Based on Hugh Dean's AKSA 55

Hello Rabbitz and cjcc67

You should try the Naksa, they are module with a unique topology and affordable price, it's even sound better than the Aksa with the warmth of tube.

Check at the Aspen forum.

Bye

Gaetan

Yeah, I spotted the NAKSA over there. I don't think I need another amp as had too many and gave most away or sold them for next to nothing. I'm not a fan of tube sound but do like the AKSA where I can dial in how much harmonics I like. The amount I use is much less than the genuine AKSA and heads towards the lower levels in the LF55. I'll be doing this with the B-AKSA as well.

I haven't spotted anything on the NAKSA driving low impedance loads due to the higher 42V rails which I imagine would reduce the low impedance capabilities which is important for me as I do have some speakers from hell that dip to around 3R. If I understand it correctly as you increase rail voltage you get more power at 8R but less ability at 3R-4R. Hugh might have more info on this. IIRC, the AKSA 55 was good down to 3R6 with 35V rails.
 
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how many do you need to order?

Hi cjcc,

There is not s simple answer. Different PCB maker have different pricing structures. Some charge per panel, some by the square inch and others have a setup cost plus $x per PCB. Postage costs work out significant and can work out as much as the cost of the PCBs (if the batch is small).

regards
 
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Yeah, I spotted the NAKSA over there. I don't think I need another amp as had too many and gave most away or sold them for next to nothing. I'm not a fan of tube sound but do like the AKSA where I can dial in how much harmonics I like. The amount I use is much less than the genuine AKSA and heads towards the lower levels in the LF55. I'll be doing this with the B-AKSA as well.

I haven't spotted anything on the NAKSA driving low impedance loads due to the higher 42V rails which I imagine would reduce the low impedance capabilities which is important for me as I do have some speakers from hell that dip to around 3R. If I understand it correctly as you increase rail voltage you get more power at 8R but less ability at 3R-4R. Hugh might have more info on this. IIRC, the AKSA 55 was good down to 3R6 with 35V rails.

Hello

A way to be able to drive lower Z load are to put two output transistors in parallel.

I don't remember the lowest Z that the Naksa could drive, but if it's not 3R, Hugh can say if he do mods on the Naksa for low Z speakers.

Btw, which louspeakers you have ?

Bye

Gaetan
 
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Hi cjcc,

There is not s simple answer. Different PCB maker have different pricing structures. Some charge per panel, some by the square inch and others have a setup cost plus $x per PCB. Postage costs work out significant and can work out as much as the cost of the PCBs (if the batch is small).

regards
I used the links on you web page (you have been busy) and tried some so i got an idea. i liked the look of custom PCB. A lot cheaper than i expected. 50 boards is quite reasonable. I'd use 4 myself.
 
Btw, which louspeakers you have ?

Bye

Gaetan

Gaetan

The main offending speaker that I use with the AKSA is one using 810921 + 18W8531G00 + M22WR-09-08.

145535d1257268791-diy-audio-3-way-reference-project-rzss_final.jpg
 
Thanks. No details on the forum, just a few pics. Design details were on my website but that's now closed.

Started as an OB for the 18W8531G00 (hence the odd shape) but now is a sealed enclosure. Had a Scan Speak tweeter originally but changed to the 810921. It's a 2.5 way electrically with an AR series crossover and the bottom woofer is vented.
 
.... There is a hidden mechanism in the AKSA and I challenge anyone here to find it. Only two people in over ten years have twigged to it; it really is quite subtle. Rabbitz, nothing outta you, pal!!

......
Cheers,

Hugh

It seems there is a high frequency feedback from VAS to negative input og the LTP, formed by a resistor of approx 500k and a small cap, propably 10p - 100p, in series.
In LTSpice this does give some extra distortion, and by lowering the resistor you'll get mor distortion.
I think this is what you are refering to ... or?


But playing some with LTSpice with this, I find that the FFT does look a bit odd though.
You do get higher readings on the .four calculation, but the FFT window shows this as a kind of raised noise floor. :confused:
The same effect, can be found to appear by incresing the input low pass cap (but somewhat depending of the design, but quite consistent).
So do you actually measure a higher distortion, or is some of this actually some artefacts from the FFT calculation.

I also find that playing more with the FFT parameters, points and window size, does affect the calculated distortion quite a bit ... which is maybe not so supprising ;)

Maybe someone with more insights to FFT algorithms can help here .... I might be wrong.

Best Regards Baldin :)
 
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Edit: by using 1048576 points in the FFT and a Blackman window (options in the "Select what waverforms to include in FFT" window) you can get much clearer distortion readings ... it is clear that this trick works ;) (and you do not get the same effect by changing the input LP filter cap) ...

I guess this trick can be tried/used on a lot of other amp designs ....

/Baldin :)
 
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It seems there is a high frequency feedback from VAS to negative input og the LTP, formed by a resistor of approx 500k and a small cap, propably 10p - 100p, in series.
In LTSpice this does give some extra distortion, and by lowering the resistor you'll get mor distortion.
I think this is what you are refering to ... or?


But playing some with LTSpice with this, I find that the FFT does look a bit odd though.
You do get higher readings on the .four calculation, but the FFT window shows this as a kind of raised noise floor. :confused:
The same effect, can be found to appear by incresing the input low pass cap (but somewhat depending of the design, but quite consistent).
So do you actually measure a higher distortion, or is some of this actually some artefacts from the FFT calculation.

I also find that playing more with the FFT parameters, points and window size, does affect the calculated distortion quite a bit ... which is maybe not so supprising ;)

Maybe someone with more insights to FFT algorithms can help here .... I might be wrong.

Best Regards Baldin :)

I dont think this is it, what youre refering to is just plain feedforward compensation, I have used it for 25 years and still do, it was used by JLH on his more complicated designs and its something that he probably came up with as I havent been able to find anything predating him about this yet. This isnt anything new, Nelson Pass has also used it on Adcom amps and it works on all topologies.