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Post by jbrunwa on Oct 28, 2021 14:24:20 GMT -5
I have been using 2 6-channel Buckeye NC502MP amps for a little over a month and I’m very pleased with them. Each amp has 3 NC502MP stereo amp modules with integrated power supply. Each module is a complete stereo amp (2x350W @8 ohms, 2x500W @ 4 ohms) with its own power supply so the output is unaffected by the other modules. The modules share nothing except a power cord and trigger wiring. A module can fail and the other modules will continue working unaffected. The 6-channel amp cost $1200 + $50 for the optional Speakon speaker jacks. My Revel F328Be fronts with 92 dB sensitivity are completely silent when there is no signal so the noise is extremely low. The amps are lightweight, seem to run very cool, so I have stacked them. Its probably not necessary but I have an AC infinity fan on top.
Here are the NC502MP specifications (PDF)Attachments:
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Post by jbrunwa on Oct 28, 2021 17:52:29 GMT -5
I forgot to mention another advantage of the modules. If a module were to fail, Buckeye can ship a replacement module and the user can swap out the module and return the old one. In the meantime you can use all the rest of the modules. No more having to send the whole amp back for repair. I could even buy and hold a spare module if I want.
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Post by creimes on Oct 28, 2021 21:01:56 GMT -5
I have a buddy that has purchased a Buckeye amp but I think he is using it for surround duty, he uses D-Sonic on his mains which are JTR haha, the Buckeye amps and VTV which also builds them look like a great choice in an ever price increasing market, Emotiva XPA for me used to be affordable but the Gen 3 and the Canadian dollar yeah not so much anymore.
CHad
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 28, 2021 22:28:47 GMT -5
So not finding this spec sheet all that easy to navigate, that looks like a 2U case in your pictures? What are the other dimensions?
How many channels can the 2U case hold (200W @8 ohms would be plenty)?
Does it specify idle power draw per channel anywhere?
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Post by jbrunwa on Oct 28, 2021 23:08:39 GMT -5
So not finding this spec sheet all that easy to navigate, that looks like a 2U case in your pictures? What are the other dimensions? How many channels can the 2U case hold (200W @8 ohms would be plenty)? Does it specify idle power draw per channel anywhere? Agreed, the spec sheet is complicated. Correct, the case height is 3.5” with the feet, so 2U, standard 17” wide, and 13” deep. My stock cases hold a max of 3 modules or 6 channels. Buckeye also offers a smaller case for single 2 channel module, and there may be other stock or custom cases available. A lower power NC252MP module (180W @8 ohms) is available, and modules can be mixed or matched in a case. All the modules are also rated @ 2 ohm loads. From the spec sheet if I sum the idle loss per channel of 6.5 W, and the main SMPS 17 W, I get 30W/module or 90W/case. Over the next few days I plan to measure the actual idle current with my clamp meter. |
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Post by 405x5 on Oct 29, 2021 19:42:13 GMT -5
I have been using 2 6-channel Buckeye NC502MP amps for a little over a month and I’m very pleased with them. Each amp has 3 NC502MP stereo amp modules with integrated power supply. Each module is a complete stereo amp (2x350W @8 ohms, 2x500W @ 4 ohms) with its own power supply so the output is unaffected by the other modules. The modules share nothing except a power cord and trigger wiring. A module can fail and the other modules will continue working unaffected. The 6-channel amp cost $1200 + $50 for the optional Speakon speaker jacks. My Revel F328Be fronts with 92 dB sensitivity are completely silent when there is no signal so the noise is extremely low. The amps are lightweight, seem to run very cool, so I have stacked them. Its probably not necessary but I have an AC infinity fan on top.
Here are the NC502MP specifications (PDF)You’re the right guy to ask with hands on experience……as opposed to class A/B for full frequency range audio? This approach is gathering steam over the last number of years with some companies….. |
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Post by jbrunwa on Oct 29, 2021 20:29:28 GMT -5
I have been using 2 6-channel Buckeye NC502MP amps for a little over a month and I’m very pleased with them. Each amp has 3 NC502MP stereo amp modules with integrated power supply. Each module is a complete stereo amp (2x350W @8 ohms, 2x500W @ 4 ohms) with its own power supply so the output is unaffected by the other modules. The modules share nothing except a power cord and trigger wiring. A module can fail and the other modules will continue working unaffected. The 6-channel amp cost $1200 + $50 for the optional Speakon speaker jacks. My Revel F328Be fronts with 92 dB sensitivity are completely silent when there is no signal so the noise is extremely low. The amps are lightweight, seem to run very cool, so I have stacked them. Its probably not necessary but I have an AC infinity fan on top.
