New to the AKSA family

gorgeousgeorge · « **on:** 2 Oct 2005, 01:15 am »

Hello all,

I just wanted to get acquainted with the AKSA community.
I am a virgin DIY audio constructor, I have just recently received my AKSA 55N kit. Im keen to get any tips on construction from those who are proud AKSA owners.
I have already read through all instructions thoroughly and i will probably read through them again for good measure before i start construction.
My thoughts so far on design are a 2mm folded polished aluminium case with clear perspex top, much the same as many others ive seen in the gallery, Im lucky as I am a roof plumber and have easy access to sheetmetal folding equipment. I am also ordering an extra heatsink so I can have one on either side of the amp.
So if anyone has any tips, things to look out for, things not to do would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, George

andyr · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Oct 2005, 03:19 am »

Hi gorgeous,

Yeah, should look good - but how about using an ally top instead of perspex? I know lots of people have used perspex but a metal top will completely shield the PCBs from RFI - which is important IMHO. I mean, whaddya gonna do ... listen to the lovely music or stare at your beautiful amp!!??

I used a similar design - except 2mm mild steel, with a black baked-enamel finished. I suggest you should make a further bend at the back and front of the case ... don't just take the front and back up vertically but bend them horizontally for, say, 10mm at the top - so the case completely wraps around each heatsink. You'll have to round off the heatsink corners to match the bends in the ally.

If you want to be really finicky, rebate the heatsinks a bit at each end, at the top, so the little curved-over top-pieces at the back and front will sit flush with the top of the heatshrink. I didn't bother with this so I have a 2mm air-gap along each side, between the heatsink and the top ... which might be a good thing, anyway.

Then I suggest you should put the power switch at the back - saves running AC mains wire from front to back. And use a DPDT power switch (which Hugh should be able to supply, if it's not in the kit as standard?) so you can invert mains polarity with the flick of a switch ... so you can make sure you have selected the "right" way round!

Regards,

Andy

Regards,

Andy

gorgeousgeorge · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Oct 2005, 04:58 am »

Thanks for the reply Andy,
you are right on the money with the folds, thats exactly what i had in mind, I might do an aluminium top aswell like you suggested so if i feel like showing off the internals i can, but like you said you probably wont really look at it much.

Cheers, George

jules · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Oct 2005, 09:44 am »

dunno how long you can survive with that name, errr gorgeous unless you happen to be the wrestler in which case I might quickly eat my words.

I'm of the opinion that how they look matters a great deal. After all, if you set things up in the standard configuration of "amp in the middle/ speakers to either side/listening position at some sort of apex" then your amp is going to be dead centre of your veiwing field [unless you listen with your eyes shut].

jules

andyr · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Oct 2005, 11:34 am »

Quote from: jules

dunno how long you can survive with that name, errr gorgeous unless you happen to be the wrestler in which case I might quickly eat my words.

I'm of the opinion that how they look matters a great deal. After all, if you set things up in the standard configuration of "amp in the middle/ speakers to either side/listening position at some sort of apex" then your amp is going to be dead centre of your veiwing field [unless you listen with your eyes shut].

jules

Not necessarily, jules - well, what I means is ... I certainly agree with you that it matters how what you've created looks like ... but a perspex top is not going to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

And there are other perfectly acceptable "configurations" apart from "gear in the middle with speakers on each side".

My GK-1 and t/table/phono stage/tuner are behind my head; my monoblocks sit right behind each speaker in front of me ... so all I see are the two slim, black Maggie panels.

Regards,

Andy

jules · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Oct 2005, 11:38 pm »

hang on Andy, I said nothing about perspex tops but my guess is that gorgeousgeorge has [rightly] been inspired by Echidna's work since you mention it.

As for the placement issue, I only mentioned the standard arrangement as that seems to be what is used 90% of the time and it's perfectly valid although it's not my choice either.

From my own point of view I think it's satisfying to compliment a fine piece of elecronics with an equally fine case. After all, you wouldn't stick a silk purse in a Sow's ear would you

Jules

AKSA · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Oct 2005, 01:21 am »

George,

Welcome to our AKSA family - you will find huge experience in this group and nary a harsh word......

