opamp, even tho there seems to be no apparent reason
AIUJFJjLEaFejDwMFPgDB6skt9YYKOAAQDBMSlS9GiMMVAogX iUUoMiBgIhJ2zUEvjmQp9ArRJdaTSIDw8ZIEgMzENkhIINC4KQ2jKFwg2Bf2R1IhAmDiUBBzh5MWShjqdRHdwsmQVMj6UnBgboAqTFFBgyAwMgSjVkhYs2EvAEWCiQA5IeVeTsyJImypGFEKwo BAiVpkMri7tyoGrkDBblUQ4qYCFSiYzGhDcKSFJDA1fvEw0OKBDgKgCNWawWABLSqgip5o8wICGAIABmwDQQqVplR1hilTsmcPkzCMuRmBMSuDj0EBBv CwgcSgRYJFkbp8oivwhZ8IE6DMA10YEAA7
. However, if i had to demo for instance the capabilities of my speaker, this opamp would would be a very good candidate, since there seems to be no apparent downsides either that needed to explain to my guest ("its not the speaker that have this kind of sound, but the opamp in the amp's input buffer"). It produces quite wide sound stage, good spatial information. Jack of all trades, but master of none.

and OPA2132 notes too:

OPA2132P
Magical mids and highs with wide sound stage! The sound stage is so wide i had to tune toe-in of my speakers, to get better center focusing. This one also has mid freqs that i want to listen to hours and hours more. However, there seems to be a bit lack of attack in the rhythmic side. Mellow music with singing sounds fantastic, but drum heavy jazz can sound little laid back. Definitely worth a try, just because of the beautiful mids and highs. Mids that can make a man cry
AIUJFJjLEaFejDwMFPgDB6skt9YYKOAAQDBMSlS9GiMMVAogX iUUoMiBgIhJ2zUEvjmQp9ArRJdaTSIDw8ZIEgMzENkhIINC4KQ2jKFwg2Bf2R1IhAmDiUBBzh5MWShjqdRHdwsmQVMj6UnBgboAqTFFBgyAwMgSjVkhYs2EvAEWCiQA5IeVeTsyJImypGFEKwo BAiVpkMri7tyoGrkDBblUQ4qYCFSiYzGhDcKSFJDA1fvEw0OKBDgKgCNWawWABLSqgip5o8wICGAIABmwDQQqVplR1hilTsmcPkzCMuRmBMSuDj0EBBv CwgcSgRYJFkbp8oivwhZ8IE6DMA10YEAA7
.

Hardware: Nord One Up, MSB Analog Dac, Marten Bird 2, PC."

He has all of the following to test:

LME49860
OPA2132
OPA2134
Sparkos
Burson V5
Sonic Imagery 994
LM4562
OPA627
NJM4580D
OPA797AR
OPA797BR
OPA2228
NE5532


 
Mivera Audio said:
There's actually probably at least 20 opamp types that can be used if you really wanted to get adventurous. Plus there's always new and better ones coming out from several different manufacturers. Some are as cheap as $1 a piece. So rather than swap amps all the time, swap opamps instead. If you have a collection of 20 sets of opamps, it's exactly the same as having 20 different amps. The opamps are amps. They are just little "preamps" for the main amps. Since the NC-500 output stage amp is so amazingly transparent, all you hear is the opamp.

Here's an example from 3Lviz from Diyaudio's impressions on a few different opamps tested in the Nord 1 up buffer:


"Here is my notes on LM4562 and Burson V5.

Burson V5
Overall it is quite good, but i am not sure if it is the best fit for the nCore input buffer. There seems to be a lot of upper bass but something is missing in the low freqs. The mids are very detailed and powerful tho. Especially drums are great. They seem to have extra punch. Highs are ok too. But i think the sound stage is lacking spatial information is it not especially wide and its kinda "messy" overall. Maybe this is because all the little details sounds as separate components but they dont integrate so well into one working art piece. This opamp is missing the fun in this application compared to some less expensive options.

LM4562
Well balanced sound. But, after listening to all these options it is maybe little dull. While listening to this opamp i constantly want to change the opamp, even tho there seems to be no apparent reason
AIUJFJjLEaFejDwMFPgDB6skt9YYKOAAQDBMSlS9GiMMVAogX iUUoMiBgIhJ2zUEvjmQp9ArRJdaTSIDw8ZIEgMzENkhIINC4KQ2jKFwg2Bf2R1IhAmDiUBBzh5MWShjqdRHdwsmQVMj6UnBgboAqTFFBgyAwMgSjVkhYs2EvAEWCiQA5IeVeTsyJImypGFEKwo BAiVpkMri7tyoGrkDBblUQ4qYCFSiYzGhDcKSFJDA1fvEw0OKBDgKgCNWawWABLSqgip5o8wICGAIABmwDQQqVplR1hilTsmcPkzCMuRmBMSuDj0EBBv CwgcSgRYJFkbp8oivwhZ8IE6DMA10YEAA7
. However, if i had to demo for instance the capabilities of my speaker, this opamp would would be a very good candidate, since there seems to be no apparent downsides either that needed to explain to my guest ("its not the speaker that have this kind of sound, but the opamp in the amp's input buffer"). It produces quite wide sound stage, good spatial information. Jack of all trades, but master of none.

