tomy2
New member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2014
- Messages
- 131
I'm curious about using a passive as well. With a gain of 26 and an impedance of 51k ohms on these amps, what specs does one need on their dac to make sure you get a full dynamic sound?
Nord One Up Ncore NC500 amps, Class D ready for prime time .....
- Thread starter joeinid
- Start date
I'm curious about using a passive as well. With a gain of 26 and an impedance of 51k ohms on these amps, what specs does one need on their dac to make sure you get a full dynamic sound?
Well UPS did the business and the Khzomo is here. It came in a large box but it is a small box in a lot of bubble wrap. As I took the item out there was a rattle. Fearing the worst I took the lid off and in the case was a small loose hex bolt. There was not a lot inside and fortunately this bolt had not come from anywhere inside the box. It must have been left in there. Anyway having connected it all up I listened.
There was a lot positive but the overall dynamics were a bit flat and there was a reduction in the bass. After listening and thinking a bit I remembered I had to change the cables. The Nuforce P9 has a balanced output so I used the Transparent Audio Super XLRs. With the Khzomo I used the RCA to phono cable supplied by Nord, which is good but inexpensive. Right, in goes my Cardas Golden Reference with an XLR/RCA adaptor. Much better and back to what I was expecting. Unfortunately home life intruded so I will wait until tomorrow for a better listen with the proper set-up. I also need to get a Cardas adaptor as these were cheap ones from the internet. Gosh isn't this hifi lark fun.....
There was a lot positive but the overall dynamics were a bit flat and there was a reduction in the bass. After listening and thinking a bit I remembered I had to change the cables. The Nuforce P9 has a balanced output so I used the Transparent Audio Super XLRs. With the Khzomo I used the RCA to phono cable supplied by Nord, which is good but inexpensive. Right, in goes my Cardas Golden Reference with an XLR/RCA adaptor. Much better and back to what I was expecting. Unfortunately home life intruded so I will wait until tomorrow for a better listen with the proper set-up. I also need to get a Cardas adaptor as these were cheap ones from the internet. Gosh isn't this hifi lark fun.....
nc42acc
New member
George does Arek still offer his Khozmo in balanced output and inputs?
tomy2
New member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2014
- Messages
- 131
Somehow I missed your post here last night. I just sold my Kismet amps last week so I'm hoping these Nords are at least comparable as far as holographic imaging goes. They must have made some kind of impression if your willing to buy a Nord yourself.
Did is you try the Nords on both the Nola's as well as the Spatial's?
Jack
Active member
Tomy
I tried the Nord with both speakers and though it was good with both, that particular version was better with the Nola's as it was to the darker side. From Joe and Mikes description of the Sparkos with the new boards and voltage regulators it out to be better suited to the Spatials now. I don't think the character of the combo is the same now. I will try it with both, but I really like the Nuprime 10 series pair with the Spatials. In the Nola system I tried the Nords with both the Modwright LS-100 and the W4S STP-SE.
I tried the Nord with both speakers and though it was good with both, that particular version was better with the Nola's as it was to the darker side. From Joe and Mikes description of the Sparkos with the new boards and voltage regulators it out to be better suited to the Spatials now. I don't think the character of the combo is the same now. I will try it with both, but I really like the Nuprime 10 series pair with the Spatials. In the Nola system I tried the Nords with both the Modwright LS-100 and the W4S STP-SE.
tomy2
New member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2014
- Messages
- 131
That's interesting Jack on the Spatial's and previous Nords sounding too warm or dark. I was thinking they would be similar to the Red Dragon amps that Clayton likes to pair with at shows.
I got the Sparkos separately for the opposite reason. I'm curious as to how the Nords with the SI 994's will sound with the Raal ribbons I have so the Sparkos are on hand to warm things up if need be.
I got the Sparkos separately for the opposite reason. I'm curious as to how the Nords with the SI 994's will sound with the Raal ribbons I have so the Sparkos are on hand to warm things up if need be.
Jack
Active member
Tomy
I think that slight darkness I heard has been corrected with the new boards and voltage regulators. I only tried them with the Spatials for a couple of days before I sent them back and what I heard was in comparison to the mAmps which is what Clayton was selling and pushing back when the Hologram series was first conceived and voiced. The stereo Red Dragon he is using and selling now through Ryan is a Paschal based amp as opposed to the rest of the Red Dragons using the same ICE module as W4S. My main interest in the Nord is for use with the Nola KO's anyway. Whether I buy or borrow a set of the SI 994's to try we will just have to wait and see.
