Wells Audio Akasha

[machinehead]

I have purchased this amp for my upstairs system.
Specs:

• 120 wpc at 8 ohms, 200 wpc at 4 ohms
  Frequency response +/-0.25db from 7 Hz to 35kHz
  Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -103 db, reference level full power output
  Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.02% at 1kHz, at100 W, 8 Ohms
  <0.05% at 20kHz, at 100W, 8 Ohms
  Gain 30 db
  Input Impedance: 30k Ohms
  Damping factor: 200, reference 8 Ohms nominal
  Power Consumption: 350 Watts idle, 1000 Watts maximum
  Inputs: 1 pair RCA unbalanced
  Outputs: 1 pair WBT 5-way binding posts per channel
  Operating Voltage: 120V, 220V, 230V, 240V at 50 or 60 Hz
  Dimensions: 20 in. W X 6.5 in. H X 18.5 in. D

Review to come, totally non-professional, maybe a feww gross parts, really I have little self control over that stuff...

The aural designer is the owner Jeff Wells, technical designer is his longtime friend of 20 years, Scott Frankland of Wave Stream Kinetic, mucho expensive tube amps.
See:

[BobM]

Oooh, those Darth Vader looking car engines are what Wes Bender uses on his Hansons. Looking forward to your review Mike.

[lonewolfny42]

Nice....have fun Mike...


Some links...

http://www.wellsaudio.com/products/amplifiers/akasha

http://dagogo.com/wells-audio-akasha-stereo-amplifier

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/the-akasha-stereo-amplifier-from-wells-audio/

[machinehead]

My box is here my box is here! The wife called.... I should tell her to sit on it and keep it warm, so it might hatch to its full potential. Now hurry up workday!

Why cant my wife be as excited as I am... I will have to froth alone
M

[machinehead]

I have called the wife several times today and told her to rub my box..... so it doesnt get lonely! 

[Barry (NJ)]

I heard this amp at my friend Larry's house driving some Gallo Reference 3.5 speakers, among others. Very nice amp, sweet, detailed, authoritative bass... I'd like one!

[machinehead]

I only heard it at the NY Audio show... Ill bring it to the next rave after its broken in. I have no idea how it will sound in the system, but reviews are positive.

[Barry (NJ)]

Well if it sounds as good at your place as it did at Larry's, you'll be doing the happy dance and making us blush when you review it

[machinehead]

Yeah!  Jeff said it needs about 150hrs of break in. Will put that sucker on auto play tonight.

[machinehead]

Wow it's big! That's what she said.  About a third bigger than the Parasound hca1500 and 20 lbs more.  It's over 50 lbs.
turned it on.  Works. Burn in.

[Barry (NJ)]

Wow it's big! That's what she said.  About a third bigger than the Parasound hca1500 and 20 lbs more.  It's over 50 lbs.
turned it on.  Works. Burn in.

Always knew you had a big one Mikey.

What's up and down stream of it?

[machinehead]

Speakers are the acoustic Evolution mm micro ones with stands.  Preamp is a cheap and cheerful Dared sl2000a (excellent pre!), a rel t7 sub, and I'm running audirvana out to a ressonessence concero USB to spdif... To an old theta chroma 396 non over sampling dac. 
I had used the concero as a dac but it was missing a lot of the musical texture and warmth I like.  Concero is more neutral and throws a bigger soundstage, but the theta seemed more real.  Being fed by the concero, which is excellent at reducing jitter, makes the theta sound really good.
Though that would be the next step to find a better dac, there is a slight, grain in the upper registers, not always noticeable with the Theta.. not on the Concero as DAC
Speaker cables are fantastic, soon to be released by Triode Wire labs.... PC are TWL and Magic mix.   I think that's it.  I put some nos tubes in the preamp.   Sylvanias I believe. 

[sleepyguy24]

Say what!! A Dared sl2000a with all that primo gear.   I'm honestly shocked that the Dared would be there. I'll have to look into a SL2000A now. Is it modified in anyway other than just rolling in older NOS tubes? Thanks

[jimbones]

OMG that Wavestream is georgeous. I consider myself a skeptic and recovering audioholic but that amp gives me withdrawl symptoms. If I were wealthy I would buy one just to lokk at all day. 

[machinehead]

Me too.. wish I could afford that tube amp!
With the Dared I just rolled in NOS tubes, nothing is modified.  For the cheap price I think its ridiculously good. Its small too. Well balanced, a nice full sound. You can shut off the preamp and music will keep playing for a good while, so it keeps a lot of power in stores. Not sure what that means lol. Sounds great though. And comes with a remote. But only 2 inputs.