Here are the NC502MP specifications (PDF)You’re the right guy to ask with hands on experience……as opposed to class A/B for full frequency range audio? This approach is gathering steam over the last number of years with some companies….. My comparison is with is my B&K Reference 200.5, which is no longer SOTA but it is still an excellent amp. I can’t do an instant A/B comparison as a swap involves cable changes. The gain of the B&K is 28dB whereas the Hypex is 25 dB. Other than that, at the same SPL, with fronts set to Large I think the Buckeye might be just a tad better in transients, like bells, percussion. |
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Post by jbrunwa on Oct 30, 2021 13:03:04 GMT -5
Does it specify idle power draw per channel From the spec sheet if I sum the idle loss per channel of 6.5 W, and the main SMPS 17 W, I get 30W/module or 90W/case. Over the next few days I plan to measure the actual idle current with my clamp meter. Using a clamp meter whose brand name I can’t pronounce, I measured the amp that drives my 5 bed layer speakers, so this is for 5 channels with one channel unused: EDIT: Realized that I have a 10X line splitter, so reducing these by a factor of 10  Face palm SECOND EDIT: I found the Fluke and confirmed the measurements. The current draw stays the same as volume increases, presumably because the amp efficiency is greater (92%) at higher volume. 0.08A in standby mode 0.6A when on with the XMC-2 in standby mode, so no input signal 0.6A playing music in All Stereo mode at volume at -15dB, as loud as I can stand for a few seconds The entire stack with the XMC-2, Q90t, 2 Buckeye amps, and Rythmik FV18 (Also Hypex) draws 4A, so there is plenty of headroom on the HT dedicated 15A circuit. |
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Post by jbrunwa on Nov 2, 2021 13:45:35 GMT -5
The entire AV chain consumes less than 500 watts including a source, Q90t 65 display, XMC-2, 2 x Buckeye Hypex amps with 9 channels driven, Rythmik FV18PC (also Hypex).
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 2, 2021 14:36:24 GMT -5
From the spec sheet if I sum the idle loss per channel of 6.5 W, and the main SMPS 17 W, I get 30W/module or 90W/case. Over the next few days I plan to measure the actual idle current with my clamp meter. Using a clamp meter whose brand name I can’t pronounce, I measured the amp that drives my 5 bed layer speakers, so this is for 5 channels with one channel unused: EDIT: Realized that I have a 10X line splitter, so reducing these by a factor of 10 Face palm SECOND EDIT: I found the Fluke and confirmed the measurements. The current draw stays the same as volume increases, presumably because the amp efficiency is greater (92%) at higher volume. 0.08A in standby mode 0.6A when on with the XMC-2 in standby mode, so no input signal 0.6A playing music in All Stereo mode at volume at -15dB, as loud as I can stand for a few seconds The entire stack with the XMC-2, Q90t, 2 Buckeye amps, and Rythmik FV18 (Also Hypex) draws 4A, so there is plenty of headroom on the HT dedicated 15A circuit. So the 0.6A idle is with a 120V line and equates to 72W? That's a single Buckeye with 5 channels (I forget how much WPC your model has)? Edit: I see above, essentially 6 x 350W, for about 0.1A idle current per channel?Also if I followed your comments properly, the 2U chassis holds a maximum of (6) 180W channels? (I guess 6 of any power) |
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Post by jbrunwa on Nov 2, 2021 15:39:15 GMT -5
Using a clamp meter whose brand name I can’t pronounce, I measured the amp that drives my 5 bed layer speakers, so this is for 5 channels with one channel unused: EDIT: Realized that I have a 10X line splitter, so reducing these by a factor of 10 Face palm SECOND EDIT: I found the Fluke and confirmed the measurements. The current draw stays the same as volume increases, presumably because the amp efficiency is greater (92%) at higher volume. 0.08A in standby mode 0.6A when on with the XMC-2 in standby mode, so no input signal 0.6A playing music in All Stereo mode at volume at -15dB, as loud as I can stand for a few seconds The entire stack with the XMC-2, Q90t, 2 Buckeye amps, and Rythmik FV18 (Also Hypex) draws 4A, so there is plenty of headroom on the HT dedicated 15A circuit. So the 0.6A idle is with a 120V line and equates to 72W? That's a single Buckeye with 5 channels (I forget how much WPC your model has)? Edit: I see above, essentially 6 x 350W, for about 0.1A idle current per channel?Also if I followed your comments properly, the 2U chassis holds a maximum of (6) 180W channels? (I guess 6 of any power) That’s correct, unless I made some stupid mistake. I haven’t measured my actual amp output. ASR just measured the same model amp, looks like 170W/channel at 1% THD. www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/buckeye-nc502mp-review-6-channel-amplifer.27607/and here is the tear down review www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/buckeye-hypex-nc502mp-multichannel-amp-teardown.27648/ |
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