Neurochrome Modulus 86 amps

[CageyH]

Even though I said I would not be changing my system in 2020, I sneaked in a few upgrades to my Caiman SEG, and now I seem to have bought a couple of these modulus 86 amps, which have been built in a mono block configuration, without using SMPS for power.

I have read good things about these, and as the price was reasonable I thought I would take the plunge.
When they arrive, I will be comparing these to my Firebottle monos and some Graham Slee Proprius.
The least preferred of the 86 or the FB Monos, will be going up for sale...

I hope to have the Modulus 86 by the weekend. Time will tell if I become a member of the Modulus club.

[Jimbo]

I have heard the Neurochrome 686 stereo power amp and it is superb. Very transparent and effortless muscle.

[RobbieGong]

Yeah, If I right this is the one Oliver has and rates massively.

Have read some stuf on line about Neurochromne amps - very very good indeed.

Lookng forward to your review Kevin :)

[CageyH]

Mine are the baby of the family. A mere 65W, but more than enough for my speakers.

[Opti-cal]

It's now difficult for me to listen to other amplifiers. I really mean that. They each have their own endearing traits but none exhibit the overall power and insight brought about by the 686. It's also the only SS amp I like with my Quads.

If you only need 65w I'm sure it'll be ideal. The THD figures (among others) are very good.

The extra power is a must for me though even though some of the speakers I use with the 686 are of high efficiency. The muscle really opens up new depths of bass frequencies I had no idea could be reached on the speakers before.

I'm sure you'll like them as everyone says they sound good, although I've never heard the lower power models myself, I'm sure the delivery will be recognisably similar.

[Firebottle]

Did you not hear the 286 at mine Chris?

I have now built a dual mono 86 amp and it sounds identical to the 286.
For info the 286 is 65W (8 ohms) and the 86 is 40W (8 ohms).

[Opti-cal]

Did you not hear the 286 at mine Chris?

I have now built a dual mono 86 amp and it sounds identical to the 286.
For info the 286 is 65W (8 ohms) and the 86 is 40W (8 ohms).

Ah yes indeed Alan, I was specifically referring to the 86 model in regards to not having heard it. You're spot on I have heard the virtues of the 286. It is an outstanding piece of kit and really put the tubes vs SS debate to bed for me! I still enjoy the comparisons but no longer are the positives of both mutually exclusive thanks to the Neurochrome.

With what you confirm there about the 86 and 286 sounds like you cannot go wrong. Just choose your power requirements and happy listening!

[CageyH]

Did you not hear the 286 at mine Chris?

I have now built a dual mono 86 amp and it sounds identical to the 286.
For info the 286 is 65W (8 ohms) and the 86 is 40W (8 ohms).

Does that depend on the power supply capacity/voltage?

On the Neurochrome website, the 86 is stated as being 65W.

If I like these amps, I may investigate building a monoblock/dual mono version of the 686. It will be a long term project, due to the cost involved and the fact that I don't need it yet. It is more of a retirement preparation project, and I have plenty of time left before that.

[Jimbo]

Does that depend on the power supply capacity/voltage?

On the Neurochrome website, the 86 is stated as being 65W.

If I like these amps, I may investigate building a monoblock/dual mono version of the 686. It will be a long term project, due to the cost involved and the fact that I don't need it yet. It is more of a retirement preparation project, and I have plenty of tume left before that.

The 686 will be my retirement amp too kevin.:)

[Firebottle]

Power output does depend on supply voltage.
86 is 65W into 4 ohm.

[hifinutt]

the FB monos` are a delightful pair of amps so be interesting to hear your thoughts

[CageyH]

I really like the FB monos.
The 86 have some serious competition. The amps will be driving Electric Beach FH3 speakers, so we will see which is the preferred partner.

[hornucopia]

Would love to hear running into my Ocellia Calliope speakers. (No cross-over hassles, being 'full-range'). Currently using a Pass F3 which are fine.
Being 90+ efficient, they'd run on low wattage-but they are 16 ohm.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ocellia/ocellia.html

[CageyH]

I a, like an excited, impatient schoolboy. They are in the post, so fingers crossed, they get here on Saturday.

[Ali Tait]

Would love to hear running into my Ocellia Calliope speakers. (No cross-over hassles, being 'full-range'). Currently using a Pass F3 which are fine.
Being 90+ efficient, they'd run on low wattage-but they are 16 ohm.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ocellia/ocellia.html

An OTL would be great with those.

[Brumjam]

I’ve been running a Modulus 86 amp for a few weeks now driving Tannoy Berkeley’s. My First Watt VFET and F6 Amps have been gathering dust ever since. They’re fabulous amps which allow a level of insight into recordings I’ve not experienced before.

[Mr. C]

They are indeed most acceptable, though for best results ditch the smps and run a pair of quality torriodal's have built a few this way for customers

[CageyH]

Mine are built in a mono block configuration, with some nice big torroidal transformers in them.

[killie99]

Kevin, got any pics of your build?

[CageyH]

https://flic.kr/p/2iticMx

I did not build them.

