[EchiDna]

On top of the kitset, just how much did the ancillary bits and pieces cost you?

mine worked out like this for an AKSA 100:

S$ coz I'm in Singapore!

S$89 per 330va transformer (x2) from Farnell
S$8 in aluminium bars for the case
S$14 for the cut to size plexiglass front, rear and top
S$0 for the base - recylced chunk of 1 inch marine plywood
S$2 for the 10 amp switch
S$2 for the IEC/Fuse holder
S$0.5 for the slow blow fuse/s
S$0 for the power cable (used an ex-pc cable when I built) since upgraded to a DIY recipe
S$1 for the blue LED's for power indication
S$15 for the hookup and power wiring (I used teflon coated, silver plated multi strand copper)
*EDIT* - forgot binding posts and RCA's
S$20 for some Chinese knockoff WBT copies
S$55 for a set of eichmann bullets
S$8 for some Klotz GY107 cable for DIYing some IC's (highly recommended!!!)

all told about S$300 (or US$180) for everything not included in the kit...
added up and you can see that it is not a "bargain basement" kit, but I feel that I've got more bang for buck out of my AKSA 100 than I have from any other audio purchase thus far

nearly 2 years and still going extremely well  

[AKSA]

Thanks Glen,

That's really useful information for anyone contemplating the AKSA.....

Things have been quiet;  I'm just now doing a News update for October.

Cheers,

Hugh

[pea]

I just finished building my 100N+ and here is my breakdown:

Currency = US$

2 Plitron 2x33V Torroid Transformers - $189
3 Board Feet Hounduran Mahogany - $21
.25" Plywood and Veneer - $40
Power cords, screws, drill bits, switches, etc. - $26
2 Blue LEDs - $4.50
1 Gallon Danish Oil for finishing cases - $24

Total = $304.50

[Grumpy_Git]

For my 55W Aksa I paids

£40 for 2 Antrim Transformers
£20 for a 19" Rackmount case
£20 for switches, feet, mains connectors, speaker connectors and "bits"
and a scrap piece of wood to mount the Transformers and various parts on.

All told just shy of £80.

Nick.

[Seano]

Over and above the cost of 100W Nirvana I coughed up in Oz dollars...

about $90 for the two toroids from Altronics
about $30 for the RCA jacks and binding posts
about $8 for the IEC incorporating fuse and switch
about $40 for the 3mm bent steel plate that made the case
about $12 for the black RustKill spray paint
about $5 for a length of 25mm alloy angle

The rest of the materials (MDF, Blue Gum fascia, bolts, glue and coarse language) came out the general supply that was lying around.

Thing is that I also acquired a new soldering station, tap and die set and multimeter at the time too but I don't include this lot in the purchase price.

I reckon I got away for a bit under an Oz grand.

Since then you can add the Plus upgrade and one of Hugh's cases to the dollars....none of which I've had a chance to incorporate!

[jonwb]

Here's a blast from the past...

I've been attempting to workup the cost of the three versions of the AKSA 100W amp.  I was able to calculate the cost for the stuff from Hugh (amps/insurance/shipping) without too much trouble.  I figure a case would be anywhere from $100 to $200.  The other "expensive" component(s) are the toroids.  

I've had a difficult time finding a clear explaination on the AKSA website of what the parameters for these toroids need to be.  There a couple references to what is needed for a 55W'er, but I just haven't been able to find what is needed for a 100W'er.  I did a little digging through the forum and found this thread which helped a little, but I'm still not clear/confident in what is needed.  

Heck, with all the lucky individuals that have built these units, it'd be nice if they could provide some links   There seems to be quite a bit of variation in the cost of these toroids; I'd think by now everyone would have collectively identified the best (US) source and pretty much would all be going to the same place.

[wmeckle]

Here's a blast from the past...
I've had a difficult time finding a clear explaination on the AKSA website of what the parameters for these toroids need to be.  There a couple references to what is neede ...

If you'd like a parts breakdown for an AKSA 100-N, check
http://www.wmeckle.com/AKSA/Parts/Parts%20list.htm
Prices (US), sources and part numbers.
Hope this helps.

[AKSA]

Thanks Bill,

Wonderful information, many thanks!

Jon,

I've just added this to the 100W AKSA description under products:

"The 100W AKSA is powered from a 49V volt positive and negative supply which is built in dual mono configuration. The best toroids to use for the power supply (they are NOT supplied in the kit) are 33-0-33Vac 300VA types, with 7% regulation or better. The transformers have little sonic impact, so no one brand is recommended; most of the power supply benefits accrue from the filter caps and rectifiers."

Armed with Bill's excellent sourcing information, you should have the word on where to get the best of toroids.  My own feeling is that while the 35-0-35Vac is the nominal rating, such a high percentage of US and European mains grids are seriously overvoltage that I'm now leaning towards specifying a 33-0-33Vac secondary voltage.  This also ensures longer filter cap life, since as a general rule you should not exceed 80% of the rating of an electrolytic capacitor, particularly where subject to high charge pulse as in an audio amplifier power supply.

Hope this is helpful, and thanks for raising the issue. It's very important!

Cheers,

Hugh

[jonwb]

Thank you Bill, that page is very handy!

Also, thanks Hugh for the explaination on the transformer requirements.  Great service once again