Hi I currently own a Naksa 80 and I would like to know if it's worth it, to upgrade to the Saksa 85. What do you think?
Very good question!!
Any one like to offer an opinion?
Hoping for positive responses, but if there is something negative, that's OK too!
Hugh
Any one like to offer an opinion?
Hoping for positive responses, but if there is something negative, that's OK too!
Hugh
I have 2x N80s - in fact, I'm listening to them right now! 🙂 (They are my 'summer amps' - my winter amps are 40w Class A that Hugh designed and 'gave' to diyAudio.)
Having heard a SAKSA (but not in my system) - yes, I would say it does sound better than the N80.
But not by a massive amount - so, is the small increase in SQ you would hear ... worth the $ outlay, to you?
Whereas if you could justify buying a Maya - that would be a lot more $ ... but would be a significant upgrade! 🙂
Andy
Having heard a SAKSA (but not in my system) - yes, I would say it does sound better than the N80.
But not by a massive amount - so, is the small increase in SQ you would hear ... worth the $ outlay, to you?
Whereas if you could justify buying a Maya - that would be a lot more $ ... but would be a significant upgrade! 🙂
Andy
I listened to the SAKSA against a NAKSA80 a few years back when I was visiting Hugh.
To my ears, the SAKSA is a nice step up from the very nice NAKSA80. And at a very good price.
But when I heard the Maya200, I was sold! It beats all amps I have heard to date 🙂
I now have four Maya200s in my active system, but I still have my two NAKSA80s, which will be used for a second system - they are simply too nice to part with. If I'd had a pair of SAKSAs instead, I would also have kept those 😉
All Aspen amps I have owned have this uncanny musicality, and choosing any of them will bring a lot of joy!
Cheers,
Jens
To my ears, the SAKSA is a nice step up from the very nice NAKSA80. And at a very good price.
But when I heard the Maya200, I was sold! It beats all amps I have heard to date 🙂
I now have four Maya200s in my active system, but I still have my two NAKSA80s, which will be used for a second system - they are simply too nice to part with. If I'd had a pair of SAKSAs instead, I would also have kept those 😉
All Aspen amps I have owned have this uncanny musicality, and choosing any of them will bring a lot of joy!
Cheers,
Jens
I can only second Jen's comments. The Maya is well worth the extra money as it gives a bigger fuller sound.
Hugh also has a plentiful supply of tested ready to go modules at this time.
Hugh also has a plentiful supply of tested ready to go modules at this time.
Leaning towards the Maya now, haven't read anything bad about it. Do you use the Maya with or without a preamp?
Maya and Preamp
As Steve remarks, no preamp needed, gain is 28.5dB. But it's necessary to have a volume control, and most digital sources have one. Otherwise, a very high quality 25k log stepped attenuator is the ticket, although the RK27 ALPS plastic conductive pots are quite good.
If you decide to use a preamp, it's a good idea to use one with a tube in the circuit to give that indefinable tube sound. The Maya likes this style, but it sounds absolutely wonderful with or without it.
Hugh
As Steve remarks, no preamp needed, gain is 28.5dB. But it's necessary to have a volume control, and most digital sources have one. Otherwise, a very high quality 25k log stepped attenuator is the ticket, although the RK27 ALPS plastic conductive pots are quite good.
If you decide to use a preamp, it's a good idea to use one with a tube in the circuit to give that indefinable tube sound. The Maya likes this style, but it sounds absolutely wonderful with or without it.
Hugh
Steve and Hugh are absolutely right - no preamp needed 🙂
I use a passive preamp (Tortuga Audio) to get the volume control and to be able to switch between sources, but if you have a DAC with a good volume control and don't need any other analogue input, you are all set!
Cheers,
Jens
I use a passive preamp (Tortuga Audio) to get the volume control and to be able to switch between sources, but if you have a DAC with a good volume control and don't need any other analogue input, you are all set!
Cheers,
Jens
I've got a RME-ADi 2 fs DAC so it's got a volume control, and it sends a strong signal compared to other usd dac's that I used before - I think it will work quite well together.
Have any of you tried a tube preamp with the Maya? If so did you get that holographic projection?
Have any of you tried a tube preamp with the Maya? If so did you get that holographic projection?
Some say that a tube preamp is the ideal complement to a high quality SS power amp.
Anyone else here like to add to this comment for the Maya?
Hugh
Anyone else here like to add to this comment for the Maya?
Hugh