Tír Na HiFi

In the dim and distant past I read on some website that the key to getting good sound from Hypex class D modules was to build an oversized power supply unit for them. For a 400 Watt unit, use a 1000 Watt PSU. For each channel. On Tnt-Audio website there is/was a three piece article on how to build good PSUs. Not a cheap solution but the commercially available amps with that kind of power are expensive. Fairly 'easy' [a relative term] to build as the circuit board is already built. The wiring of the mains input socket, fuses, on/off switch, transformers, bridge rectifiers and smoothing capacitors is not very daunting to undertake. I am sure that there are members of this forum who would undertake the wiring for you if you go down this route.

Hypex provide a power supply specifically designed for the N400, it costs 180 euro or something like that. To build an ncore amp requires no board soldering, just a chassis and connectors and the little soldering needed for those.

HiFiFan wrote:Hypex provide a power supply specifically designed for the N400, it costs 180 euro or something like that. To build an ncore amp requires no board soldering, just a chassis and connectors and the little soldering needed for those.

As I understood it [from comments and posts on another forum], the 'standard' PSU worked fine but was easily bettered by the high power version.

Decided to build an NC400 amp, very very easy. Only running a day so far but I am impressed so far.

Good man! Is there anything you could compare it to in terms of sonics?

I am heading on vacation (to Ireland) for the next 2 weeks so won't be able to say much until I get back but I can say at the moment I believe that it is better than any Hypex UcD module or IcePower, including the 1000ASP, based amp I have heard. Overall I would say slightly better bass control and a little more dimension to the music/vocals. My wife is better at determining and characterizing differences so I'll probably have to wait for her comments before commenting further, she is already on route to Ireland.

I think they are better at low volume also. Based on what I am hearing I am considering auditioning a pair of NC12000 mono blocks

Excellent. Enjoy the trip!

What kind of money does a pair of these + power supply come to?

Amp module (1 needed per channel) is 325 Euro and a PSU is 180 Euro which can drive two amp modules, though I built mono blocks. Not a cheap build but early listening indicate that they are worth it. I tried to attach a photo of it in my system but I got a board attachment quota reached error.

I have had them running for about 30 hours solid and done enough to get some better impressions. Good low SPL detail and consistent at all levels, good dynamics and transient responses and not harsh. As typical with the better Class Ds they have a very quiet background. I think they are warmer in the mid range than a number of other Class Ds I have heard, I am enjoying the vocals a lot with them. My system is pretty decent so there is not a WOW factor but so far they are holding their own and for the cost well worth considering, I can't think of any commercial amp I have heard in that price range that would compete.