2. amps-preamps
  3. 1399374353

HYPEX,PASCAL OR ABLETEC

Knowing about the many apparently very good class D amps on the market right now and even though I'm very satisfied with my current ClassD Audio SDS-440CS amp, I'm seriously considering purchasing one of these amps to try out in my system. My thinking is that, if I do like the amp in my system, I can just use my current amp to replace an older Adcom GFA-545 that currently powers my Magnepan CC3 center channel and my unamplified (passive)sub for ht purposes. I would then always be able to choose which amp I used for my 2 ch music and which amp I used for ht(cc and sub).

Well, I should get to my point:

I'm using an Oppo105 as the master source in my streamlined A/V living room system used 40% for 2-ch music and 60% for ht. For 2-ch listening, I stream my cd collection and hi-res Flac files from a Synology NAS in another room to the Oppo. The Oppo acts as a stand alone dac and sends the analog output via xlr cables to my class D amp (440 w/ch@4ohms) which powers my Magnepan 2.7qr speakers. For ht, I use the Oppo for decoding surround sound from Netflix, Directv and bluray discs. Two class A/B amps power the Oppo's ht audio outputs to my Magnepan CC3 center channel, LFE sub and in-ceiling rear surround channels.
I've narrowed my new amp choices down to the following four listed below. I'm requesting feedback on any or all of these 4 amp options, especially from anyone who has used 1 or more in their system. My budget is $2,000 to $2,500 and my room is 18ft x 13ft with 8ft ceilings. Here are my options:

Option#1 Hypex Ncore nc400 based amp builds from James Romeyn in Utah. A stereo, dual-mono build is $1,500 total and is rated at 400 watts @ 4 ohms. It includes 2 Hypex nc400 power modules both powered by 1 nc12000 smps mounted in a generic case with a black or silver aluminum faceplate with both se and xlr inputs. A pair of mono-blocks built runs a bit under $2,000/pr. total and consists of a nc400 power module mated to a nc600 smps in each 'NCORE' labeled black case with both se and xlr inputs.

Option#2 Pascal amp build from Aluminati Sound in Ohio. This is a stereo build only that will use a new stereo board from Pascal in Denmark, called the SPRO-2, that has a smps incorporated on the board. Power output is rated at 500 watts/ch @ 4 ohms. Forecasted price is about $2,000 but may run a bit higher. Pascal modules are used in the new JRRG Continuum 2 integrated amp that has received very positive sq reviews. Alumnati is owned by 2 former CNC machinists/fabricators. Their main advantage is their case work. One of the Aluminati owners, Matt Kraemer, told me the new stereo Pascal amp is tentatively named the "X-1" and should be available for order by approx. mid July. He said the stereo case will be milled from a single large aluminum block. The finished case will have an anodized finish (think JRRG cases but milled as 1 solid piece instead of multiple anodized face panels attached to a chassis underneath. The aluminum case will have a blue power/status light mounted underneath projecting downward.

Option#3- Abletec amp modules in the DSonic M3-600M mono-blocks. I'm not certain which Abletec modules are used in these amps but the price is $1,950/pr. and power output is 600 watts/ch @ 4 ohms in black cases with a blue power/status light with both se and xlr inputs. The Abletec modules have built-in smps just like the Pascal modules. According to DSonic's owner, Dennis Deacon, the 600Ms and their top-of-the-line 1500Ms have similar sound characteristics, even though the 1500Ms use Pascal modules(likely either a MPro or XPro module).

Option#4- Identical ClassD Audio SDS-440CS amp to replace my older class A/B amp that powers my center ch and sub. This option is least attractive to me since it would mean my music amplification would remain the same and I wouldn't be auditioning any of the newer class D amp modules. If I liked option 1,2 or 3 above better for music playback, I would simply move my existing CDA music amp over to center and sub duties anyways. The only benefit of option #4 is that it's the least expensive at $630.

I've ruled out some amps, like the Wyred4Sound and Red Dragon offerings, because they use the older Ice ucd power modules typically considered sonically inferior to the newer Hypex Ncore, Pascal and Abletec power modules. Any comments comparing the sq of these options is greatly appreciated, especially if you've owned or listened to some of these. I do understand that there is more involved with how various class D amps sound than just the power modules utilized, such as high quality components and custom input stages.

