klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
|
Post by klinemj on Aug 19, 2012 20:36:19 GMT -5
With encouragement from rclark, I decided to build a pair of Hypex NC400 Monoblocks. They will be powering my Maggie 1.7's, taking source from my ERC-2...and (knock on wood) via my XSP-1. The key modules (a pair of NC400 amp modules and related power supplies from Hypex) won't arrive until after mid-September, so I have time to wait for the XSP-1. Details on the mono's...they will: 1) Be built to take balanced inputs only. 2) Be wall-mounted...yes...you read that right...they will hang like photos. 3) Have a custom-built aluminum case with a poplar "face" 4) Have a circular smoked glass "window" directly over the NC400 module, so the main part of the amp will be visible. 5) Have easily removable faces for easy access/easy show-off of the circuits. 6) Have open sides in the aluminum chassis for airflow (Except for the plate which will have the power in/power switch, XLR in, and binding posts) but grill cover cloth will cover the open parts and any exposed aluminum from the chassis except the in/out plate. 7) The plate with the inputs/outputs will be to the right, and will be at the bottom as they hang on the wall. Shown below is the 1st of the two chassis's. As mounted on the wall, the chassis is ~11" tall and ~10" wide. It will stand ~3" away from the wall + the ~1" thick poplar. The poplar will be ~12*15" cut into an Indy-speedway-shaped "oval" and the edges will be routed to be rounded also. Here's a first photo of the chassis. The white paper circle is where the NC400 will be, the white paper rectangle is where the power supply will be. The pipe cleaners are approximate wire paths. Wish me luck on the rest!  Mark |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 20:41:47 GMT -5
Should be loads of fun  |
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
|
Post by klinemj on Aug 19, 2012 20:43:11 GMT -5
Indeed! It won't be as fancy as your CNC-milled extravagansas, but it should look cool and sound great!
Mark (PS...how the hell does one spell, "extravagansas"?)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 20:45:59 GMT -5
Mark, I like the idea of adding smoked glass (or plexi glass) over the modules. It will add a very nice touch. I've thought of making a case with stained wood veneer inlaid into the front, side and top surfaces. Maybe one day. DIY is a lot of fun |
|
|
|
Post by paintedklown on Aug 19, 2012 20:52:30 GMT -5
Looks great Mark. This is a thread I have been looking forward to seeing pop up. I will be following this thread closely, as I am curious to see how difficult these are to build, as well as see what your opinions are vs. the XPA-2.  I haven't yet began reading through the Ncore thread on AC, but plan to do so tonight or tomorrow if I have the time. I love the paper and pipe cleaners look thus far.   ;D Good luck! |
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
|
Post by klinemj on Aug 19, 2012 20:55:33 GMT -5
I like the idea of the inlaid stained wood. My Dad was a home-builder who started as a cabinet maker/teacher - he would have loved the inlaid wood. FYI, in the photo, the table under my project is one I helped by Dad make over 40 years ago and was our dining room table for years. I could not help but think of him and my late Uncle Mike (who was a CNC machinist until his death ~10 years ago) as I worked on this project with its combo of wood and metal. DIY is indeed a lot of fun - and for me - brings back great memories of my late relatives who help me with the skills to do a few things on my own!
Mark
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
|
Post by klinemj on Aug 19, 2012 20:57:08 GMT -5
PK - don't tell my daughter or our cats that I used the pipe cleaners...they are my daughter's craft materials and our cats' play toys.
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by jerrin on Aug 19, 2012 22:32:01 GMT -5
I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts on the Ncores as well.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 22:46:54 GMT -5
So far i have experimented with ICE (125ASX2) and Class D Audio (SSD-224), both performed very well. This goes totally against the anti class d crowd ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by GreenKiwi on Aug 20, 2012 0:19:21 GMT -5
I'm excited to see the finished product and to hear your thoughts...
|
|
|
|
Post by rogersch on Aug 20, 2012 1:06:28 GMT -5
Mark, you won't regret the quality of the Hypex NCore400 mono blocks. I'm running 5 Hypex NCore400 for about 5 months and I still love the control they have over the speakers. Great tight controlled bass without any harshness in the highs.
Waiting for the XMC-1 to arrive so I can run a fully balanced setup....
|
|
|
|
Post by paintedklown on Aug 20, 2012 2:53:33 GMT -5
Dumb question here for you Mark, but do these amplifiers have a fully balanced differential design from input to output, or do they simply have the ability to accept a balanced signal?
|
|
|
|
Post by rogersch on Aug 20, 2012 3:43:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by mgbpuff on Aug 20, 2012 7:25:26 GMT -5
Mark,
I've been reading up on the N-Core amps, and I must admit I am tempted by them. I wonder why you are not worried about RF radiation that Class D amps are so well known for. Your open sided and plexiglass top enclosure will not provide ideal shielding.
|
|
|
|
Post by mfeust on Aug 20, 2012 9:31:10 GMT -5
Mark, I've been reading up on the N-Core amps, and I must admit I am tempted by them. I wonder why you are not worried about RF radiation that Class D amps are so well known for. Your open sided and plexiglass top enclosure will not provide ideal shielding. I was thinking something similar. Would you want two chambers to seperate the power supply from the amp module. |
|
|
|
Post by anonymous on Aug 20, 2012 14:26:21 GMT -5
Where are these available in the US?
|
|
|
|
Post by GreenKiwi on Aug 20, 2012 15:09:27 GMT -5
I believe you order direct from NL, and they just ship them to the states.
|
|
|
|
Post by anonymous on Aug 20, 2012 15:14:43 GMT -5
I see....
Curious how this design handles current hungry Maggies.
I have no doubt these will supply enough voltage, but can the PS keep up with a high current demand?
But hey, we listen to music not test tones, so it should be ok.
What power supply was chosen?
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
|
Post by klinemj on Aug 20, 2012 15:34:42 GMT -5
To answer the various recent questions... On RF (emi, actually), from what I understand - the issue w/Class D is that the basic approach itself generates EMI, so the issue is not EMI getting in...it's dealing w/the EMI the circuit generates. Net, the open box should not be any incremental issue. From what I understand, the official reco for Hypex nCores is to separate the various wires as much as possible within the box as much as possible and not have any wires going over the PS or amp. Mine follows that advice the best possible. FYI, in the case of most builds, the boxes are smaller than I am using, so I am able to acheive even more optimal wiring locations than others have - and those folks are happy w/theirs. I spent a lot of time on laying out the amp and power supply and wiring to get to the layout I have an best follow Hypex's recos. Net, I am not really concerned about EMI. On power supply, I bought the ones Hypex makes & recos specificially for the nc400...it is the SPMS600, per the link below: www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=103On where to buy...you can go to the link above and there's an on-line store you can buy them at. On power to drive Maggies - rclark recently tried these amp modules with his modded Maggies and gives rave reviews. I think it will be fine, but as far as I know - I will be the first to compare these amps to an XPA-2. We shall see what drives the Maggies best! Time will tell! Mark |
|
bootman
Emo VIPs
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
|
Post by bootman on Aug 20, 2012 17:33:49 GMT -5
No thoughts on the supply with 40.000uF worth of Slit Foil capacitors? I would have seriously considered that one instead. Looking forward to your honest assessments. Even if it's a tie, building something yourself is a very satisfying experience and makes you appreciate good commercial designs like Emotiva's. Good luck! |
|
;D
