There are a host of manufacturers making Ncore based amplifiers in various flavours, Bel Canto, ATI, Hattor Audio, Alexus-Bache Audio, Acoustic Imagery to name but a few.
Nord One Up Ncore NC500 amps, Class D ready for prime time .....
- Thread starter joeinid
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There are a host of manufacturers making Ncore based amplifiers in various flavours, Bel Canto, ATI, Hattor Audio, Alexus-Bache Audio, Acoustic Imagery to name but a few.
Thanks a lot for the information .
I will take a look and see if they are also similar to Nord.
mocenigo
New member
I have shared my opinion on diyaudio regarding the differences between Nord and Apollon.
Since I cannot yet post links, I have to copy-and-paste
I own two Apollon NC500 based monoblocks and I am very satisfied with them. [...] I do not think that they deserve to be called Nord ripoffs. There have been Hypex based amps with custom buffers way before Nord did it, and Nord used a design shared on diyaudio by Richard Doporto (I believe this is the family name) of Sonic Imagery. The main difference here was the price. Also, Apollon are not using the same board. They are different products. This is following, not ripping off.
If you look at the internal layout of the monoblocks, it is different, with the power supply placed in order to minimise EM interference. This is a better design. it is true that the same Italian MODU cases are used, but they are very practical and not too expensive, so they are a good choice. Apollon is using the internal second bottom made of steel, so not only you do not have a lot of screws on the bottom, but this adds another 1 mm of steel to protect the components from EM/RFI. The buffer board has a better placement (more space around the opamp and a larger distance of the regulators from the opamp, to reduce overheating - these things can get very hot) which to the very least should guarantee longer life. I have been told that the values of the components are different as well: they ensure a higher input impedance (so the amp should be easier to drive). The resistors and capacitors look to me to be of higher quality as well.
There products are going to differentiate themselves on these details, because they will all have the same amplification board, the same main switching PSU, and superficially similar input buffers. But such details can matter - some of these mattered to me when I started looking for this type of amplifier and looking at Apollon swayed me from going the Hattor route (they are beautiful though).
Also, I trust the craft of a sound and recording engineer with hands-on experience over that of a carpenter (i.e. excellent speaker kit builder) or case manufacturers.
best
Roberto
I chose Nord One UP NC500DM, because Apollon did not have a trigger input to control power through preamplifier. In addition, it is impossible to buy an amplifier in a more compact case in Apollo. Colin North offers a choice between a classic case (Nord One SE) and a smaller case size (Nord One UP).
Otherwise, I do not see any fundamental differences between Nord UP NC500DM and Apollon Audio NC800SL. But I need a trigger, so my choice is Nord.
Everyone has a great sound and happiness!
Otherwise, I do not see any fundamental differences between Nord UP NC500DM and Apollon Audio NC800SL. But I need a trigger, so my choice is Nord.
Everyone has a great sound and happiness!
- Thread Author
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I chose the Nord One UP NC500DM, because Apollon did not have a trigger input to control the power through the preamplifier. In addition, in Apollon it is impossible to buy an amplifier in a more compact package. Colin North offers a choice between a classic case (Nord One SE) and a smaller case size (Nord One UP).Otherwise, I do not see any fundamental differences between Nord UP NC500DM and Apollon Audio NC800SL. But I need a trigger, so my choice is Nord.
Everyone has a great sound and happiness!
Я выбрал Nord One UP NC500DM, потому что у Apollon не было триггерного входа для управления питанием через предусилитель. Кроме того, в Apollon невозможно купить усилитель в более компактном корпусе. Colin North предлагает выбор между классическим корпусом (Nord One SE) и меньшим размером корпуса (Nord One UP).
В противном случае я не вижу принципиальных различий между Nord UP NC500DM и Apollon Audio NC800SL. Но мне нужен спусковой крючок, поэтому мой выбор - Норд.
У каждого отличный звук и счастье!
Я выбрал Nord One UP NC500DM, потому что у Apollon не было триггерного входа для управления питанием через предусилитель. Кроме того, в Apollon невозможно купить усилитель в более компактном корпусе. Colin North предлагает выбор между классическим корпусом (Nord One SE) и меньшим размером корпуса (Nord One UP).
В противном случае я не вижу принципиальных различий между Nord UP NC500DM и Apollon Audio NC800SL. Но мне нужен спусковой крючок, поэтому мой выбор - Норд.
У каждого отличный звук и счастье!
Apollon also has 12v trigger option, just need to mail them and they will give you a custom build with very reasonable price.
This is good news, just on the site I did not see this option when placing order to buy an amplifier.
Anyone experience before that the power button is stuck in the "ON" position for the Nord one Up amplifier? This happens to me the 3rd time, previously i am able to get it back to "OFF" position after pressing afew more times, but this time it doesn't.
Anyone knows how to fix this? Thanks.
Anyone knows how to fix this? Thanks.
I have heard of two other users who have had this same problem, multiple operations of the switch get it working again. Seems a strange problem since they are a high quality switch from a reputable manufacturer so maybe there was a bad batch? I wouldn't know if I have a bad switch because I've only ever switched the Nord off a handful of times since I installed it in my system.
Colin replied my email with instruction how to fix the switch by removing the amp cover and pull it out. It works, but after turning on the amp and leaving it for few hours, the switch is back to "ON" position when i tried to turn it "OFF".
I wonder am i able to get a replacement switch to replace it or not.
Jack
Active member
Should be a simple parts swap. If he sends you a new switch with the wiring harness attached. It is probably held in the case with a lock nut on the inside of the case. Working on the inside of those amps is pretty simple.
mocenigo
New member
So Apollon have not used the published Sonic Imagery input buffer circuit as you surmised? This makes the Apollon even more likely to be a Nord rip-off?
mocenigo
New member
AFAIK they have their own design, derived from the one designed by Richard Oporto of Sonic Imagery.
Same input impedance, same gain and same opamp choice, it's not rocket science the two circuits have got to be very similar?
mocenigo
New member
Of course they are: but the overall scheme comes from the one posted on diyaudio by Richard. And it was for all to use. If you want to use a Burson or a Muse or a Dexa opamp you may. Sparkos and SI are offered as these are the most popular choices.
Hello everyone!
Standing in front of the amp selection, options Nord One UP NC500DM Stereo and APOLLON NC800 SL. In your opinion, which one should you choose? Apollon seems more well made, has a more correct build in, also has the power Board to the soft start and double bottom of the hull. Do they have any other differences that I didn't notice? I would be grateful for your comments!
Standing in front of the amp selection, options Nord One UP NC500DM Stereo and APOLLON NC800 SL. In your opinion, which one should you choose? Apollon seems more well made, has a more correct build in, also has the power Board to the soft start and double bottom of the hull. Do they have any other differences that I didn't notice? I would be grateful for your comments!