I've had a pair of Neurochrome Purifi input buffers for a while now, but it's a little longer than the Purifi stereo input board, so it doesn't drop into Ghent DIY Purifi chassis. Plus fabriating custom wiring harnesses without parts source and instructions was more than I want to do when the Ghent is working fine. So I plan to sell my Ghent amp and build the Neurochrome Purifi kit so I can make use of my neurochrome input buffers and have nicer signal connectors and prettier box.
Given the number of components in the Purifi amplifiers they do seem to be very expensive for what they are though I do appreciate there's a lot of R & D gone into them and they reportedly do sound very good. I like your build, some kits don't have a proper heatsink and rely on a steel (poor thermal conduction) chassis for cooling. it would be a big help if Purifi made the aluminium plate a few mm wider so that it could be directly attached to a heatsink without using another plate, this would achieve more effective cooling (you can never have too much heatsink!).
This. From the usual suspects, VTV, Nord, Apollon nothing. Only IOM did Ncore monoblocks with meters. Really sad. Same with low cost diy integrated amps. Only three around I know of.
In the video I mention that you can get the CAD drawings from me. I've actually decided to step it up a notch. I now offer the full chassis on my website: neurochrome.com/collections/connectors-parts/products/purifi-chassis The chassis is a further development of the one shown in the video. It has mounting holes for the Guardian-86 as well as the components shown in the video. The chassis includes all the mounting hardware needed, so all you need to add is connectors, switches, and the electronic circuits.
Ive been building a pc but wanted some brass and copper and piano black in there. been buying antique brass bolts and screws. Those antique sizings rattle my brain. And even when i think ive converted them they go way off somehow 😂 got one set that was half the size i thought they would be. Metric all the way, anything else is ridiculous.
Hey Tom, great video. I love the detail and clarity to your instructions. I ran across this video when looking for details about the Audiophonics HPA-S400ET, as it met my needs for an end-all, be-all stereo amp, but appearance-wise, wasn't to my liking. I like your choice to use independent input buffers, and how you mounted them and the amp modules to the back of the heatsinks. I think that I could probably do this, even without an electrical engineering background (I do IT). I'd be interested to utilize both RCA and XLR inputs, and forgo the speakON connectors. You mentioned in your video for the Modulus-86 build that you had design documentation for wiring up RCA connections, but try as I might, I've been unable to locate the information on your website. I'd also feel terrible buying an enclosure from you, only to immediately drill a hole in it for an input selector switch... Could I get a little help here? Or at least a point in the right direction?
The design documentation for the Input Buffer is made available when your order ships. Should you get stuck during the build I'm happy to help you. If you don't want the speakON but do want both RCA and XLR, I suggest getting the Neutrik RCA jack and mounting it in the speakON hole. You'll still have to drill a hole for the selector switch but that's manageable. It's easier for me to help you by email, so go to my website - www.neurochrome.com - and toss me an email through the Contact Us form.
Very nice. You failed to mention where you bought this kit from. And I personally Will never use XLR connectors. I can use old chassis as my cabinets. Thanks for your ideas.
I bought the Purifi amp modules from Purifi and the SMPS1200 from Hypex. The input buffer and chassis I design and sell. Don't like XLR connectors? Just build it with RCA inputs.
Srsly? There's no kit, so you'll have to look up the parts. It's $1800 USD without the wires and terminals before you consider shipping and tax. I'd guess it's around $2k.
I would just add, apologies if this is the case as not mentioned, that you want Teflon coated wire and no ferrous parts that are in the signal path (extremely important)!! I would also recommend soldering "all" connections and not use crimp or push on connectors (where applicable).
