Hypex amp question

[Greg Reierson]

Super easy. The UcD cards have spade connectors and a mount for the heat sink. I built mine with a liner supply but Hypex also offers switching supplies to go with their modules.

I'm sure there are plenty of DIY sites with examples. It's a very satisfy projects because it's simple and the results are great.

Let us know what you do.


GR

[da goose]

It's really dead easy to build. You can even drop it in a shoebox if you want. Just connect everything (paint by color), plug it in (in = in out = out powerplug = walloutlet) and you are ready to go. It is really that simple and since you said you build some tube stuff before, this is even more simpe for you.

[jdg]

even _i_ was able to build a pair.... even tho i did swap the polarity on one module and it made some awesome smoke

[Llitsor]

I built a Hypex amp. I used 2 X UcD400HG modules, and 2 X SMPS400 power supplies (although it can be done with 1).
Sounds superb and building was silly easy.. Only some very basic soldering was needed to link all the prebuilt modules together, and the XLR sockets of course. I think I had it all done from start to finish in an afternoon. It's been running for about a year & a half now with zero problems.

[arf]

I heard a prototype built on the Hypex's new nCore board and it is quite a step forward in power amplification, IMO. Looking inside, it was only two boards, the nCore and the PWS, connected by a few multi-pin connectors and some hard-wiring from the fused AC power inlet to the power supply board.

[kosmokrator]

from what I read all but the higher efficency amplification 'trickled down' from ncore into the UcD series.

I'm in the process of deciding between a dual UcD400 or 700 for my 802D.
What would you guys recommend? Hypex said 400s are sufficient.

Also, I have the 802D powered by Lab-Gruppen Class D amplification right now that's lended to me after my amp failed.
Is the (absence) of sound comparable to the Hypex?

[Marcocet]

I've built a bunch (a 180 stereo , a 400 stereo and a 700 dual mono). It's worth picking up the diycable.com heat sink set for whatever you end up building.

I think they sound unbelievable. I can't wait to hear the ncore modules.

[powerestudio]

What boxcases do you use for mount these amp´s ? and where to buy?

[rondr]

I hope it's as easy as they say here in this thread. I ordered 2 Ucd400s with 1 1200A400 switching power supply and a Soft Start board last Thursday and received them today from Hypex. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions for the folks there at Hypex. There may be a couple of connections that I'm unsure of so maybe their support can guide me in the right direction.

As for the box I decided to make this a stereo unit, that's the reason for just 1 power supply. The 1200A400 power supply should be more than enough to power 2 UcD400s. The equipment cabinet was ordered on the same day as the Hypex parts but did not arrive today so hopefully it will get here soon from Italy. This is what should be on it's way modu. It's W330xD280xH80mm size is a little small compared to the typical rack mount gear but I just wanted something that can be placed on top of a shelf and not take up a lot of space.

It would be great if someone here, that has built one of these amplifiers, could post some pics that show wiring details and parts layout.

Thanks,

[chopstickkk]

Great stuff rondr.

I'm thinking of ordering the exact same spec as you (400W in a stereo unit). Would love you to post photos of your build or any snags that you hit - if you have the time.

The soft start is a must for speaker protection yes?

The customise option looks great from modu. Did you get a customised front panel?

Did you go for the HG upgrades?

Are these worth it?!


Sorry for the nagging questions,
John.

[rondr]

Originally Posted by chopstickkk

Great stuff rondr.

I'm thinking of ordering the exact same spec as you (400W in a stereo unit). Would love you to post photos of your build or any snags that you hit - if you have the time.I

The soft start is a must for speaker protection yes?

The customise option looks great from modu. Did you get a customised front panel?

Did you go for the HG upgrades?

Are these worth it?!


Sorry for the nagging questions,
John.

Hi John,
No problem on the questions. I'll make sure to take plenty of pics from unpacking to finish and anything in between. I sent in a list of questions to Hypex and the response was a color coded hookup diagram but I haven't had the chance to look to see how much detail is there. I'll keep you informed. I did order the 10mm thick faceplate but nothing custom. I also went with the HG and HxR regulators.

[Broyhillio]

Please keep us all informed on how things go, this is actually interesting.

[Karloff70]

Hello chaps,

I'm just about to copy this here man's Hypex build:

Hypex amplifier project successfully completed | AVForums.com - UK Online


Thought it might be of interest, as there are pics of wiring and such......

My UcD's have just arrived, but haven't got a box/little bits/contacts yet. Really looking forward to this puppy!!!!

[Jim Williams]

When I build them I bolt the heatsink down to the chassis or a block of aluminum bolted to the chassis with the white heat sink grease added between. That pulls all the heat off, fast.

