Hypex DIY ClassD Nilai 500 DIY power amplifier

[@Grampus854]

I put together the stereo version of this amp and unexpectedly found the act of building the kit was entertaining in itself. Like many others of around my age, I spent part of my childhood many years ago building plastic model kits and it brought back many happy memories for me - and I got something very useful at the end of it!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@metatron007]

I have been chuckling all evening regarding the high heals, what a description Hans, 10/10

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

To be honest, I borrowed it from the Dutch comedian Freek de Jonge.

[@NosEL34]

Nice review. I bought the DIY Stereo500 here in the States for about $1300 U.S. For me i found it to be an improvement of the past Hypex & Purifi modules. Not the sweetest of top end vs my more expensive Class G & AB but ive still chosen to listen to the Nilai everyday since I purchased it. After 2 weeks I was really enjoying it. At the moment I have it paired with the Icon Audio LA4 MKiii Signature preamp & im loving the very noticeable tube changes. For the money I think it is a great class D amp. About $700 less than the blocks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@mddawson1]

I built the stereo version in January and added a second PSU in September to make it a dual mono amp. This required drilling 14 PSU mounting holes into the base plate and soldering the wires supplied with the extra PSU onto the existing wiring in my amp. It is an excellent sounding amp and I love the inky black background that music decays into.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@nk-gp1ml]

I also have the stereo version. Did you notice any improvement to sound quality adding the extra PSU for dual mono operation? However, I am not short of power with the standard stereo version driving Harbeths.

[@mddawson1]

@@nk-gp1ml Aside from not requiring as much volume from my pre-amp into my 4 ohm Arendal speakers (it dropped from -20db to -24db for the same room volume), it is hard to say. I doubt the volume would have changed into 8ohm speakers as the power output is nearly identical into that load. Subjectively, I feel my Nilai seems to produce better bass than before my modification but without doing an A/B test, it is just my opinion.

[@nk-gp1ml]

@@mddawson1 Thanks for the response. Sounds like will probably be minimal improvement with the modification into Harbeth m30.1s. One benefit could be long term reliability as the mono power supplies will be less stressed.

[@dw5757]

I purchased a pair of assembled Hypex Nilai 500 mono blocks from DeerCreekAudio and they're exceptional amplifiers. For $995 each, these amps are a steal. Currently, I've paired them with a Freya+ pre and Dynaudio Evoke 50’s for a system which sounds incredible even after hours of listening. Alpha Audio's YT channel has some great head to head comparisons between a Nilai and Pass Labs amp.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@alainbesario6679]

Hello, can you share a link to Alpha Audio's channel, comparing a pass lab vs nilai amps I only see Yamaha as2200 vs Nilai stereo. I am contemplating now on these monoblocks to drive my LRS+. TY

[@dw5757]

@@alainbesario6679 Under their live tests section, they have three tests of “Book Shelf speakers - 2500 Euro per pair”. In each test they switch between a Nilai and Pass Labs amp for comparisons. Nice since difference in equipment pairings are very evident. Their tests use a stereo version Nilai amp, the monblocks are same design with a dedicated power supply for each, which is why the monoblocks have a higher 4 ohm power rating then the stereo amp.

[@wvw2294]

@@alainbesario6679 it's not a direct one to one comparison between the Pass Labs and the Nilai, but it is mentioned how good the Nilai is considering the much higher price tag of the Pass Labs over here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJW9d3SNmpaBrtE

[@Vinyl-Fräse]

Thank you for this informative Review. Bringing together Equipment from the Same manufacturer is always a good idea.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@danielbuss2865]

I had the previous NC400 monos until recently and have to say, after 2 years of intensive listening exclusively with them, I thought it was my endgame. BUT something was missing in the sound that I always loved about my speakers. Now I have had my Kenwood Model 650 Transistor restored and there it is again, this airy and especially during long music sessions unstrained. I have owned many types of amplifiers on my speakers, but only a tube and the Kenwood have THE sound for me. Switching amplifiers are switching amplifiers and not comparable to a tube or transistor.

[@jakobgooijer]

So switching is the problem?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Whatever makes it sing.

