Aspen Amplifiers - the ASKA 100 WATT

[griff]

ok, im after a new amp, so Mr Dean, heres ur chance, "sell" me your amp, tell me why i should choose your amp over others of a similar price.

others feel free to put in your 2 cents worth

what chassis fits the bill, and where in melbourne can u get them.

would it be recommended to increase the cap storage in the power supply?

is it all that hard to construct the power supply, the second schematic on the website?

thanks for your input

[mrfeedback]

He hasn't replied to my earlier post in HEX-FET 60W/4 ohm Amplifier yet - maybe he is on holiday ?

Originally posted by mrfeedback
Hello Hugh, from Perth.
First to say is that I agree with your subectivist tweaking of circuit values of otherwise good engineering, in order to tune the AKSA amp module sound that I believe to be rather good, and well done. (Go Aussie !)
On your site you state that along with the kitset comes several thousand words of info regarding the module.
Is it possible to get a copy of this ?

Also, I have not seen any measured performance figures.
Of course I understand that THD etc is not the total story regarding sonics, but I am interested to know.
Also, will your modules go down to 2.6 or even 2 ohms - (With driver impedence EQ)
I'm also keen to know the overload characteristic - ie do they go nicely or softly into clip, or sound hard, or nastyish or what ?
I have reasons for asking these.
I know I am asking a biased reviewer, but that's ok.

Regards, Eric.

Hugh, can you please also elaborate on your comment that additional power supply capacitance 'slows' the amplifier.
Also is the clipping behavior symmetrical ?
Can the module drive less than 4 ohms, and if so what mods are required ?

Eagerly awaiting your reply,
Regards, Eric.

[griff]

hmmm, mr feedback, we meet again

i just looked these amps up but didnt see ur post, sorry for the double up.

it is my belief that if you increase the power supply capacitance storage that it will become easier to drive a lower load, or speakers with multiple bass drivers in them, please correct me if im wrong

[pmkap]

Griff,
I'll chime in with my subjective evaluation of the 100w AKSA amp.
Subjectivly, the amp is wonderfully resolving, with tremendous detail and and absence of solid state grit. It has superb bass control and wonderful soundstaging and imaging. I've only heard a bone stock version, and am awaiting the last parts for completion of my 'Nirvana' upgrade version.
As to the increase of capacitance, Hugh does not reccomend (I believe) going beyond the 9,400 mf /rail/amp, as he states it can subjectively slow the amp. Nor does he reccomend it for driving speakers with impedences which dip below 3.5ohms. While the AKSA will drive my 3.4 ohm minimum large Alon IV speakers superbly (the vendor reccomends 200w/channel), I doubt if it is appropriate for arrays of parralelled bass drivers. For sonic reasons, the AKSA lacks SOAR protection, etc...
I've no idea as to its objective measured perfomance (nor do I care). In a comparison between the stock version and a highly regarded $1,500 USD amp, there was no comparison, with the AKSA soundly trouncing my previous favorite, in all areas.

The dual mono power supply board is very easy to construct and should take substantially less than an hour to complete, just solder in the 8 caps, bridge diodes, 2 jumper wires, and 8 'faston' terminals.

A marvelous amp!

Regards,
Paul

[griff]

thanks for your opinion, im getting too close to buying one of these things then is good for my budget!

how do these bridge? what is the final wattage for an 8 Ohm load? im thinking that 2 is better then 1~

[mrfeedback]

Hiya Griff, no trouble with the double up - I'm intersted in these modules for a project needing 32 or more amp channels so I'm keen for more info too !
I'm still waiting for a reply from Hugh - HUGH can you hear us ?

Yep, more horse power (meaning huge PSU) = driving multiple woofers/FR cabinets really well.
For example, I have a self renovated 15+YO, Oz made JANDS JC-1000C stereo PA power amp that puts 500+500 (that's 1.3 horsepower) into 4R+4R at rated 0.08 %, AND it will do this ALL stinking hot Australian summers day long, day after day. Will go less than 4 ohms too.
10 to-3 devices per channel (2 driver, 8 o/p), 2 speeds, fan cooled COPPER heatsinks, 2 huge transformers, 2 bigger than beer can size caps, led vu meters, led clip indicators , and two really strong front panel mounted carry handles - 35 kg ! (4 or 5 of these in a roadcase rack is a real grunt).

Running (pumping) to momentary clip 4 modded stacked 12' 3 way hifi cabinets gives you seriously loud, clean, non ear bleeding CONCERT volume - 1000w with all the windows, doors, drawers, pantry, wardrobes etc closed, is enormously GOOD FUN !, and good for the soul on your favorite good music, mindyou 30 minutes at this level is a satisfying fix for the next week or so.
At conversation levels it is in class A, and the sound is just plain clean, friendly, relaxed and uncoloured.
At normal (?) levels it is dynamically unlimited, involving and totally non fatiguing, and the sound does not change as you advance the volume controls.
I got this amp at an auction for AUS$2, yep $2 - If you hunt you can find these maybe, but they are becoming sought after again, because of gentler and nicer sound than some/most modern pro amps. I can tell you how to fix/mod if you get one, ....... and I'm NOT selling mine.

Sorry, I got off the subject there.
In answer, much bigger power supply = much better in my experience (must have perfect earth arrangement, paralleled lower capacitor values and damping networks), and 4 woofers is always much better than two.
IOW Bigger IS better !!!.


Greets from Perth, Eric.

[jam]

Has anyone made a comparison between the Aleph and AKSA? They seem to share more sonic simalarities than differences.

Jam

[pmkap]

Griff,
I'm certainly not able to reply for Hugh.... and would suggest sending him email directly through his website for specific questions. Hugh is running a small bussiness, with a surge in orders due to word of net, and is probably spending his time fufilling orders, resolving customers queries, and furthering the development of his product line, not cruising the net.

That being said, I'll respond anyway. My limited understanding leads me to believe that this is not an amp that you would want to bridge, or add gobs of capacitance to the power supply.

If you'll accept a horseflesh analogy - The AKSA is an audiophile thoroughbred, not a Clydesdale. It does what it was bred to do, and when pushed beyod it genetic intent, it is likely to come to a bad end, i.e. sweating blood, or worse. If you want an amp that can be bridged and drive the nasty loads of bass bins with aplomb, consider a QSC powerlite amp (or its Australian equivalent), something it is bred for.

While the AKSA is not designed for the thumpa-thumpa of Disco or Techno on the dance floor of a club, its bass is tuneful, tight, and highly resolved, in a domestic environment, with rational loads.

Regards,
Paul

[HarryHaller]

Forum for all you ASKA fans.

http://www.harmonicdiscord.com/forum...p?forum=42&828

H.H.

[mrfeedback]

Hello pmkap, thanks for your contribution, and I'm sure that I/we are all very glad if Hugh is happily busy !.

By your description, it seems that the AKSA amp is both strongly power supply dependant and load dependant ?
Is this your experience ?

I understand that amps can be tuneful when fed correctly and loaded correctly - indeed the British hifi press is full of reports of particular systems that 'sit right' together, even though the combined parts may not be individually outstanding.

I'm just a little funny (concerned) about Hughs comments that the amp is strongly dependant on a single deliberately lousy cap - smells of aluminium electrolytic tone control, and associated stability nervousness. (Horsespeak - Thoroughbred ?)

IMO - QSC's go loud but they won't give you goosebumps.

Regards, Eric