UCD-based Amplifier

[Adam_M]

HI!

My google-fu is failing me... Does anyone know commercial manufacturers that use the UCD180 modules in completed amps? I'm contemplating building one, but like to check the commercial market to see if completed amps are available for not much more than then sum of the parts (as happened when I looked to build an Ncore amp - Nord sold one for a relatively inconsequential cost above and beyond the parts (including case, binding posts, etc.

I'd like to try one out.

Thanks!

[dynamo]

The Rogue Sphinx integrated uses them. Gets rave reviews in the publications. I have one, it’s decent, but isn’t anything like the all tube Audio Research / Primaluna separates I had before it.

The 100w at 8 ohm rating seems honest. Don’t expect it to double at 4 ohms and don’t expect it to be underrated.

The sound is clean and natural, but with a built-in tube pre section it’s hard to get a feel for the sound of the hypex boards themselves. It isn’t a thin sound and it also isn’t a high current sound either. It’s just nice and normal I guess. I’d shoot for more power and use the ucd400 if I were building one.

I think it would make a very nice sounding amp with a good power supply. How much are the boards? I’m always tempted by the boards PE sells from Ice with the built in power supply, but from what I’ve read the Hypex are better sounding.

The Sphinx isn’t necessarily cheap though, running $800 and up used. But being an integrated you need to consider the inclusion of a phono section, remote, headphone amp, and a legit tube preamp section. Also to consider in the diy price is it also comes with a torroidal transformer and case. Not the biggest bargain in audio but perhaps a bargain for being an “audiophile” piece.

[Kornbread]

Kharma, Channel Islands Audio, Meridian, Hexateq, Genesis Reference, Yamaha, Marantz, B&W, MM Audio, Exodus, NAD, Apollon, Rythmik Audio, Roksan. I'm sure that's just a small sample.

[a4eaudio]

I have no idea how accurate this article is, but...

https://bobbyowsinskiblog.com/2019/1...lass-d-module/

[Kornbread]

One article mentions that Hypex supplies "ten thousands of ucd modules to oem".

[Adam_M]

The Rogue Sphinx integrated uses them. Gets rave reviews in the publications. I have one, it’s decent, but isn’t anything like the all tube Audio Research / Primaluna separates I had before it.

The 100w at 8 ohm rating seems honest. Don’t expect it to double at 4 ohms and don’t expect it to be underrated.

The sound is clean and natural, but with a built-in tube pre section it’s hard to get a feel for the sound of the hypex boards themselves. It isn’t a thin sound and it also isn’t a high current sound either. It’s just nice and normal I guess. I’d shoot for more power and use the ucd400 if I were building one.

I think it would make a very nice sounding amp with a good power supply. How much are the boards? I’m always tempted by the boards PE sells from Ice with the built in power supply, but from what I’ve read the Hypex are better sounding.

The Sphinx isn’t necessarily cheap though, running $800 and up used. But being an integrated you need to consider the inclusion of a phono section, remote, headphone amp, and a legit tube preamp section. Also to consider in the diy price is it also comes with a torroidal transformer and case. Not the biggest bargain in audio but perhaps a bargain for being an “audiophile” piece.

I"m looking for 4 channels (Active stereo speakers are in the works)
The Hypex boards are €100/channel. They have SMPS power supplies, that will run €180 (total). Add $100 for a case and maybe $50 for switches and miscellany - So it's $800 or so for the amp. There's plenty of other amps in that price range, which is why I wanted to see if there were commercial offerings in that same range using the UCD technology.

I may end up with something cheaper that's class AB, but after hearing the nCores, I'm a huge fan of Bruno Putzeys work.

[Adam_M]

Extending this beyond Putzey's work, what amplifers would you recommend in the +-$400 range - and less certainly isn't a bad thing. Seems like the best value may be to get a higher end 5-year old receiver with a strong amplifier section and multi-channel inputs and just bypass everything else fancy in the receiver. Bonus is that comes with a volume control. Any problems in that? Do you think it could be assumed that the gain in the receiver amp sections is identical enough to work for an active setup?

[craigk]

Look at the Purifi amp boards.

[Adam_M]

I've been following the purifi boards - and love the tests/comments from ASR, but they are far more than I want to spend on this project at ~$300 a channel before PSU, Case, etc. I wouldn't hate it to be $300 for 4 channels, although I'm ok going a bit more.

And another topic for another day/thread, I've been drooling at their woofer. One of these days...

[craigk]

I've been following the purifi boards - and love the tests/comments from ASR, but they are far more than I want to spend on this project at ~$300 a channel before PSU, Case, etc. I wouldn't hate it to be $300 for 4 channels, although I'm ok going a bit more.

And another topic for another day/thread, I've been drooling at their woofer. One of these days...

Me too on the drivers. Texting with them, the 4 inch driver is going to be released soon. Very curious to see the specs on it.

[Mike E]

what are your power needs? you could always consider a Modulus-186(LM3886), fully built for $299, this design is definitely not a gainclone layout.

https://neurochrome.com/products/modulus-186

if you wanted cheaper and select your own parts as far as quality caps/resistors/coils if you like to get a bit hands on.
https://neurochrome.com/collections/...886-done-right <- this is a gainclone love mine but its made by BrianGT(no longer sells kits)
https://neurochrome.com/collections/...cts/modulus-86
https://neurochrome.com/collections/...30106506854470

[Adam_M]

I need about 50WPC into 4N for 4 channels, and I'd like to be in the +-$400 range, all in (not per channel). I've actually built gainclones and was active on diyaudio.com when BrianGT was developing those boards - was a fun time. For $300/channel though, it's utterly no contest. The purifi is the way to go. It's in another league based on anecdotal discussion, distortion and linearity measurements, lack of heat produced, output power... I have an nCore amp (the Purifi's parent, if you will) and it's the most invisible and cool running amp I've ever heard. ...I just don't quite need that level for experimenting with an active speaker.

The nCore's actually drive my LX521's. I wasn't a believer in class D until I read SL's description/measurements, which gave me the confidence (after finding plenty of other similar discussions) to try it.

[devnull]

Extending this beyond Putzey's work, what amplifers would you recommend in the +-$400 range - and less certainly isn't a bad thing. Seems like the best value may be to get a higher end 5-year old receiver with a strong amplifier section and multi-channel inputs and just bypass everything else fancy in the receiver. Bonus is that comes with a volume control. Any problems in that? Do you think it could be assumed that the gain in the receiver amp sections is identical enough to work for an active setup?

Certainly reasonable to use a used high end AVR. Might need to look older than 5 years because multiple channel analog inputs are getting a lot harder to find. Don't forget to take a close look at the specs. Also, see if you can find a schematic/service manual for the receiver. That way you can make sure that all amp channels are identical; Some manufacturers have scrimped on the surround channels.

[Whitneyville1]

Grab a couple of Vietnam era Sansui's rated at 150w RMS per channel into 4-12 Ohms. Those old boat-anchors show up at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores with burnt-out dial lights (LEDs to the rescue) and sticky with tobacco (we hope) tar and nicotine for almost nothing. "Didn't know the front was brushed aluminum until I cleaned it...thought it was brown."

[samlrs]

Grab a couple of Vietnam era Sansui's rated at 150w RMS per channel into 4-12 Ohms. This old boat-anchors show up at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores with burnt-out dial lights (LEDs to the rescue) and sticky with tobacco (we hope) tar and nicotine for almost nothing. "Didn't know the front was brushed aluminum until I cleaned it...thought it was brown."

Where can I find myself one of those?