[Rhythm Willie]

After viewing this forum for over a year(very useful prior to ordering the Aksa 100n kit), I finally decided to log in. The amps have been a relevation, far exceeding my expectations.  I decided to build the kit as monoblocks,and the key to the layout of the cases was to keep the signal wires as far away from the mains and transformer as possible. I also used a central shield betwwen the power supply and the circuit board.

The result is absolutely no noise or hum. Another surprise is how easilly the amps drive my big Vaf I-93's, they are hardly idling at large DB's and I can't get the heatsinks even midly warm in the middle of summer.

Mod's now include a couple of BG's,Silver Micr cap(C6 I think),some bleeder resistors on power supply and slightly increasing bias.

Hope the pics turn out (1st try).

http://au.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dennis_traeger/album[/img]

[Carlman]

Sounds interesting... not sure how you turned them into monoblocks since the transformers use a center tap but... I'm sure this is easy to someone who knows a bit (more than me) about electronics.

The images don't work because there appear to be none in your Yahoo photo album.  Yet it says you are using 3.82Meg of space.. so, I don't understand what's happening.  

If you want to link to one specific photo on the web, you can use the 'img' tags.  If I wanted to put a photo I'd found on the web like this one: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/images/logos/ac-whitelight.jpg

Then, I'd do an img tag as such:
click 'Img' paste the link, click 'Img' again.


If I wanted to post it as a link to a website, I'd do the url tags in a similar fashion.  However, since it already has the http:// part at the front, it's automatically recognized as a web link.

Hope this helps.

-C

[EchiDna]

it's a bit more than that, I don't think yahoo photos allow external linking, even if you get the code right... I could be wrong though...

Rythm Willie, try setting up a gallery here in Audio circles, it's even easier than yahoo photos and then everything is dead easy

[kyrill]

for yahoo as it is configured now, you have first to sign in as     dennis_traeger'

So the path is locked.

[Rhythm Willie]

The pics should now be working, I only got e-mail confirmation today that the Yahoo Account was activated. Thanks for your help, I was putting some pics on Audio Circle last night,but lost connection half way through.

Further to the pics, has anyone tried increasing bias say to 63mv on the 100N? I found it increased bass slam slightly without any other negative effects.

[Al Garay]

I wish my monoblocks looked like yours. Very attractive. Can you provide more information about the case and speaker posts?

Speaking of speakers, looks like a very nice setup.

Congrats!

Al

[AKSA]

Folks,

This is one of the showcase AKSA 100W Nirvanas from Downunder.  Dennis is meticulous, and his planning and execution of a superb, dazzling monoblock has been an example to all of us.    

Carl, monobloc is easy;  you merely cut the power supply pcb in half, and use a star earth as before, except  there are now two star earths and each channel connects to its own star earth where formerly it was both channels to one.

The is no sonic advantage per se since the AKSA designs are all fully dual mono anyway, but it does enable placement close to the speaker, which has advantages for low capacitance in the cables.

Thanks Dennis;  this is an inspiration to us all!  

Before this thread is lost, would you consider putting them into the AudioCircle gallery with the other AKSA photos?

Cheers,

Hugh

[EchiDna]

Great work RW!

are those VAF I-93's per chance?
I'd love to hear a pair of them and a pair of equinox (I think that's the right model) in my place for a few weeks

[Rhythm Willie]

Al,

I drew the plans up for the boxes and got the bits machined by an aluminium fabricator who lives near me on a farm property in country South Australia. He used to work for Defence Research(DSTO) here prior to his current business. You will notice that the heat sinks have been machined top and sides so the lid and sides sit flush. The panels are pretty thick which was a pain when cutting holes etc for mains,speaker,fuse and rca inputs. Recessed hex stainless steel bolts hold them all together.

I then had them anodised at Elizabeth here in South Australia. In the anodising plant were dozens of Halcro Amp Cases getting done at the time I visited(in the same silver as I used on my lids). One good option if you want perfection would have been to have the panels and lid sandblasted prior to anodising(as the Halcros are).

The bottom of each case has 2 panels so I can get easy access to the front circuit boards for testing/mods etc.

The Speakers are Vaf Research I-93's serial no 1 & 2. I know MD Philip Vafiadis quite well & originally suggested he add a 2nd bass woofer to the I-66 model and put up a deposit to help develop it and some suggestions re the speakers apearance & thus ended up with the 1st pair. They use all Seas Excell drivers and weigh a ton(2" baffle, 1' internal cabinet for mid'/tweeter and bracing. they are full of foam felt etc, use 1st order crossovers with very large air cored inducters etc.

[Al Garay]

Thanks for the info.

Hugh, is correct. You have set a very high standard and an excellent example for me to follow.

That's a nice turntable also.

Al

[Mark_Walsh]

Dear Hugh and All,

Looking at Hugh's reply, is it correct to think that it is easier (read "cheaper and better") to make/purchase longer "good sounding" line level interconnects than speaker cables.