I should also say, just like Audiozen, I have never actually heard a Hypex, Pascal or Abletec powered amp. I'm just curious and base my optimism on the positive reports from owners, listeners and professional reviewers. If I had a larger $10k plus budget, I'd likely just buy a completed amp based on the Hypex Ncore nc1200 power modules, such as Merrill, upcoming Mola-Mola or Acoustic Imagery.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Please feel free to suggest other reasonably priced class D amps I may have omitted.

Thank you,
Tim



Much like Audiozen, I am basing
128x128noble100

Showing 10 responses by audiozen

audiozen
831 posts
 
I already answered that question for you Guido with a post on another thread regarding the same question you asked then.. Zzzzz..., Sooo..to refresh your memory, here we go again...
The previous D-Sonic M2-600M and the current D-Sonic M3-600M
are the exact same amplifier, The ABLETEC ALC-1000 Amp designed by Patrik Bostrom. The only difference between the two was a change in the chassis design. That's it. You can download photos of the interior from Google or Bing images. For the money, a very clean, elegant piece of work. The simplistic orderly layout of the multiple transformers and Caps and other parts is excellent. The signal path board print is first class. D-Sonic's most powerful amp, the M3 1500M, uses
a PASCAL X-PRO3 power module in a two channel configuration.
Who's the most advanced Engineer of the bunch?.. Hands down, PATRIK BOSTROM with ANAVIEW/ABLETEC. During the past five plus years, Bruno Putzeys, further advanced traditional Class D PWM, (Pulse Width Modulation) to an improved version called PWDM, (Pulse Width Density Modulation). Bostrom has abandoned PWM and similar version's stating there still exists flaws with that application and he has designed his own, one of a kind,
more advanced pulse modulation technique called PSM, (Phase Shifting Modulation) which avoids the inherent harmonic disorder problems found in Class D amps using PWM or similar applications. This PSM technology is used in the D-Sonic M3 600M amp and in the $45K pair of the Marten M amps in Sweden designed by Patrik Bostrom.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Correction..the D-Sonic M3 1500M amp uses the PASCAL XPRO-1
power module and not the XPRO-3.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Macrojack..M3 is nothing more than the "third version" since the original. When D-Sonic first got off the ground all their amps, whether they were high powered mono blocks or stereo or multi-channel, were all B&O ICE. In 2011 Dennis switched out to Pascal and Abletec to the M2 models then changed the chassis designs in late 2012 to the M3 models. I made a mistake pulling the model # from the Pascal website. The XPRO-1 is the correct mono model in the M3-1500M.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Guido..you need to chill out. I only get sarcastic with you
when you get into your over patronizing manner with Gon members. I'll continue to comment with my sarcastic manner when needed. "Mayflower Manner's" does not apply here.

Stats on the D-Sonic M3-1500M/PASCAL XPRO-1.
Output power.
1500 watts at 8 ohms.
2400 watts at 4 ohms.
Peak output voltage is 160 volts.
Peak output current. 30 amps.
Voltage Gain is 32db's.
Input impedance is 60 kohms.
Dynamic range is 120 db's.
Sensitivity is 2 volts.
Damping factor is at 1000.

Stats on the D-Sonic M3-600M/ABLETEC ALC-1000
Output power.
600 watts into 8 ohms.
1200 watts into 4 ohms.
Peak output voltage is 100 volts.
Peak output current is 24 amps.
Voltage gain is 32 db's.
Input impedance is 60 kohms.
Dynamic range is 120 db's
Sensitivity is 2 volts.
Damping factor is 600.
audiozen
831 posts
 
BREAKING NEWS..Cat's out of the bag...It is true that the Abletec ALC-1000 amp used by D-Sonic is no longer made, but just week's ago, Patrik Bostrom has designed and released a new high end Class D
amp line, the AMS series, which will be under the ANAVIEW
banner and not the Abletec name. One model in particular, which will be taking over where the ALC-1000 left off, is the ANAVIEW AMS 1000-2600, which can be purchased as a two channel amp or bridged to a high powered mono. THIS IS THE AMP TO WATCH OUT FOR!..WHY?.."AMS", which means "Adaptive Modulation Servo", which is a revolutionary new loop linearization technology that was specifically designed for, and only used in the past in the worlds finest Class D
amp, designed by Bostrom, the Marten M Amp from Sweden, selling for $45K a pair. For the first time, the AMS circuit
modulation technology is now available in a budget priced,
Bostrom designed Class D amp from ANAVIEW.

