Neurochrome HP-1

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Cspirou, Oct 26, 2016.

  1. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    In modern designs, there is really no benefit of a fully balanced design, at least not in terms of the listening experience. A balanced design, in theory, cancels the even order harmonic distortion components. Unfortunately those are the ones associated with a pleasing listing experience, whereas the odd order THD products (associated with harshness) are left behind. Secondly, cancellation schemes tend to work really well on paper, but not so well in reality. In some cases the cancellation circuit actually makes the THD worse.
    Also note that many "balanced designs" are actually two single-ended paths driven in opposite phase rather than a true balanced circuit. So buyer beware.

    In case of the HP-1, the distortion is so low that there's practically nothing left to cancel. Any attempt of cancellation of the remaining THD is likely to be either futile or detrimental to performance.

    The HP-1 features a balanced and an unbalanced input. From the input buffer through to the output, the HP-1 is single-ended for the reasons listed above. You will get better channel separation if you use the XLR output.

    Tom
     
  2. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    BTW: I have a fresh stack of professionally assembled boards in stock. I think I'm down to four enclosures, but more can be ordered.

    The boards are assembled in Calgary. I found a local place that specializes in small orders. Their work is of top notch quality.

    Tom
     
  3. zhouharvey

    zhouharvey PayPal’s $2 Sensible Enforcer

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    Thanks!!! That really helped!
     
  4. zhouharvey

    zhouharvey PayPal’s $2 Sensible Enforcer

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    I'll get a chance to audition it soon this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love something the Objective2 wanted ever to be! Neutral and doesn't lose the timbre.
     
  5. zhouharvey

    zhouharvey PayPal’s $2 Sensible Enforcer

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    Neutral. I'll test it with a pair of HD6xx and with my coming minidsp ears.
     
  6. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    I gotta say that the HP-1 drives my newly acquired Massdrop Focal Elex rather well.

    Tom
     
  7. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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  8. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    One demo unit is available. It's in Los Angeles and will ship within the US using USPS Priority Mail. This particular HP-1 is in the original blue colour scheme and was demoed at CANJAM in NYC in February. $949.

    I have one of the stealthy grey graphite HP-1s in stock with four more arriving within about a week to ten days. That'l be the last of the HP-1. They're $999 each.

    I used to sell these at $1249/each, so you're getting quite a deal here.

    I'm down to five PCBs for those who prefer the DIY option.

    All of these are available through my website: https://www.neurochrome.com/product/hp-1-ultra-high-end-headphone-amp-2/

    Thanks,

    Tom
     
  9. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    I have two of the fully assembled HP-1s left. Their chassis are underway by FedEx and will be here tomorrow. Just in time for me to put the amps together over the weekend, test them, and ship by Monday.

    I have three PCBs left for those who are more DIY inclined.

    You can find them here: https://www.neurochrome.com/product/hp-1-ultra-high-end-headphone-amp-2/

    Tom
     
  10. Sean_S

    Sean_S New

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    @tomchr Saw on your site that you're improving the HP-1 for a release this Fall. Have you considered implementing feed forward error correction or licensing AAA IP? Since you are in the pursuit of insanely low levels of distortion (and have achieved SOTA levels), I figured you may have considered being able to implement it better than say the THX789.
    Sean
     
  11. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    I am not planning to license the THX patent. I don't push enough volume to justify that. Besides, I can get similar or better performance by employing my own circuit tricks, so I think I'll do that. :)

    I'm planning two amps for now: One aimed at the $500 price point and one that'll probably be $1k+. Maybe $999. Maybe $1499. I'll have to see how I can make the math shake out. Ultimately, I'd also like to have a super high-end model as well priced in the $3-5k range.
    Hitting the $500 price point will be tough for a low volume manufacturer like me. Even $1k would be a challenge, believe it or not. It mostly comes down to the cost of the chassis and assembly.

    Naturally, there'll be some performance tradeoffs in the lower priced model and some extra stops pulled in the ultra high-end model. I have to do something to justify the price tag. :)

    If you'd like to be the first to know about any new releases, I suggest signing up for my newsletter here: www.neurochrome.com/newsletter

    Tom
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Feed-forward is nothing special. The patent is only specific to the implementation.
     
  13. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    True. I haven't considered feed-forward. I have no real reason to. I might play with it a some point. We'll see.

    Tom
     
  14. Sean_S

    Sean_S New

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    Will do. Thanks Tom and good luck.
     
  15. data.noodle

    data.noodle Acquaintance

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    for the hp-1 successor amp, please consider a different pot and/or leaving more room for modding w/ user selected pots. i've had my hp-1 (purchased assembled) for close to 2 year and like it a lot, only complaint is the pot.
     
  16. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.
     
  17. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    Now that I've managed to complete the requirements for my psychology degree (formal graduation is in June), I'm looking to push full-time on Neurochrome. I have a few new products in mind, including a couple of headphone amps, and would greatly appreciate your feedback on my ideas. If you have 15 minutes to spare, I would really appreciate your participation in my survey (linked to below).

    Neurochrome Spring 2019 Survey (link).

    The survey requires a sign-in via your Google/gmail account. Your email address will NOT be recorded. All your responses will be anonymous.

    Thanks in advance.

    Tom
     
  18. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Just got done with the survey. If you could make a headphone/speaker amp by combining the HP-1 and Modulus-86 in a blue chassis
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  19. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    Awesome. Thank you for taking the survey. I appreciate your input.

    Tom
     
  20. gepardcv

    gepardcv Almost "Made"

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    What were the dimensions of the official HP-1 chassis? I can't find any info on it on the Neurochrome HP-1 page.
     

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