[Fredly]

Folks/Hugh, I have a quick question regarding a "new" technology that....frankly, looks too good to be true.

The Dakiom Audio Feedback Stabilizers;(http://dakiom.com/index.htm)

I stumbled upon this site recently and have been wading through the reviews and product information.

Is it crap, or do you think these things really would work?

I LOVE my AKSA 55W Nirvana + and TLP Nirvana, and was wondering IF the amp/sound can be improved by introducing their new A203 into the mix.

I'm skeptical and cheap (a deadly combination) and would like some feedback/opinions on this product.

Thanx much Fred in Canada.

[fajimr]

did you happen across this thread?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=7918

[TheChairGuy]

Postscript to my posts on the Dakioms a while back....

I use them on my second system only now.  As my primary system has taken on better resolution with time, I began to hear the extra connections due to the Dakiom's and the benefits waned in respect to them.  But on my second system (Onkyo receiver, Pioneer DVD, cheap wire and interconnects) the benefits are still excellent.

As of a year ago, world class speaker guru Brian Cheney of VMPS uses them in his main system....so, there's a pretty good boost of confidence in Dakiom's worth.

I met Mr. Dao at this years CES and he mentioned he's bringing out a new line made with better parts.....so maybe they are improved in that respect.

Regards.

[ginger]

I'm game to do the poo poo on this one -

I visted their website to see what technical information was offered - as usual - NONE. It talks about variable impedance elements and high frequency phase shifts in general terms. When ever I see this sort of techno babble (using the right words in a totally meaningless way)my "bunko flag" goes off.

Sounds like a Zobel (phase correction) network across the amplifier output and the AKSA already has one "built in".
AND
Perhaps some blocking of speaker cable RF pickup from getting back into the Amp - again already "built in" on the AKSA.

I don't doubt that it can improve the sound of a cheap amp.
I do doubt that it'll make a Rats Hindquarters difference to your AKSA - in fact I would be very cautious of using it on the AKSA. A great deal of effort went into phase accuracy (this is where your stereo imaging comes from) in the AKSA - why risk messing it up?

By the way, we are talking about less than AUD$5 worth of components. How much are they asking for these things?

Cheers,
Ginger

[Fredly]

Fajimr & TheChairguy, thanx for your input I have read and re-read posts concerning this device on Audiocircle and am very familiar with previous discussions regarding this product. (just do a quick search)

Ginger, thanx very much for your input.

I’m not nearly as technically savvy as you and should have posted links to the patents originally, which are posted on one of the previous threads discussing this product and show details of the circuitry being used.

Could you or Hugh take a quick gander at it and confirm that it is indeed a Zobel network for the amplifier stabilizer, and verify/confirm that this circuitry is indeed similar to that found in the Aspen amps.

Oh ya, cost is a little over $100 bucks US for this device.

Patent links:

http://www.pandathumbaudio.com/download/Patent1.pdf

and

http://www.pandathumbaudio.com/download/Patent2.pdf

Thanx VERY much in advance, Fred in Canada

[Carlman]

I’m not nearly as technically savvy as you and should have posted links to the patents originally, which are posted on one of the previous threads discussing this product and show details of the circuitry being used.

Could you or Hugh take a quick gander  ...

Ugh... So the previous threads and the answers here aren't enough...  You're asking Hugh and Ginger to take time away from what they're doing to research something that a, they don't sell, b, has been discussed ad-nauseum, and c, has been answered but with technical terms.... to answer this 'quick question'... Isn't it funny how quick questions require research and long answers?  No harm in asking...   However, what are you going to do with the very specific, researched answer?

The topic title is truly misleading also.  Fredly may not have been intending to be rude but that's how I see this thread.  

The thread should be titled "Dakiom on AKSA gear, is it worth trying?"
And the answer is no.

[AKSA]

Hi Fred, Ginger, Carl and interested others,

I really have to disappoint here.  I haven't a clue what this slick piece of marketing does;  there is absolutely no indication of what it is, or how it works.  A glib phrase or two about feedback grabs attention, but doesn't say much - we could be using series feedback through a catgut wire for all we know.

To confirm useful function, you'd just have to try it out.  At these prices, it ain't cheap, but bear in mind that audio is full of chicanery, and I'd be fairly circumspect.

The feedback loop on the AKSA is very carefully figured out.  It is NOT conventional.  The circuit block improves decay, intermodulation and output impedance;  putzing with it has profound influence on sonics.  Take care, and be sure to do lots of AB testing!

Cheers,

Hugh

[ginger]

I had a quick look at the patents.
It's an output level dependent capacitive filter (high frequency roll off) and hence a phase shifter. The level dependence is done by a series diode chain (the higher the signal level the more of the diodes in the chain turn on) and then an inductor is added to try to supress the diode switching noise.

YUK! - not on your AKSA - Please

I reckon that you would get far better immunity from load induced phase shifts on cheap amps by the "standard" electronic engineers trick of puting a series resistor approximately equal to the output impedance of the amp between the amp and the load. This doesn't get rid of the phase shift it just isolates it from the amplifier. So instead of this $100 item try a 50 cent 0.1R or 0.22R resistor instead.

Cheers,
Ginger

[Fredly]

Ginger/Hugh, thanx very much for looking into and commenting on this device.

Again, I’m simply not technical enough to understand the technology implemented when reviewing the patent links, and frankly was impressed at the number of positive reviews and name dropping from people using this products with some SERIOUS audio equipment.

Carl, my intention was not to pester or mislead anyone in this thread....just simply trying to investigate the possibility of squeaking a bit more performance out of an already SUPER product.

Take care all, and again, thanx very much for your input/time.