ANAVIEW AMS 1000-2600 SPECS

STEREO MODE
170 Watts RMS per channel @8 Ohms
300 Watts RMS per channel @4 Ohms
500 Watts RMS per channel @2 Ohms
__________________________________________________

BRIDGED MONO
580 Watts RMS @8 Ohms
720 Watts RMS @6 Ohms
900 Watts RMS @4 Ohms

audiozen
831 posts
 
Tim, check out the Anaview AMS 1000-2600 amp on the Anaview website. There's a link that opens up a 37 page file referred to as the product table which has a photo and endless specs and schematics' on the amp.
audiozen
831 posts
 
In recent years, a handful of class D engineers have scaled to the same level as Bruno Putzeys, since they all have accomplished the same thing, and that is correcting the inherent problems that has plagued Class D amps since the 1960's, and that is PWM/Pulse width switching modulators that always had harmonic disorder problems and linear problems, which is why Class D amps years ago had cold upper frequencies, especially with violin and piano, and flabby bass. But always have had that great, rich, lower midrange. The following companies in recent years have all abandoned PWM switching modulators
and have designed in house their own patented switching applications that have eliminated the problems with Class D amps. Those companies are, B&O, with their current MK-III version HCOM modulator which is used in their most recent amps. Nuforce, Audio Research,
Hypex/Ncore, Anaview, with their Phase shift modulator and AMS technology, and Pascal. There is one Class D product that has left me breathless during the past several months which I have listened to, and that is the Peachtree Audio Grand X-1 integrated Class D amplifier with a hybrid tube preamp section designed by legendary circuit engineer Bascom King who is now 74. His resume spanning fifty years is remarkable. Bascom also does design work for Wyred 4 Sound. The X-1 uses two bridged B&O 250ASX2 amps. Two Psvane 12AU7 tubes are used in the buffer stage and can be turned off or on via the remote while listening to have the option of solid state or the tube buffer when needed. The amp puts out 440 watts @8Ohms and 770 watts @4Ohms and can easily drive loads down to 1ohm. It has a full, rich, meaty sound with tight fisted bass performance that will crack your skull. It has the best damn DAC on the planet, the ESS Sabre32 9018 Reference which has jitter master clocked down to one picosecond. Incredible. A close friend of mine picked one up over the Christmas holiday and it is extremely enjoyable to listen to. There are many other features including a killer headphone amp that make the X-1 and absolute steal for $4500.00.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Ricred1..that would be a wise move with the 7T's. With their beefy Dave Marshall crossover boards and their large driver magnet structure, results in a very power hungry speaker. Michael Kelly informed me several years ago that a 500 to 1000 watt amp would bring out the best from the 7T's.
Even though they are 4 Ohm speakers, they will not drop below 3 Ohms when driving a pair. More than likely I'll be purchasing the X-1 myself since Peachtree Audio is a twenty minute drive from my home. Peachtree is currently out of stock of the X-1 and will have their next batch available within 90 days.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Sounds great Tim. Look forward to your experience.

Macrojack..the Continuum S2 is manufactured and assembled in the U.S., so of course the retail price is much higher than the Peachtree X-1. The X-1's Preamp stage and chassis are manufactured in China then shipped in separate parts to their facility for final assembly and testing in California. The X-1's 1/8th inch faceplate
has all the letters and writing drilled into the metal surface. Class. No cheap screen print on this baby. I much prefer the traditional five way binding post on the X-1 than
those clunky, black Cardas connectors on the S2 that look like pull knobs on a 1930 tool chest. In a recent comment by B&O in 6Moons, they mention their latest HCOM modulator
that's used in the Peachtree X-1, can provide much more continuous current without the need of a large power supply. I think the X-1 is the wiser choice between the two given its excellent tube stage, the worlds finest DAC, and a very cool frequency roll off switch on the back that you can set roll off to fast or slow. The X-1 is gorgeous. Its exterior design reminds me of the very suave looking modern high end components of the 90's. Peachtree's main business and corporate office is in Bellevue, Washington.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Rich with the Anaview office in New Jersey has no idea what he's talking about regarding the ALC 1000-1300. Its out of production. Period. I've had ongoing communications since May 22nd with Tomas Eng, Global Account Manager for the ETAL GROUP in Sweden. ETAL owns Anaview/Abletec. I originally contacted Tomas regarding the new AMS 1000-2600.
I received an email this morning from Tomas reconfirming that the ALC 1000-1300 is obsolete and out of production and was replaced by the new AMS 1000-2600.
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