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Other Stuff => Archived Manufacturer Circles => Aluminati Sound => Topic started by: AluminatiSound on 18 Jun 2014, 07:18 pm

Title: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 18 Jun 2014, 07:18 pm
After sampling boards from many companies, we found Pascal Audio had the best sound, form and function for our new stereo amp. We even like it more than nCore  :o

They will be ready to ship in the next few months.

Specs:
250watts per channel @ 8ohms
500watts per channel @ 4ohms
1,000watts  BTL @ 4ohms
Can drive 2 ohm loads (SE) and 4 ohm loads (BTL)
50kohms input impedance
Gain 26db (SE) 32db (BTL)
XLR inputs, WBT binding posts
Blue LED power light underneath front edge
Rough Size 3"x 11.5"x 15"
Price $2,499 w/ 2 year parts and labor warranty

Best,
Matt

(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n591/mkbenchmark/X2Amp1_zpsec84681e.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/mkbenchmark/media/X2Amp1_zpsec84681e.jpg.html)

(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n591/mkbenchmark/X2Amp2_zps2528474c.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/mkbenchmark/media/X2Amp2_zps2528474c.jpg.html)

(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n591/mkbenchmark/X2Amp3_zpscfaa4244.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/mkbenchmark/media/X2Amp3_zpscfaa4244.jpg.html)

(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n591/mkbenchmark/X2Amp4_zps74b636d2.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/mkbenchmark/media/X2Amp4_zps74b636d2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: firedog on 19 Jun 2014, 06:41 am
Why did you like it better than NCore?
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: cab on 19 Jun 2014, 12:20 pm
perhaps because you can't manufacture amps with the nc400 as it is only sold to individuals, not companies. And, the nc1200, which is the commercial product, would place the product in a much higher price bracket/much smaller market.

Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 19 Jun 2014, 04:16 pm
Why did you like it better than NCore?

We like the Pascal board more than the nCore board for a few reasons and some of them our based on opinions and personal preferences, on paper they perform relatively the same.

First the Pascal board does not get nearly as hot and our sample board has been on for 3 months playing tracks.
The SMPS is integrated into the amp board itself, so implementation is easier and stream lined.
There is a feature on the Pascal board to use either 8 ohm or 4 ohm speakers while in BTL mode to better optimize the efficiency and this will be done with a switch on the back of the amp case.
When we compared the sound between the two boards, you could hear an increase in bass definition and a much wider soundstage on the pascal board.

Based on the reasons above we have gone with Pascal. We will have more amps released next year.

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 19 Jun 2014, 04:17 pm
perhaps because you can't manufacture amps with the nc400 as it is only sold to individuals, not companies. And, the nc1200, which is the commercial product, would place the product in a much higher price bracket/much smaller market.

Exactly!!

You would be surprised at how cheap the nc1200 boards can be had and how high the profit margins are lol

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 29 Jun 2014, 10:54 pm
Faceplates are done (sand blasted ready for ano). We should have completed amps ready to ship by the end of July. So far 7 interested buyers  :thumb:

Best,
Matt

(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n591/mkbenchmark/photo-6_zpseb4118cf.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/mkbenchmark/media/photo-6_zpseb4118cf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: cab on 30 Jun 2014, 02:27 am
Exactly!!

You would be surprised at how cheap the nc1200 boards can be had and how high the profit margins are lol

Best,
Matt

I have heard from more than one source that Hypex will not sell the nc1200 to a manufacturer unless they agree to price the amp above $8000-$9000....
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: DS-21 on 30 Jun 2014, 02:38 am
We like the Pascal board more than the nCore board for a few reasons and some of them our based on opinions and personal preferences, on paper they perform relatively the same.

Does the Pascal amp have flat frequency response into actual loudspeaker loads, like the Hypex UcD/Ncore, Ice ASX2, and Abeltec modules? Or is it a traditional class D amp (like Tripath, IR2092, etc.) that performs basically like a high-power SET in the midrange?
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 30 Jun 2014, 02:52 am
Does the Pascal amp have flat frequency response into actual loudspeaker loads, like the Hypex UcD/Ncore, Ice ASX2, and Abeltec modules? Or is it a traditional class D amp (like Tripath, IR2092, etc.) that performs basically like a high-power SET in the midrange?

The data sheet can be seen here:

http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_10.pdf (http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_10.pdf)

We have been playing a board for months now and it has a very flat frequency response.

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: tasar on 27 Nov 2014, 11:30 pm
The data sheet can be seen here:

http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_10.pdf (http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_10.pdf)

We have been playing a board for months now and it has a very flat frequency response.

Best,
Matt

Thread has gone cold, what's up ?
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 28 Nov 2014, 04:16 am
Thread has gone cold, what's up ?

The X2 amp thread is located here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=127863.0 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=127863.0)

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: tasar on 28 Nov 2014, 05:32 am
Thanks Matt
I could not conmect to the Pascal link above. Have you another please ?
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 28 Nov 2014, 06:13 am
Thanks Matt
I could not conmect to the Pascal link above. Have you another please ?

Here is the spec sheet:
http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_20.pdf (http://www.pascal-audio.com/downloads/S-PRO2_Datasheet-1_20.pdf)

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: Occam on 25 Mar 2015, 03:36 pm
Your buffer circuit that drives the Pascal's 2.2k input impedance is obviously going to have a significant impact on the amps subjective sound.  Would you please describe that circuity, in as much detail as you're willing to share.

TIA,
Paul
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: AluminatiSound on 25 Mar 2015, 04:40 pm
Your buffer circuit that drives the Pascal's 2.2k input impedance is obviously going to have a significant impact on the amps subjective sound.  Would you please describe that circuity, in as much detail as you're willing to share.

TIA,
Paul

Hi Paul,

We use an input buffer made by Pascal, it's modified in house to raise the input inpedance to 50kohms and works flawlessly :)

Best,
Matt
Title: Re: A new stereo amp in the works!
Post by: Occam on 26 Mar 2015, 05:26 pm
On another thread, Barrows just posted an response with more detail and content -
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133397.msg1415579#msg1415579
Quote
Pascal based amps generally require an input buffer because the input impedance of the modules alone is very low.  From pics, it appears that Aluminati uses the input buffers available from Pascal (same as supplied with their eval kits) and D-sonic designs their own input buffer.  Both of these input buffers appear to be IC opamp based.  The input buffer is likely going to have a significant influence on the sonic signature, so I think it would be unwise to assume that different Pascal implementations would sound the same.
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