HYPEX vs ICEPOWER

[SJan3]

Is there a winner here? And, if so, why??

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

ICE cause GK used it

 

[agedhorse]

ICEPower, because they have a MUCH bigger footprint throughout multiple markets with a long history of reliability and regulatory compliance.

 

[Al Kraft]

ICEPower, because they have a MUCH bigger footprint throughout multiple markets with a long history of reliability and regulatory compliance.

...and with you being someone who has a long history working with the ICEpower design group I value this as an extremely credible, informed answer and not just an opinion.

 

[agedhorse]

I’ve looked at the other options many times and keep coming back to ICEPower.

 

[gtirard]

All the bass amps that I know about using Hypex power modules seem to be very high-end products like Jule amps, I wonder why?

 

[B-string]

All the bass amps that I know about using Hypex power modules seem to be very high-end products like Jule amps, I wonder why?

Low volume of production test beds maybe?

 

[ardgedee]

All the bass amps that I know about using Hypex power modules seem to be very high-end products like Jule amps, I wonder why?

Any number of reasons, including that they might be easier to buy in the small quantities a boutique builder can afford.

 

[6thplanet]

ICEpower, only because I use them. Never messed around with Hypex, but the HiFi crowd seem to think they're fine.

 

[fdeck]

Somehow I remember that Hypex had widely available modules before IcePower did, though the Hypex modules didn't have integrated power supplies. Building a conventional power supply wasn't such a big deal for home audio DIY'ers. Integrating the power supply and power amp kinda seems like where rubber meets road for making a compact bass amp. The power supply designer can no longer blame the power amp, and vice versa.

 

[agedhorse]

Part of it was that ICEPower has always been ahead of the curve for safety and EMC compliance. Without compliance backup documentation and support, certifying the end product can become a nightmare in a hurry.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

Hypex also have every possible variant of module and power supply configuration available.
Hypex amplfier families from high end to public addressing systems

Hypex were always a much smaller outfit than B&O offspin ICEpower
Hypex - About us
About Us - ICEpower (icepoweraudio.com)
ICEpower - Wikipedia

 

[OldogNewTrick]

Hypex show their compliance in the datasheets.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

But, TBH, I've no idea which one is better for metal

Though I can well imagine, why to a commercial amp manufacturer looking for an OEM amp module, B&O backed ICEpower constitutes a lower commercial risk, especially in the early days of class D amps.

 

[agedhorse]

Hypex show their compliance in the datasheets.

View attachment 5476880

They are for many products now, but this wasn’t true say 10-15 years ago.

But, TBH, I've no idea which one is better for metal

Though I can well imagine, why to a commercial amp manufacturer looking for an OEM amp module, B&O backed ICEpower constitutes a lower commercial risk, especially in the early days of class D amps.

ICEPower was spun off by B&O many years ago, though B&O still uses the technology.

 

[ole Jason]

Anyone have a list of amps using HypeX modules? Their stuff sounds interesting. Always cool to see alternatives in the marketplace, regardless.

 

[Lowendtech]

Anyone have a list of amps using HypeX modules? Their stuff sounds interesting. Always cool to see alternatives in the marketplace, regardless.

All of Jule’s amps use them.
That’s all I got.

 

[silky smoove]

There's also Pascal which is used in the Trickfish Bullhead 1K amps, but none of their other models, all of which use ICE modules. I always thought that was an odd data point in their lineup. Many users report the B1K (Pascal) and the B.5K (ICE) sound different, but that's almost certainly down to implementation more than any single component.

 

[J.Wolf]

There's also Pascal which is used in the Trickfish Bullhead 1K amps, but none of their other models, all of which use ICE modules. I always thought that was an odd data point in their lineup. Many users report the B1K (Pascal) and the B.5K (ICE) sound different, but that's almost certainly down to implementation more than any single component.

Many people report that the 1K does sound different from the .5K. Part of that is the preamp design goals, and certainly part of that is the power delivery of the ICE versus the Pascal.

 

[J.Wolf]

On topic: I've only ever heard the Hypex in the Jule amps, so I don't have any data points to reference against, but it sounds fantastic. Then again, Jule is a wizard.