Mark's Hypex NC400 Build

[klinemj]

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]

Should be loads of fun

[klinemj]

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]

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

[paintedklown]

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]

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]

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

[jerrin]

I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts on the Ncores as well.

[Deleted]

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

[GreenKiwi]

I'm excited to see the finished product and to hear your thoughts...

[rogersch]

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....

[paintedklown]

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?

[rogersch]

The input stage is fully balanced. Here is the link to the product leaflet:
www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=weblink&id=106&catid=42

[mgbpuff]

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.

[mfeust]

Aug 20, 2012 7:25:26 GMT -5 mgbpuff said:

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.

[anonymous]

Where are these available in the US?

[GreenKiwi]

I believe you order direct from NL, and they just ship them to the states.

[anonymous]

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]

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=103

On 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]

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!