[Patrick Dixon]

They look nice.

[killie99]

Who did? I'm keen to build a pair of these and would love to know what parts were used.

[CageyH]

Have a look at the DIY Audio forum. There are several build threads.
The boards are available direct from Nuerochrome.

[Firebottle]

Here is my Modulus 86 build:

https://i.imgur.com/HqRRkSt.jpg

Internal shot:

https://i.imgur.com/T8RK6os.jpg

I suggest if you do a build do it fully dual mono.

[Opti-cal]

Here is my Modulus 86 build:

https://i.imgur.com/HqRRkSt.jpg

Internal shot:

https://i.imgur.com/T8RK6os.jpg

I suggest if you do a build do it fully dual mono.

Neurochrome, "cadbury edition" .... Very cool Alan, I like that.

[killie99]

Alan, did you buy the bare boards from Neurochrome's website and populate them yourself?

[Firebottle]

I didn't actually. They were bought as faulty/repair and I repaired both.

[hifinutt]

wow , would love to hear them alan !!! running some super little ice power with the tannoys at the moment, from ianlenco , way better than i expected . but i bet the neurochome will be even better

[Firebottle]

Yes I had some Icepower modules and they are good, less sterile than Ncores.

Will have to pop over.

[hifinutt]

yes , i am so impressed with the icepower . i had to sell a lot of kit to pay bills and ianlenco`s icepower came up . they are warm and with the bel canto they are so holographic on the tannoy eatons . be great to compare with that neurochrome sometime . you are always welcome as always

[hornucopia]

Anyone explain WHY they sound 'better' than most? As in, circuit/layout etc.. Am intrigued.

[CageyH]

No idea. The claim is of really low distortion levels, so it may all be down to the circuit.
Mine should be delivered in the next few days, so I will have a weekend of seeing what amps suit my system and personal taste best.

[Firebottle]

The low distortion figures are down to the clever circuit implementation.

[CageyH]

They have arrived....
They are plugged in, and some vinyl is spinning away.

Mote thoughts at the weekend when the new cable (phono to XLR) has had time to settle in.

[wee tee cee]

ran my frugels with 4 temple audio mono blocks on battery power at one point=loved what they did.

look forward to your impressions.....

[CageyH]

I have swapped the cable out, for an MC5000 based cable, as it was too bright.

[CageyH]

And now I have fitted one of my copper OCC cables with a silver plated Neutrik plug.
I am streaming from Tidal HiFi and the system sounds superb.

[Firebottle]

Yhay, excellent stuff.

[CageyH]

I need to wait until the weekend before I can crank the volume up a bit and get the FH3s working properly before I pass final judgement.

[Roger Hardcastle]

Hello,

The sockets shown on the 686 board. Are matching plugs supplied when you order the boards ?
Another thought is that the job of drilling and tapping the mounting holes on the heatsinks is pretty scary if you want to avoid drilling all the way through.

If you look at the Conrad Double Flange heatsinks it would be a nice thought if the modules are mounted on one of the flanges. The holes can then drilled and tapped right through. In fact the mounting plate supplied with the modules can be discarded. There is a 70mm gap between the flanges and the modules are 60mm. The problem is that the sockets on the modules are 90 degree mounted which means that the mating plugs will make the modules not fit the gap.

I’ve considered that removing one flange would get around these issues but having two flanges would mean fitting a front and rear panel with right angled bracket would be more straightforward.

It’s a shame the flanges aren’t further apart to leave a bigger gap.

Edit:

It’s funny how you can have an Einstein moment. The answer could be to unsolder the sockets and solder the wires directly on to the pcb.

[iansr]

I have the Parallel 86 (bridged) and 686 monoblocks. These amps offer ridiculous price / performance ratio. You could put them up against any amp at any price and they would compete. Why are they so good? Because Tom is a very clever guy and the composite amplifier circuit design is outstanding.

[Pigmy Pony]

I need to wait until the weekend before I can crank the volume up a bit and get the FH3s working properly before I pass final judgement.

:popcorn: It's been a while, what do you think?

[Brumjam]

My Nelson Pass designed amps continue to sit idle upstairs. I feel no temptation to remove the Modulus 86 amp from my system. In fact, next step is to buy a second PSU to make it dual mono and see if that brings about an improvement.

[hornucopia]

Does this effect relate to which speakers are used? Am surprised at the Pass comments as they are pretty simple (assuming the 'F' series, or even the SIT!)and clean as a result.
we-the readers - need more info!

WAs going to admit guilt on lack of detail on my OWN system, but I rembered all my info is on my Specs page.

[hifinutt]

My Nelson Pass designed amps continue to sit idle upstairs. I feel no temptation to remove the Modulus 86 amp from my system. In fact, next step is to buy a second PSU to make it dual mono and see if that brings about an improvement.

i am sure that would and maybe even try some monoblocks !!!

[CageyH]

:popcorn: It's been a while, what do you think?

I think they are great, and work well with my new speakers (Triangle Antal EZ) and have a hankering for a more powerful version, probably a 686. Current financial climate has put that on hold for a while.