and OPA2132 notes too:

OPA2132P
Magical mids and highs with wide sound stage! The sound stage is so wide i had to tune toe-in of my speakers, to get better center focusing. This one also has mid freqs that i want to listen to hours and hours more. However, there seems to be a bit lack of attack in the rhythmic side. Mellow music with singing sounds fantastic, but drum heavy jazz can sound little laid back. Definitely worth a try, just because of the beautiful mids and highs. Mids that can make a man cry
AIUJFJjLEaFejDwMFPgDB6skt9YYKOAAQDBMSlS9GiMMVAogX iUUoMiBgIhJ2zUEvjmQp9ArRJdaTSIDw8ZIEgMzENkhIINC4KQ2jKFwg2Bf2R1IhAmDiUBBzh5MWShjqdRHdwsmQVMj6UnBgboAqTFFBgyAwMgSjVkhYs2EvAEWCiQA5IeVeTsyJImypGFEKwo BAiVpkMri7tyoGrkDBblUQ4qYCFSiYzGhDcKSFJDA1fvEw0OKBDgKgCNWawWABLSqgip5o8wICGAIABmwDQQqVplR1hilTsmcPkzCMuRmBMSuDj0EBBv CwgcSgRYJFkbp8oivwhZ8IE6DMA10YEAA7
.

Hardware: Nord One Up, MSB Analog Dac, Marten Bird 2, PC."

He has all of the following to test:

LME49860
OPA2132
OPA2134
Sparkos
Burson V5
994-enh-ticha
LM4562
OPA627
NJM4580D
OPA797AR
OPA797BR
OPA2228
NE5532
Click to expand...

Damn you Mike!!!!!! You ARE the pusher-man........and I thank you for your drugs. ✌️

(in all seriousness, your input here is highly valued and appreciated as this class D is new territory for me and possibly for others)
 
MikeCh said:
Damn you Mike!!!!!! You ARE the pusher-man........and I thank you for your drugs.

(in all seriousness, your input here is highly valued and appreciated as this class D is new territory for me and possibly for others)
Click to expand...

Ha ha! Well I'm not even selling these. But I'm a huge fan of the concept. All of the Phison gear I do sell is designed the same way but with every single aspect. It's built like Lego's with everything on modular boards. So nothing will ever be obsolete, just new modular boards will become available as technology advances, rather than dumping the whole unit's to upgrade. 100% discrete circuitry as well on every modular board. No IC's anywhere. The cases are made for a lifetime. In 20 years everything will have the same model name and case. This is why they are designed to look simple and timeless. Think of them like the Klipschorn's, came out in 1947, and still can upgrade the 1951 and newer models to today's standards. IMO this is the only way to design audio gear.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/klipschorn-speaker#RwU6cSdYMZjm8sBj.97
 
MikeCh, See I told you Mike knew his stuff :D


Mike, thanks again for all the input. We look forward to playing around some. I have to try that OPA2132P, oh my.
 
Hmmm, I just noticed something in the spec's for the Nord amps....

Is this correct on the input impedance?

" Low Input Impedance 1.2K "

Wouldn't this place it at 1200 ohms?

I'm used to seeing other power amplifiers with specs like, 150k or 300k ohms.

My linestage is rated at: Output impedance: 1K ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced so wonder if this will be a total failure of a match with the Nord's?
 
MikeCh said:
Hmmm, I just noticed something in the spec's for the Nord amps....

Is this correct on the input impedance?

" Low Input Impedance 1.2K "

Wouldn't this place it at 1200 ohms?

I'm used to seeing other power amplifiers with specs like, 150k or 300k ohms.

My linestage is rated at: Output impedance: 1K ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced so wonder if this will be a total failure of a match with the Nord's?
Click to expand...

That's the NC 500 module itself. It's only an output stage. This is why a input board must be used. It's the only Hypex amp ever built that's only an output stage. This is also part of the reason it can be customized to sound so good. If you want to drive the NC500 output stage direct from your preamp, you must have a preamp with some serious current output capability such as the Phison PD2.
 
Mivera Audio said:
That's the NC 500 module itself. It's only an output stage. This is why a input board must be used. It's the only Hypex amp ever built that's only an output stage. This is also part of the reason it can be customized to sound so good. If you want to drive the NC500 output stage direct from your preamp, you must have a preamp with some serious current output capability such as the Phison PD2.
Click to expand...


Thanks for that info Mike. I was curious how the Nord amps could be compatible with most other gear if they only had a 1200 Ohm input impedance!
 
Mike

If Joe got them to work with the GAT and the C-52 they should be good to go. I will know soon with the W4S STP-SE and the Modwright LS-100.
 
The stock buffers are 94K. Not 100% sure what Colin's one up boards will be but it will be a super easy load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top