Mark's Hypex NC400 Build

[klinemj]

did you mention the all-in cost to build the amps

The latest is that the total is about $1500, including 2 amp modules, 2, power supplies, 2 of all the inputs/outputs (power in, power switch, XLR input, binding posts), the raw aluminum and raw poplar I used to make the cases, the glass that is also part of the case, and miscellaneous fasteners.

Now...time to do the final layout check and start mounting the modules, then wire them up!

Mark

[klinemj]

I don't think you have the time to give your setup what it deserves

Tony - time is a very precious thing around here...that's for sure!

Mark

[rclark]

Sept 13, 2012 15:30:49 GMT -5 bootman said:

Sept 13, 2012 10:45:18 GMT -5 rclark said:

The parts alone in those amps are several thousand dollars. You think they should sell them for free?

Plus the level they compete at is with amps costing dozens of thousands of dollars.

You as a diy enthusiast knows that the parts are much less than thousands of $$$.

Even at the normal 3x markup, there are 3K worth of parts there?
But hey, it is your money.
DIY is the route to take with these modules.

Now I can't wait to hear the blind a/b comparisons.

...as apposed to reviews driven by groupthink.
But hey, that happens everywhere on internet boards

Sure. Tell you what, there are already pleeenty of AB comparisons, with real amps. Google is your friend.

Not everything is a blatant rip off, some things are worth money. I know it blows your mind, an amp costing more than a few hundred bucks, but they are out there.

Do yourself a favor and don't ever listen to one Ignorance is bliss.

[rclark]

And besides, you also have

•2 pairs of speaker outputs with Cardas Patented Binding Posts with Rhodium of billet solid Copper
•1 balanced Cardas Gold plated casing, Rhodium over Silver pins XLR input
•1 Synergistic Research Basik Power Cord
•Gold Plated Furutech IEC AC inlet
•Input trigger for remote muting
•Synergistic Research MiG footers

those all cost lots of money on top of the two SMPS and NC1200's, custom chassis cut from 66 lb aluminum billet.. Hand built as Ncore's must be, alignments must be correct.

I have no doubt they are worth every penny.

These aren't stamped out as cheaply as possible in the east.

[rclark]

And I do find it amusing that you think this forum is free from groupthink. A manufacturer specific forum is concentrated group think.

[Deleted]

Who cares!!!!

Let's be excited for Mark as he will be done with his amps soon

Everyone has opinions on everything. Just don't listen to them.

[klinemj]

Break time for me...got to go watch my son kick some butt in TKD!

Making progress, though...I decided to build one fully to test to make sure it's working properly before I build the 2nd. And for kicks, I may end up running 1 Maggie off an nCore and the other off 1 side of my XPA-2 to see what wierdness that is!

I have the amp/PS modules in the case, power lines and switch connected to the PS, PS to Amp module line in place, and next is to run the speaker out lines. I'll do that after TKD. Then, if I have energy left...hook up the XLR and try the first test.

We'll see how much energy I have tonight!

Mark

[klinemj]

(PS...thanks Matt!)

[rclark]

Sept 13, 2012 16:55:12 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

Who cares!!!!

Let's be excited for Mark as he will be done with his amps soon

Everyone has opinions on everything. Just don't listen to them.

I know it's just that that always gets tossed out there, I doubt this amp manufacturer is making a pile of money on their NC1200 is my point. They are worth what you're paying and a whole lot more as normally that level of performance usually costs much more than 10k.

[toneloc]

Sept 13, 2012 18:46:52 GMT -5 rclark said:

Sept 13, 2012 16:55:12 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

Who cares!!!!

Let's be excited for Mark as he will be done with his amps soon

Everyone has opinions on everything. Just don't listen to them.

I know it's just that that always gets tossed out there, I doubt this amp manufacturer is making a pile of money on their NC1200 is my point. They are worth what you're paying and a whole lot more as normally that level of performance usually costs much more than 10k.

Baring in mind that what Mark paid for one-off parts is far and beyond what a manufacturer would ever pay through volume discounts, I have no doubt whatsoever that the manufacturer will, at a minimum, hit keystone markup. I believe that you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.

Mark, I'm curious to know the hours you've invested upon completion. Pending your outcome, perhaps I'll take a run at building a set.

[paintedklown]

Coolio!

Your NCores are getting to the final stages.

I (genuinely) can't wait to see what you think of them.

[rclark]

Every manufacture makes money. But just because it isn't dirt cheap, that doesn't make it a rip off. And fyi those guys don't get any super special discount, hypex makes money too.

[rclark]

FYI a retail nc400 set would probably go for 6-7 grand. (and would be considered a huge bargain at that level of amp)

[rclark]

Anyways. Come on Mark.

[rclark]

Hot off the press: they are offering 30 day in home trial

www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=109789.msg1131631;topicseen#new

[toneloc]

Perhaps it's time to stop spamming Marks thread with off topic banter?

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2012 20:03:31 GMT -5 toneloc said:

Perhaps it's time to stop spamming Marks thread with off topic banter?

I would have to say yes, please stop.

[klinemj]

I'm curious to know the hours you've invested upon completion.

If I had purchased pre-made cases (plenty of which are available), I'd only have about 5 hours/amp invested in my labor. It took me ~3 hours today to drill holes for and position the modules where I wanted, triple-check my wiring paths, and wire up one in full. And, I have about 2 hours worth of going to forums & reading details on how to build them + reading what Hypex has + e-mails back and forth to them confirming details.

But, I custom-made cases, and I have a lot of hours into those...designing them, looking for materials, cutting and assembling the aluminum and wood and the glass. I can't count the hours I have in those...probably 20-30 hours or so total in 1-2 hour chunks. I just wanted something special, so I took that time and I am happy I did.

Next post...first pix!

And Matt - thank you...yes...if people want to start a "Is Hypex making $ or not thread", please do so...

Mark

[klinemj]

It's official...the patient has a heart-beat! One up and running, one more to wire (tomorrow night)!

"It's alive!!!!" The red lights are its Cyborg-like LED's that show power is on and it's working right.



A little better view of the "guts" (note: the wiring positions are not final. I have retainers to install that will hold them in place and more distinctly separate from each other):



The view to the "core" through the window...



And the overall look as it hangs on the wall. (I'll also tidy up the wires a bit once it's fully done. I still have to make the "grill cover-like" device that covers the aluminum on the sides and top to keep dust out. You won't be able to see them from this view..the poplar overhangs it.



So far, I have the 1 hooked up and playing through my left channel and the XPA-2's right channel playing to the other speaker. I was worried that if I had goofed something up, my new Maggies might blow up, so I switched back to my old B&W 202's. So, I can't really make a call on sound. But, I can tell the XPA-2 plays louder for a given volume setting than the nCore. But, the nCore sounds good..by that I mean, no noise, no hum, etc...looks like I did the build right!!!

Now, it's time for a break, and then I will build #2 tomorrow night!

Mark

[Deleted]

I love it!!

You must be very happy Mark