With your trade background, you have a gazillion choices of material. Perspex, exotic timbers (Jules has used Huon Pine, and I use Tassy Myrtle in my preamp!) brass, copper, Al, steel, corian, powder coatings of all types - they are all up for grabs, and with imagination you can create amazing shapes and finishes.

Getting the amp actually running is probably the easy part. Making a fine, distinctive and robust case is more difficult, but it adds ownership to your creation and gives pride. It's worth thinking very carefully about finish, because this amp will be in your sitting room and something you gaze fondly at every time you play it..... A simple, boring black box on the shelf certainly works, but it's not terribly imaginative.

I have always felt that the best front for an amp is a nicely milled cast alloy panel, nice and thick, with the AKSA logo cast into it, and a nice pattern which stands out and accommodates switch, LEDs and logo in an artistic render. But, alas, the die for this is costly, although it might be possible to do it with CNC machining of a solid billet. I've had good results in the past with powdercoating, followed by baked enamel coating of the powder. The baked enamel is a very refined finish, and gives a perception of depth to the surface which is very attractive.

When it's all done, you might like to take a few digital piccies and present it in the gallery - everyone will be interested, and it will add to the great diversity of AKSAs around the world!

Good luck with the build, remember, any difficulties, I'm here on the net ready to help......

Cheers,

Hugh

gorgeousgeorge · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Oct 2005, 05:13 am »

Hello Hugh,

I think i will definitely be taking my time with the case, I want my AKSA to look as good as it sounds, I might go and have a wander around the warehouse and see what goodies i can find, hopefully i can come up with something very unique aswell as being easy on the eyes.

Cheers, George

Seano · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Oct 2005, 10:31 pm »

Hey George
Like to see you try that name over at AVL!!

Good luck with the assembly work. I shouldn't think you'll find it too much of a struggle. My only hint is when Hugh emphasises something in the instructions then he means it. In other words it's either critical or a good proportion of the bumblies before you (ie me and the rest of this crew) balls it up and had Hugh rescue us.

My only other hint? Get thee a peice of polystyrene and place each component in it according to its name (C1 etc.) and/or instruction step. Test it before it goes into the styrene and check ID and test on the way out too. Less chance for component placement errors.

Case wise, it's a party where we all like the same drink mixed differently. Rarely is there any agreement about how it should be done but once it is then we all agree it tastes good anyway.

Since you've admitted to being a roofer then how about using some leftover flashing and some mini orb?

gorgeousgeorge · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 07:15 am »

Hello Seano

no i wasn't game to use this name at AVL, I use this name for my xbox live account and i constantly get taunted by americans, no offense to any americans here but i rarely get hassled by fellow ozzies or british, I just think its a cool name. if you didn't already know its a characters name in Snatch, one of my favourite movies.

I did throw around the idea of maybe using some of my many leftovers lying around the yard for my case, but im not sure it would work that well but you never know a bit of mini orb might just find its way in there for the final cut. Thanks for the advice with the components, that sounds like a great idea, Ive got a bit of polystyrine lying around somewhere too.
I just received my new digital MM in the post today! so im going to get started on construction tonight.

Cheers, George

EchiDna · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 01:31 pm »

I hope you can punch better than your namesake in snatch!

it's a great name and one of my favorite movies as well...

but then I really prefer bullet tooth tony and hatchet harry in lock stock

welcome to the world of AKSA... I hope you get as much enjoyment out of yours as I continue to have out of mine

gorgeousgeorge · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Oct 2005, 07:45 am »

hi Echidna,

yeah, i need to keep clear of any gypsy barenuckle boxers!!

Cheers,George

gorgeousgeorge · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 01:15 pm »

Hello all,

Completed my first amp module, just need to go and buy my power supply's so i can do the tests.
still waiting for my extra heatsink that i ordered, so i cannot complete second module just yet either.

Lovin it so far, can't wait to hear it!

Cheers, George