Purifi modules are highly expensive and require additional power supply from Hypex, as well as input buffers and the evaluation board. They're based on half bridge topology and can supply up to 250W into 8 Ohms. A better alternative would be to use the much cheaper all-in-one class D modules from Icepower, such as their excellent 1200AS2 (full bridge topology based) - a 1000W into 4 Ohms, 500W into 8 Ohms, class D with less than 0.01% THD across the entire audio spectrum. I've listened to them at a friend's house and was so impressed that I ordered the modules and a case kit from Ghent Audio, and now looking forward to build this project. The total cost was $800 including shipping and taxes, which is great for a 500W stereo amplifier with balanced XLR inputs.
@@wreckage-vs5jv B&O is stone age and no longer exists. The IcePower AS series is a 4th gen 2021 edition class-D, which is just as good as Purifi, but much cheaper.
Also progress in this branch. TheAlphaAudio did a listing test and measurement for the new Hypex Nilia, Purifi Eigentakt 400 and Icepower AS700. In their test the Icepower got last, Purifi middle and the winner is Hypex Nilia. Best sound overall. Best price also.
Fantastic.. Just as I was looking for a way to DIY monoblocks for my channel system... I find a Canadian option to help me get there. .... Awesome! .. Options for a set of mono amps to build? =) Thank you!
Kits available for full build yet? I have been looking at other brands with GanFet boards and hoping to DIY some Mono block amps with custom vertical mount chassis. Any possibility of a kit so that I can buy and support within Canada? ( shipping and currency exchange is crazy out there - prefer keeping this local if possible)
This is such a great video, so glad I found your channel! How would you compare the 1ET400A to your MODULUS-686? Hope to see a video like this for the MODULUS-686 soon!
Did chassis come this way from Takashi or is it order made cause I couldn’t find it on their website! If you have a link for the chassis that would be great or if I can buy the chassis from you it would be great as well!
I will at some point. I'm currently mulling over how to best approach that situation. The chassis are expensive, and I can't afford having too much money tied up in aluminum. I'm considering combining the Modulus Chassis with the Purifi Chassis. Another option could be to have a dedicated Purifi chassis but add support for the newer amp modules as well. Decisions, decisions.
Yep. The only drawback of a 'universal' chassis is that it would have a lot of holes in the bottom panel and many of these holes would go unused. That could cause confusion.
If I wanted to go completely crazy (and pay extra) I could just have a legend printed on the inside of the bottom panel. Though, a page in the documentation could do the same trick. I'm sure I can find a good solution. Anyway. If you sign up for my newsletter (neurochrome.com/newsletter) you'll be the first to know about a new chassis.
Both things you "add" to the preamplifyer, NOT the amplifyer. If you reaslly want to ad a remote power on/off, that you buy a chinese control and hook it to the soft start module.
@@drwatson32bit i picked up a couple of vu meters. Apparently the audiophiles think they introduce a lower signal quality due to the split signal and resistance of the meters. But im not sure if it applies to the new style meters with a pcb on the back. Probably an entire new kettle of fish. In regard to where they sit in a power amp...probably at the preamp input? No!?
Hey Tom, great build. You are sporting a nice chassis/case. Are you offering that and/or a complete kit, where on can procure. What are you thoughts on UCD vs nCore vs Purifi class D amps. Thanks again.
I won't offer a complete kit. If there is enough demand I can consider offering the chassis. It'd be around the $470-500 mark. The market for these amps is super crowded, so I'll probably put my focus elsewhere. As far as I know the Purifi amps are a further development of the Ncore, which are further developments of the UcD. I could be wrong on this. That's probably a question better answered by Purifi/Hypex/Bruno P.
Ok thanks. I have used ucd180hg’s with Hypex linear supplies in several projects with great results, but have noticed a lot of new developments with Hypex. I know there are a lot o improvements. Btw, liked your tip on using ferrules- will use that!
$499 while supplies last. You can find it here: neurochrome.com/collections/connectors-parts/products/purifi-chassis The chassis comes with all the mounting hardware and mounting plates necessary to build the amp you see in the video.
Hi Tom, Great video , do you plan to have these components as a kit available via Neurochrome ? , or do you know the best way to get hold of these parts in Canada ?
