Thank you very much. Great video! I think this is an awesome idea myself. I may have to do this w/everything in my system. You've basically got nothing to lose other then some time, a little solder, and an extra few cents on your electric bill. I'm not surprised there's noticeable differences too. There's a reason why stuff was always soldered until fairly recently. This is just a manufacturing cost cutting move by them. And it makes it easier to do repairs later too. I like using crimped connections myself, because it's quick and easy. But there's no way they're making as good of a connection as solder will. Even a really tight crimp. Plus you're just adding stuff that's not needed. I started using crimps while building car stereo systems, and I still would in that particular application. But I need to break myself of the habit when it comes to doing stuff at home. It's definitely time to learn how to solder. Hopefully it's similar to welding. I'm pretty decent at that. 🤞 And I'm also very appreciative that you showed us your gorgeous setup. Seeing that these were an upgrade from the Primare integrated really helps. As does seeing them being used in, what I consider to be, a better system then my own. I'm thinking of getting a better amp (current amp is an AVA Omega Star 250EX), and I don't want to end up making a lateral move. This was already in my top 5, actually top 3 really. However, I think this video just put it all the way up 🔝 for me. Hopefully it will play nice with my Holographic Audio Pre TwentyFive (they're both from 🇸🇪 I think, so that's a good sign) SS preamp, and my Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers. ✌️
Politely seconding a previous suggestion: pls make sure to increase your audio recording level, sound for this video is quite low. Of couse one can increase our own listening volume level. Regardless, thanks for sharing your mods! Regards.
I have this Edge and was concidering a second to use them as Monoblocks with my Elac UB5's, I also have A SVS PB 1000 and use a Pioneer Elite SC 81 as a pre amp. My Elacs can't be bi amped. Should I bother with a second Edge, and just use the single Edge to power my Elacs?
Do you need to hook this up to a receiver, to lmplicate operation. Don't see any volume knobs or anything at all, is it a preamp? Don't get it never heard of Ice! Please explain, thank you.
@@Abrikosmanden Not!!! I'm quite sure this could be easily measured with a simple multimeter. But like most people commenting negatively on HiFi videos. You probably have very little "real" experience with HiFi anyway, and just enjoy being a Negative Nancy. ✌️
@@Abrikosmanden You are correct. None of the modifications performed in this video were capable of altering the frequency response of the amplifier. Replacing copper terminals with slightly more expensive copper terminals and permanently soldering JST connectors simply ensures that the poor soul responsible for performing an actual servicing at some point has a significantly more frustrating time.
At first I was annoyed by the constant pronunciation of solder as "soul-derr" but I checked Meriam-Webster and that actually is an approved way to say it. We Yanks say "sah-derr" and we like it that way. :) I too am annoyed by the number of mechanical connections I see in modern gear. In my system, I like to solder every connection that can be soldered. I'm sure this is an excellent mod to the amp, an amp I am seriously considering buying. Thanks for making this video.
Getting caught up on pronunciation is pretty petty. Language is a tool to communicate. The purpose of communication was achiveved, who cares about how the tool was used. I guess petty man cares.
Greetings! I picked up one of these amps and love it! Smooth, detailed, musical, DYNAMIC!..just great. I've found my amp sounds better left ON all the time. Do you bridge these amplifiers? I'm wondering if there is a sonic penalty doing this?? I've tried bridge mode on the a/b amps I've had in the past and the sonics always took a dive, and was always disappointed. I'm wondering if its the same, with these Class D ICE amps.
Why is the volume so damn LOW in this video?? I can't hear a word you're saying other than you've got some foreign accent. Learn how to make an appropriate video first, then come back and show us how to "improve" these amplifiers that use "lifeless" sounding ICE modules. FYI, there's NO way improve the sound of an amplifier using ICE modules. Your best option is to throw them in the trash and look for amplifiers that use the much-better-sounding Hypex modules.
At least he tried, and did something other than just criticize. And I've a feeling you've never even heard an Ice Power amp, and are just parroting what you've read other people say on the internet. Because anyone with any real HiFi experience wouldn't make blanket statements about other's HiFi systems without actually hearing them first.
Thanks for posting this video. Looking forward to seeing the next rev of the modifications.
Nothing is more aggravating than not being able to hear a video.
Thank you for sharing your findings, very much appreciated!
Thank you very much. Great video! I think this is an awesome idea myself. I may have to do this w/everything in my system. You've basically got nothing to lose other then some time, a little solder, and an extra few cents on your electric bill. I'm not surprised there's noticeable differences too. There's a reason why stuff was always soldered until fairly recently. This is just a manufacturing cost cutting move by them. And it makes it easier to do repairs later too. I like using crimped connections myself, because it's quick and easy.
