Shopping for decent power amp’s lighting took out two carver TFM-35 x’s

[Mark E. Long]

Had a bad storm awhile back and two of my amps took the hit one only works on one channel the other has developed a loud hum . I’ve shut them both down for now until I can send them in for repair both excellent amps and have servered me for years with that being said . They were both do for a service visit anyways so looking at Buckeye amps to replace them till there fixed. Looking a the Ncorex 2 channel and mabey the 3 channel version both plenty of power for big hungry towers . So my question is does anyone in the group have or use any buckeye amps your use and thoughts these seem to be very powerful and from my understanding of there specs very clean running helpful knowledge is welcome .

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

No experience with them but they seem to review very favorably.

 

[Mark E. Long]

No experience with them but they seem to review very favorably.

They do review very good it seems price per watt seems great too crazy amounts of power at very low distortion. I just wonder how hot they run my carvers a dead cold even when pushed I want to use one of these as a stand in for when I send them in to be rebuilt hell who knows it may stay there if I like it .

 

[Verdinut]

They do review very good it seems price per watt seems great too crazy amounts of power at very low distortion. I just wonder how hot they run my carvers a dead cold even when pushed I want to use one of these as a stand in for when I send them in to be rebuilt hell who knows it may stay there if I like it .

See PENG's comments on the Buckeye amp. It is very well recommended at Post#12:

Amp question

It's been a long time, since I've posted on here. My Parasound hca 2205a finally died, so I'm looking to purchase another amp. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money. I was wondering if I would be able to get away with an emotiva basx 3a? I could also possibly go with an outlaw 5000x, but don't...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[Mikado463]

Regardless, going forward unplug all your gear prior to a storm !

 

[Verdinut]

They do review very good it seems price per watt seems great too crazy amounts of power at very low distortion. I just wonder how hot they run my carvers a dead cold even when pushed I want to use one of these as a stand in for when I send them in to be rebuilt hell who knows it may stay there if I like it .

The Buckeye NC502MP has a voltage gain of only 26 dB. Make sure that the preamplifier to be used has an adequate voltage output to drive it.

 

[TLS Guy]

Regardless, going forward unplug all your gear prior to a storm !

It is a very good idea to bring your home up to current NEC. That means a surge protector at service entry and one in each panel. It is not just AV that has solid state devices that need protection, it is practically everything in your house including the LED light bulbs. If you need any electrical work done, then the electrician is now required to get your house up to NEC.

 

[ryanosaur]

I haven’t purchased from Buckeye/Dylan, yet, but I do plan on getting my next Hypex amps from him.

If you want best watts per dollar ratio, the Hypex NC502mp is the best purchase. If you want more SOTA level bragging rights, look at the newer NCX500 or even the Purifi options.

It’s often noted that you likely won’t hear any difference between any of them. But if you are a graph guy, Purifi tends to put up better numbers. Minimally better, to be certain.

Beyond that, Dylan is simply a really nice guy. All my interactions with him were super cool and how he comports himself online shows he is more interested in professionalism and real customer service. The few times I’ve seen issues brought up with his builds he has always addressed them directly and got fixes… and even a redesign… done. All of it without blaming someone else.

That is why he is going to have my business when I buy my next Amp!

 

[Mark E. Long]

It is a very good idea to bring your home up to current NEC. That means a surge protector at service entry and one in each panel. It is not just AV that has solid state devices that need protection, it is practically everything in your house including the LED light bulbs. If you need any electrical work done, then the electrician is now required to get your house up to NEC.

My system is on two separate 20 amp lines that run through two power centers. We had a double strike when the system shut down the first time it was all good but when it all turned back on before all the amps kicked in lighting hit in the back yard close the second time within seconds nothing worked right I did get the AVR back up after resetting it about 4 times but it was sounding scrambled at first a quick chat with A Yamaha technician got it back up .

 

[Mark E. Long]

Regardless, going forward unplug all your gear prior to a storm !

Yes indeed .

 

[Mark E. Long]

I haven’t purchased from Buckeye/Dylan, yet, but I do plan on getting my next Hypex amps from him.

If you want best watts per dollar ratio, the Hypex NC502mp is the best purchase. If you want more SOTA level bragging rights, look at the newer NCX500 or even the Purifi options.

It’s often noted that you likely won’t hear any difference between any of them. But if you are a graph guy, Purifi tends to put up better numbers. Minimally better, to be certain.

Beyond that, Dylan is simply a really nice guy. All my interactions with him were super cool and how he comports himself online shows he is more interested in professionalism and real customer service. The few times I’ve seen issues brought up with his builds he has always addressed them directly and got fixes… and even a redesign… done. All of it without blaming someone else.

That is why he is going to have my business when I buy my next Amp!

those are actually the two I was looking into they both seem really good for the Buck . I like the NCX500 its very similar power wise although a bit more but I like some reserve like I have with the carvers . I wonder if my Yamaha RX- A3020 has the voltage output in the preamp to drive them .