I am not planning to become an OEM for Purifi/Hypex, so the prices I pay would be the same as those everybody else pays. That kills the kit idea pretty quickly. The best place to order the amp modules and power supply from is Purifi and Hypex (= DIYclassD.com).
@@Neurochrome2010 hi just randomly came across this video and I'm enjoying the process so far , this might be the most hated question tho , How possible is it to do a 12vdc version?
@@devastation360 Not impossible. You need to find a power supply that'll turn +12 V into ±65 V (or so). They are around but are few and far between. Unfortunately I don't have a recommendation handy.
I just checked the headphone amp they do. $99 for all the parts. $150 for an smd populated board...but... ....the little aluminium box😬 $250. Hes tripping with that price. Its a bog standard project box you get on ali express just drilled to fit etc..which they charge $30 for usually. Box would be around $15. Profitting he is.
You do not tell us WHY we would want to build this amplifier. You do not make the economic case for doing such a complex, costly, and ultimately risky build, instead of just buying a nice power amplifier. At the current price of $2,799 for a fully assembled amp on your website, I can see now why someone would want to try to build it. But you do not tell us the cost savings, at least not in the description. And to pay $2800 for a Class D amp, seems crazy to me, but maybe I am missing something.
If u want great sound buy icepower amps. If u want even greater sound quality buy purifi amps. The price for the performance increase u get from icepower to purifi is very steep. It depends on what u want. Also all the connection details and installation instructions are given in manual of the amplifier itself all u need is some basic electronics knowledge to solder it together!! I’ve put together a 21 channel icepower amp and a mono block icepower amp for the sub!! Just followed the instructions given in manual.
There are plenty of good videos on RUclips that explain the economics and logistics of why you would want to/not want to go through with the cost and effort of a DIY build amp. That isn't the intention of this particular video, which is obviously meant to instruct in the build process. I think anyone using this video for its actual purpose can appreciate that he doesn't spend time explaining the DIY amp scene to everyone.
This amp, when done DIY, provides a very high quality amp that out performs amps at far higher price points. The cost of doing this yourself is a fraction of what you will pay for an amp from a boutique manufacturer.
How did i get here? What a rabbit hole lead me to such a glorious video. The world needs more people like you. Great video!
Funny but true!!
Man with the screwdriver and an AP on the shelf. Tom knows his stuff.
I've had a pair of Neurochrome Purifi input buffers for a while now, but it's a little longer than the Purifi stereo input board, so it doesn't drop into Ghent DIY Purifi chassis. Plus fabriating custom wiring harnesses without parts source and instructions was more than I want to do when the Ghent is working fine. So I plan to sell my Ghent amp and build the Neurochrome Purifi kit so I can make use of my neurochrome input buffers and have nicer signal connectors and prettier box.
Given the number of components in the Purifi amplifiers they do seem to be very expensive for what they are though I do appreciate there's a lot of R & D gone into them and they reportedly do sound very good.
I like your build, some kits don't have a proper heatsink and rely on a steel (poor thermal conduction) chassis for cooling. it would be a big help if Purifi made the aluminium plate a few mm wider so that it could be directly attached to a heatsink without using another plate, this would achieve more effective cooling (you can never have too much heatsink!).
Very nice!….would like to see another amp build with big 2(VU)meters….Thank you!.
This. From the usual suspects, VTV, Nord, Apollon nothing. Only IOM did Ncore monoblocks with meters. Really sad. Same with low cost diy integrated amps. Only three around I know of.
In the video I mention that you can get the CAD drawings from me. I've actually decided to step it up a notch. I now offer the full chassis on my website: neurochrome.com/collections/connectors-parts/products/purifi-chassis
The chassis is a further development of the one shown in the video. It has mounting holes for the Guardian-86 as well as the components shown in the video. The chassis includes all the mounting hardware needed, so all you need to add is connectors, switches, and the electronic circuits.
Very nice detailed video, easy to follow even for DIY beginners and respect for using metric screws and stuff, big thanks for this video.
