Rocking the Boat : Nord Hypex NC1200 Signature Amplifier

CKKeung

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Nord has been selling poweramps based on Hypex NC500 modules at very low prices for several years.
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/
It adopts a direct-sale model and doesn't have an official dealer in Hong Kong but several friends of mine are using them happily.
The new Rev-D buffer board upgrade is particularly welcomed as it improves the sonic performance a lot.

Nord just announces to launch a new series employing Hypex NC1200 modules :
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/nc1200

Nord One SE NC1200.jpg

The net prices are very surprising :
Stereo version £3795
Mono version £1995.5 x2
They are less than 50% of prices of similar NC1200 poweramps in the market!

They even have a upgraded chassis option - CNCed from a solid billet of aluminum alloy :
Nord One SE NC1200 Alchemy.jpg

Officially they explain that such a low prcing is due to Hypex Electronics changing the pricing policy.
Previously NC1200 module is not available to diyers too.

Is this a result of the new generation of Class D amp employing Gallium Transistors?
Merrill has launched their new Elements Series and AGD Productions has launched their Vivace mono amps.
Both got very good feedbacks/reviews.
The Hypex modules are meeting challenge for sure!
;)
 
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Sablon Audio

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I got their mail shot also CKK and these amps are storming value in terms of the parts used. I have previously made myself a diy NC1200 amp and can imagine the input buffer board upgrades are quite significant over the stock factory chip based input. Like you said though, the new generation of transistors is approaching fast and have some very promising qualities......
 
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CKKeung

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I got their mail shot also CKK and these amps are storming value in terms of the parts used. I have previously made myself a diy NC1200 amp and can imagine the input buffer board upgrades are quite significant over the stock factory chip based input. Like you said though, the new generation of transistors is approaching fast and have some very promising qualities......
Other than the newer generation of Gallium Nitride transistors, another reason which may be even more important is that Bruno Putzeys has separated from Mola Mola and Hypex.

Bruno formed a new company Purifi with several gurus and is about to launch a series of new Class D modules using the so-called Eigentakt circuit :
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/purifi/

Bruno openly said that these new modules were better than the Ncore1200.

The formal pricings not yet anounced but I guess it may be comparable with the Ncores.
If fact NAD has just signed agreement with Purifi to use the modules in some coming NAD series.

Therefore a new Class D era is around the corner.
Anyway I think the current Nord NC1200 amps at <£4k are still very good buys.
:)
 
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Genkifd

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seems like to me Class D isnt fully developed. Purifi is only just being implemented and products cannot yet to be purchased.
 

CKKeung

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Genkifd

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When you going to the Spec of the Nord Three SE ET400 MKII Mono Block - still indicates the older NC500 module or am i reading it wrong
 

CKKeung

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When you going to the Spec of the Nord Three SE ET400 MKII Mono Block - still indicates the older NC500 module or am i reading it wrong
May be too rush and missed to amend some of the old webshop info.

BTW I wonder whether there will soon be a version with better components such as NCF IEC socket, better xlr sockets ... etc.

The Nord top NC1200 mono is still more expenaive than this Three SE ET400 MkII mono.
Does this imply sonically the NC1200 is still better?
Or the price diff is due only to the output power ratings?
 

DaveC

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Therefore a new Class D era is around the corner.

:)

Been hearing this for 20+ years now! ;)

I built some NC500 monos and imo they are excellent for bass and well... not good for full range using the stock input board. It's like work listening to them used full range.
 

Genkifd

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the owner of Hulgich Audio has expressed to him that they employees of Nord are divided on the Purifi vs Ncore amps. they apparently sound very close.
 

Sablon Audio

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The best amp module I have heard driven by a hypex smps is the VSSA and First One mosfet designs by LazyCat, covered extensively on Diyaudio.com. These both sounded excellent and were rather more convincing than the nc400/nc500/nc1200 designs I have built. Sadly the manufacturer support for these mosfets now seems to have gone awol though the gAN modules from Orchard Audio appear interesting and are also available ready built.
 

CKKeung

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The best amp module I have heard driven by a hypex smps is the VSSA and First One mosfet designs by LazyCat, covered extensively on Diyaudio.com. These both sounded excellent and were rather more convincing than the nc400/nc500/nc1200 designs I have built. Sadly the manufacturer support for these mosfets now seems to have gone awol though the gAN modules from Orchard Audio appear interesting and are also available ready built.
Orchard Audio is offering pre-order of their coming Gallium Nitride transistor amp called "BOSC" via Indiegogo.
However I personally think that the look and pricings of the amp are not attractive.
 
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Genkifd

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if you had to choose the new Purifi or NC1200 monos from Nord what would you choose? im leaning towards the Purifi as they are new tech and have more than ample power to drive the speaker i desire.
 

Sablon Audio

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As these purefi modules are only just starting dribbling into the market place, nobody other than manufacturers using them will be able to give you any insights and you have that already. I would however find it hard to imagine that Bruno would be unable to surpass his Nc1200 design which is already now several years old.
 
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CKKeung

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As these purefi modules are only just starting dribbling into the market place, nobody other than manufacturers using them will be able to give you any insights and you have that already. I would however find it hard to imagine that Bruno would be unable to surpass his Nc1200 design which is already now several years old.
Yes, agree!

And Bruno may have a higher Purifi model up his sleeve.
He also needs to develop a newer and better powersupply board for Purifi.
 

bazelio

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Been hearing this for 20+ years now! ;)

I built some NC500 monos and imo they are excellent for bass and well... not good for full range using the stock input board. It's like work listening to them used full range.

Dave, which input buffers did you use?
 

DaveC

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Dave, which input buffers did you use?

The one supplied by Hypex, which I'm sure can be much better. I intended it to be used as a woofer amp so I haven't looked into it beyond seeing it needs a lot of current, more than my tube linestage/driver can produce and I haven't been motivated to try anything else as it is a good woofer amp as-is.
 

Genkifd

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May be too rush and missed to amend some of the old webshop info.

BTW I wonder whether there will soon be a version with better components such as NCF IEC socket, better xlr sockets ... etc.

The Nord top NC1200 mono is still more expenaive than this Three SE ET400 MkII mono.
Does this imply sonically the NC1200 is still better?
Or the price diff is due only to the output power ratings?

I believe the price only due to the power difference. since they apparently sound very close.
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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I believe the price only due to the power difference. since they apparently sound very close.
According to the reviews on Purifi module at 6moons and Mivera Forum(before it became member-only), its sonic character is quite diff from Ncore1200.
 
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