I think I'm in the wrong place....

soitstarts · « **on:** 28 Jun 2004, 01:12 pm »

Hello all,
I've read a fair bit on this forum as I'm in the market for a kit amp. When I first came apon Hughs kit on his site I thought is was for me. I have since come to the conclusion that maybe the Aksa is a bit high end for me.
I started with a basic kit speaker from LSK http://www.theloudspeakerkit.com/index.php?page=deluxe&kitid=TL6&secid=techspecs
and I think the bug is taking hold of me. I am confident that I can manage the construction but if it does get difficult, a technition I know said he'd give me a hand.

At the moment I have a 6 year old Onkyo processor and a panasonic DVD player and I will be building a Power amp to drive my TL6s and leave my C6 and B&W 302 surrounds to my Onkyo... For now.
Long term I would like to Pre out all my speakers from a good processor for HT and direct source my TL6s through a pre amp for Cd listening.

Price is not an issue here, as from what Ive read, this is great value for money (Aska 100N). But I feel it would be like putting regular unleaded in a high performance sports car..

I have corresponded with Hugh a fair bit on this issue and he suggested I post my concerns on the forum to hear what others thought.

Current system - Onkyo TSDX-747 processor, Panasonic DVD player,
LSK TL6 mains, C6 centre and B&W DM302 surrounds

Listening Taste (all CDs) - John Mellencamp, Dire Straights, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and general Acoustic middle of the road stuff...

Chapter 2..

The problem for me is that I cant see myself going real high end and it appears to me that the Aska will be wasted on what I hope to build over time.. The idea of building my own amp appeals greatly so it has come down to the Aska or this http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KA1760&CATID=25&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=557

what do you fellows reckon

Sorry about the story but I reckon this will be a big decision for me.. Thanks for your time

Carlman · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Jun 2004, 01:26 pm »

If I were buying a kit, I'd only buy one from someone who I knew responded and supported me throughout the process. Since Hugh has provided me the pinnacle of customer service, I can highly recommend buying his kit for this point alone.

However, the AKSA amps are amazing bargains. So much so that I feel certain you'd be wasting your money and time to go with any other.

Hugh didn't pay me anything to say this... I just feel this strongly about Aspen/AKSA products and Hugh's service. In fact, I just paid him to do some work to my amp!

From what you've written, the AKSA is everything you want. It's good quality, will last a long time, provides a reasonable challenge to build (not too difficult or easy), and isn't unreasonably priced.

So, the only issue is:
The amp will be better than the rest of your gear.... that you'll eventually replace... with better gear.

So, buy the AKSA. If money's a concern, try the 55watt version. I think you'll be quite pleased with your choice regardless of what you choose.

-Carl

EchiDna · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Jun 2004, 01:27 pm »

any reason for prefering the 100 over the 55? IMHO, the 55 would likely serve just fine on your musical tastes, assuming that the speakers you reference to are of decent efficiency.... then later on if it doesn't grab you enough, 'demote' it to surround duty.... personally I doubt you will ever do that though

also, if you insist on the 100 and are feeling the 100n is a bit rich for your tastes, go with the standard 100, then consider the nirvana upgrade at a later date, this is what I did and I do not regret taking the stepwise approach at all, it made the financial "pain" a bit more tolerable and a i learnt a lot through the process.

the jaycar would be an ok introduction to construction, but not a real jump over your current onkyo...

there is other options around, but I'll leave them to you to find

EDIT: And what Carlman said too! a whole minute before me!

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Jun 2004, 10:35 pm »

I have demonstrated the AKSA 55 to two people who owned home theatre systems.
They both immediately ordered AKSA's. The difference is not subtle.

Perhaps some kind AKSA owners in Perth can demo an AKSA to you?

SamL · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Jun 2004, 10:50 pm »

Well, I was in the same boat sometime ago and I end up with aksa100n. No complain about the aksa100n except that I now realise what other had been saying - aksa amp is a lot more powerful than most amp, it's like a 200w when compare to other manufacturer.
For my current listening level with my current speaker, the aksa55n+ will be just nice and I could have save myself some money. If you go through a few of the previous post you will see that some of those who build aksa55n+ end up not using the sub woofers for music listening. It is a very solid 55w amp.

