GK-1 and 100W-N and rest of kit?

MattCassidy · « **on:** 15 Jun 2004, 01:09 am »

Hi Everyone,

I am completly new to the circle and the world of DIY. After many annoying emails to Hugh with questions I have ordered a Aksa 100 Nirvana and a GK-1. I must say I am jumping out of my skin with excitement! (Is it in the mail yet?)

.

I have been reading with great interest discussions here about matching of other components and was wondering how my speakers will go with such a cranking amp and pre-amp? I have a pair of Quad 11L's (86dB sensitivity, 45Hz-24KHz freq response). They are 6ohm. They sound good with my curent marantz amp altough maybe lacking in bass a touch. I suppose it will be best to wait but I am very curious to have anyones thoughts (add a sub?, build some aksonics down the track?).

Kind regards
Matt

EchiDna · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 01:44 am »

hey you will have the same setup as me!

I've got the AKSA 100n and GK-1r up and running for about a year now

speakers wise, I can honestly say that the best I've heard driven by an AKSA (or three in this case) were the linkwitz orions, certainly these were far nicer than my own humble speakers (next on the upgrade list!) but then YMMV and your tastes maybe different to mine...

MattCassidy · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 01:53 am »

Crikeys! They look like they might take a while to build, think I will sit tight and see what mine are like first, although I do like the look of the Aksonics and most importantly they look like they would be not too hard to put together, expecially for a ham fisted woodworker like myself.
by the way Echidna, I haven't seen any pics of your kit hanging around the gallery

Thanks for your opinion.
Matt

MattCassidy · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 02:03 am »

Except of course for the pics right in front of me on the bottom of your email..

EchiDna · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 02:47 am »

yeah true... it needs an update

will take some newer pics so at least everyone can see my finished GK-1 and my new HTPC

rookster · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 03:10 am »

Matt,

I am building a pair of Aksonics at the moment. I will let you know how they go. Seeing you are in Brisbane also, it should be possible to have a listen.

I am looking at buying a 55N+ and GK-1 early next year hopefully.

MattCassidy · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 03:15 am »

Great! Perhaps when I get my stuff built i can bring it over and we can both see what the total kit might be like..

Cheers
Matt

rookster · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Jun 2004, 05:45 am »

Matt,

Yes that would be a good idea. I have heard a 55 and a TLP together, but not a 55N+ and GK-1.

I am probably about a month away from finishing the speakers and then a couple of weeks to burn them in.

bluesky · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 10:27 am »

Hi Matt and Rookster

I am very close to nearing completion of my Aksonics. I have just contacted a local stainless steel engineering works to build some stainless steel face plates for my amp cases.

They can build extras for a few bucks if you are interested, for your amps. The person told me that most of the cost is in setting up and so to build more in the same run is negligable. Email me if you're interested.

Ian

MattCassidy · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 12:20 pm »

Hi Ian,

Very interested indeed. Let me know some details and I will organise to do whatever. What sort of cases are you using? Thanks for the offer!

Cheers
Matt

bluesky · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 09:55 pm »

Hi Matt

I am getting 2mm polished stainless steel plate for the front. The preamp will have four holes punched in them, one for the power switch, one for volume, one for selection and one for a power on LED. The amp will have two holes for a power switch and one for a LED. Of course I can order them without any holes punched. I am also having the base/rear plates done at the same time, these are folded to have one complete plate to make it easier to construct with a lip to join the front plate on.

The top and sides will be made out of matching wood to the speakers on my trusty Triton. Let me know straight away as the engineering place is making them early next week. I have decided to get a couple of extra plates for future projects. It costs $150 for one and then $10 each for every extra set made! So it makes it worthwhile to have a couple of extra plates for other gear I hope to build along the way like some Class A amps, a sub woofer amp, phono stage, a GK-1 (soon I hope) and possibly the 100 watt Aksa etc etc. this DIY stuff can become seriously addictive.

Its great that a few of us in Brisbane have made contact and we will have to get together when we have finished our various projects. I understand our mate Rookster has a pretty serious turntable that he is building up. It sounds sensational from what he has told me and your system also sounds amazing from what you have said.

Cheers

Ian

MattCassidy · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 10:49 pm »

Ian,

These sound pretty nice, I might indeed take you up on your offer, I am building the 100W Nirvana and a GK-1. I have barely thought about the enclosures to be honest. Where are you having these built, perhaps I can slip down and have a gander when they are in production (or maybe before). I think that I will go with no holes drilled to give me some flexibility later.. Anyway let em know if i can speak to someone where they are doing them and I will try to get down and have a look...

Thanks again for your very considerate offer, and of course for letting me come and have a listen to your system a couple of weeks ago. It is indeed great that there are a few of us in Brisbane, how are the Aksonics coming along? They were looking pretty good last time I saw them.

Kind regards

Matt

bluesky · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 11:29 pm »

Hi Matt

The place is called Stainless Engineering and they are in Aldinga St, Brendale. You won't see much though as they will do a run and then go onto the next job, straight away, most of their stuff is for much bigger production runs than ours! Like most businesses they are flat out at the moment and the manager, Lee, whilst a nice bloke, was really busy with customers backed up!

It is simply polished stainless steel plate cut to the size requested . The dimensions I gave were 100mm high and 325mm wide (from memory). I will probably use some automotive metal polish (Auotsol) I have to give it a good lustre and then possibly seal it with lacquer later on.

You are welcome to share the lacquer etc as only small quantities are used and I already have it. Fellow Aksa people are always welcome at my place and we will definitely get together later on at someone's place to share music and information on our projects over a cuppa (or whatever). The sense of community with the Aksa audiophiles has always been great and with DIY having support for building and information makes the process much more satisfying and easy when the inevitable small problems come along in construction.

Cheers

Ian

gonefishin · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jun 2004, 11:48 pm »

Ian, I've just sent you a PM.

Hi guys...I've been kicking around the idea of getting a aksa55 amp. Maybe I'll be joining you guys soon

any way...great to hear some more happy customers!

take care,
dan