Amp/Preamp Asylum

RE: it's a shame

98.159.33.17

Mali

In Reply to: RE: it's a shame posted by Story on April 25, 2024 at 03:04:20

The last time I sent a box via UPS, they didn't even offer damage insurance. Nope, they said, Only insurance if it's lost. Pitiful. They won't promise safe delivery nor offer insurance for damage. In the meantime, their charges as well as FedEx and USPS continue to soar.

Follow Ups:

RE: it's a shame - John Elison 11:10:10 04/25/24 (15)
I just bought a pair of Hypex Nilai 500 Mono Block amplifiers from Deer Creek Audio and they were shipped in the US Mail. They arrived in perfect condition and they sound awesome. I bought them after reading a post in this asylum and I was surprised that they sound as good or actually better than my PS Audio Stellar M1200 monoblock amplifiers.
- Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblock Amplifiers from Deer Creek Audio (Open in New Window)
- Aren't they all made with $49.99 modules from Schenzen - Wojciech 21:14:42 07/18/24 (1)
  The place the real engineers work ?
  - From what I heard they.... - Cougar 05:45:16 07/20/24 (0)
    made in Malaysia "Nilai".
- RE: it's a shame - Cougar 10:45:52 04/27/24 (6)
  I too am looking into these amps now. I know in the past I did make remarks about them and their quality at the time. But they seem to have corrected those issues and from what I have read from others are very nice amps.
  - RE: it's a shame - John Elison 12:58:49 04/27/24 (5)
    I wasn't aware there were issues. Mine are working nicely and they sound very good, slightly better than my M1200 monoblocks. I'm very pleased!
    
    Happy listening!
    - It was very early on... - Cougar 14:08:05 04/27/24 (4)
      when they first started to ship. Caps damage and some heat issues with the bare boards but nothing serious. It was on some post over on ASR.
      I will be seriously looking into these for my system since I'm getting older and have some back issues. I can still move my EDGE M8 SS and my VTA-120 tube amp around but I must be very careful when I do.
      I still have the Crown's XLS 1502 and 2502 power amps, they sound good but but I'm sure the Hypex's are better along with most newer Class D amps.
      I thought you would never better your 1200's.
      
      Edits: 04/27/24
      - RE: It was very early on... - JoeKool 16:33:42 05/09/24 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It was very early on... posted by Cougar on April 27, 2024 at 14:08:05
        
        No comparison Crown XLS 1502 vs the original DIY Hypex NC400.
        One of the NC400 amp power supply SMPS 600 recently 'went', failed to trigger on...so swapped in the Crown, the sound was thin and lifeless.
        Ear Acute CD player > NC400 > Marten Miles.
        I was able to fix the power supply, power caps replacement (PIA). Putting the Hypex 400 amp back in was a joy to the ears. The newer HYpex modules/amps are 'supposedly' even better.
        
        The Crown XLS sounds - Cougar 22:46:07 05/10/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It was very early on... posted by JoeKool on May 09, 2024 at 16:33:42
        
        like that at first. I have both the Crown XLS 1502 and 2502, both sound exactly how you heard when first hooked up but after 100 hrs of running that changed to a better sound amps. May not be same level as the Hypex NC400 but but definitely better than when first turned on.
        Even my XLS 2502 I recently put back in the system sound thing and closed in but after 60 hours, it started to open up and sound really nice and got better the longer it has been in the system. So much, I could live with it if that was the only amp I had.
        I do have a Upper End SS amp in the EDGE M8 and VTA-120 tube amp, I can hear the differences but the Crowns is not too far off these two others.
        
        Edits: 05/11/24
        
        RE: The Crown XLS sounds - JoeKool 13:03:09 07/18/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The Crown XLS sounds posted by Cougar on May 10, 2024 at 22:46:07
        
        I had the XLS powered on for a week, long enough for whatever sonic qualities to reveal itself. It's fine for bass duties, but not full range imo. Does the subwoofer duties (> 80Hz) in the HT system just fine.
      - RE: It was very early on... - John Elison 15:25:18 04/28/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It was very early on... posted by Cougar on April 27, 2024 at 14:08:05
        
        > I thought you would never better your 1200's.
        
