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RE: Hypex NC400 class D amps

About as close as you're likely to get audition-wise may be my experience with 3.7i and Wyred4Sound SX1000R Class D monoblock amps. I bought these while my Magtech was having thermal transistors replaced due to overheating. The W4S purchase turned out to be unnecessary because Roger had my Magtech back and fully repaired in about a week (Roger's lifetime warranty is the best, but I was still expecting this to take at least a month probably more).

Since the W4S SX1000R amps were already in my system and when my Magtech came back ...and sounded great... I just left them there. After all, these Class D amps barely weigh 10lbs. each and my massive Magtech was nearly 60lbs. of muscle. So, the Magtech remained boxed up for several more months to give my back a rest. This gave me plenty of time to evaluate.

After having lengthy listening sessions with both, it's still a head scratcher to pick one over the other. The W4S amps don't sound the same as the Magtech even though the power output, which is impressive in both, is fairly close. That said, they both sounded great on different kinds of music, which requires some explanation.

On studio albums, the Sanders Magtech amp provides a relaxed listenable presentation that makes you forget the nuts and bolts of studio multitracking. This is especially good on fully digital recordings and poorly recorded live albums. For instance, on Trapeze's Back to The Bone (live Dallas '72), the Magtech is very forgiving, not euphoric, but visceral with the album's you-are-there presentation that's gripping and immersive. Everything works and sounds right for this warts and all release.

OTOH, the same poorly recorded live album played through the more analytical W4S monoblocks rendered the recording almost unlistenable as it emphasized mic problems, overdriven amplification and weaknesses of in-line recording. In places it sounded like a totally different album recording-wise, and not in a good way.

Conversely, on well recorded studio material, the W4S SX1000R amps shined, providing more subtle detail, good soundstage depth and effortless extension top to bottom. Mids were rendered accurately, but less involving, perhaps a bit too polite, but well balanced to treble and bass.

Both do certain things well and are equally enjoyable for different reasons on most recordings. I'd give the midrange to the Magtech for realism and top to bottom cohesiveness. To the W4S Class D monoblocks I'd give the edge on slightly tighter bass (probably due to the higher damping factor) and a clean ...almost too clean..., very extended top. Personally, I like these cool running little marvels and keep them as back-up for my Sanders Magtech (A/B class) should it ever require maintenance again.

In hindsite, at times I found myself liking the W4S Class D amps better than any amps I've heard in my system at resolving inner detail in studio recordings. But over longer listening sessions ...keeping in mind the psychological uncertainty of making mental comparisons while listening to music... they sounded a bit too analytical for my tastes on some recordings, less organic than the Magtech. In the end, I decided the amp with the best analog sounding overall presentation was the Class A/B Magtech.

That doesn't mean that I like the W4S monoblocks less. In fact, I wouldn't consider a third choice in the unlikely event that my Magtech developed problems. I'd just switch out to the W4S amps and ship the Magtech off to Roger again. If purchasing amps for the first time for my Maggies I'd buy the W4S SX1000R monoblocks in a heartbeat. Price wise, they're a remarkable bargain at about half the price of the Sanders Magtech and 1/3 of the weight (combined weight of the two monoblocks, which my back appreciates).

I guess the bottom line as to which amp design works best comes down to music preferences over Maggies. If you listen to a lot of live recordings or a mix that includes a lot of variable quality recordings, then a Magtech A/B will provide the richest, most analog sounding presentation. OTOH, if you listen to a lot of well recorded studio albums with lots of subtle detail, extended bass and highs, a more analytical Class D design such as the W4S SX1000R may be your cuppa. Both work well with 3 series Maggies, IMO.

I don't know if any of this helps given your query about 3.6R Maggies. The one thing I will emphasize is that these speakers crave power to perform at their best and both of these manufacturer's amps deliver in the neighborhood of 1000 wpc.

Apologies for the length of this, ...way too much caffeine today! ;0)

Cheers,
AuPh


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