|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||||||
 |
NAKSA 70
The 2010 replacement module for the Lifeforce 55, the NAKSA 70, employs an unconventional topology and design principle to create a power amplifier with very high resolution, extremely low noise peformance, and a rich, vivid sound, but at much higher power than the LF55 it replaces. The entire stereo amplifier including all power supply circuitry is built onto a single, double-sided pcb of 280mm x 70mm mounted on a single 300mm x 75mm 0.37C/W heatsink. The NAKSA 70 offers power with glory, an almost tube-like sound, and represents the ideal option for people with moderately efficient speakers, an average sized listening room, and demanding musical tastes. The sound quality of this amplifier is true high end, and shames many amplifiers many times its cost! The following distortion measurements for the NAKSA were taken at 14.14Vrms, 20Vp, or 25W into 8R at 1KHz using the Clio Audiomatica system: H2 -72dB, H3 -79dB, H4 -79.5dB This sums to a THD of 0.0404%, 91% comprising H2, H3 and H4. At just
1W output, 2.83Vrms, THD is 0.008%, of which H2, H3 and H4 comprise 0.005%.
The NAKSA circuit board is extremely compact, fully integrating both
amplifier channels and a bifurcated, bipolar power supply. Output devices
and drivers are mounted beneath the board directly to a large, 0.37C/watt
heatsink. This construction is both mechanically robust and compact, and
ensures that in even the hottest climate both amplifier channels will
always remain well cooled. SPECIFICATIONS:
The NAKSA amplifier was developed to offer a warm, involving musical
presentation, and to overcome most of the sonic problems of SS push pull
technology. It incorporates innovative thinking, not just dictated by
the engineering (which is crucial) but also by the subjective musical
experience. Mindful of the engineering issues, the design cycle
has also been focused on the audiophile listening experience, and the
inspired desire of every audiophile to experience emotion via the musical
artform. The rationale behind this is simple; people listen
to music to be moved, not to marvel at the elegance of the amplifier design
or the paper specification. While the technical aspects are important,
they are a means to an end, and not the end in itself. The NAKSA 70 creates a presentation comparable to a quality tube amplifier, whilst delivering stunning resolution and a pure, sweet, musical sound. This has been achieved at low cost in an attempt to balance the pricing policies of high end audio against the principles of DIY audio. Like many tube amplifiers, the NAKSA 70 amplifier shines with just about any loudspeaker system, including electrostatics, ribbons and horns, regardless of efficiency. Key features of the NAKSA are the almost supernatural silence, the extraordinary
low frequency grip, a strong emotional communication, startling transients,
crystalline clarity, and palpable depth of image. The warmth
and image depth are most unusual for solid-state amplifiers, reflecting
single ended design where possible and an unusual feedback regime. The NAKSA 70 is powered from a single 300VA toroidal (or EI) transformer
with two 30Vac secondary windings. This creates two isolated 42V rails
for each amplifier module, one positive and one negative. The power supply
is bifurcated, effectively a dual mono configuration. The best toroid
to use for the power supply (the transformer is NOT supplied in the kit)
will have 8% regulation or better. Good choices are supplied by Plitron,
based in Canada. The transformer has little sonic impact, so no specific
brand is recommended; most of the power supply benefits accrue from the
filter caps and rectifiers which are all integrated into the pcb layout.
The NAKSA runs very efficiently in Class AB with a quiescent output stage
current of 80mA, and delivers imaging, slam and clarity to rival the best
Class A designs with none of the troublesome thermal problems. NAKSAs
are part of the green revolution - they are VERY efficient! This amplifier is winning plaudits around the globe for its astonishing
sonics, especially in North America and Europe. The NAKSA truly represents
the pinnacle of development of modern day analogue amplification. The
elegance and compactness of this jewel gives it stunning looks as well
as performance, and the low cost guarantees it will be a top seller for
years to come. Build this amplifier, and join the growing cadre of blissful NAKSA owners,
many of whom go on to buy more amplifiers from Aspen for multi-amp Home
Theatre installations.
BUILDING THE NAKSA:WHAT'S INCLUDED?The NAKSA 70 product shipment includes: Module pcb, with both power amplifier modules and an integrated power
supply You will be supplied with extensive and detailed instructions (with many photographs and diagrams), and full email support and backup. You will require only a single 300VA transformer with two secondaries each of 30 volts AC, an IEC power entry socket, a suitable mains switch, speaker binding posts, rubber feet for the case, and an enclosure. That's it!
