Behringer inuke NU6000 vs KAM KXD7200 bench tested

kedwardsleisure wrote: Kam of course no longer with us

These amps were from deton, still sold as SYNQ brand and others.

This year I built a pair of G-Subs loaded with RCF drivers and have found the INukes adequate for the heavier drivers.  I now more frequently use both amps and have not had a breakdown to date.... I only use these things a half dozen times a year or so. Given my non pro and low utilization I am pleased with the purchase... if one dies during a gig I can at least keep 2 cabinets going. 

For what they cost these things met my expectations and I’m not sure the next alternatives are any more robust (Peavey IPR etc)x if the IPR series was anything like the amps they put on the first version of the powered ribbon monitors I’m glad I went with the cheaper Berry. 

Thanks for sharing your findings!

shaneukcouk wrote: Looking at the new NX range they may have fixed the HF issue (although boards look the same) but everything else looks like the same amp.

Having used these now for around 4 years but never the same amp for longer than 2-3 years.  I have always used them in pairs run dual mono mode with each side of the desk feeding each amp using a Y Splitter so i can control volume using the front knobs of each channel. Channel b is sub 40hz - 100hz and channel A 100hz upwards. They drive Martin audio S15+ and F10+ 8 ohm loads each channel. The bass cabs are run with the limiters not reduced  so get about 1150w each, the tops have the limiter engaged to half power so they get around 500w per top cab. 

 These get used 2 or 3 times a week and transported around quite a bit. 

Here is my view:

 

- Amazing value, amazing DSP nothing comes close in this price range, very lightweight too which replaced Crown K2's i was using. 

- They have failed in different ways, the oldest one with a 2013 date code  went bang a year or so back and blew out tracks on the board next to the output transistors. I replaced the output transistors with the exact substitutes as it was out of warranty patched the tracks it worked for a few months then happened again (worth a try) its now a parts amp. 

- The HF boost people talk about due to lack of output feedback is very apparent especially when you go to switch this amp out for something else after using it for so long and being used to how it sounds on tops. I think it totally depends on what HF driver you are using and its impedance curve at a given frequency. If the impedance is high the amps boost of HF will be high?  The graphs from the test made on this thread do not show this in audible range  but there is a definite boost after 6khz upwards to my ears which is very pronounced and exactly what you don't want when really pushing levels on mid-top boxes. One of the amps went down one night I switched to putting both tops creating a 4 Ohm load on the other , this sounded much much better but of course only mono so not ideal!  

- I also notice that running 2 subs from one side of the amp at 4 ohms seems to sound more 'solid' than running at 8 ohms on separate nu6000dsp amps with everything setup identical. if anything I would describe the sound difference as slight phase difference in the kick area band. What could cause this and what technical explanation could one give? It should sound slightly better since the power supply is loaded down less splitting the load of subs between amps? 

- No one should ever take just one of these amps to a gig they WILL fail it is only a matter of a time, 2 I have had fail on startup so the first thing I do is power them up then continue setting everything else up. The second most recent failure of one was sent back and the repair done was Diodes, this amp wouldn't start every time going into protect 95% of attempts to start it. 

- The latest failure on one less than a year old is more something I cannot pin point, the amp was on with no signal running and volume controls at zero it starts outputting what can be described as tv static/white noise through both channels at full volume (and I mean FULL volume)  , as I rushed to switch the amp off I noticed that the screen for the DSP was off but the rest of the amp LED's were on (orange rings)  It has not done this since but now leaves me worrying if its going to do it again when idling after setting up and I happen to be not there to switch it off burning out drivers in the process. 

Looking at the new NX range they may have fixed the HF issue (although boards look the same) but everything else looks like the same amp. For this reason I will be looking elsewhere for replacing them. I have always had a spare ready to swap when one fails but its clear that they fail too often and the white noise issue is just crazy and embarrassing so a deal breaker. 

You cannot expect too much at this price point but the crowns are in the garage and still work after 18 years! You definitely get what you pay for! I have a lot of other Birhringer kit so am not berry bashing but hope someone finds this helpful in deciding if they should go for one or the newer NX.