Aksa amp -How far can it go?

[andyr]

Originally Posted by Professor smith

I am considering upgrading the rest of my system and I just wondered how far can the aksa go?

It goes well with my 1,000 pound speakers but would the aksa be outclassed if the speakers were say 5k or 10k pounds?

What about the cd player? How much of a difference can I expect from the portable I'm using now to something like a benchmark dac?

I'm presuming you're a Pom, Prof (given the Union Jack under your name)? Which is a pity ... if you lived in sunny Melbourne, you could come round and hear my AKSA LF modules driving my 3-way active (but 20-year old) Maggies. And in reference to your other thread - with, say, CD source selected (but not playing) and the GK-1 volume control turned round to max, you'd be able to put your ears right up against the drivers and hear ... nothing! No hash, no hum.

Now, in terms of how far can an AKSA go ... yes, the LF modules deliver (to my ears) much better sound than the AKSA modules I had previously. They have more clarity/definition - and a better low end. So I will not be parting with them - until Hugh comes out with a replacement! (Irrespective of whether I replace my Maggies or my vinyl front end - a pimped LP12. )

So IMO your AKSA 55 is not as good as Hugh's LF ... but it's way better than a Naim 250, which is what I compared it to about 8 years ago, when I auditioned Hugh's amp. Out went my 3 Naim amps and in came an AKSA 100, 55 & 25 (a 55 with a lowered DC rail voltage) ... and then the 'N' and 'N+' variants came along - each delivering better sound than the prior version.

Regards,

Andy

[rabbitz]

The AKSA and LF are both great amps and I've had both. They have different presentations so it comes down to tastes. By what I have read, most prefer the LF and are very happy campers.

The AKSA can deliver bass better than the LF but depends on the build and the power supply. My AKSA (V2.1) did have better bass performance than my LF (V3.1) and that was no slouch (Hugh has heard it and gave it a thumbs up). However, the AKSA, even with mods cannot compete with the LF for detail retrieval. Hugh has rightly moved on from the AKSA to produce better power amps for his customers.

[LPM]

I agree with both andy and rabbitz and to complete the comment chain, I've had the LF and now the Soraya that is the direct descendent of the LF and there is absolutely no base missing from the current model. Extremely refined.

[rabbitz]

That's not bad.... 3 different generations of power amps from Hugh and all with a thumbs up.

[AKSA]

Aha, but I'm standing over these guys with a VERY big stick!!

Hugh

[brubeck]

I just recently bought a Lifeforce 100 Mark II, never heard it before.

I does not color the sound. It adds nothing. You will hear much more refined details, really beautiful roundings in the mids, better then in any other conventional amp design. It's a more like natural sound, like a live experience.
Aspen amps are really stunning. You won't regret it.

[sandyK]

Originally Posted by LPM

I agree with both andy and rabbitz and to complete the comment chain, I've had the LF and now the Soraya that is the direct descendent of the LF and there is absolutely no base missing from the current model. Extremely refined.

LPM
Hugh sent me some interior photos of Soraya, and a little additional information about the development process.
It is indeed a most impressive looking amplifier, and clearly shows the attention to detail that Hugh gives his amplifiers,both internally, and externally.
SandyK

[AKSA]

Rabbitz, AndyR, LPM, Brubeck, Sandy,

Thank you for your nice comments, much appreciated.

I must ruefully admit that I'm a complete lunatic, a tragic compulsive-obsessive. Amps have become my life, I care about little else. It is an affliction, fuelled by a great deal of strong coffee......

Hugh

[andyr]

Originally Posted by AKSA

I must ruefully admit that I'm a complete lunatic ......

Hugh

Great ... so I have amps designed by a lunatic!

Regards,

Andy

[LPM]

Great ... so I have amps designed by a lunatic!

Yep Andy! They sound insanely great don't they? Whoops, sorry - think that's already been used!!!!