WHAT YOU NEED TO SOURCE:There are a a few essential components you will need to acquire. Mostly
these are the large, heavy components that are impractical to ship around
the world! YOU WILL NEED: A case to mount the components in, some wire, a mains switch and IEC power entry module, a 300VA power supply transformer (ONE required with two independent secondaries, each of 30Vac), rubber feet for the case, speaker binding posts, and several small fasteners. Tools and facilities: SOURCES for other components can be found
at CONTACT/SUPPLIERS
A FEW TESTIMONIALS FROM CUSTOMERS: 'The sound.....detail is amazing, every instrument clearly defined in such a musical way and vocals, my God! I was listening to the backing vocalist on a track the other day and really couldn't believe how easy it was to follow her, no mumble in the back ground. No tinnyness , just rich full sounding music.' Lindsay, NZ
'The biggest surprise was the comparison with a top end 300B amp on
94dB speakers, Audio Note AN/E. A great surprise for all listeners was
that the NAKSA produced exactly the same character as the 300B across
the whole spectrum. It was also clear to everyone that the NAKSA was better
in control. On one area the 300B was slightly superior and that was its
airy flow. That's a feature of tubes that's hard to beat. But hey, what
a surprise that a SS amp is able to compete with a famous 300B and that
with more than ten times more output power! We all were impressed. In
the light of this review the NAKSA is a real bargain. The tube amp was
in the 5000 euro area.'
'The Naksa performed flawlessly over the weekend for some musicians,
and left them shaking their heads. They played some of their instruments
through the amp and were very impressed with the detail, bass response
and overall clarity. I think we converted some old "Tube Heads"
to solid state. In fact they wanted me to leave the amp with them but
that wasn't going to happen.'
'This amplifier is in a different universe than the one it replaces. I am not a frequent upgrader and it takes something special to prompt me to move! 'On first listen with less than 4 hours on the amp it is detailed
beyond anything else I have heard, but amazingly not at the expense of
musicality and smoothness. There is stomping bass, magnitudes above what
the Lifeforce is capable of; deep and musical. Vocal highs are unstressed
and presented so separate and forward it is uncanny. The thing is, from
some prior listening comparisons of this amp, I was expecting to sacrifice
some detail given the smooth analogue slightly tube sounding presentation,
but it is not the case, the presentation is revealing and detailed while
remaining eminently listenable and relaxing.'
'My audition period with the new Naksa ended a couple of days ago and I now feel that I have recovered from the audio equivalent of a hangover, sufficiently recovered, that is, to make some hopefully helpful observations on Hugh's latest and greatest. I say greatest because I firmly believe it to be the best amp that I've had in my lounge room. In no particular order some of the Naksa wins are as follows:
Martin, Melbourne Australia
'Good God, I really wasn't fullsome enough in my praise of this amp - the more I play it & listen the more astounding it sounds. I don't know if this is a burning-in or if I'm playing for long periods & it's reaching a nice thermal equilibrium (no heat coming from the heatsink vanes) - but it's incredible. I'm trying to put my finger on its sonic secrets and all I can come up with is that it is so quiet & THD is so low that the instrument tails are clearly revealed giving a true foot-tapping & engaging sound to it. I'm in the process of finishing a Sabre DAC & can't wait to hear what an improvement in the front end will reveal. Problem is I just don't want to stop listening to music with this amp. I brought the Naksa to a friend's house yesterday & he was madly impressed with it. I won't give the details of the amp we compared it to or the rest of the system but I made the comment which I think seems apt here in light of the gorgonzola cheese - the amp had " delicacy with balls". Hugh, my hat off to you - I knew you were a good designer but this
is truly exceptional.'
'I've now had one of my NAKSAs up and running for about a week and have listened a fair bit to it. I have to say right up front that this is the best amp I've ever had! I liked my LifeForce 55 very much for its musicality, but the NAKSA bests it with a wide margin I am using the NAKSA in conjunction with my GK-1R, and even though
the NAKSA may sound very good indeed driven directly from a source, I
can vouch for the GK-1/NAKSA combo - very impressive pair. And very silent.
With the LF55 I had a slight bit of hum, which is gone now. The noise
floor in my system is now very low, even though I have speakers that are
94-95 dB/m efficient!'
PRICES:The prices for all our products can be found at: BUYING/PRICELIST
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
The
Naksa 70 is a recently developed (August 2010) solid state, push-pull
stereo power amplifier module delivering 72 watts RMS into an 8 ohm load
and 110 watts into a 4R load, depending marginally on the regulation of
the single power transformer. It is fully built and tested, requiring
only that you connect up two secondaries of a suitable transformer, the
signal inputs, and the speaker outputs. Input sensitivity for 72W output
into 8R is 841mV rms into a Zin of 30K.
