Sample Test - Hypex Nilai VS Yamaha A S2200

Ever wondered how Hypex Nilai compares to a very nice class A/B amp? Check out this sampletest! We put the Hypex pre-amp with Nilai 500 power amp against our trusty Yamaha A-S2200.

Index
0:00 - 5:44 - Anathema - Untouchable pt2
5:45 - 10:55 - Beth Hart - I'll take care of you
10:56 - 13:50 - Jacques Loussier - Little Fuge in G Minor

[stephenbailey]

The Yamaha extends the decay of notes so that in complex passages there seems a halo in and around the music.
The Hypex Nilai is clean and agile, yet also seems to have more body in the vocals.
Which is more natural is arguable.

[amarketing]

I could live with either, but I do feel the Hypex Nilai is the winner by a small margin in my opinion. The Yamaha has a slight graininess to the music and the Nilai is very clear and natural.

[tritiumglo]

Impressive video. Excellent work with the level matching. Both are so good. Going to build that Hypex amp for my tube pre.

[NosEL]

Out of curiosity I purchased & put together the Hypex Nilai DIY500 about 3 weeks ago. My opinion is that for the $1300 US i paid this amp is a ridiculous value. Whatever negative remarks people say about whatever Class D they listened to in the past this Nilai amp doesnt have it. Just forget about the whole Class topology and listen. Hook it up & at the end of the week ask yourself what more do i really need? Maybe the Mono Blocks was the only thing i could think of even though i dont need them..or maybe a nicer preamp. Anyway, I'm not trying to hype anything up..i just think if you are trying to put something good together you can't do better for the money & then some. My subjective opinion anyway. The better your equipment is the better this amp will sound to you 🤷

[jolonf]

Great comparison! I was impressed with the warmth of the Hypex initially, but the Yamaha has more detail. I thought the female voice was better on the Yamaha. Guitar was good on the Hypex.

[topkho]

What a fantastic test! Thank you so much

[BioMedUSA]

Outstanding video comparison and editing! Very impressive work and I thank you for your efforts.
Both amps sound very nice, however I think the Yamaha has the edge, a bit more dulcet, deeper bass and melliflous mid bass.

[rupertherbert]

it's simply astonishing how a class D DIY amp could sound, compared to a wonderful piece like AS 2200. Have to admit, I prefer the Hypex here, Yamaha is a bit too much coloured in the high frequencies and loose a bit of control in the mid-bass range. Of course nothing one can't live with, but nonetheless impressive fight, thanks so much! :)

[dab]

After many Class D and A-B comparisons, and tubes, I can affirm that :
Well-built class D amplifiers can be marvellous, especially on speakers that aren't too analytical, or even with an output that isn't too high.
On the other hand, class A, A-B and tube amplifiers are better suited to horn speakers, especially those with high output, offering a lighter listening experience, whereas class D can become a little aggressive after long listening sessions.
It's also important to know what kind of music you prefer, as this too can make or break your choice of amp. And don't ever rely on technical specifications in figures, because that's really the last point on which the listening experience depends.

[aussie]

I think I would choose the Yamaha. It has balance control and tone control, and those lovely VU meters.

[zefrog]

Both excellent. Hypex is more anylitical which I prefer to be honest.
Yamaha would certainly be a great pairing for a slightly cool sounding speaker though, and Hypex for a more warm sounding speaker.
Class D just has that edge with upper frequency detail, and god it's come a long way. Been using a Crown XLS since my beloved amplifier died suddenly and haven't found anything to change it with yet in 3 year's.
Looking at the monoblocks of these, or a Technics SU-G700M2, the Hypex seem like the way forward, paired with RME ADI2 Dac as a preamp, the RME even has parametric EQ, so you can tailor the sound as desired, win win.

[Benjamin-nmjd]

As of today, Yamaha A-S2200 cost $4500, while the Nilai500DIY stereo kit cost $1400 and also pumped out TWICE the power, the choice between the two is no a brainer.

[jakobgooijer]

Listening through my Fiio M 11 pro with Final B3 iem the difference is noticeable. I can hear a distinctive class D sound in the positive way. But o can hear also a obviously class AB sound in also a positive way.
No amp is " better " than the other, like the same concert in different concert hall's.
What I like the most ? Don't know, depends on the whiskey, the friends and the hormonal state of my wife at that time.

[zerschbel]

They were close together until the last song.
But with the last track, wow definitely more punch and grip with the Hypex amp. For me, that's a class difference and that's with the price difference. I'd like to have a comparison with the Icepower 2000AS2 HV. Thanks for the test!

[topside]

I can't believe there aren't more reviews of the Nilai out there. I got the stereo version, and once I heard it immediately bought the mono block version. These are stunning amplifiers.

[phillipmorris]

thank you, i think hypex hit a homerun with the nilai. how does the sound stage compare ?

[ilkerinanc]

I'm not listening with a very good system right now, but my first impression is that you've squeezed the Yamaha into a narrow space and you're listening from there. When you switch to Hypex, it relaxes and seems to exceed its limits.

[Wharariki]

Having heard the more recent Nilai vs Pass power amp comparisons as part of your group speaker test (which was great btw), both using your Pass pre-amp IIRC, it would seem the Nilai pre-amp in this test vs the Yamaha may have been a limiting factor.

I finished assembling my Nilai last night. Will try with my Athena pre today incl vs my LFD class A/B Mosfet amp. Can't wait and thanks again for the reviews and recommendations team Alpha 😊

[HgOH]

So good, Hard to pick one, the bass on the Nilai is so controlled, but the soundstage I feel with the yamaha is very good. Excellent video!

[raymondquek]

I prefer the nilai500 as the sounds is not congested, also more relax in the high treble. The Yamaha seems to have the sound concentrated to the center therefore I hear more congested than nilai500. Yamaha also seems to be fatigue but not the nilai500. Nilai500 has bass hit harder than Yamaha. This is one of the videos that makes me decide to purchase nilai500.