Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks.

Posted by Cougar (A) on September 1, 2024 at 15:31:27

I was asked a while back in a post from Mr. Abe Collins to report back how the Nilai's compared with my other power amps (Edge Electronics M8 SS amp and VTA-120 tube amp). So I will try attempt to do that.

This is my brief feedback not a review on how the Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks sound in MY system. Result will vary from system to system.

First off, the Nilai are nice amps and are revealing depending on what the source and preamp that feeds them are.

When I first built the Nilai 500's I had just removed my VTA-120 from the system. When I finished the build they went in right away. At first I thought maybe I had made a mistake but as with all my gear, I left them to run in for a few weeks. After the 3 day they started to open up and soundstage started to improve. By The end of the 3 week they were sounding really good and I was surprised how far Class D had come since the last time I heard some Hypex Mono Blocks at my buddy's house with some Orion speakers he built. It was more forward sounding than my other amps and coming from a darker background. I did notice that the Hi Hats and Bass Drum sound different than from my other two amps, just didn't sound as natural as I was used to hearing but I just thought it was me hearing nicer Class D amp that was different from the others I had heard.

Well, I put my Edge M8 back into the system on Thursday and right off the bat... there was a huge difference. Sound was more real, wider and deeper. The Edge has that grunt on the low end, the notes went lower with lower bass lines you could feel and hear. The EDGE more detailed bass lines with texture with all the rest of the instruments (snare drums, cymbals and strings). It was like going from a window with a slight film on it to one that was just cleaned and you can see everything with all the vivid colors and detail that before was almost there but slightly hidden. The Edge with it huge power supply just takes control and all musical passages from difficult to easy is just effortless that makes the music sound more real. I'm trying my best to describe what I'm hearing my system, so if it doesn't make sense I apologize in advance.

Even compared to the VTA-120 the Nilai's lacked that realism and depth that the Tubes are know for. The Nilai's were faster and and had better bass detail but overall I prefer the VTA-120 with the Nilai just slightly less.

So the EDGE M8 is the top dog in my system, with the VTA-120 next and a very close Nilai 500 behind it.

None of the gear or cables changed, the only things that changed were the amps.

This not a knock on the Nilai's, I could live with them and be happy if my other two amps died. For their light weight and sound they are a deal.

Teres 255, ET2 arm, Shelter 901 retipped with Micro Ridge stylus.
EAR 834P Clone MM Phono preamp (Upgraded/Modded) with Clayton SUT.
MBL 6010D Clone preamp with upgraded power supply caps and better IC's.
Musical Paradise MPD1 DAC (upgraded)
Pioneer Elite PD59 Cassette player
Clearfield Continental speakers by Counterpoint

Hopefully I don't get burned at the stake for trying to give some feedback on my experience with the Hypex Nilai's.

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Topic - Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - Cougar 15:31:27 09/01/24 (23)

Burn in and mods - Ric Schultz 13:30:14 09/05/24 (6)

RE: Burn in and mods - Ric Schultz 22:10:50 09/13/24 (2)

RE: Burn in and mods - Leo loves music 08:40:59 09/14/24 (1)

RE: Burn in and mods - Ric Schultz 09:52:18 09/14/24 (0)

My Mod. - Cougar 18:02:04 09/08/24 (0)

RE: Burn in and mods - JoeKool 17:31:24 09/07/24 (0)

You are correct... - Cougar 12:05:58 09/07/24 (0)

RE: Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - AbeCollins 09:13:19 09/02/24 (9)

RE: Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - Cougar 12:39:50 09/02/24 (8)

RE: Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - AbeCollins 07:54:57 09/03/24 (7)

I'm pretty happy with what I have... - Cougar 12:12:21 09/07/24 (3)

RE: I'm pretty happy with what I have... - SNR&THD 07:00:36 09/08/24 (2)

FYI - E-Stat 08:17:01 09/12/24 (0)

Thank You for the offer. - Cougar 01:43:27 09/09/24 (0)

RE: Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - Donivey 07:50:55 09/04/24 (2)

Another difference - E-Stat 06:55:44 09/06/24 (0)

RE: Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks. - AbeCollins 09:00:08 09/04/24 (0)

Thanks for your observations - E-Stat 06:16:20 09/02/24 (5)

Is it called a swarm? - farfetched 13:22:52 09/05/24 (3)

Nearly so - E-Stat 13:52:57 09/05/24 (2)

RE: Nearly so - farfetched 06:43:53 09/06/24 (1)

The room is the thing! - E-Stat 15:30:19 09/06/24 (0)

I never got the chance to.... - Cougar 12:23:43 09/02/24 (0)

Update: Hypex Nilai 500 Monoblocks.

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