My current amplifier is a 30W class A Pass labs. I don't intend to replace it but I am thinking of having a cooler amp for the hot summer time because the Pass is a heater in my warm place.
Hi JYG,
The Pass amps are superlative, and the SAKSA, while not Class A, would be a nice foil. I hope you get a SAKSA because I would be very interested in your comparisons. I have a notion that the SAKSA will have more depth of image, but I'm guessing because I do not know which Pass you are using. How much watts does it throw into the room?
An SAKSA will create 20W into the room for a stereo, and this is a lot lower than the Pass!
Hugh
The Pass amps are superlative, and the SAKSA, while not Class A, would be a nice foil. I hope you get a SAKSA because I would be very interested in your comparisons. I have a notion that the SAKSA will have more depth of image, but I'm guessing because I do not know which Pass you are using. How much watts does it throw into the room?
An SAKSA will create 20W into the room for a stereo, and this is a lot lower than the Pass!
Hugh
Ah, yes, a very nice amp with a beautiful sound.
I think the SAKSA will be a nice brother, it is not a Class A, and won't produce quite the same sound, but it is an exceptional good AB and you would be very happy with it.
And it's hugely efficient, only 20W into the room idling.........
Cheers,
Hugh
I think the SAKSA will be a nice brother, it is not a Class A, and won't produce quite the same sound, but it is an exceptional good AB and you would be very happy with it.
And it's hugely efficient, only 20W into the room idling.........
Cheers,
Hugh
Pass Labs Aleph 3, at Stereophile
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com
I do not like:
[ The Pass Aleph 3's measurements, while not striking in any particular respect, are nevertheless good, and are very respectable for a single-ended design. Used within its power limits, it is reasonable to conclude that any particularly appealing sonic signature of the Aleph 3 is probably not the result of a euphonic—but inaccurate—distortion or frequency-response deviation. I wish I could say the same for the single-ended tube designs that have crossed our test bench. ]
[ I do, however, advise caution concerning your overall system gain with the Aleph 3. Its 20dB voltage gain is unlikely to be adequate when used with a "passive" or very-low-gain preamp and loudspeakers of typical sensitivity. (The gain of different amplifiers varies, but most of those we have measured have gains 6-9dB higher than the Pass.) ]
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com
I do not like:
[ The Pass Aleph 3's measurements, while not striking in any particular respect, are nevertheless good, and are very respectable for a single-ended design. Used within its power limits, it is reasonable to conclude that any particularly appealing sonic signature of the Aleph 3 is probably not the result of a euphonic—but inaccurate—distortion or frequency-response deviation. I wish I could say the same for the single-ended tube designs that have crossed our test bench. ]
[ I do, however, advise caution concerning your overall system gain with the Aleph 3. Its 20dB voltage gain is unlikely to be adequate when used with a "passive" or very-low-gain preamp and loudspeakers of typical sensitivity. (The gain of different amplifiers varies, but most of those we have measured have gains 6-9dB higher than the Pass.) ]
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Hi Hugh,
Is it possible to power the amplifier with a voltage lower than 2x30Vac, for instance 2x22Vac? What is the large cap height on the pcb component side?
Is it possible to power the amplifier with a voltage lower than 2x30Vac, for instance 2x22Vac? What is the large cap height on the pcb component side?
Yes, JYG, it can be done, but it will give you only 30V rails and the power will be reduced to 45Wrms each channel. There may be some dimension changes at the modules, which will attract some revision fee, and I cannot guarantee the subjectives when this is done.
I really suggest you use the recommend transformer, a 300VA conventional toroid with two independent 30Vac secondaries.
Hugh
I really suggest you use the recommend transformer, a 300VA conventional toroid with two independent 30Vac secondaries.
Hugh
Hi Hugh - Oh my gosh this amp is phenomenal.
It is big improvement on the Naska.
I use it all the time as my tv sound system and music player.
My system has the GK1 with some speakers I made back in the earlier 2000s (Dave Ellis 1801b).
The Saksa85 amp brought new life in the speakers in both bass range and imaging.
I haven't had time to do any of the capacitor upgrades on the GK1 or the 1801b but now I will delay this effort again because it sounds too good 🙂
Truly marvelous.
