[Carlman]

I just had to make a really unfortunate decision...... I had finally scrounged up enough money to get the GK-1 as a compliment to my AKSA 100n.  Oh, how sweet I thought... Tube sound with SS silence... mmmm... imaging, tonal balance, system synergy... it was all coming together with this last missing link....  

Well, just as funds were looking good, blammo! my PC starts sputtering out.  It's only 5 years old, well, sort of, some of it's 1, other parts 3, some is 5... etc...  I won't go into details of the 'sputtering' but, I needed a new PC which is going to cost me almost as much as the GK-1.     This is really frustrating.  So now, it'll probably be another 6 months before I can buy it and Hugh will probably be selling completed only GK-1's for like a million bucks by then....    

I know this is just a vent... but, had to share with the only people who would understand my frustration... so, thanks!

-Carl

[The Oracle]

Get a second opinion on the pile of puss - called a PC. You may not have to spend (waste) as much as you fear
The selling stategy of the GK1 was a   for me too

The Oracle

[AKSA]

Aw, c'mon guys,

I will be selling the GK-1EL and GK-1M for a long time yet, perhaps a year or more, so don't be concerned you'll miss out!

It's only the Remote version which I will withdraw from the DIY market!

Can't forget my roots, can I??  You guys have been good to me........

Cheers,

Hugh

[jonwb]

...It's only the Remote version which I will withdraw from the DIY market!

Forgive me if you mentioned this before and I missed it... how much longer before the Remote version is pulled?

Thanks,
jon

[AKSA]

Hi Jon,

Thank you for your post.

Depends on the birthdate of the retail beast.  Probably about three months, but it's a deadline, so I'm used to watching them woosh by...

Cheers,

Hugh

[Grumpy_Git]

Ah Carlman, I find myself in exactly the same boat as you. I've been trying to convince myself for months i can live with the death throws of my pc but what about hughs support and all my belovedAKSA gossip!

I'm thinking i can live without all that for the pleasure of the GK1, but then again... sigh...

my new job cannot start soon enough!

Hmm, just discovered some old savings accounts with enough for both and some new CDs!!!   Dare I?? with my life as it is, i think ill sit on the fence for a bit longer, the only problem is that its damn uncomfortable and I'm getting itchy fingers!!!!

Nick.
PS, Hmm three months, Hugh please will you give us all a warning so that at the very end I can sell my soul to the devil and suffer eternal damnation just to get a GK1, though i hope to be able to order one very soon.

[Carlman]

Aw, c'mon guys,
I will be selling the GK-1EL and GK-1M for a long time yet, perhaps a year or more, so don't be concerned you'll miss out!
It's only the Remote version which I will withdraw from the DIY market!
Can't forget my roots, can I??  You guys have been good to me........
Cheers,
Hugh

Ahhhh... that's truly good news.  PC's are my livelihood..... So, not having a working, reliable one makes things very difficult and could jeopardize my income.... And that would make obtaining a GK-1 very impossible.

I'm totally in the clear because I could care less about a remote... I'm just looking forward to having only one volume knob!  (my Audible Illusions 2-d has 2)  I've hesitated for a long time about whether to replace the AI for a GK-1 because the AI is better than many I've heard at many times the price.  It'll be interesting to see what happens with the DAC down the road as well.... so, there's a slight chance I could have an all-AKSA system.  We'll see... I've got to listen to the Scott Nixon DAC in my system before I decide.

Thanks for the relieving news, Hugh... I was getting pretty excited about the GK-1 for a while there... But, when the PC goes, I have to fix it... and I've fixed it many, many times in the past but, this is the last straw.

Thanks for everyone's comments.  Glad to know I'm not alone in my plight, Git.

[Grumpy_Git]

Hugh,

I've been thinking, a  pasttime i find cheap if somewhat frustrating. And I've come to a conclusion, though id love the remote version of the GK1, the real limit to me is not actually the cost, its the assembly, now assuming that its obvious the remote version is a fairly complex beast to assemble, it it a job i should underrtake or is the manual version a more realistic challange?? i would want the phono option with either of these and my soldering is acceptable though not outstanding with my budget iron...

Cheers,

 Nick.Ps any idea on the assembled version price inc delivery to the uk?? it might be an option, ballpark numbers would be fine im just after ideas here

[AKSA]

Hi Nick,

Good question.

The GK-1R requires two additional pcbs, one, the digital control board, and the other, the keypad pcb for the pushbuttons.  Both are quite straightforward, and connected together with ribbon cables which I supply pre-built.

The manually switched input pcb is swapped for a relay input pcb;  no more complex, in fact simpler by a small margin since you don't have to install a five position four pole wafer switch.

However, two more pcbs inevitably means more complexity, and more opportunities for making little mistakes.  We are dealing with DIP ICs here, so soldering skills are a little more finely honed than the analogue pcbs.  OTOH, the instructions for the GK-1R are probably the best I've done, so it's all swings and roundabouts.

On balance, yes, the R is more complex.  However, the instructions are clear, and the boards are simple to assemble, but there are many more steps.  Mounting it all in a box is more difficult as a result, and so there is a little more metal work.

I prefer the remote because I'm a lazy old bugger, but that's not everyone's choice, as some like the manual version.  Sonically there is no difference.

Sorry Nick, your call!!  

Cheers,

Hugh

[Grumpy_Git]

Hugh, Damn you and your filthy inroads to producing a more comprehensive set of instructions. I Hex you and all your evil worker pixies!    

Back to the thinking chair.

Nick.

PS Its looking like the R as long as i make my mind up before you pull it!