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

I am enjoying this thread immensely. Thanks to everyone for participating.

I have a request for those reporting on amplifier performance. Please be clear what speakers you used. Sometimes signature blocks have so many speakers listed it is impossible to know which ones were used. Also, those lists can get outdated quickly.

I am also curious about which preamplifiers were used with the Nord amplifiers. I think that is an important part of the equation.
 
I've used my Ayre KX-5/20 and McIntosh C52 with my Nords, both with great success and on both my Strads and JBL's.

Happy camper and love what I'm hearing. Especially since switching to the new buffer boards. I do like both the Sparkos and 994 op amps, but the nod, for me, goes to the Sparkos.
 
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I have had the NC400 monos which I really liked paired with a Bent TAP passive preamp. I then proceeded to go down a "black hole" with my audio system. First mistake was selling my Exasound E20 MKII DAC and my C.A.P.S. v2. PC server for a Modwright modded Sony HAP-Z1ES player. I ended up returning the Sony to Dan. I did not like it at all. Then I sold my NCores for a JOB225 amp. The JOB was a pretty darn good amp but then I sold it for a Modwright KW-200 Integrated amp. Again, I just did not like the sound presentation of the MW Integrated and sold it off. Anyway, my system was really down for at least a year. I had pieces and parts but never the full enchilada.

I have been up and running now for a couple of months and am still running the Bent TAP passive pre but am planning on building a LDR3 V2 balanced passive preamp from Tortuga Audio to mate with the NORD monos. I also have had a Wells Audio Majestic Integrated and the Modwright KWA 150 amp in my present system. The Wells Audio presentation was on the warm side of neutral while the MW KWA 150 is a very neutral powerful amp. I really like the KWA150 in my present system but the NORD monos has better definition in the mid-bass and bass. It is very close in the mid-range and treble. Keep in mind that the MW KWA retails for $7,000.

My speakers are DIY'd using a kit from Selah Audio. The model I built was the TRT (see my avatar). The TRT speakers are a 2.5 way speaker with all Revelation Scan Speak drivers including the Aircirc tweeters.

Regards,

Randy
 
rklein said:
BTW, if I want to try the Sparkos op amps do I order them directly from Sparkos?
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Hi Yes directly from Sparkos in the USA as shipping to the US they would probably work out more expensive just mention iQ Speakers Nord.
Nice speakers by the way, we build IPL Acoustic kits here in the UK also. Would like to see a larger picture they look really well finished is that Santos Rosewood on the fronts?
 
By the way a big thank you to all the kind words. Its been a tough slog getting to this point and there has been some low points on the way. Reading comments like this really does lift my spirits and helps enormously. It also helps with support when customers are realistic and great to work with, its been a pleasure again Thank you.
http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!hypex-amps/avuyk
 
boggit said:
Hi Yes directly from Sparkos in the USA as shipping to the US they would probably work out more expensive just mention iQ Speakers Nord.
Nice speakers by the way, we build IPL Acoustic kits here in the UK also. Would like to see a larger picture they look really well finished is that Santos Rosewood on the fronts?
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Yes it is a South American rosewood.



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Regards,

Randy
 
The pictures came out on the email notification. Stunning, that veneer is not cheap in that width and hard to come by. Did you make them yourself?
 
Dizzie said:
I am enjoying this thread immensely. Thanks to everyone for participating.

I have a request for those reporting on amplifier performance. Please be clear what speakers you used. Sometimes signature blocks have so many speakers listed it is impossible to know which ones were used. Also, those lists can get outdated quickly.

I am also curious about which preamplifiers were used with the Nord amplifiers. I think that is an important part of the equation.
Click to expand...

For me I tried the Creek 'pot in a box', a Nuforce P9 preamplifier and an Audionote M6. I stuck with the Nuforce P9 as it was best with the Nords. The preamp was designed by Damien Martin who designed the Spectral preamps and made them sound really fast, fairly neutral and they have been well reviewed. They work well with the Nords.
 
boggit said:
The pictures came out on the email notification. Stunning, that veneer is not cheap in that width and hard to come by. Did you make them yourself?
Click to expand...

Yes, I made them myself. I copied a design from speaker builder Lee Tayler. His speakers feature veneered fronts, tops and backs with black sides. I wanted a black piano hand rubbed finish for the sides with a South American Rosewood veneer for the fronts, tops/bottoms and backs. While Selah's design calls for the width to be 9", I decided to cut two extra side panels of 3/4" HDF which I then used my router on the front edge using an Ogee Stepped Shear Cut Bit. this enabled me to glue the side panels on to the original design while only adding 1/8" per side.

Regards,

Randy
 
Dizzie said:
I am enjoying this thread immensely. Thanks to everyone for participating.

