NAKSA100 Listening Impressions

[LPM]

Time is the issue at the moment. In a new home, there are always hundreds of things to do, leaving precious little time to work on things audio

Just wondering if you’d found time yet Jens? Come on, you know you need to so just think of what you’re missing out on! Besides, audio 'is' a part of the house and a pretty important part at that.

I was fortunate to have the chance today to listen to a new NAKSA 100 at Hugh’s place during a short visit. I have heard one of the advanced 100 prototype’s before and remember being mightily impressed at the time by the sound. Well the sonics today were as good as ever but I must admit to being just as pleased by my first look at the fit and finish of the special Aspen case as I was with its performance. I personally wouldn’t hesitate to get this custom case if I was buying one as it’s compact, high quality, looks really good and the internal layout is just so well thought out and neatly executed.

For any that don’t know me, and wonder why I’m not buying one if it’s that good, it’s simply a matter that I invested in a fully built Aspen Soraya (I’m really not much of a DIYer ) some time back that suits my personal tastes down to the ground, particularly since I had Hugh upgrade it to the latest spec. But for anyone that covets a detailed, tube like sound the NAKSA 100 has to be top value for money. I’ll let others review and describe the sound in more detail as I haven’t been able to listen to one in my own system for a proper evaluation, but I can say from today’s impression that the NAKSA 100 lacks absolutely nothing in resolution and sound stage that I can determine and I do believe it sounds even better than the NAKSA 70.

[AKSA]

Thanks Lyn,

Nice of you..... more good coffee today, too!

Here's a picture of the NAKSA 100 viewed from the front, REAL happy with these cases. They are 385Wx320Dx85H, noticeably more compact than 2U.

Hugh

[Jens A.]

Originally Posted by LPM

Just wondering if you’d found time yet Jens? Come on, you know you need to so just think of what you’re missing out on! Besides, audio 'is' a part of the house and a pretty important part at that.

I was fortunate to have the chance today to listen to a new NAKSA 100 at Hugh’s place during a short visit. I have heard one of the advanced 100 prototype’s before and remember being mightily impressed at the time by the sound. Well the sonics today were as good as ever but I must admit to being just as pleased by my first look at the fit and finish of the special Aspen case as I was with its performance. I personally wouldn’t hesitate to get this custom case if I was buying one as it’s compact, high quality, looks really good and the internal layout is just so well thought out and neatly executed.

For any that don’t know me, and wonder why I’m not buying one if it’s that good, it’s simply a matter that I invested in a fully built Aspen Soraya (I’m really not much of a DIYer ) some time back that suits my personal tastes down to the ground, particularly since I had Hugh upgrade it to the latest spec. But for anyone that covets a detailed, tube like sound the NAKSA 100 has to be top value for money. I’ll let others review and describe the sound in more detail as I haven’t been able to listen to one in my own system for a proper evaluation, but I can say from today’s impression that the NAKSA 100 lacks absolutely nothing in resolution and sound stage that I can determine and I do believe it sounds even better than the NAKSA 70.

Hi Lyn,

Unfortunately not. However, we are getting our new, audio-friendly shelving units this Saturday. Once I get those put up, the process of integrating the audio/home cinema system into the room starts for real, and I hope I can start getting the N100s going soon as a part of that

Thanks for the interest!

Cheers,

Jens

[AKSA]

Folks,

Time has come to show 'n tell. Behold, the new NAKSA 100, ready for sale, either as modules, or installed in a case ready to add trafo.

First post shows the front appearance of the amp, with its 385Wx85H front panel. It's very strongly built with 2mm mild steel; you can invert the case and actually stand on it without damaging the enclosure! You can order just the modules, or the assembled amp sans transformer. This approach is taken principally to reduce shipping costs.

Hugh

[AKSA]

This second photo shows internals, viewed from the front, with two transformers installed. (I had two handy, you can use one larger trafo without sonic penalty).

This photo taken before I wired up the indicator LEDs and power entry module, you get the idea. It's very compact, well cooled, and the paint job is both tough and elegant.

Hugh

N100prodComplete5S.jpg

[LPM]

well cooled

Forgot to mention that in my post yesterday. Having once had an AVR that run too hot to touch on the top lid, the NAKSA (admittedly on the lid as opposed to the heat sink fins and not 7 channel) was barely warm after the session. Not that the Soraya runs much warmer either. It may be a degree of technical ignorance on my part but I always feel uncomfortable with hot components - I don't like the sense of them cooking away.

[GregH2]

Originally Posted by AKSA

Thanks Lyn,

Nice of you..... more good coffee today, too!

Here's a picture of the NAKSA 100 viewed from the front, REAL happy with these cases. They are 385Wx320Dx85H, noticeably more compact than 2U.

Hugh

Looks really nice Hugh. I like the badge too!

[AKSA]

Thanks Greg,

It's been a labour of love, but it represents years and years of development. Very proud of this amp, it sounds absolutely sensational, makes you cry.....

Hugh

[unmibh]

Hi Hugh and All,

Nice, clean and pretty.


Best Regards
Rom

[AKSA]

Thanks Rom,

High praise from you, much appreciated!!

Hugh