[cdenyer]

As stated I wish to audition the AKSA 100 or the 50 watt version,can any Brisbane owners help me. They sound like a wonderful product, and would like to head down this path.

cheers
Chris

[andyr]

Chris, hi there,

Hopefully, you'll be able to find an AKSA owner in Brisbane and thus be able to audition the amp ... confirming to yourself that this is a good way to go!!

However, I thought I'd post my own experiences, just in case there ain't a convenient Brisbane AKSAphile.

I used to have Naim amps - their top amp but, yes, it was a 20-year old version.  I found out about AKSA amps on the Web and then discovered Hugh lived in Melbourne so I took one of my Naim 250s over to Hugh's place to do a comparison with his AKSA.

The AKSA blew the Naim away so, as I was of a "DIY bent", I decided it was within my powers to build an AKSA kit.  Of course, I could've bought 3 new stereo Naim 250s to replace my old stuff (as I have 3-way active speakers) but this would've been an order of magnitude cost higher ... and maybe not as good!!

All I can say is, I have never regretted my decision to turf my Naims and build the AKSAs.  Various "golden-eared" friends I have invited round to listen have also congratulated me on my sound!!

So all I can say is ... go for it!!  You will not regret it.

Regards,

Andy

[cdenyer]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the reply, from what I have read over the last couple of hours,they sound awesome.

I want to upgrade to a dedicated Amp, and for the price of the kits available, they offer excellent value for money.

I am interested though to get a rough idea of component costs for items I would need to buy myself, and having no electronic skills would then either learn quickly or find a hobbiest to assemble.

As stated, at this stage I would be looking at the ASKA 100, with the available upgrade.

regards

Chris

[cdenyer]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the reply, from what I have read over the last couple of hours,they sound awesome.

I want to upgrade to a dedicated Amp, and for the price of the kits available, they offer excellent value for money.

I am interested though to get a rough idea of component costs for items I would need to buy myself, and having no electronic skills would then either learn quickly or find a hobbiest to assemble.

As stated, at this stage I would be looking at the ASKA 100, with the available upgrade.

regards

Chris

[JohnR]

Hi Chris, re costs, this might help:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=7607

[andyr]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the reply, from what I have read over the last couple of hours,they sound awesome.

I want to upgrade to a dedicated Amp, and for the price of the kits available, they offer excellent value for money.

I am interested though to get a rough idea of component costs for items I would need to buy myself, and having no electronic skills would then either learn quickly or find a hobbiest to assemble.

As stated, at this stage I would be looking at the ASKA 100, with the available upgrade.

regards

Chris

Hi, Chris,

John has given you a thread concerning "other items" which U need to buy apart from the kit, so I thought I'd just respond about the "electronic skills" which are necessary.

First, of course, you need a soldering iron but I guess it would be better if you are a systematic kinda guy!  Hugh provides very detailed instructions so you don't have to know ANYTHING about electronics per se but it helps if you can solder "delicately" ... some of Hugh's customers have been known to wield a soldering iron rather like an arc welder and they do not get the best result!!

After you've built the first kit - and you realise you can actually DO THIS STUFF - it kinda gets addictive, so you will probably find you get going on your next project (like a GK-1 preamp, which I am in the middle of!!).

BTW, you said "for the price of the kits available, they offer excellent value for money".  It's much more than this, mate ... think 10 x the price of the kit - or more - to get a "mainstream" amp which betters the performance of an AKSA!!

Good luck!

Andy

[bluesky]

Hi

I live in Brisbane.  I have the 55watt Nirvana.  The more I listen the more I appreciate just how good this amp is.

I started off knowing nothing about electronics (or soldering for that matter).

I am still working on it and I am currently building the Aksonics speakers. I have just finished the construction and assembly of a Triton,  router table and biscuit joiner.

Contact me by PM if you are interested in hearing what I have.

Cheers

Ian

[AKSA]

HI Ian,

Many thanks.....  This will help Chris a lot, and I'm most grateful.

Have you acquired the drivers, Ian?  Are you having the timber professionally cut and trimmed to size, or will you do the lot yourself?

Cheers,

Hugh

[bluesky]

Hi Hugh

Well after contacting no less than four cabinet makers for assistance I gave up after each one said they can no longer accept any work because they were all six to eight months behind in work!  The building boom is quite apparent in Brisbane, however, like most booms it will go bust at some time.  I have read quite a few commentators say that the worrying part is that this is all on credit and my own observations from friends and relatives is that this is correct.  Many have credit card debts of more than $20,000!

I have since joined the Triton Club here in Brisbane and will attempt to cut the cabinets  myself after some instruction.  I have got some very cheap particle board to cut up and practice on.  I will just do this on cheap stuff until I am satisfied that it is "perfectly rectangular" etc and then use something of better quality to actually use for the Aksonics.  I have had a lot of other projects on the go at the same time (mainly to do with kids stuff) and I have decided I really must allow some time for my own stuff instead of others all the time!

The weekend after next is the audio club meeting which is put together by Keith-Louis Eichmann, a friend of yours and well known inventor, he is quite a nice guy but I have only spoken to him on the phone so far and it will be interesting to actually meet him and others in the local audio scene.  Needless to say I will be plumbing everyones experience to help me with my projects!

I now have the drivers and I am really keen to get the Aksonics built.  I have also bought some books from AudioExpress to help me with my ongoing learning of all things electronic.  Starting on your amps is dangerously addictive.  By the way Hugh, I have now built a couple of other small bit and pieces and all have worked first up so I must be improving, so thanks for your patience with my first efforts!

Ian

[rookster]

Ian,

I also live in Brisbane and I have the drivers and crossovers for my Aksonics, but no cabinets as yet.  I bought my crossovers off Hugh about 6 months ago, but my DIY turntable got in the way and it is still delaying me.  One of the other reasons for my delay was the lack of expetise in making the cabinets for the Aksonics.

I would definitley like to have a listen to your Nirvana 55's.  These will be next on my list after the Aksonics, but probably at least 6 months away.  

Where is the audio meeting taking place.  I have known Keith Eichmann for about 5 years, but haven't caught up with him for a while now.  Can you supply some deatils please.

[bluesky]

Hi Rookster

You are most welcome to come over and have a listen to my 55 watt Nirvana amp.

Chris came over today and did just that.  He is now keen on both the 100 watt amp and, possibly, the Aksonics.

No doubt he noticed the Triton sitting in the middle of the loungeroom, we may get together to do some case and speaker cabinet building with it.  Likewise you are welcome to try your hand with this project with me.

PM me if you are interested in either this or the audio club stuff.

Ian