[@kennethdias9988]

@@danielbuss2865 i was thinking of pairing a tube preamp with the monoblockd

[@alainbesario6679]

TY for the review.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@5starmaniac]

I have put together my own Nilai monoblocks (not using the DIY-build), and experimented with different cables, connectors etc. I found that a shielding wall, in form of steel plates around the Nilai modules improved the noise floor even further, and I run Furutech cables and connectors all over (except for mains cables) Also worth mentioning, is the gain setting on the Nilai module. The lowest gain setting further improves on noise levels, and overall SQ. 😊

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

of course it does. But it doesn't reduce the signal to noise.

[@5starmaniac]

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Oh Yes, they most certainly did! Both setting the gain to the lowest level, and shielding the Nilai unit as much as possible, lowered SINAD!

[@jamescrewe7242]

100k soon!!!!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@Youtuber-ku4nk]

I wish a review of the Auralic Aries G2.2 for Christmas 🎅 🙏 I’m looking for an endgame music server+transport to replace my modified 2014 Mac mini running Audirvāna.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'll check it out!

[@AlainCliche]

very nice review, as usual... it would be great if you could review one of those GaN-Fet class D amp... I believe Orchard Audio have one of the cheapest on the market, but there are other : Atmasphere, AGD, HiFi Rose (they have two integrated amp), Mytek, ... some people say that GaN-Fet amps sound as good as tubes in the medium... is this possible ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I’ll see what I can do.

[@wvw2294]

Milai (instead of Nilai) is still in the description below the title: but about the content. Can you more be specific about the difference in sound comparing it to a better class A or AB amplifier? And why is the Grimm MU2 a less better combination with the Nilai than the Hypex preamp? You would expect, with the more expensive Grimm to hear more and better sound?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for being my editor🥴. The sound character is more class AB than A. It's more like an analytical AB with more powerfull lows. I don't know why the Grimm didn't sound as convincing as the Hypex pre-amp. Perhaps since the Grimm is very analytical too. In my setup 1a I clearly preffer the Grimm over the Hypex pre.

[@michabuszynski7326]

Could you please test any Xlr to rca converters ? Would much appreciate it. Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

you can buy cables that do that. It's passive so it's the cable quality that matters.

[@alex-wk7mq]

You can also buy an ready built amp.i was concidering this amp and I'm curious about the soundqality compared with the stereo version,I don't really need the extra power.thx for de review.

[@jakobgooijer]

I chose the stereo version, I own a pair of very easy to drive 4ohm/ 90db Audio Physics. So if your speakers are an easy load, go for it. Compared to my old MF Class A amp especially the low end is way better and controlled.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I never say you do😄

[@jakobgooijer]

You forgot to mention the Transvestite walking on high heels had also headwind.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Sorry for that🥴

[@mariancol2428]

For our apartments 10W is enough, why do we need so much power? However, the technique should be encouraged and class D amplifiers are welcome for their very low current consumption, this is their asset.

[@ThePupil]

@@mariancol2428 depends on the speakers efficiency and the amount of rissitance. Normally heavier amps have better control over difficult to drive speakers.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That is an oversimplification. It might be for your apartment end your speakers.

[@metatron007]

👠

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

😳

[@kristofvadnai]

Nilai* in title

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks! Fixed.

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

Don't have balanced outputs or inputs

[@khoi83]

ou mean unbalanced (RCA). The only input on this model is XLR or balanced.

[@andymill8552]

@Silkhead44: Did you actually watch the video? These are mono block power amps with balanced XLR inputs and speaker outputs. Balanced/unbalanced does not apply to a speaker output. Hans also clearly explained that if you want to connect a unbalanced source, you can use a RCA to XLR converter cable/plug. So I don't see your problem.

[@dicmccoy]

@@EARLandPEARL-c3i you can get rca to xlr cables or if in a bind, a rca to xlr adapter until you get an rca to xlr cable made by a cable manufacturer.

[@ruudstet3186]

And as Hans says in the video, the jumper inside can be set to the output voltage that matches rca. So full output power can be had in your setup.

[@ruudstet3186]

Broad smiles with the hypex people in Groningen, I suppose. 2k amps on a 45k setup that don't embarras themselves. At all.