Mark's Hypex NC400 Build

[klinemj]

For my metal parts, I used a drill press, a "dremel" like tool, a power mitre box w/a metal-cutting blade, and a file. Then for the wood - a power cross-cut saw, a jigsaw, the dremel, a router, and a sander. And, of course, later on wire strippers and a soldering iron.

You could use an ordinary drill instead of a drill press, but the drill press is much faster and much more accurate.

Mark

[bootman]

Sept 16, 2012 17:12:52 GMT -5 klinemj said:

Indeed...but my off-beat mind is turning to "how to orient 5 amp modules, at least 3 power supplies if not 5 and all the assorted wiring and inputs/outputs into 1 kickass/bizarre case"

Maybe one with each amp module mounted vertically on a sheet of aluminum behind smoked glass to show off the Cylon eye and the modules, and the power supplies horizontal behind the aluminum sheet...I...think...it....might......just.....WORK!!!!!!!

Ah sh**...I need to put away those thoughts for at least 6 months.

Mark

I would mount the modules on the sides since they have heat sinks and the power supplies on the floor of the case.
I don't care about showing off the lights.

[bootman]

Look, they have a Krell shell with posts and rca/xlrs.

www.aliexpress.com/store/product/A-HIEND-Krell-full-Aluminum-power-AMP-Chassis-box-case-17KG/705243_381488134.html



But this is a very common case shell for high end amp makers.
You can get a plain front fro much less.

www.aliexpress.com/store/product/A-HIEND-full-Aluminum-power-AMP-Chassis-box/705243_489791298.html

[bootman]

Here is another idea if you want to show off the modules.
use a tube amp box with a cage.
Mount the modules on top and the power supplies inside the small box.

www.sunemall.com/catalog/item/8383872/9397892.htm

[Deleted]

Bingo! This provides everything you need - plenty of room for all the modules, reasonable physical separation of the amps and PSUs, good ventilation for the amps, and lower cost than the other options posited...

-RW-

[rclark]

Looks like these are conservatively rated:

"My NC400's are assembled as prescribed in the data sheets, tightly twisted wiring and such. The measurements for both amps that I have taken match the specs in the Hypex data sheets. The NC400 actually manages a little bit more power than the spec, I consistently see about 240W into an 8R load. I've tested at least a dozen NC400's and they are all very close to the same."

Mike Galusha on diyaudio.com

That could mean nearer to 500 watts at 4 ohms, and bridged, perhaps 1300-1400 watts of pure gold all the while sipping power like a hummingbird at idle.


It is also being reported that the bass power and slam is superior even to the much more powerful UCD 2K, a 2500 watt amp, all this while the bass is so utterly refined.. the Ncore is just so ahead of the curve.

[DYohn]

OK, you're a fan. We got that. No need to repost quotes from other forums, is there?

[rclark]

We're discussing this amp in this thread, fyi. Thanks for your input.v

[bootman]

Leave him alone.
He is in love....

[rclark]

.. I think you're right!

[klinemj]

LOL!

bootman...interesting cases, for sure. But, I have less $ in mine than any of those, and I have ideas for custom 5-channel ones made of wood and metal and glass that would be even less (and easier to make than what I did). I'd still prefer custom over pre-made. I think that's the ultimate DIY...esp. considering how easy the electrical part of the DIY is!

By the way, I am the son of a woodworker, so that's a hint to my bias...keeping my late Dad's memory alive by exercising the talents he tought me. I'm not as good as he was, but...I try - and I'm "better than the average bear". FYI, I assembled my amps on a table I helped him build over 40 years ago. It was our family dining room table, but now it's in my office as an extra work surface for working at home, paying bills, or the odd job like building the amps.

Mark

[bootman]

Sept 17, 2012 17:56:20 GMT -5 klinemj said:

LOL!

bootman...interesting cases, for sure. But, I have less $ in mine than any of those, and I have ideas for custom 5-channel ones made of wood and metal and glass that would be even less (and easier to make than what I did). I'd still prefer custom over pre-made. I think that's the ultimate DIY...esp. considering how easy the electrical part of the DIY is!

By the way, I am the son of a woodworker, so that's a hint to my bias...keeping my late Dad's memory alive by exercising the talents he tought me. I'm not as good as he was, but...I try - and I'm "better than the average bear". FYI, I assembled my amps on a table I helped him build over 40 years ago. It was our family dining room table, but now it's in my office as an extra work surface for working at home, paying bills, or the odd job like building the amps.

Mark

That is just awesome to hear.
I'm sure his spirit is smiling as you cut.

I would like to see your ideas on a 5 channel n-core setup.
I may seriously consider this next year.

[klinemj]

Yes, he is. I thought of him often as I was making the face panels. We buried him in a beautiful cherrywood coffin...he would have loved that, too!

I'll try to sketch up my 5-channel ideas at some point and post them. I have a lot to do the next couple weeks, so it may take a bit.

On sonic news, I was listening to Dire Straights "Private Investigations" and "Telegraph Road", then Len's Lounge "Like Lilac". I could not help switching back to the XPA-2 to compare. It's not that tough to do, so what the heck. Doing so reinforced my conclusions so far. The XPA-2 is a really, really good amp...best I ever personally have had - until now. but the nCores win. The nCores are clear, with great depth of each note and the soundstage, and not harsh at all vs. the XPA-2 being enough less clear, less depth of notes/soundstage, and enough harsher to notice. When listening very carefully directly back-to-back, I could hear all the same information, but with the nCores - it all just came across better, more listenable. It's easier to listen to the nCores...less listener fatigue yet every bit as much punch on all types of music.

I'll try not to do this again until after a few weeks to really let the nCores "sink in" to me. But so far, my comparisons are consistent.

Mark

[chaosrv]

Am I the only one that will address this glaring flaw in Mark's pictures?
That damn clock is green and simply does not belong with all that beautiful Emo-blue! It must be replaced at once!

Seriously though, this thread has been fantastic.

I think you may have convinced me to go the ncore route for my martin logans.

[garbulky]

+1. It's been between two xpa-1L's and two ncores. Only thing that's really putting a cramp on it other than funds is the diy aspect of it. I am terrible and don't want to diy. If only there were some people that will build it for a reasonable price like what you've paid for it.

[klinemj]

That damn clock is green and simply does not belong with all that beautiful Emo-blue! It must be replaced at once!

LOL! Good one...I must fix that. You ML's might really like the nCores, too!

Mark

[klinemj]

If only there were some people that will build it for a reasonable price like what you've paid for it.

True...but if you have a friend who can solder and if you buy the cases pre-made and pre-drilled, it's really easy. And the soldering is fast...I only had to solder 5 connections/amp...3 on each XLR input, 2 on each binding post.

Mark

[GreenKiwi]

I'm just looking for a predrilled case. I'm going to email the company that sells the predrilled NCOre case and ask whether they've sorted the hole locations out.

[klinemj]

FYI, the holes in the bottom (to mount the amp and PS modules) are really easy to do. If you can't get that done for you - they are really easy. The ones to worry about are the inputs/outputs in hte back panel. They are the hardest thing unless you have proper tools.

Mark

[Deleted]

Anything is possible, you just have to learn how to do it.

More people need to get into DIY. It's a great feeling when you see projects go from ideas to a finished product.