They come with docs and headers to plug in, the switcher supply is great for mobile or SR/Bass guitar rigs. For mastering, use a linear supply with lots of uf's or even regulation if you can waste the energy.

Use the 700 watt modules, not the 400. These aren't like high current tube amps where a hundred watts can blow your ears off. You want the headroom.

One other hint that really opens up the sonics, something you will hear and appreciate for mastering; these use NE5532 opamps as a front end. They are SOIC. If you swap them to National LME49720MA, they will clear up in the mids and the tops will sound more open.

[Llitsor]

Hey rondr. I used a modushop case too, although not exactly the same one. They are good quality. I probably would have used the same power supply too, but that particular one didn't exist when I built mine. Still, the dual SMPS400's do a fine job
Mine is in a 2U case, with (i think) a 5mm ally rear panel, which made for a decent heatsink to bolt the amp modules to.

Do you need the softstart module with that config though? I didn't think it was necessary with the SMPS power supplies, but I could be wrong.. I've gotten by just fine without it anyway..

[rondr]

Originally Posted by Llitsor

Hey rondr. I used a modushop case too, although not exactly the same one. They are good quality. I probably would have used the same power supply too, but that particular one didn't exist when I built mine. Still, the dual SMPS400's do a fine job
Mine is in a 2U case, with (i think) a 5mm ally rear panel, which made for a decent heatsink to bolt the amp modules to.

Do you need the softstart module with that config though? I didn't think it was necessary with the SMPS power supplies, but I could be wrong.. I've gotten by just fine without it anyway..

Looks like it will work fine without the soft stare but I wanted to use that on off switch so that may be the reason for the soft start. How long did it take to get your cabinet from Italy?

[Llitsor]

Originally Posted by rondr

How long did it take to get your cabinet from Italy?

I don't recall exactly, as it was some months ago now. But I think it was around a week, perhaps 2 (to the UK, I don't know where you are).
I used one of those round, metal vandal proof push button switches to power it on & off. I doubt it will get vandalised of course! But it is robust and looks smart..

[bassman]

I have a LCR 400 in a modu case made almost 3 years ago now. Powers a set of PMC AB1's and love it. Clearest amp I've heard. I didn't do the build though.

Ashley

[WBM]

I build few 180 HG and 400HG not that hard real easy just discharged the capacitors before you want to power up, good luck, it worth every penny.

[Red Mastering]

...and what about N-core d-amp?
do any of you have experience with this new lot ?
I am saving monies for hypex too,
it's just matter of decision what kit combination get

thanks for info

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by Red Mastering

...and what about N-core d-amp?
do any of you have experience with this new lot ?
I am saving monies for hypex too,
it's just matter of decision what kit combination get

thanks for info

It has just been made available to the DIY world. I guess the first modules sold out in a few hours, according to the Hypex website.
Let's wait and see. Anybody knows if there is a 700 version coming out as well?

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

Hello chaps,

I'm just about to copy this here man's Hypex build:

Hypex amplifier project successfully completed | AVForums.com - UK Online


Thought it might be of interest, as there are pics of wiring and such......

My UcD's have just arrived, but haven't got a box/little bits/contacts yet. Really looking forward to this puppy!!!!

Thanks for directing me to this thread Karloff!

I'm curious as to how people think the Hypex modules stack up against pieces like the Bryston B-100, or Classe ca-2100. Those two seem to be the most recommended pieces, but I'm very interested in Hypex. Concerns being fidelity first, and even frequency balance 20-20k. Specs on all units are like .000000000001/2% THD, so not too much concern there.

[rondr]

Originally Posted by Storyville

Thanks for directing me to this thread Karloff!

I'm curious as to how people think the Hypex modules stack up against pieces like the Bryston B-100, or Classe ca-2100. Those two seem to be the most recommended pieces, but I'm very interested in Hypex. Concerns being fidelity first, and even frequency balance 20-20k. Specs on all units are like .000000000001/2% THD, so not too much concern there.

Still waiting on the box I ordered from Modu to arrive. During the meantime I decided to rush right down to the local electronic supply house and pick up a cheap box so I could put this thing together just to hear for myself what all this Hypex talk is all about.