Ive been building a pc but wanted some brass and copper and piano black in there. been buying antique brass bolts and screws. Those antique sizings rattle my brain. And even when i think ive converted them they go way off somehow 😂 got one set that was half the size i thought they would be. Metric all the way, anything else is ridiculous.
Hey Tom, great video. I love the detail and clarity to your instructions.
I ran across this video when looking for details about the Audiophonics HPA-S400ET, as it met my needs for an end-all, be-all stereo amp, but appearance-wise, wasn't to my liking. I like your choice to use independent input buffers, and how you mounted them and the amp modules to the back of the heatsinks.
I think that I could probably do this, even without an electrical engineering background (I do IT). I'd be interested to utilize both RCA and XLR inputs, and forgo the speakON connectors. You mentioned in your video for the Modulus-86 build that you had design documentation for wiring up RCA connections, but try as I might, I've been unable to locate the information on your website.
I'd also feel terrible buying an enclosure from you, only to immediately drill a hole in it for an input selector switch...
Could I get a little help here? Or at least a point in the right direction?
The design documentation for the Input Buffer is made available when your order ships. Should you get stuck during the build I'm happy to help you.
If you don't want the speakON but do want both RCA and XLR, I suggest getting the Neutrik RCA jack and mounting it in the speakON hole. You'll still have to drill a hole for the selector switch but that's manageable.
It's easier for me to help you by email, so go to my website - www.neurochrome.com - and toss me an email through the Contact Us form.
The amplifier modules could do with many more fixings attaching them to the heatsinks.
you could probably have an interesting discussion regarding the pros/cons of using such items as cheap bootlace ferules in your signal path.
The ferules are not in the signal path, though.
Very nice. You failed to mention where you bought this kit from. And I personally Will never use XLR connectors. I can use old chassis as my cabinets. Thanks for your ideas.
I bought the Purifi amp modules from Purifi and the SMPS1200 from Hypex. The input buffer and chassis I design and sell.
Don't like XLR connectors? Just build it with RCA inputs.
@@Neurochrome2010 very nice. See I love doing this because I enjoy beautiful sound that reveals sound stage and depth.
What's the total cost of this amp using your boards?
Srsly? There's no kit, so you'll have to look up the parts. It's $1800 USD without the wires and terminals before you consider shipping and tax. I'd guess it's around $2k.
I would just add, apologies if this is the case as not mentioned, that you want Teflon coated wire and no ferrous parts that are in the signal path (extremely important)!! I would also recommend soldering "all" connections and not use crimp or push on connectors (where applicable).
Purifi modules are highly expensive and require additional power supply from Hypex, as well as input buffers and the evaluation board. They're based on half bridge topology and can supply up to 250W into 8 Ohms. A better alternative would be to use the much cheaper all-in-one class D modules from Icepower, such as their excellent 1200AS2 (full bridge topology based) - a 1000W into 4 Ohms, 500W into 8 Ohms, class D with less than 0.01% THD across the entire audio spectrum. I've listened to them at a friend's house and was so impressed that I ordered the modules and a case kit from Ghent Audio, and now looking forward to build this project. The total cost was $800 including shipping and taxes, which is great for a 500W stereo amplifier with balanced XLR inputs.
lol B&O class d is stone age compared to the 1ET400A.
@@wreckage-vs5jv
B&O is stone age and no longer exists. The IcePower AS series is a 4th gen 2021 edition class-D, which is just as good as Purifi, but much cheaper.
@@ebarbie5016 ok show my the measurements. Because Bruno's quite stunning. Who makes them Ice Power now?
Got something similar made by Nord in UK cost me £800 5 year ago. Stunning sound
Also progress in this branch. TheAlphaAudio did a listing test and measurement for the new Hypex Nilia, Purifi Eigentakt 400 and Icepower AS700. In their test the Icepower got last, Purifi middle and the winner is Hypex Nilia. Best sound overall. Best price also.
