Aksa 100N Plus Status

fred · « **on:** 24 Jun 2004, 06:44 pm »

Quote

Hugh: BTW, two days ago I finished development of the Nirvana Plus on the 100W. I'm over the moon, it's just astonishing.

(In case anyone missed this, buried in another thread.)

AKSA · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jun 2004, 09:55 pm »

Fred,

You like, Bwana?

I am now doing the documentation, I'm collecting the power supply pcbs today, and it should be on the streets within about two weeks.

It will be around $AUD300; almost every capacitor is replaced.

Watch the website!

Cheers,

Hugh

MattCassidy · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jun 2004, 10:11 pm »

OK I give in what is Bwana? Is this something I should know about before I finish soldering all the bits of the 100WN together?

AKSA · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jun 2004, 11:49 pm »

Matt,

'Bwana' is a Black African term of address to a White Master dating from before the eighteen hundreds. The term is widely used in the novels of Rider Haggard, such as She, Ayesha, etc. Exciting stuff written at the end of the nineteenth century, very 'Boys Own'.

Of course these days the term is not politically correct. But I find these terms amusing; in 21st century society they probably indicate whimsical respect. Entirely appropriate for customers, I should think.....

I certainly have more than a whimsical respect for Fred S. Fred is blessed with a sense of wonder and an attention to detail akin to Carl Sagan and Leonardo da Vinci combined. That right, Fred?

Cheers,

Hugh

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 12:43 am »

Hi Matt
You never saw Tarzn or Jungle Jim movies? You must be under 50.

"Oongawa" is probably also lost on you (the thing that black natives in these movies say an awful lot).

MattCassidy · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 12:56 am »

Well I am well under 50! But to be truthful I had heard the term before. It was more the reference in the same sentence that read

"all capacitors will be replaced and it will be around $300 AU...watch the website..."

that got me curious..... especially in a post about the 100W nirvana, which I have just started...

I thought that Hugh may have been going for a cool new name instead of nirvan plus...he does seem a pretty far out kind of guy.

Cowabunga
Matt

AKSA · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 01:05 am »

Matt, Mal,

We did discuss Valhalla, but since that means glorious death in battle (and is also a deserted gold mining town in North Eastern Victoria), I felt it was a little off the mark, particularly as I was a soldier for twenty years.........

I had considered 'Enlightenment', but that is altogether too, dare I say it, wanky?

One with some appeal is Nadir, or even Zenith, but N+ certainly tells you where it's going.

Do we have suggestions here from other languages, guys?

Cheers,

Hugh

MattCassidy · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 01:20 am »

Hmmm...

Our business name would be a good one for an Amp of such refinement, it is "Clarity" but I am not sure if you can have it!

The AKSA Clarity edition, does have nice ring to it. Malcolm may have hit on one as well 'Oongawa" is not bad.

clarté - Clarity in french

"disturbo bello" - beautiful noise in italian

unfortunately I have no sensible ones though

Tinker · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 01:42 am »

Quote from: AKSA

Matt, Mal,

We did discuss Valhalla, but since that means glorious death in battle (and is also a deserted gold mining town in North Eastern Victoria

I spent some time there years back. The locals spell it Walhalla. Population 13 (14 by the time we left!), a closed mine, a rotunda, a biker bar, a graveyard and a cricket pitch made by miners flattening the top of a hill that takes a good ten minutes to climb.

I quite like "Apogee" as a name, it has engineering connotations, but already belongs to another company.

T.

rookster · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 03:00 am »

I had the pleasure of listening to the AKSA 100 N+ at Hugh's house on Wednesday night. I listed to it for over 1/2 an hour. Hugh and his wife Sri are very generous and inviting. Sri prepared a beautiful meal for dinner and I spoke to Hugh for an hour or so about the AKSA 100N+, my Aksonics progress and my current and future DIY audio plans.

Hugh is incredibly passionate about his products. The setup of the GK-1, AKSA 100N+ and Aksonics sounded every thing like what I am searching for. I had planned to buy the AKSA 55N+ and GK-1 early next year, but can hardly wait to sell some of my current gear to afford the 55N+ and GK-1 in the next couple of months. Of course I need to finish my Aksonics and turntable first.