        Well, the 1200's were the best sounding amplifiers I'd ever owned until I bought the Hypex Nilai 500 monoblocks. There are probably better amplifiers than either of these, but I'm a cheapskate and I don't want to spend the big bucks. The $995 Hypex Nilai 500 monoblocks have to be some the best sounding amplifiers for their price and their power. Check out the following test result comparison from the Fosi V3 Mono thread just above.
        
        Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblock Amplifiers from Deer Creek Audio (Open in New Window)
- RE: it's a shame - Mali 11:23:43 04/25/24 (5)
  Nice. Can't beat the price.
  This AGD replaced a SST - Son of Ampzilla II and a NAD C-298, both of which I still have but hope to sell soon as I can.
  https://www.sst.audio/new-products/son-of-ampzilla-ii
  - https://www.sst.audio/new-products/son-of-ampzilla-ii (Open in New Window)
  Edits: 04/25/24 04/25/24
  - RE: it's a shame - SoundMann 20:33:03 07/18/24 (0)
    Listening to the Son of Ampzilla II without its matching Thoebe preamp is doing it and yourself a disservice!
  - You have my attention since we...... - AbeCollins 09:35:35 04/26/24 (3)
    We both have owned a couple comparable amps in the past. I had the Ampzilla 2000 2nd Edition Monos about 10 years ago. I thought they were very good. I now have the NAD C298 which I'm really enjoying.
    
    So how does the AGD Tempo stack up against your Ampzilla and C-298? Can you describe the sonic differences? Do they have dealers or strictly direct sales? Thanks! And congrats on the new amp!
    - RE: You have my attention since we...... - Mali 09:50:17 04/26/24 (2)
      Thanks. At first I was startled by the increased bass response it demonstrated. I thought, "That will take some getting used to," but it didn't take long. Hard to describe the sound without using the usual cliches, but with the extended bass, smooth highs, and great midrange, it leaves the other two amps in the dust.
      
      I had the Son of Ampzilla II before I got the NAD. I put in the NAD for several months, and then on a whim put the Ampzilla back in to see how they compared, and the Ampzilla never left my system thereafter, that is until I got the AGD on Monday.
      
      ADG has dealers but dealing with the owner was a pleasure, and I see no drawback buying direct. Offers a 14 day return policy in the unlikely event someone wants to return one they have bought.
      - RE: You have my attention since we...... - AbeCollins 11:11:43 04/26/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You have my attention since we...... posted by Mali on April 26, 2024 at 09:50:17
        
        Thanks for the reply.
        Atma-Sphere makes a pair of GaN based monoblocks and it would be interesting to compare those against the similarly priced AGD stereo amp. I've been casually monitoring GaN amps and waiting for more manufacturers to come on board to see if its just a passing fad. GaN seems to be picking up momentum.
        One last question and I'll leave you to play with your new toy ;-)
        What preamp and speakers are you using? I have a pair of somewhat sensitive Tannoy Definition D500 towers with a couple subwoofers for just a little more lower end bass. It's interesting that you mentioned the AGD puts out a good amount on its own relative to the other amps in your setup. My preamp is the modest $699 solid-state Schiit Kara.
        Enjoy!
        
        Edits: 04/26/24
        
        RE: You have my attention since we...... - Mali 14:45:38 04/26/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You have my attention since we...... posted by AbeCollins on April 26, 2024 at 11:11:43
        
        My speakers are Pure Audio Project Duets with Voxativ full range drivers with woofers added for the lower end. I always thought they were a little bit lacking in the bass until I got the AGD amp. I turned off the subwoofer I was using and don't miss it a bit. My preamp is Tortuga passive preamp, balanced. It was a complete unit, but now the company only sells parts to the DIY crowd. For a while I was using their "tube buffer" but it went on the fritz so it's now out of the system.
        The Son of Ampzilla II and the NAD C-298 are great amps, and will never speak negatively of them, but the AGD is at another level. Of course, it costs more than twice that of the NAD, and a grand more than the Ampzilla. Not sure if the latter is still available. The company was acquired by Wired for Sound a few years back, but the SST website is still up and advertising the amp for sale. For what that's worth, the internet being what it is.
        My room is usually a mess like this. Too much junk and not enough places to put it. Note the SST on the floor in front of the right speaker.
        
        Edits: 04/26/24

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