Currently enjoy The Union - Elton John/Leon Russell
The piano sounds truly superb.
Thanks so much.
John
It is big improvement on the Naska.
I use it all the time as my tv sound system and music player.
My system has the GK1 with some speakers I made back in the earlier 2000s (Dave Ellis 1801b).
The Saksa85 amp brought new life in the speakers in both bass range and imaging.
I haven't had time to do any of the capacitor upgrades on the GK1 or the 1801b but now I will delay this effort again because it sounds too good 🙂
Truly marvelous.
Currently enjoy The Union - Elton John/Leon Russell
The piano sounds truly superb.
Thanks so much.
John
Wow, John,
Thank you for posting your terrific comments - this is wonderful for me, as the development of the SAKSA took years - as you understand, making something simple with low count parts takes forever, refinement is really difficult.
You know I developed a second version of the GK1 about ten years later after I'd learned a few more tricks. I could not improve on the tube, however, and never did market it; only the SS front end was changed!
Thank you again, actually, I love Elton John, and often play his music - as a child I learned piano and later the pipe organ, this was were I learned some of the psychoacoustic lessons about recorded music. He is a terrific piano player too......
Hugh
Thank you for posting your terrific comments - this is wonderful for me, as the development of the SAKSA took years - as you understand, making something simple with low count parts takes forever, refinement is really difficult.
You know I developed a second version of the GK1 about ten years later after I'd learned a few more tricks. I could not improve on the tube, however, and never did market it; only the SS front end was changed!
Thank you again, actually, I love Elton John, and often play his music - as a child I learned piano and later the pipe organ, this was were I learned some of the psychoacoustic lessons about recorded music. He is a terrific piano player too......
Hugh
Jinca,
Those are nice speakers you got - the SEAS and the Hiquphon are highly regarded.
Looks like Hugh's SAKSA-85 is an ideal match.
My "daily driver" also has the same Hiquphon OW1 tweeter, but paired with the ScanSpeak 5.25" Revelator mid-bass.
Those are nice speakers you got - the SEAS and the Hiquphon are highly regarded.
Looks like Hugh's SAKSA-85 is an ideal match.
My "daily driver" also has the same Hiquphon OW1 tweeter, but paired with the ScanSpeak 5.25" Revelator mid-bass.
Received a SAKSA 85 amp recently. Using it power the 2-way horn channel of my 3-way speaker system. No noise from the horns on idle with the amp (big tick). Replaced a Bakoon AMP-12R. The saksa has a more full bodied and 'solid' presentation. Very good detail retrieval, but still sounding natural.
My first aksa amp. Im super impressed!
Well done Hugh!
My first aksa amp. Im super impressed!
Well done Hugh!
Attachments
Thanks Tuyen!! High praise indeed........
The SAKSA was an inspired design; the front end is very unusual, an asymmetric current mirror loading a supermatched long tailed pair. It gives wonderful harmonic profile, with a dominant second harmonic, conferring the tube moniker many customers use.
Thank you for the leap of faith!
Hugh
The SAKSA was an inspired design; the front end is very unusual, an asymmetric current mirror loading a supermatched long tailed pair. It gives wonderful harmonic profile, with a dominant second harmonic, conferring the tube moniker many customers use.
Thank you for the leap of faith!
Hugh
I have just received a very nice report on a SAKSA sold to Peter, living in Slovak Republic. He and his son love audio, like so many in my customers, and they both wrote this outstanding review as here:
Thank you Peter! You made my day!
Cheers,
Hugh
Thank you Peter! You made my day!
Cheers,
Hugh
Just saw this post in the Maya 4 thread and wanted to ask if the SAKSA 85 is going away?
Here's a funny flashback, When I was in the UK, I think the year was maybe 1999 or 2000! I was running a Primare A20 class AB 70w integrated with Dynaudio Audience bookshelves. I got in touch with a friendly DIYer who came round with his (I think) AKSA 55. The soundstage compared to the Primare was humungous, with the image jumping out of the speakers, and with luscious tone. If the SAKSA 85 improves on that, then well, I'd think it a shame if the least expensive AKSA product isn't there anymore, given that Hugh said it was in fact more capable with 4ohm speakers than the Titan?