OK guys, here's the official line.
1. The Nirvana upgrade contains all necessary parts for a sonic revision upwards by about 20% for both the 55W and the 100W AKSAs.
2. Many people have experimented with their AKSAs above and beyond the standard AKSA and even the Nirvana'ed AKSA. Some have reported improvements, some have felt it went backwards.
3. I have encouraged this experimentation, since ten experimenters can cover much more ground in a short time than I can. I have tried to talk with each person who has been down this route.
4. I am encouraged to offer a super Nirvana - perhaps a Nirvana Plus - for those who want the nadir of perfection for the AKSA. As I am well aware that more of this means less of that, I'm very sparing (some might say conserative, others perhaps reactionary!) in my choices. I also have a gimlet eye on costs, as you would expect. I do not believe, having now built up an AKSA redolent with Rikenohms, that too many is good. It seems these are voltage dependent resistors; that is, their resistance changes with applied voltage. This introduces subtle changes in operating points in the AKSA, which inturn fosters creation of H2 and some H3. (second and third harmonics). Too much is NOT good; a balance is necessary.
5. In a couple of months I plan to release a Nirvana Plus for those who want the very best. It will contain very carefully formulated parts, and it will likely be quite expensive. But it isn't ready yet, and I don't particularly want to rush it. But I can assure you that firstly it will be only marginally superior to the existing Nirvana, and secondly, that it will not contain many Rikenohms. Nice resistor, but too much of a good thing is audible and a little oversweet to my taste.
6. The Nirvana Plus will be easily fitted after construction, and I will give consideration at purchase to those who have already purchased the Nirvana. It would not be fair otherwise.......
Please be patient, it's coming!!
Cheers,
Hugh
