Mark's Hypex NC400 Build

[sorbe]

This seems very expense _and_ experimental compared to just using your XPA-2. Why would you risk this on your lovely AND long awaited Maggie 1.7s??

[klinemj]

I do love my XPA-2, don't get me wrong. As far as expense, I was considering buying some XPA-1's, so in relative terms - I am saving $ vs. my alternate plan. Experimental? In one sense, yes. In another, no. For the many who have them, it's not an experiment - they are real, well-developed commercial circuits. For me, it is an experiment...to see if the reviews I have read are right - that these amps truly rival some of the worlds best.

If I get them and they are a big step up from my XPA-2...the experiment is a success. If not, there's a very good chance I can sell them for what I have in them or more, actually...people are paying $2000 for built versions of them. I would not care about making money - or even losing a little - if I did sell them.

And meanwhile, it's a fun process...something to challenge my mind.

So, that's why I would risk this endeavor. I don't see any risk to the rest of my system...the Maggies will be just fine (if they ever arrive!!! I sure hope I get the notice they left the factory by Friday!!!).

Mark

[anonymous]

Aug 21, 2012 23:25:48 GMT -5 garbulky said:

This is my only worry with the hypex amps. Look how tiny they are and the wires even more so. However, specs are specs, I guess and people with really high end amps are reccomending it. This may be what I switch to someday.

Bob Carver has been designing small but powerful amps with switching power supplies.
The idea is not new.
This is just a new design.

[Deleted]

>> Bob Carver has been designing small but powerful amps with switching power supplies <<

Yep, it's true. Bob had his "magnetic-field" amps out in the late 70s. They were incredibly light and powerful. However, they had a nasty habit of doing a Johnny Storm impression (Flame On!!) in customers' living rooms =8^0 It was good idea, poorly executed...

-RW-

[garbulky]

I did not know that about the wires being small within the amp wasn't a problem. I stand corrected I'm quite interested in hearing your thoughts when you get it all hooked up Mark.

[klinemj]

A little more progress...I got the front panels edges rounded and routered. Here they are sitting on top of the case frames, with a white circle approximately where the cutout for the smoked glass "window" will go. The smoked glass should be here tomorrow or Friday, then I'll cut those holes, sand the wood to a fine finish, give it some coats of satin polyurethane, and mount the glass. Meanwhile, the power cords and power inlets came in...should have binding posts by Friday.

Note that the direction to the right is "up" as they will hang on the wall. And for kicks...the plan view radius of the corners matched the radius for the window and for the amp.



More as it's done...

Mark

[klinemj]

A little progress...the windows are now cut. This weekend I will sand the poplar and get at least the first coat of PU on it, and I will start on the plates that the inputs/outputs mount to.

Here is what the two monoblocks will look like (imagine smoked glass in the holes):



And, if you look straight into the holes, you will see the amp module doing its work:



Mark

[klinemj]

The cases are done...now, to add the inputs/outputs and await the amp/power supply modules (shipping "mid-September" from Netherlands).

The first shows 1 of the 2 cases on the floor, the second shows it hanging on the wall. Imagine it with a power line in, XLR in from my preamp, and speaker lines out to the Maggies - all plugged into the bottom of the unit. Other than that and the "guts", all it is missing is the black fabric that matches the grill covers on the Maggies that goes around the aluminum frame (barely visible in this view).





Mark

[pedrocols]

Nice!! Hurry up and get those amps so you can sell me your xpa-2 amp :-)

[klinemj]

LOL! I had a bad thought today...I was thinking I was liking the XPA-2 with my B&W's well enough, that I just might keep the XPA-2 and hook it to my B&W's as part of my upstairs home theater that will take shape once I get an XMC-1! Then again, selling the XPA-2 would pay for a UPA-500 that would be great for that theater.

Mark

[pedrocols]

Just let me know and I swap you my UPA-500 for your XPA-2 lol...

[rclark]

That's hot Mark, looking good. Hey, one other thing you may want to consider trying is a set of MYE Stands, sort of a halfway point to what I've got. People say it improves the bass quite a bit.

[paintedklown]

Very nice Mark.

It's nice to see your build coming along so nicely.

I think we are all waiting with our collective breath held, to see what the final results will be.

Good luck, between your build and RClarks experience, I am considering these myself. I have no DIY skills though, so I would probably have to pay someone to build them for me. ;D

Keep us updated.

[klinemj]

pedro - I'll keep that in mind!

And thanks rclark and PK...now come on amp/power supply modules!!!!

Mark

[klinemj]

Holy Cow! I just checked the Hypex site, and my nCore's & Power supplies shipped today! Given the XSP won't be shipping until 10/1, now I need to a) finish the cases, b) get the "brains" installed once they arrive, and c) find an XLR-preamp to borrow to try out my amps before I can get an XSP-1!

Arrgghhh....new dilemna!!!!

Hmmm....maybe my local Maggie dealer has something I can borrow for a few weeks...

Mark

[garbulky]

That's great! I hope you get it soon.

[GreenKiwi]

You can probably get some inexpensive RCA-->XLR converters until the XSP-1 arrives.

[rclark]

Mark, when you get them up and running I swear you are going to internet high five me.

[klinemj]

LOL, rclark...I bet I will!

greenkiwi...given my "issues" w/the 1.7 arrivals, I have a feeling that if my dealer has something I can borrow for a couple weeks - I will be able to get a free solution for a couple weeks. I'll work that once my replacement Maggies are shipped. (grin)

Mark

[GreenKiwi]

mark ... very true...