I think that slight darkness I heard has been corrected with the new boards and voltage regulators. I only tried them with the Spatials for a couple of days before I sent them back and what I heard was in comparison to the mAmps which is what Clayton was selling and pushing back when the Hologram series was first conceived and voiced. The stereo Red Dragon he is using and selling now through Ryan is a Paschal based amp as opposed to the rest of the Red Dragons using the same ICE module as W4S. My main interest in the Nord is for use with the Nola KO's anyway. Whether I buy or borrow a set of the SI 994's to try we will just have to wait and see.
nc42acc
New member
All the darkness and muddyness went away for me with the Rev C boards. I wouldn't want anything richer sounding than the SI 994s as they are a perfect balance in my system. I hate to even try the Bursons as I may let out the Nord mojo.
Yes and there is a reasonable selection on his web page including remote control, differing input resistance, different resistor types and mono/stereo versions.
http://www.khozmo.com/index.html
The quality of these is actually very good especially when you consider the price. I was worried that there may not be enough steps to be effective balance controls but there are actually 48 steps, so they work well. If you want more steps and a much more 'blingier' affair then there is the Hattor.
I need to really listen to them properly today to see if I prefer them to my actives.
rah50
New member
Just heard from Colin. My amps are going out tomorrow with a delivery date of July 5!
Jack
Active member
Mike
Are you still sticking with the Sparkos over the SI's?
Are you still sticking with the Sparkos over the SI's?
I am eager to hear your impression on the Khozmo/Hattor.
My Nords hasn't been shipped yet, so I envy all you guys :reallymad:
By the way, I ordered a pair of Sparkos as well to compare with the SI
Jack, I believe so as they've been sounding awesome this week, but am planning to pop the SI994's back in at the end of this coming weekend for a couple weeks listening then switch back to Sparkos to compare.
I sent my amps to a friend in Oklahoma back around the beginning of June (when I knew I was going to be on a week long camping trip and not listening) and he also gave them his blessing. He felt the Sparkos were the better op amps in his setup as he's also a tube-centric guy at heart. I received them back from him last week and want to get reacquainted with the amps loaded with the Sparkos Op Amps over the remainder of this week and weekend then do the swap to SI994 for a couple weeks.
If my memory serves, I won't be disappointed with the SI and maybe even a little joyous for the welcome-home. Only when I swap back in the Sparkos after that will I know what my ears prefer for sure.
Both the SI and Sparkos are great designs and it's simply a matter of deciding if you like a little salt or pepper as your seasoning of choice.
Good choice to have both on hand to determine which matches best with your other gear. Please keep us posted with your progress.
p.s. Also try to remember that the amps themselves (amps + op amps) will start to come into their own around the 300 hour mark. 500 hours was the sweet spot for me and the only time they waver since then is if they've been powered off for more than 24 hours. I leave my Nord's powered on all the time so that they're settled with component warm up when I want to listen, but if starting from an extended off-period I give them at least 2-3 hours of power-on (since they are broken in already) before listening intently.
Jack
Active member
Mike
I am going to start out with the Sparkos as I was impressed with them even with the "old" board, plus my KO's were voiced with ARC and VAC tube amps so that seems to be the best bet. I may try the SI's down the line, but that will be a while. Look forward to your impressions the second time around. I have started trying out the other amps around here to decide what needs to go up for sale. Just need to clear out some of them if they are not being used. Next up in the trial run will be the Job 225.
I am going to start out with the Sparkos as I was impressed with them even with the "old" board, plus my KO's were voiced with ARC and VAC tube amps so that seems to be the best bet. I may try the SI's down the line, but that will be a while. Look forward to your impressions the second time around. I have started trying out the other amps around here to decide what needs to go up for sale. Just need to clear out some of them if they are not being used. Next up in the trial run will be the Job 225.
Mike, during the break-in period of 300hrs or 500hrs, do you need to play them with audio or just keep them power on ? I have some break-in CD from PAD and I think it might help the process a bit faster.
Sounds like a good plan Jack.
Devg,
I ran music signal to the Nord's the whole time thru the approx. 500 hour mark streaming Tidal via my Lumin when I wasn't focused either listening to CD's or spinning vinyl. Since the 500 hour mark, I just leave the Nord's powered on (unless I'm planning to be away for a few days with no listening) and power up my linestage or other front end components with 30-60 minutes or so warm up prior to dedicated listening.