Porac 2.5 clones + AKSA 55 + GK-1

swak · « **on:** 13 Jul 2003, 02:37 pm »

hi, I was wondering if anyone has gone this way. I have built the 2.5 and my creek integrated doesn't seem to be the best match. Maybe someone out there has tried them with Deans gear. Any comments highly appreciated.

Al Garay · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Jul 2003, 03:42 am »

Provide where you live and perhaps you can hook up with someone who has a AKSA amp. Less likely that you will find someone who also has the GK1 pre-amp.

What drivers did you use for your ProAc 2.5 clone? All ScanSpeak? How efficient are they? If I recall, they are very efficient. I think you would be stunned/floored at how good the AKSA amp will perform. I have not heard the GK1, but it is compared to the best from Mark Levinson, Cary, Audio Research, etc. To me, the AKSA gear sounds like using top-of-the line gear from Naim. Very musical, with excellent dynamics, pace, rhythm... they represent excellent value for what they do. You just have to invest your sweat equity and be willing to learn.

Al

swak · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jul 2003, 05:42 pm »

Hi Al,

The Proac clones use scanspeak 2010/8513 and 18W8535 and the sesnsitivity is about 87dB. I'm not concerned about power requirements, I am more than confident that 55w drive them quite adequately. There are some matches between pre/amp and speakers that can do magic, others don't, even when proven good designs.

Im aware Proac tests/design speakers using tube gear, suposedly some Cary stuff, at least on some models, and this seems to be the case with the 2.5's. This coincides with reports of many owners of the original speakers or the clones which claim better results with their speakers using tube gear (check the Audio Asylum/speakers for posts on this subject). Given that it is claimed that the AKSA delivers much of the virtues of tubes with the additional strengths of SS on the lower frequency, one might naturally suppose that it could be a very adequate match.

If you're interested on the clones visit www.geocities.com/diyproac25/ and the Madisound Board.

I'm in Tubingen, southern Germany and I am not aware of any ASKA awners in the region.

I'm sure someone must have tried the AKSA with the proacs...

swak · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 04:38 pm »

forgot to say that the naims are not very good match for the Proacs, but no first hand knowledge there. i used to have a Naim Nait 3, and it was really ok, although mayby not the easiest amp to hear to for a long long time.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 05:20 pm »

The AKSA does not provide magic... just clean amplification. I would wager that the AKSA would reveal faults in the speakers rather than the other way around. I've heard my AKSA on 4 sets of speakers... It sounded very good on everything from Revel F30's to home-made stuff. No one commented on the 'personality' of the amp.. it didn't sound like anything, not warm, not cold, just perfect. Everyone who has heard it, likes it... some more than others... The AKSA will not run out of steam, it stays very coherent at higher volumes.

I bought my AKSA 100 (w/nirvana) on blind faith and haven't been happier. Good luck.

Rocket · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Jul 2003, 02:01 am »

hi swak,

i recently sold my perpetual technologies dac to a guy who has a pair of response 2.5's (they were finished in piano black and look excellent). he has invited me to bring my aksa 100 (nirvana) to his house for a listen.

i probably will go there friday next week for a demo. i 'll let you know what i think of the combination but at the end of the day it will still be a risk for you.

like carlman i too took a leap of faith with the aksa and it is an excellent amp but it depends on your listening preferences. the sound neither ss or a tube sound.

regards

rocket

swak · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jul 2003, 12:05 pm »

I'll be waiting to read your comments. Seems your friend has the originall 2.5's and that makes a difference to start with. If not, please ask what x-over he is using as there are several versions.
Some claim the clones are pretty close to the originals, others mind there is a 3 dB peak around 2000 Hz which is not present (on not so present) in the originals due to a difference between the normal ScanSpeak woofer available for DIYers ant the ones Proac uses.

Happy listening!

Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Jul 2003, 02:53 am »

hi swak,

i should clarify for you he has the proac 2.5 clones. the website you quoted is the one he told me about. i think the first review on the website is his as he refers to a war audio speaker called the reference 1.

his clones look sensational he has even made badges for the speakers.

his brother builds them for about $1500au and i'm interested in building a pair. so many hifi products i'd like to buy, oh for the money.

regards

rocket

Felipe · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Jul 2003, 09:31 pm »

Hi,

I have a pair of Response 2S. They have the same tweeter as the 2.5 but a diferent midrange woofer.

I have built the AKSA 100 about a year ago. It IS a very good amp.
Muscled, clean and accurate. Altough i am very happy, i do realize that Proac's need tube gear in the signal path to offer that "Proac magic".
The AKSA runs the Proac's very well...i think they just need the GK-1 to make the sound perfect.

I am building now a Proac Center based on 2.5 design, using the exactly same XO as used in the towers.
Troels gravsen has made HUGE improvements on the XO, including tweaks on the drivers to eliminate the 2KHz bump.
You might want to check his papers out, they are really very good at:
http://members.chello.se/jpo/