Hello, could that DIY be adapted to build a 3 channels amplifier?
Thanks
Very nicely done!...
Sorry to be off topic but has Apollon gone out of business? No replies to email and now their website is gone.
Very nice detailed video. How much did it cost to make this amplifier and how much is the output ?
Great video
Fantastic.. Just as I was looking for a way to DIY monoblocks for my channel system... I find a Canadian option to help me get there. .... Awesome! .. Options for a set of mono amps to build? =) Thank you!
Looks nice BUT what's it look like on a scope with a signal generator, what is s/n and thd??
You'll get the performance specified in the Purifi 1ET400A data sheet: purifi-audio.com/document/share/32/11348bfa-bc4c-4811-891e-ed4e1501ab94
Kits available for full build yet? I have been looking at other brands with GanFet boards and hoping to DIY some Mono block amps with custom vertical mount chassis. Any possibility of a kit so that I can buy and support within Canada? ( shipping and currency exchange is crazy out there - prefer keeping this local if possible)
I'm curious as to what kind of price is involved in this project. Cheers, Perry.
This is such a great video, so glad I found your channel!
How would you compare the 1ET400A to your MODULUS-686?
Hope to see a video like this for the MODULUS-686 soon!
Did chassis come this way from Takashi or is it order made cause I couldn’t find it on their website!
If you have a link for the chassis that would be great or if I can buy the chassis from you it would be great as well!
Hi, thanks for the video! Do you have the item number for the Takashi enclosure you used?
great video, thanks!
Have you tried the Ghent cases? Thoughts?
Is this available to buy as a kit?
how i can but the spaperate line driver like U use it in the video
I know this is a bit old now, but will you ever have those chassis again?
I will at some point. I'm currently mulling over how to best approach that situation. The chassis are expensive, and I can't afford having too much money tied up in aluminum. I'm considering combining the Modulus Chassis with the Purifi Chassis. Another option could be to have a dedicated Purifi chassis but add support for the newer amp modules as well. Decisions, decisions.
@@Neurochrome2010 yeah I did notice that they are very similar.
Yep. The only drawback of a 'universal' chassis is that it would have a lot of holes in the bottom panel and many of these holes would go unused. That could cause confusion.
@@Neurochrome2010 maybe you could label them like set a and b or something
If I wanted to go completely crazy (and pay extra) I could just have a legend printed on the inside of the bottom panel. Though, a page in the documentation could do the same trick. I'm sure I can find a good solution.
Anyway. If you sign up for my newsletter (neurochrome.com/newsletter) you'll be the first to know about a new chassis.
How much power and price?
Hi Tom! Nice video! I have a couple of yours buffers as on the video. Will assemble soon! Could you please put the case’s company link?
www.takachi-enclosure.com
Колега, поздрав от България
I prefer the ICEpower implementation made by Finnish Amphion. Especially with low sensitivity speakers.
Why didn’t you share the measurements?
Perfect video! Very motivating to do this. Question: How to add remote control and VU meters?
Both things you "add" to the preamplifyer, NOT the amplifyer. If you reaslly want to ad a remote power on/off, that you buy a chinese control and hook it to the soft start module.
@@mauriciojv7901 so you've never seen a VU meter on a power amp?
@@drwatson32bit Lots. I meant remote and volume control.
@@drwatson32bit i picked up a couple of vu meters. Apparently the audiophiles think they introduce a lower signal quality due to the split signal and resistance of the meters. But im not sure if it applies to the new style meters with a pcb on the back. Probably an entire new kettle of fish.
In regard to where they sit in a power amp...probably at the preamp input? No!?
Well done!
Mr. Pete------->
aging hippie
Wow Purifi lessons from Tom Christenson
Hey Tom, great build. You are sporting a nice chassis/case. Are you offering that and/or a complete kit, where on can procure. What are you thoughts on UCD vs nCore vs Purifi class D amps. Thanks again.