But there's no way they're making as good of a connection as solder will. Even a really tight crimp. Plus you're just adding stuff that's not needed. I started using crimps while building car stereo systems, and I still would in that particular application. But I need to break myself of the habit when it comes to doing stuff at home. It's definitely time to learn how to solder. Hopefully it's similar to welding. I'm pretty decent at that. 🤞
And I'm also very appreciative that you showed us your gorgeous setup. Seeing that these were an upgrade from the Primare integrated really helps. As does seeing them being used in, what I consider to be, a better system then my own. I'm thinking of getting a better amp (current amp is an AVA Omega Star 250EX), and I don't want to end up making a lateral move. This was already in my top 5, actually top 3 really. However, I think this video just put it all the way up 🔝 for me. Hopefully it will play nice with my Holographic Audio Pre TwentyFive (they're both from 🇸🇪 I think, so that's a good sign) SS preamp, and my Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers. ✌️
Thank you for your time sharing this with us. These are relatively inexpensive amplifiers in perspective. Reviews across the board are positive.
I got rid of my Nuforce STA-200 in favor of this amplifier.
This definitely reduces resistance in the connections and improves the signal path
i was consider doing this. glad to know it makes a noticable improvement. Thanks for the vid.
How about just soldering the positive lead wire to the binding post directly?
Politely seconding a previous suggestion: pls make sure to increase your audio recording level, sound for this video is quite low. Of couse one can increase our own listening volume level. Regardless, thanks for sharing your mods! Regards.
Its ok, I cant complain
I have this Edge and was concidering a second to use them as Monoblocks with my Elac UB5's, I also have A SVS PB 1000 and use a Pioneer Elite SC 81 as a pre amp. My Elacs can't be bi amped. Should I bother with a second Edge, and just use the single Edge to power my Elacs?
Perhaps you can use monoblock to each speaker
How did you improve. Do you have measurements before and after?
Exactly
Do you need to hook this up to a receiver, to lmplicate operation. Don't see any volume knobs or anything at all, is it a preamp? Don't get it never heard of Ice! Please explain, thank you.
Mod for what kind of improvement?
The placebo kind
@@Abrikosmanden Not!!!
I'm quite sure this could be easily measured with a simple multimeter. But like most people commenting negatively on HiFi videos. You probably have very little "real" experience with HiFi anyway, and just enjoy being a Negative Nancy. ✌️
@@Abrikosmanden You are correct. None of the modifications performed in this video were capable of altering the frequency response of the amplifier. Replacing copper terminals with slightly more expensive copper terminals and permanently soldering JST connectors simply ensures that the poor soul responsible for performing an actual servicing at some point has a significantly more frustrating time.
completely unable to state the Goal upfront!
@@Abrikosmanden Correct. More Audiophoolery.
Can you use these directly with a NODI streamer/DAC as the pre-amp using the gain switch?
Yes
How does the xtc's ice 300 amp, compare to the the ice 250ax2 amps?.
Hi nice upgrade, How is the sound in mono? Does it get better than 1 amp in stereo?
Nice video! Do you live in sweden?
What do you mean taking it further? Can you please shed some light? I like this kind of ideas of improving things. Thank you.
Why the alternation?
Budget line with premium line difference.
At first I was annoyed by the constant pronunciation of solder as "soul-derr" but I checked Meriam-Webster and that actually is an approved way to say it. We Yanks say "sah-derr" and we like it that way. :) I too am annoyed by the number of mechanical connections I see in modern gear. In my system, I like to solder every connection that can be soldered. I'm sure this is an excellent mod to the amp, an amp I am seriously considering buying. Thanks for making this video.
Getting caught up on pronunciation is pretty petty. Language is a tool to communicate. The purpose of communication was achiveved, who cares about how the tool was used. I guess petty man cares.
Greetings!
I picked up one of these amps and love it! Smooth, detailed, musical, DYNAMIC!..just great.
I've found my amp sounds better left ON all the time. Do you bridge these amplifiers? I'm wondering if there is a sonic penalty doing this?? I've tried bridge mode on the a/b amps I've had in the past and the sonics always took a dive, and was always disappointed. I'm wondering if its the same, with these Class D ICE amps.
The same. You double distortions. But they have a more powerful one.
Why not remove the male connectors and solder directly on the board...
This
Anyone can answer please. 🤘😁
Have you seen its measurement results at ASR forum? It's a piece of crap!
My Schiit Vidar supposedly measures worse and it's a fantastic amp so who gives a shit about some forums dumb ass measurements?
Its an degrade
It's a bastardization, no audio improvements will result from this. NONE.
Why is the volume so damn LOW in this video??
I can't hear a word you're saying other than you've got some foreign accent.
Learn how to make an appropriate video first, then come back and show us how to "improve" these amplifiers that use "lifeless" sounding ICE modules.
FYI, there's NO way improve the sound of an amplifier using ICE modules. Your best option is to throw them in the trash and look for amplifiers that use the much-better-sounding Hypex modules.
At least he tried, and did something other than just criticize. And I've a feeling you've never even heard an Ice Power amp, and are just parroting what you've read other people say on the internet. Because anyone with any real HiFi experience wouldn't make blanket statements about other's HiFi systems without actually hearing them first.
@@amb3cog So true Scott, a real audiophile is accepting of different characteristics and understands certain sound traits aren't for everyone.
There are none so blind as they that will not see......🙄