I have a request for those reporting on amplifier performance. Please be clear what speakers you used. Sometimes signature blocks have so many speakers listed it is impossible to know which ones were used. Also, those lists can get outdated quickly.

I am also curious about which preamplifiers were used with the Nord amplifiers. I think that is an important part of the equation.
Click to expand...

Linestage - Aesthetix Calypso Signature (w/ 1950's Swedish Military NOS 5751 Sylvania Triple Mica Black Plate & Russian 6H23P-EB / 6922)
Speakers - Canton Ergo Passiv

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boggit said:
The pictures came out on the email notification. Stunning, that veneer is not cheap in that width and hard to come by. Did you make them yourself?
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here is attempt #2 to post the pictures.
 

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Randy take a look at the Hattor passive preamps. He will configure them any way you like. I had mine made with all balanced input and outputs. Incredible quality, service and sound.

rklein said:
I have had the NC400 monos which I really liked paired with a Bent TAP passive preamp. I then proceeded to go down a "black hole" with my audio system. First mistake was selling my Exasound E20 MKII DAC and my C.A.P.S. v2. PC server for a Modwright modded Sony HAP-Z1ES player. I ended up returning the Sony to Dan. I did not like it at all. Then I sold my NCores for a JOB225 amp. The JOB was a pretty darn good amp but then I sold it for a Modwright KW-200 Integrated amp. Again, I just did not like the sound presentation of the MW Integrated and sold it off. Anyway, my system was really down for at least a year. I had pieces and parts but never the full enchilada.

I have been up and running now for a couple of months and am still running the Bent TAP passive pre but am planning on building a LDR3 V2 balanced passive preamp from Tortuga Audio to mate with the NORD monos. I also have had a Wells Audio Majestic Integrated and the Modwright KWA 150 amp in my present system. The Wells Audio presentation was on the warm side of neutral while the MW KWA 150 is a very neutral powerful amp. I really like the KWA150 in my present system but the NORD monos has better definition in the mid-bass and bass. It is very close in the mid-range and treble. Keep in mind that the MW KWA retails for $7,000.

My speakers are DIY'd using a kit from Selah Audio. The model I built was the TRT (see my avatar). The TRT speakers are a 2.5 way speaker with all Revelation Scan Speak drivers including the Aircirc tweeters.

Regards,

Randy
Click to expand...
 
Colin I sent you an email with my suspensions of why I was not getting decent sound from the rev B boards. I listened again last night and have been amazed at the level these amps perform. I am going to take a quick listen again to my REF75 tonight before sending it off to Audiogon. Thanks for your diligence.

boggit said:
By the way a big thank you to all the kind words. Its been a tough slog getting to this point and there has been some low points on the way. Reading comments like this really does lift my spirits and helps enormously. It also helps with support when customers are realistic and great to work with, its been a pleasure again Thank you.
http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!hypex-amps/avuyk
Click to expand...
 
nc42acc said:
Colin I sent you an email with my suspensions of why I was not getting decent sound from the rev B boards. I listened again last night and have been amazed at the level these amps perform. I am going to take a quick listen again to my REF75 tonight before sending it off to Audiogon. Thanks for your diligence.
Click to expand...

+1 I always had the revised C boards but I too am amazed on the price/performance on these amps.
 
Randy no I did not opt for the tube buffer stage. I am using a Gustard X20 DAC that has very high output voltage so I have no issues. I also am not driving long cable runs either. The Hattor is a very nice preamp.

rklein said:
thanks Marty. does your Hattor have the optional tube stage?
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I could easily live with either amp. Nords definitely have the edge on detail retrieval but the REF75 has a very sweet midrange. This would be a contest of personal taste. Battle of old vs new in amp technology. The gap is getting narrower.


Devg said:
Marty, how would you compare the ARC REF75 to the Nords ? The REF75 has been on Stereophile class A recommendation and at some point I was very interested in getting one.
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nc42acc said:
I could easily live with either amp. Nords definitely have the edge on detail retrieval but the REF75 has a very sweet midrange. This would be a contest of personal taste. Battle of old vs new in amp technology. The gap is getting narrower.
Click to expand...

Marty

Maybe you should try the Sparkos on your new Revised C boards. I am going to order a pair from Sparkos.

Regards,

Randy
 
Randy thanks but I really like the 994s If the Sparkos subdue the details this is taking away what I like best of the Nords with the 994. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Sparkos in your system.

BTW I have listened all evening with the REF75 and have enjoyed every song. I want a best of both amps.

rklein said:
Marty

Maybe you should try the Sparkos on your new Revised C boards. I am going to order a pair from Sparkos.

Regards,

Randy
Click to expand...
 
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