Adding Akurate amps to exaktbox I

[Pennypacker]

Hi folks, I did some search on this forum and the net on this topic, however I really would like some opinions from overhere.

last year I swapped my M140 back in place after a (to) short period with my Keltiks. I cant say I’m unhappy with the set up as is but the worm is chewing. Can someone elaborate weither adding akurate amps to my AEBi would benificial and what the impact would be? Secondly would 2x3200(D) work, leaving the supertweeter on the AEBi or will this sound unbalance?

Akurate older models pop up from time to time making a purchase somewhat more attractive.

 

[Jail4CEOs2]

I can only say that when I tested my Ninkas straight out of the Exaktbox-i versus connecting the Exaktbox-i to my 6100D. It was "better" in most ways, but not all. Akurate amps would improve things. Also, I was only using blacks to connect to the amp. Better interconnects could've made it a slam dunk I'm sure. I would agree with your concerns about mixing two types of amplification. My vote for you is to sell the Exaktbox-i, get an Exaktbox 10, and two 4200's. Here you're monoblocking which should be stellar. Don't forget the eight pairs of interconnects!

 

[Pennypacker]

I can only say that when I tested my Ninkas straight out of the Exaktbox-i versus connecting the Exaktbox-i to my 6100D. It was "better" in most ways, but not all. Akurate amps would improve things. Also, I was only using blacks to connect to the amp. Better interconnects could've made it a slam dunk I'm sure. I would agree with your concerns about mixing two types of amplification. My vote for you is to sell the Exaktbox-i, get an Exaktbox 10, and two 4200's. Here you're monoblocking which should be stellar. Don't forget the eight pairs of interconnects!

Well a pair of 3200 is available locally, that would sort out the most important channels in the assumption that the supertweeter can do fine with the x100 power. I plan on using Linn silvers as IC since I know from experience that the black IC holds back detail.

AEB10/K would be the next step since I need external amps in that case.

My “plan” is to keep the M140 since local management is liking them visually, I want to however keep building my system and keep improving at least the tightness and control overall and in special the (lower)bass.

Hoping to learn overhere if the M140 are worth this “heavy” front end.

Another option would be to ad one 4200 first to the upper and lower bass for tightness and control in the assumption that also the tweeter would be fine on the x100 of the AEBi

 

[Jail4CEOs2]

One of my key concerns, that of unmatched amps, might to be answered by Thomas's like? My solution of monoblocks brings a uniform sound signature that perhaps your plan might not?

 

[Pennypacker]

That is the question yeah, I don’t get the idea of monoblocking though, even 4200 are still stereo amps am I right?

 

[akamatsu]

That is the question yeah, I don’t get the idea of monoblocking though, even 4200 are still stereo amps am I right?

There are four channels. Use them as you see fit.

 

[formann]

Hi, as written here you can:
https://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Majik_ExaktBox-IMore important in Exakt set up it the Hub. Selekt Hub is for example way more enjoyable than Akurate range as Hub,.

 

[Dasher]

I'm struggling to understand how you intend to set this up. The only way that I can see is to use the AEB-i in full exakt and then use the analogue 'out' from the AEB-i to the Akurate amps. I think that this reduces the AEB-i to the role of an Exaktbox but I could be wrong. The downside of the AEB-i is its inflexibility - it has four pairs of stereo channels to be used by one pair of speakers. I would be very concerned that's inflexibility also runs to the (in)balance of mixing the internal amps with the external ones. For sure the Akurate amps are better - I'm pretty certain that the AEB-i amps are exactly the same as those found in the Majik EB-i. If you want accurate level amplification then my suspicion is that you need the Ak Amps and Ak Exaktboxes. Technically you may be able to mix, but audio quality will come from taking the AEB-i out of the system. I think that Jail is correct - you could theoretically assign one of each pair of 4 channel Ak amps to each stereo side - in effect mono blocking (debatable as to whether it's 'real' mono blocking as each block of 4 still shares one PS). I'd go with two AEBs - one for each amp - rather than a single AEB-10.
I disagree with the comment that going Selekt Hub is the better way. I had a Selekt Hub here (non-organik) and the ASH/AEB-i was much preferred to SH/AEB-i by my ears. I had the two side by side into Keilidhs. I cant comment as to the performance of the new Selekt as I haven't heard it side by side.