If anyone has the opportunity to meet Hugh you will be impressed by his energy and passion about what he does. I was more than impressed.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 03:51 am »

Quote from: rookster

I had the pleasure of listening to the AKSA 100 N+ at Hugh's house on Wednesday night. I listed to it for over 1/2 an hour.

rookster, Can you describe the sound that you heard , thanks !!

rookster · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 06:44 am »

lonewolfny42,

The sound was dynamic, with excellent definition, soundstage and top to bottom balance. Hugh mentioned he had worked on the bass of the 100N+ and so the Aksonics did not seem laking in bass, but then the source material was not bass heavy. Female vocal were excellent with a great sense of presence and feeling (if that makes sense).

Just great definition (helped by the fact that I was very familiar with the music) was my overall opinion. It really filled the room not just the space between the speakers.

I have heard similar quality, but from a system costing 4 times more. Great value for money is also my opinion.

Does this help at all?

Plus Hugh is such a great talker and really wnats to share his passion for his stereo with you.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 06:49 am »

Quote

Does this help at all?

Yes it does, thanks !!!

AKSA · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 07:53 am »

Michael,

Most gracious of you, thank you!

I'm glad you enjoyed the sound!

Wolf, I'm particularly pleased with the new 100W N+, and I might suggest this one did NOT have the wonderful filter caps I've identified, which add more still.

What may amuse you is that Michael heard the US audition amp. This is the one you will hear!! Just today I took delivery of the large power supply pcbs, and this weekend it will be assembled and set up with the new US mains transformers.

Damn!! I suppose I'll have to build another for my own audition!

Cheers,

Hugh

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 08:09 am »

Quote from: AKSA

What may amuse you is that Michael heard the US audition amp. This is the one you will hear!! Just today I took delivery of the large power supply pcbs, and this weekend it will be assembled and set up with the new US mains transformers.

Damn!! I suppose I'll have to build another for my own audition!

Cheers,

Hugh

Hello Hugh,

DSK · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Jun 2004, 02:26 pm »

Quote from: Tinker

Quote from: AKSA
...Population 13 (14 by the time we left!)...

Your doing Ben?

Tinker · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 04:04 am »

Quote from: DSK

Quote from: Tinker
Quote from: AKSA
...Population 13 (14 by the time we left!)...

Your doing Ben?

I did not mean to imply that one of us was responsible, but now I come to think of it it wouldn't be entirely improbable. It was, however, some cause for celebration amongst the locals.

In other matters now that someone more impartial has had a listen I can add my own comments on the 100N+.

I have heard this amp undergoing a number of changes before settling on the final N+ arrangement. Some moves forward, some back, then foward again. Hugh was initially rather frustrated that he couldn't do for the 100 what he had for the 55. However, I can now say that after a huge effort on Hugh's part the N+ does for the 100 everything it did for the 55. The bass slam of the 100 is still there, but is more extended and more refined. There is a palpable improvement in imaging (akin to the 55) and more "blackness" between the notes (also 55-like). The top-end comes within a whisker of the stunning top-end performance of the 55 and there is just a hint more pace and hint more smoothness to boot. An excellent balance of power and elegance. Quite how this was done I'll probably never know.

Having seen all the hair-pulling that went into this, I believe AKSA folk will be thrilled with the results. Hugh can now lay back and allow his tortured follicles to regenerate.

T.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 05:35 am »

Tinker

Quote

Hugh can now lay back and allow his tortured follicles to regenerate.

Hugh

Quote

Damn!! I suppose I'll have to build another for my own audition!

mmmm , more hair pulling ?

Rocket · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 07:04 am »

Hi Guys,

Well i have to say i've been chomping at the bit to purchase the nirvana plus upgrade. After reading the very long thread regarding the aksa 55 nirvana development by ac members and hugh.

I compared my aksa 100 nirvana to a bel canto evo amp and the aksa was almost as good imo. With this upgrade it will be interesting to compare amps as the bc was just a little better in a couple of areas.

I've placed my order with hugh and hopefully will be one of the first to do a review with a little bit of luck.

I also think that the difference in pricing is a good marketing ploy ie. $150 nirvana and $300au nirvana plus.

regards

rocket

Jens · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 08:52 am »

Hi Hugh,

Congratulations on finishing the 100 N+!

I think anyone following the "story" will know that this has been a hard one to crack - with many setbacks en route.

Anyone needing the higher output will now be able to get the full-blown AKSA sound - from what I read here at a level very close to the superb sound of the 55.

Goodonya!

Cheers,

Jens