I won't offer a complete kit. If there is enough demand I can consider offering the chassis. It'd be around the $470-500 mark. The market for these amps is super crowded, so I'll probably put my focus elsewhere.
As far as I know the Purifi amps are a further development of the Ncore, which are further developments of the UcD. I could be wrong on this. That's probably a question better answered by Purifi/Hypex/Bruno P.
Ok thanks. I have used ucd180hg’s with Hypex linear supplies in several projects with great results, but have noticed a lot of new developments with Hypex. I know there are a lot o improvements. Btw, liked your tip on using ferrules- will use that!
How much was the chassis please?
$499 while supplies last. You can find it here: neurochrome.com/collections/connectors-parts/products/purifi-chassis
The chassis comes with all the mounting hardware and mounting plates necessary to build the amp you see in the video.
@@Neurochrome2010 thanks for the reply
Hi there. Is there a shopping list of the mandatory and optional parts for this build?
The parts I mention in the video are mandatory. I should compile a parts list and provide it with the Neurochrome Purifi/Hypex Buffers.
@@Neurochrome2010 Exactly what I was asking for :-). Can't wait to build this thing.
Well, what about preamp?
Yeah... That would be a pretty logical extension of my product portfolio. It's been on my radar for quite a while now.
Hi Tom, Great video , do you plan to have these components as a kit available via Neurochrome ? , or do you know the best way to get hold of these parts in Canada ?
I am not planning to become an OEM for Purifi/Hypex, so the prices I pay would be the same as those everybody else pays. That kills the kit idea pretty quickly.
The best place to order the amp modules and power supply from is Purifi and Hypex (= DIYclassD.com).
@@Neurochrome2010 I checked their website and I couldn't find any purify products... Can you suggest any other us based diy suppliers?
@@jameskiely5518 You can get the amp modules directly from Purifi and the power supply from DIYclassD.com.
@@Neurochrome2010 hi just randomly came across this video and I'm enjoying the process so far , this might be the most hated question tho , How possible is it to do a 12vdc version?
@@devastation360 Not impossible. You need to find a power supply that'll turn +12 V into ±65 V (or so). They are around but are few and far between. Unfortunately I don't have a recommendation handy.
Very nice.
1500£ isn’t it a bit expensive for diy?
Depends on your disposable income. Many build DIY amps...
WOW!!
How much are all the parts? Ballpark…
I just checked the headphone amp they do. $99 for all the parts. $150 for an smd populated board...but...
....the little aluminium box😬 $250. Hes tripping with that price. Its a bog standard project box you get on ali express just drilled to fit etc..which they charge $30 for usually. Box would be around $15. Profitting he is.
super boring and drawn out, subbed!
You do not tell us WHY we would want to build this amplifier. You do not make the economic case for doing such a complex, costly, and ultimately risky build, instead of just buying a nice power amplifier. At the current price of $2,799 for a fully assembled amp on your website, I can see now why someone would want to try to build it. But you do not tell us the cost savings, at least not in the description. And to pay $2800 for a Class D amp, seems crazy to me, but maybe I am missing something.
If u want great sound buy icepower amps. If u want even greater sound quality buy purifi amps.
The price for the performance increase u get from icepower to purifi is very steep. It depends on what u want.
Also all the connection details and installation instructions are given in manual of the amplifier itself all u need is some basic electronics knowledge to solder it together!!
I’ve put together a 21 channel icepower amp and a mono block icepower amp for the sub!! Just followed the instructions given in manual.
There are plenty of good videos on RUclips that explain the economics and logistics of why you would want to/not want to go through with the cost and effort of a DIY build amp. That isn't the intention of this particular video, which is obviously meant to instruct in the build process. I think anyone using this video for its actual purpose can appreciate that he doesn't spend time explaining the DIY amp scene to everyone.
This amp, when done DIY, provides a very high quality amp that out performs amps at far higher price points.
The cost of doing this yourself is a fraction of what you will pay for an amp from a boutique manufacturer.