I was actually thinking about following one of the silver wire/teflon tube recipes (Chris VenHaus) for the interconnects and a Cat 5e recipe for speaker cables ... (heavily plaited if the distances are not long, or a little less plaited for longer distances between amp and speakers.)  

Certainly a couple of 2U cases from Altronics are a lot cheaper than manufactured  high quality speaker cable.

Thoughts and input please.  

Regards,
Mark Walsh.

[SamL]

Dear Hugh and All,

Looking at Hugh's reply, is it correct to think that it is easier (read "cheaper and better") to make/purchase longer "good sounding" line level interconnects than speaker cables.

I was actually thinking about following one of the silver wire/teflon tube recipes (Chris VenHaus) for the interconnects and a Cat 5e recipe for speaker cables ... (heavily plaited if the distances are not long, or a little less plaited for longer distances between amp and speakers.)  

Certainly a coup ...

Hi Mark,

I've build the ChriVH siver wire using cotton robe in replacement of the teflon tube. At the same time I am using adhesive teflon tape to wrap over the silver wired cotton. As for the sound, it's was a great improvement over another silver wire that I brought from a local maker. It has clean and slightly lay back sound. The most noticeable part about this cable is its smoothes.  If you like female vocal and Jazz than you will like this cable.
Anyway, I recently build a pair of cat5 IC using method describes by Malcolm. It has good details with richer sound. It is more up front and have better attack.
One thing I do notice is this wire is slightly louder that the ChrisVH wire. Maybe bec my silver wire join are a bit worn, maybe the 4 wire Cat5 can carry more current or maybe bac I am not following 100% of ChrisVH method - I don't know. Overall I am very happy with the quality of the Cat5 IC as it is cheaper and easier to build.

BTW,  I am using US$20/pair Vampire RCA on the ChrisVH silver wire but a US$4/pair on the Cat5.
Since you will be building the Cat5 speaker wire, why not just cut 3 ft out and build an IC and see if you like it.


Have fun,
Sam

[StevenACNJ]

Hi Mark,

I am using adhesive teflon tape to wrap over the silver wired cotton. ...

Do you have a link for  adhesive teflon tape?

Thanks

[SamL]

Hi Mark,

I am using adhesive teflon tape to wrap over the silver wired cotton. ...

Do you have a link for  adhesive teflon tape?

Thanks

The Teflon adhesive tape is expensive. I got mine 4 yrs ago from McMaster-Carr for about US$24 and have lost the product link.  You should be able to find it from their site. Something is wrong with my isp as I have problem getting to a lot of site - including google.  Anyway mine is 1in wide and 18 yds long. It is enough for 2 IC with left over for at least another 2.
Oh yes! Double check the freight before confirming the order. It cost me a bundle as they charge me insurance.

Have fun,
Sam

[kyrill]

Hi Sam

I am also planning to use cotton sleeves too over my bare copper and silver wire. But why "teflonning" it?
The teflon or whatever other insulating "diëlectric" may negatively influence the already subtle (I suppose)  effect of the cotton sleeves.

protection from moisture is questonable as the the whole pcb component side is still vulnerable.
?
Kyrill

[SamL]

Hi Kryill,

The ChrisVH method is to spiral both the hot and ground silver wires over the Teflon rod in helix form - both wire in parallel with no crossing over. I replace the Teflon rod with cotton robe as the Teflon rod is too rigid and not suitable for short run. Since distance between the hot and ground wire is critical for ChrisVH method, I replace the plumber teflon tape he recommended over to adhesive teflon tape. This is to make sure that the wire will stay 100% in place when the IC is bend around components and will survive the many plug-in and unplug that I will be doing.

Are you going to have single wire or multiple wire per cotton sleeve? If you are having multiple wire, you might want to make sure that the wire don't rub on each other easily when there's slight movement - like vibration generated by your sub as it will affect the sound.

Have fun,
Sam

[kyrill]

Hi Sam

I understand now.

Silver wire I will use as internal wire in the AKSA and Gk1 So I will use 0.4mm solid  silverwire. Except the outpout wires to the speakers. I will in the end hard wire (solder ) my speakerwire directly to the board and bypass the  speaker connectors Too much I hear and read that this will be beneficial to the damping factor of the woofers.

[SamL]

Just found out that ChrisVH actually started a DIY supply business.
He also switch to cotton insulated silver wire.
http://venhaus1.com/VH_Audio_Test.html#VH18HOOKUP

His 18ga teflon hookup copper wire is very appealing at $0.99/ft. Chepest I have come across.

p/s How would one stripping the cotton insulation off without cutting the silver wire?

Sam

[Rhythm Willie]

Al,

Sorry, you asked about the speaker posts on the amps(I have biwired out as I am triwiring speakers) - they are solid copper Edison-Price ones bought from Music Direct. I also have some solid copper Cardas posts which IMO are slightly better machining quality(for the next amp).Details of the speakers(are only sold factory direct via mail order/internet or by visiting Vaf's premises) vaf.com.au