Which Hypex NCx500 amplifier should I buy?

I've lived with the Orchard Audio GaN mono blocks now for about a year, they have a few flaws but their strengths far out weigh their weaknesses compared to

tube, class AB amps I have owned. This week I've just moved my Magnepan 1.7's to the much larger living room, after listening they aren't going back to

where they were before, even if I have to spend a weekend putting acoustic damping tiles up to kill the "cavern echo" of the room.

I want to beef up to a Hypex NCx500 design in a stereo chassis that will improve over the input section of the OA mono blocks and give me that added

current maggies demand.

Any suggestions in the $1~3K range?

I have my Rogue Audio DragoN stereo amp, which is based on Ncore modules, for sale.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650050319-rogue-audio-dragon-stereo-amp/

Reason for selling is upgrade to the mono block version.

18 hours ago, ericuco said:

I have my Rogue Audio DragoN stereo amp, which is based on Ncore modules, for sale.

 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650050319-rogue-audio-dragon-stereo-amp/

 

Reason for selling is upgrade to the mono block version.

Nice, something to consider. Did some reading, learned that its NC500 board is an earlier version of the NCx500, difference solely that the x designation meant input buffer

and speaker output connectivity options were built into the board making it easier to build an amplifier with, but not a performance difference

Names I have read good reviews but have not heard...

Boxem

Buckeye (?)

Apollon

I am pretty sure the Boxem has the module you are seeking and I think Apollon...would have to check the Buckeye.

Anyone have  an opinion on the Sparkos OP amp option for the Apollon Hypex NCx500 models? Got clipping today

using the OA GaN monos so motivated to pull the trigger on a larger amp but trying to decide whether  OP amp choice

matters more than the dual mono option.

On 12/16/2023 at 4:00 PM, davide256 said:

Nice, something to consider. Did some reading, learned that its NC500 board is an earlier version of the NCx500, difference solely that the x designation meant input buffer

and speaker output connectivity options were built into the board making it easier to build an amplifier with, but not a performance difference

The xseries is designed to work with 2 Amp loads, the earlier series isn't.

Ordered this with the Sparkos OP amps

https://apollonaudio.com/product/hypex-ncx500-ncorex-dm-dual-mono-apollon-audio-stereo-amplifier/

Amp arrived, heard things rattling around inside the case when unpacked. Opened the chassis and found the Sparkos OP amps  had popped loose from socket, big discrete OP amps. Straightened pins and reseated, working fine now. Much more open than OA GaN monos, had to use on lowest gain setting else full volume reached at 9 vs 11 on pre knob

Had to put the Pre90 back into service, the Sparkos OP amps have a softer sound, didn’t combine well with the rolled off transients of a MZ2 at frequency extremes

Ordered a pair of Burson Vivid OP amps, have always been impressed with their sound in prior projects

Just caught this thread or I would have responded earlier. Sonic Imagery 994 all the way with mine. I haven't tried the 2590 pro's though- the sparkos 3602 just sounded unresolving to my ears but I know many who liked the more "analog" sparkos sound. 

And if I recall I felt they sounded best at full gain- I asked Tibor about this and he overlooked the email. 

On 2/4/2024 at 7:33 PM, watts said:

Just caught this thread or I would have responded earlier. Sonic Imagery 994 all the way with mine. I haven't tried the 2590 pro's though- the sparkos 3602 just sounded unresolving to my ears but I know many who liked the more "analog" sparkos sound. 

 

And if I recall I felt they sounded best at full gain- I asked Tibor about this and he overlooked the email. 

I'm going to be conceited and quote myself 😁 I just decided to put back in the TI1656 that came with the amp- I made the conclusion previously that I preferred the SI994 in the Apollon, (this is in just my high channel amp) but I have made some changes to my system so I'll see what I think of them now.