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

Thanks! They seem tonally more dense and fuller than other Class D amps. More meat on the bone as they say.
 
If any of you guys want to try out an NC500 based amp and don't want to order from a "new guy on the block", Merrill has one for $2500 using his own designed buffer board. There are a couple of reviews online. Only draw back for some may be that it is stereo only. I think the Nord looks better and has higher quality connectors but that's just me.
 
I think I had to pay UPS a small duty fee of $30 or so and I forget if PayPal took a little extra too. I think I was all in for $2250 maybe. Well worth it.
 
Somehow found out about Nord not that long ago and it got my interest. Not a ton of info on the web so it's nice to hear from someone who has one and likes it.

Currently running a Gato which uses Pascal class D tech. Would love to compare it to Ncore someday.
 
Hi,

I have to say my Nord amps now are outstanding. Love them. Extended break in on any Class D is a must, and these are no different that way, but these are performing better than I had hoped. They seriously kill some amps at 10X (maybe not quite ten times) the price. The Sparkos op amp is supposed to warm up the sound and add some tone and body. I don't know how it would sound with the stock or other op amps but I am enjoying what I have now and absolutely zero regrets. Just wonderful.

Another forum member has been talking to me about the Gato and loves the sound but is not 100% happy although the company has been awesome to deal with and is very responsive.
 
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The Sparkos.

http://sparkoslabs.com/discrete-op-amps/

bee373_baf396a43d2f43e6a2cccd8d50135a3b.jpg


Specifications


  • Full Data Sheet Available Here
  • 140 dB Open Loop Gain
  • 415nV RMS (2.9nV√HZ) Noise to 20KHZ
  • +/- 18 Vcc Max
  • 15mA Class A Ouput Current
  • 65mA Max Output Current
  • 14mA Supply Current
  • < 300µV Typical Offset
Features

  • Optimized For High Performance Audio
  • Available In Single Or Dual
  • DIP8 Compatible Package
  • Circular Machined Gold Plated Pins
  • Smallest Discrete Op Amp On The Market
  • 100% Class A Biasing
  • Two Pole Compensation
  • NPO Capacitors
  • 1% Metal Film Resistors

Elberoth said:
Joe,

Which opamps are you using ?
Click to expand...
 
The ability to pick the op-amp is a nice option.

Looks like Atsah 500 and the Bel Canto e.One REf600M monos are also using the NC500 / SMPS1200 combination. Wonder if other companies will try it too, as it seems like the performance is close to amps using the much more expensive NC1200.

How is the finish on the Nord? The Atsah and the Bel Canto seem pretty utilitarian design-aesthetic-wise.
 
Fit and finish is great. The amps are very light but all Class D are light. Heavy cables could tip the unit a little but the whole package is rock solid. Colin from Nord/IQ speakers does a great job on the amps.
 
Mate

If you are walking away from the Gato situation you might want to look at Abrahamsen. Integrated and then get the DAC of your choice that you can change with technology changes.

http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!abrahamsen-v20up-intergrated-amplifier/c1vfy

You would buy direct from Abrahamsen in your country.

Another option is the Nuprime IDA-16. It is a 200wpc all in one integrated/DAC like the Job and Devialet. Has voltage switch on the back so you can buy from any dealer that has the best currency exchange rate for you.
 
Thanks Jack, I'm still between several scenarios... Abrahamsen did cross my mind a few times, but I'm trying something even better - to convince my friend to order Abrahamsen for himself as his first ever amplifier; that way I'll be able to audition it. I'm familiar with Electrocompaniet, which is somewhat popular here and basically the same thing as Abrahamsen. I like it, but didn't exactly blow me away.
 
Would someone be willing to summarize how the NC500 differs from the NC400 modules? I built an NC400 stereo amp several years ago and had it for about a year. It was very accomplished in some areas (midrange and resolution) and lacking to my ear in others (high frequencies and bass) in my system and in my opinion of course.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
While the 500 has a bit more power and current capability compared to the 400, I believe that the most significant difference is that the 500 is better setup to accommodate custom input stage designs which can be substantially better sounding than the stock input stage. Many designers are using discrete class A circuits for the input stage with 500 modules. Also many of the 500 designs (like the Nord) make use of the much higher current 1200 series power supply instead of the standard 500 series version which allows for much better dynamic performance and more headroom. The Nord design is also setup to allow you to easily select or change the input stage op-amps of which there are at least a few discrete drop in options.
 
How many op-amps/monoblock chassis? What is the price range on op-amps?

The solid state version of tube swapping. :audiophile:
 
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