With 89.5db sensitivity and 6ohm impedance, the LSK-TL6 is an easy speaker to drive and I don't think you can go wrong with the aksa55n unless you are in a very big room. Since you are into HT, the aksa55n will be a great start. If at the end you find the aksa55n inadequate, you can use it as a rear channel amp and build the aksa100n. Chances is that you will find the new clearity/details in music hard to resist and wanting more of it.

My 2c,
Sam

soitstarts · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Jun 2004, 10:51 pm »

Thanks for the answers guys. Unfortunatly, I live 1200ks north of Perth, so a lot of purchases have to be made on recommendation and gut feeling. I understand fully about the importance of backup and support, and thats the reason I always correspond before making a purchase. It appears there wont be any problems there. Im looking at buying a 100W just because I would prefer a bit of overkill to not having enough in the future, plus Hugh recommended that I go the 100 after a bit of extra info he got from me.

Gee Hugh, maybe you could build a 100w Nirvana plus to tour Newman (population, 3000)

Greg Erskine · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 12:41 am »

Hi soitstarts,

I'm interested in the TL6s, how do they sound? I built the little M4s for my garage and yes even on these the AKSA is the best sounding of my amps. My main hifi system comprises ordinary stuff from the early 90's and the AKSA still sounds the best. So I wouldn't worry about the AKSA being too good.

If the HIFI bug is biting its great to be part of the AKSA community. It doesn't seem to happen for the other Australia amps, must be Hugh's influence. This means a lot of help and information is readily available.

A word of warning, once you start buying AKSAs you can't stop.

Bye
Greg

JohnR · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 02:45 am »

Hey, even the plain old 55 is a great amp

There are some comments on the Jaycar kit on diyaudio... a bit harsh to repeat here...

andyr · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 10:01 am »

Quote from: soitstarts

Thanks for the answers guys. Unfortunatly, I live 1200ks north of Perth, so a lot of purchases have to be made on recommendation and gut feeling. I understand fully about the importance of backup and support, and thats the reason I always correspond before making a purchase. It appears there wont be any problems there. I'm looking at buying a 100W just because I would prefer a bit of overkill to not having enough in the future, plus Hugh recommended that I go the 100 after a bit of extra info he got from me. ...

Hi, soitstarts,

Couldn't help chipping in bcoz your logic seems to be a bit askew.

On the one hand you say "well the AKSA might be a bit high end for me so I might as well just build a Jaycar kit amp".

On the other hand you say "I'm looking at buying a 100W just because I would prefer a bit of overkill to not having enough in the future".

If you're into "overkill" then you build an AKSA, not a Jaycar amp - which, as EchiDna said, is not a big jump over your Onkyo. (What's the point in spending all that time - forget the money! - on building an "average" product??)

At the same time, if you want to minimise yore spending then perhaps you might choose a stock 55. Later on you could perhaps bi-amp your speakers and so you buy an AKSA 100. Also, you can upgrade to the 'N' or even the 'N+'.

Regards,

Andy

soitstarts · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 10:44 am »

Andyr
Hey. I see your point. It does sound a bit stupid when you look at it that way. Thing is, I thought the jaycar kit was a lot better than my Onkyo.
To be honest, I didnt realise the 55W version was as powerful as Ive now heard, Thank god for forums, hey?

I didnt realy compare prices btween the 2 either. My budget is about $1100. What would be better? A 100w nivarna or a 55w nirvana plus, I reckon I'm leaning towards the 55 watter...

Martin

andyr · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 10:56 am »

Quote from: soitstarts

Andyr
Hey. I see your point. It does sound a bit stupid when you look at it that way. Thing is, I thought the jaycar kit was a lot better than my Onkyo.
To be honest, I didnt realise the 55W version was as powerful as Ive now heard, Thank god for forums, hey?

I didnt realy compare prices btween the 2 either. My budget is about $1100. What would be better? A 100w nivarna or a 55w nirvana plus, I reckon I'm leaning towards the 55 watter...

Martin

Hi, Martin,

I suggest U go with Hugh's suggestion, given you've given him info regarding your future system plans. IMNSHO

, perhaps the immediate choice is simple ... whatever (power) amp would suit your speakers better??

Regards,

Andy

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jun 2004, 10:59 am »

Dear "SoItStarts"
I have friends who have sold their Audio Research $7,000 amps to replace them with AKSA 55 watt amps. This is a very serious amplifier for very little money.