After I put it all together and pushed the on off button I hear this click sound. Must be a good thing because no other sound is heard and then those red and blue LEDs on the regulators began to glow so something must be good. I put my ear up close to the tweeter and nothing, woofer nothing, no hums buzzes just nothing. I set the router to play a CD and popped in the latest release from Christian McBride and mastered by Mark Wilder and slowly turned up the level controller on the Avocet. Pure clean sound is what I heard. After a few minutes I was curious about how hot the amplifier modules would get and to touch they started getting rather warm. After playing for about a 1/2 hour I checked the temperature on the heat sinks and at that point they were to hot to touch, right at 140 deg. f so I shut it down. Just putting it in the box is not enough, heat sinks are a must so after adding that it runs cool so far.

It's been up and running about 1 1/2 hours since I put the heat sinks on and still just warm to the touch after playing various source material at normal to moderate listening levels. So far it sounds good, clean and transparent.

I've been using a Bryston 4B SST for several years now and this is the first time the power to it has ever been cut off other than power outages. Before that it was a Bryston 4B ST that was on for 12 years. This Hypex amp may just replace that SST version. Now if those fine folks there at Modu could rush the box to me that would be great.

[Red Mastering]

Originally Posted by rondr

Still waiting on the box I ordered from Modu to arrive. During the meantime I decided to rush right down to the local electronic supply house and pick up a cheap box so I could put this thing together just to hear for myself what all this Hypex talk is all about.

After I put it all together and pushed the on off button I hear this click sound. Must be a good thing because no other sound is heard and then those red and blue LEDs on the regulators began to glow so something must be good. I put my ear up close to the tweeter and nothing, woofer nothing, no hums buzzes just nothing. I set the router to play a CD and popped in the latest release from Christian McBride and mastered by Mark Wilder and slowly turned up the level controller on the Avocet. Pure clean sound is what I heard. After a few minutes I was curious about how hot the amplifier modules would get and to touch they started getting rather warm. After playing for about a 1/2 hour I checked the temperature on the heat sinks and at that point they were to hot to touch, right at 140 deg. f so I shut it down. Just putting it in the box is not enough, heat sinks are a must so after adding that it runs cool so far.

It's been up and running about 1 1/2 hours since I put the heat sinks on and still just warm to the touch after playing various source material at normal to moderate listening levels. So far it sounds good, clean and transparent.

I've been using a Bryston 4B SST for several years now and this is the first time the power to it has ever been cut off other than power outages. Before that it was a Bryston 4B ST that was on for 12 years. This Hypex amp may just replace that SST version. Now if those fine folks there at Modu could rush the box to me that would be great.

could you drop some photos ?
what about wiring is it simply task ?
what do I need to buy except ucd modules, power supply and cables/sockets ?
thanks for answer

[rondr]

It took a couple of days to do but it turned out looking and sounding pretty good.

[inflater]

Originally Posted by rondr

It took a couple of days to do but it turned out looking and sounding pretty good.

Look very nice!may I ask where did you buy this case?

[rondr]

Originally Posted by inflater

Look very nice!may I ask where did you buy this case?

Modu has several options and sizes to choose from. Check out this link. modu

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by rondr

Still waiting on the box I ordered from Modu to arrive. During the meantime I decided to rush right down to the local electronic supply house and pick up a cheap box so I could put this thing together just to hear for myself what all this Hypex talk is all about.

After I put it all together and pushed the on off button I hear this click sound. Must be a good thing because no other sound is heard and then those red and blue LEDs on the regulators began to glow so something must be good. I put my ear up close to the tweeter and nothing, woofer nothing, no hums buzzes just nothing. I set the router to play a CD and popped in the latest release from Christian McBride and mastered by Mark Wilder and slowly turned up the level controller on the Avocet. Pure clean sound is what I heard. After a few minutes I was curious about how hot the amplifier modules would get and to touch they started getting rather warm. After playing for about a 1/2 hour I checked the temperature on the heat sinks and at that point they were to hot to touch, right at 140 deg. f so I shut it down. Just putting it in the box is not enough, heat sinks are a must so after adding that it runs cool so far.

It's been up and running about 1 1/2 hours since I put the heat sinks on and still just warm to the touch after playing various source material at normal to moderate listening levels. So far it sounds good, clean and transparent.

I've been using a Bryston 4B SST for several years now and this is the first time the power to it has ever been cut off other than power outages. Before that it was a Bryston 4B ST that was on for 12 years. This Hypex amp may just replace that SST version. Now if those fine folks there at Modu could rush the box to me that would be great.

Thanks for the write up Rondr! Very compelling review - gives me a lot to consider. I'll have to ask again in a few weeks after the honeymoon phase passes (you know how new gear can be, especially if it you had a hand in it's design/build).

Always nice to see a thread in this forum that's not about loudness.

[inflater]

Originally Posted by rondr

Modu has several options and sizes to choose from. Check out this link. modu

Thank you for the link,you're a saver.