The Hypex NC502MP is the most powerful amplifier used in the Ultimate Amplifier and represents the first two channels (1-2) out of the 8-channels of amplification. Typically it would be used to drive the woofers in a stereo active speaker system so it is imperative that it does this without any problems. With a name plate power rating of at least 500 and 350 watts per channel into 4 and 8 ohms respectively the measurements we made did not disappoint. The following measurements were made using the dScope III by sweeping the power from 10mW to beyond clipping and plotting the THD at 1kHz. The maximum power output is measured at 1% THD @ 1kHz the same as in the Hypex data sheet. The results show that the 4 ohm single channel measurements of 750 watts @ 1% THD showed that the manufacturers power rating is very conservative for these modules. Also there is doubling of power from 8 ohms to 4 ohms which shows that the switch-mode power supplies are extremely well regulated which is a testament to whoever designed the power supplies ! The low actual distortion measurements also confirm the measurements presented in the manufacturers datasheets for this module ;)
Hypex NC502MP THD+N vs Power @ 1kHz into 4 ohms, Single Channel Driven
NC502-THD+N@1KHz vs Amplitude-4ohms.png
Hypex NC502MP Power at 1%THD @ 1kHz into 4 ohms, Single Channel Driven
dScope-NC502-1KHz-1%-THD-4ohms.png
Hypex NC502MP THD+N vs Power @ 1kHz into 8 ohms, Single Channel Driven
NC502-THD+N@1KHz vs Amplitude-8ohms.png
Hypex NC502MP Power at 1%THD @ 1kHz into 8 ohms, Single Channel Driven
dScope-NC502-1KHz-1%-THD-8ohms.png