 

[Mark E. Long]

See PENG's comments on the Buckeye amp. It is very well recommended at Post#12:

Amp question

It's been a long time, since I've posted on here. My Parasound hca 2205a finally died, so I'm looking to purchase another amp. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money. I was wondering if I would be able to get away with an emotiva basx 3a? I could also possibly go with an outlaw 5000x, but don't...

forums.audioholics.com

Thanks for the tip I did read this thread back then I don’t think Ping would steer anyone wrong he gives honest reviews and lots of knowledge to go with it .

 

[Tankini]

Had a bad storm awhile back and two of my amps took the hit one only works on one channel the other has developed a loud hum . I’ve shut them both down for now until I can send them in for repair both excellent amps and have servered me for years with that being said . They were both do for a service visit anyways so looking at Buckeye amps to replace them till there fixed. Looking a the Ncorex 2 channel and mabey the 3 channel version both plenty of power for big hungry towers . So my question is does anyone in the group have or use any buckeye amps your use and thoughts these seem to be very powerful and from my understanding of there specs very clean running helpful knowledge is welcome .

Get those amps service!!! Why go Class D?! You'll lose that (warm) TFM sound! No way I'd go Class D!! Buckeye buckaroo whatever.. Class D? Yuk!!!

 

[ryanosaur]

those are actually the two I was looking into they both seem really good for the Buck . I like the NCX500 its very similar power wise although a bit more but I like some reserve like I have with the carvers . I wonder if my Yamaha RX- A3020 has the voltage output in the preamp to drive them .

A good point to consider is that these class d Amps are really designed for an XLR connection rather than RCAs.

That said, I run my NC400s from the RCA preouts on my Marantz SR6012 with no notable issues. Yes, if I were to connect via XLR (which I hope will be in near future upgrade) I will get more from the Amp

If Gain matching is a concern, check the NCX and Purifi options that have selectable Gain. A short conversation or chat with Dylan and he will make certain you get what you need to have to run your system properly. (And for the record, I’ve seen him quite openly turn away business when he could tell his Amps wouldn’t do the job properly for what the prospective buyer expected and wanted! He will not try selling you something you don’t need.) If I understand he will see the jumper prior to shipping to you if you want it set different than default. You will also be able to open the Amp and adjust the jumper yourself.

But if you have any questions about this, you should reach out to Dylan!

 

[TLS Guy]

Get those amps service!!! Why go Class D?! You'll lose that (warm) TMF sound! No way I'd go Class D!! Buckeye buckaroo whatever.. Class D? Yuk!!!

What the H is TMF sound? Sounds like some unwanted coloration. I think class D amps will be an improvement over ubiquitous class AB amps. I have used current dumping amps for years and years, but I do not think I would be adverse to class D amps.

 

[Tankini]

My comment isn't ment to be taken seriously. Ole Bob, sure loved TFM colored, sure. Still a highly coveted sound. Still can buy on eBay. Magnetic field transfer. Bob Caver design. Now if you want to know more? Ask someone who knows of that amp design. But found this,

Typos or a rouge Mod.

 

[Mark E. Long]

A good point to consider is that these class d Amps are really designed for an XLR connection rather than RCAs.

That said, I run my NC400s from the RCA preouts on my Marantz SR6012 with no notable issues. Yes, if I were to connect via XLR (which I hope will be in near future upgrade) I will get more from the Amp

If Gain matching is a concern, check the NCX and Purifi options that have selectable Gain. A short conversation or chat with Dylan and he will make certain you get what you need to have to run your system properly. (And for the record, I’ve seen him quite openly turn away business when he could tell his Amps wouldn’t do the job properly for what the prospective buyer expected and wanted! He will not try selling you something you don’t need.) If I understand he will see the jumper prior to shipping to you if you want it set different than default. You will also be able to open the Amp and adjust the jumper yourself.

But if you have any questions about this, you should reach out to Dylan!

Very good point on gain matching I will definitely consult him further and I was wondering about the XLR connection too they claim it makes no difference if you connect an rca to a xlr . I will contact him and see what’s what on it all .

 

[Mark E. Long]

Get those amps service!!! Why go Class D?! You'll lose that (warm) TFM sound! No way I'd go Class D!! Buckeye buckaroo whatever.. Class D? Yuk!!!

The plan is to get them serviced and upgraded to the present spec there just to nice of an amp to park . I’ve had these for 20 or more years . It’s time for a refresh. The Buckeye amp is to fill in till one is done then switch it out and send another in .

 

[Mark E. Long]

What the H is TMF sound? Sounds like some unwanted coloration. I think class D amps will be an improvement over ubiquitous class AB amps. I have used current dumping amps for years and years, but I do not think I would be adverse to class D amps.

The TFM series of amps were built to sound like a tube amp they are very transparent in sound run very cool . Tons of headroom and they work great with about any modern AVR . Myself I don’t know about the tube sound but they are very detailed in music and are excellent in home theater use . TFM = Tube transfer function modified. Is it real does to work who knows about what Old Bob designed lol . Only thing I know is unreal amount of power way more than what there specked at usually and decent thd too .

 

[ryanosaur]

Very good point on gain matching I will definitely consult him further and I was wondering about the XLR connection too they claim it makes no difference if you connect an rca to a xlr . I will contact him and see what’s what on it all .

It doesn't change SQ. I think there is a voltage difference though?