Brand New Super AKSA - the SAKSA 85!

[meanman1964]

Hugh,what has changed soundwise?

[AKSA]

Hi Patrick,

Good question!
More bass, slightly warmer midrange, very good at lower output, and more engagement.
Words are never enough.......

It certainly is a different amp to the NAKSA, which features resolution and depth of image. I think the SAKSA brings it back to the original AKSA, but with more of everything. It's also much stronger, and a bigger scale, particularly capable with difficult speakers.

Ciao,

Hugh

[meanman1964]

Time for me then to start saving money

[Jens-AT]

Hi Hugh,

Congratulations on creating yet another amp!

Now, the NAKSA 80 is not half bad, but I'm sure the SAKSA is even better

I can see that you mention stronger bass as a main feature, which is absolutely great for loudspeakers with "difficult" phase angles - and interesting PSU scheme, by the way

I shall be looking forward to listening to your new amps during my visit next year!

Cheers,

Jens

[maty tinman]

Originally Posted by AKSA

3. 15V/uS is fine and dandy for 85W. It would not be adequate for 20KHz from a 250W amp. This is imposed by the input LP filter. You need only about 5V/uS for a 80W amp.

How much slew rate without the input LPF?

[AKSA]

Can't tell you - I have not yet measured it!

However, I caution you against assessing amps on slew rate; beyond a minimal figure, there is no effect on sound quality.

Cheers,

Hugh

[Jens-AT]

Hi Hugh,

What is the input impedance for the SAKSA?

And is it the same as for the new MAYA?

Cheers,

Jens

[AKSA]

Hi Jens,

Thanks for the post!
SAKSA 85 Zin is same as the Maya, 28k, and indeed the same as the NAKSA 80.

I'm actually listening to it now, it's wonderful, I'm very pleased, extremely refined and quiet.

I have to do the documentation now, I will throw up a nice photograph in an enclosure tomorrow.....

Ciao,

Hugh

[Jens-AT]

Originally Posted by AKSA

Hi Jens,

Thanks for the post!
SAKSA 85 Zin is same as the Maya, 28k, and indeed the same as the NAKSA 80.

I'm actually listening to it now, it's wonderful, I'm very pleased, extremely refined and quiet.

I have to do the documentation now, I will throw up a nice photograph in an enclosure tomorrow.....

Ciao,

Hugh

Thanks Hugh - points at similar input modules, I guess

Will be looking forward to piccies of the baby

[LPM]

I shall be looking forward to listening to your new amps during my visit next year!

Jens, you will thoroughly enjoy it. I went around to Hugh's place yesterday for a first listen and the SAKSA 85 is quite special. I still have and love my Soraya/GK2 combo but its amazing how clear (and seemingly powerful) this new little amp is. Hugh just keeps chipping away with incremental improvements and refinements and what amazes me, he does so with seemingly less complex circuits and layouts. It is also amazingly quiet as he says, quieter even than my Soraya though part of that is toroids that buzz slightly after 8 or so years. Can't wait to have a proper listen to a Maya when Hugh has his current personal build finalised.