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I can see concerns that this is just another fad. I've had those thoughts myself. But I certainly haven't had any notion that it is being force fed. In fact, I was completely unaware of it until I found the thread here on AC about a month ago.By all accounts, it is a breakthrough product. Class D holds a lot of promise and the Ncore may just be the amplifier that brings that promise to fruition. Besides, John, if you are going to be reading about it all the time anyway, you may as well benefit from owning the thing. I'm expecting a pair to be delivered here tomorrow and frankly, I'm not at all concerned about how good the amps are. I'm already convinced of that from the testimonials and decisions I've observed. My only concern lies in whether or not I care anymore. I'm hoping the NC400 will reignite my interest. Over the last 10 years, I've observed a dizzying glut of product, immense complication from computer audio, etc., much more difficult resale, and escalating prices. Combine that with incredible, irreplaceable speakers and family complications in terms of use of space, and the bloom falls away from the rose. So, when the offer came in to try these out for a year, I couldn't refuse. Maybe they will spark a resurgence (relapse) in my audio fervor. More later.
I've stayed away from Class D based on reading reports of a sterile sounding top end, maybe the ncore modules have resolved this issue, but I have yet to read anything that contradicts this.Does anyone know what the impedence input is? I need at least 50k but 100k would be even better, also is it possible to install gain controls?Looks like you could build three of the Class D SDS stereo amps for the cost of one ncore amp.
Can these amp modules use single ended RCA output cables or does one need to use an XLR to RCA type cable? From the website it looked like only XLR to me.
Dang, too bad I haven't been paying attention - I'd have been interested in hearing these while they were in CO, plus I have a pair of Class-D-Audio SDS amps that might have made for an interesting comparison given that they are something of a known quantity here on AC.
I think it's amusing, and very cool that after all these years and thousands of designs, you end up here, with these, at the tippy top. As the reports continue to come in, it really can't be overstated how big a development this is. It's a revolution. The end of tubes. Even at the highest level of amps, it's the end. All bested by a relatively inexpensive SS, Class D. I am sad in a way because I was just looking forward to start getting into tubes until I discovered this. It's like I am sitting on the very edge of an event and I missed all that came before. Still, I expect in the coming years that tube amps, much like black and white tv's, will come down dramatically in price, and it might be fun to buy a small one as a nick nack to adorn a shelf. For me it's neat because you can now just forget about power. In fact these are even bridgeable for an output of 1200 watts @ 4ohms. Forget about power, instead worry about the source end, and speakers. That's the hobby now, not roll tubes, but roll speakers. To me, that sounds WAY more fun. Incidentally he (Bruno) has alluded to a world beating dac on the way, as well as speakers... stay tuned.
These photos might help with visualization of how one might go about building these amps. This build used the Hypex soft start but other than that is pretty standard.
I've only been following the Ncore progress at arms-length, so this may be a dumb question, but what is the state of ordering and/or the process? They show 'sold out' at the moment. Is this like the Twisted Pear stuff where you just hang out reloading the page periodically until it shows as in stock, or is there a more formal process - scheduled batches/waiting list/pre-order etc?