Going full Akurate amps and AEB would be a dangerous move for me as, with that kind of control over the signal, I would almost certainly consider switching my Keilidhs for MISOs - and I really like my Keilidhs! (I have considered an Ak amp and AEB - but to run Kudos 20s instead.

 

[Pennypacker]

@Dasher your understanding is correct, I know the AEBi has line out and can take any amp reducing the AEBi to exaktbox. I’m pretty sure that technically there is no problem using the AEBi partially with internal amps and partial with external. If this is beneficial is up for debate and question for the forum.

I know the limitations of the AEBi being in fact a rebadged MEBi however adding x200 to the mix would not be for the worse is my educated guess.

 

[Pennypacker]

@Dasher your understanding is correct, I know the AEBi has line out and can take any amp reducing the AEBi to exaktbox. I’m pretty sure that technically there is no problem using the AEBi partially with internal amps and partial with external. If this is beneficial is up for debate and question for the forum.

I know the limitations of the AEBi being in fact a rebadged MEBi however adding x200 to the mix would not be for the worse is my educated guess.

Also: this approach would allow to gradually upgrade the system by adding x200’s as they appear to my liking pricewise on the S/H market.

 

[Dasher]

I guessed that might be what you were thinking. It's an interesting approach. What I'm very uncertain of is whether the DAC(s) in the AEB-i are exactly the same as those in the AkExaktbox (I suspect not given that the prices of an AEB-6 and an AEB-i were similar). Speaking of pricing, I've just spotted that a new AEB-i is now over £6.5k - I've had mine for not much more than a year and it was under £5k!

 

[Pennypacker]

I guessed that might be what you were thinking. It's an interesting approach. What I'm very uncertain of is whether the DAC(s) in the AEB-i are exactly the same as those in the AkExaktbox (I suspect not given that the prices of an AEB-6 and an AEB-i were similar). Speaking of pricing, I've just spotted that a new AEB-i is now over £6.5k - I've had mine for not much more than a year and it was under £5k!

Well I think you are right on the DAC part, this is however no concern for me at the moment. I’m looking to upgrade the control and grip on the speaker by adding the x200. The DAC can come later.

 

[Dasher]

Well I think you are right on the DAC part, this is however no concern for me at the moment. I’m looking to upgrade the control and grip on the speaker by adding the x200. The DAC can come later.

Good luck! I gave up on trying to get the 140s to work as I would like them and kept my Keilidhs. I think that they are a speaker that if the room fits then they're good, but if it doesn't then even SO isn't your friend. To be honest the MISOs are even more extreme - I'd love a room that would take MISOs as I have heard what they can do - but there isn't a room in my house that would be right for them (well, actually there is - but my Espeks are in there and they are keepers)!

 

[Craigas]

Gotta love Espeks, great looking and great sounding.

 

[akamatsu]

Disabling the amps should improve the performance of the Exakt/DAC function.

 

[Pennypacker]

I’m not sure if the amps would/could be disabled, either by itself since the speakers are not asking or in Konfig.

 

[entdgc]

I ran a 3200 which I got cheap into my 350p's. I asked Linn if there was likely to be any detrimental effect on the unused channel and the reply was that since there was no load on the amp then it wouldn't even switch on. So MAYBE this is the same for the AEBi? It would make sense as I am sure Linn had the 4-channel use case in mind during the design process.

 

[akamatsu]

Disabling the amps should improve the performance of the Exakt/DAC function.

Let me rephrase that. Not using the amps in the AEB-I could improve the performance of the Exakt/DAC function.

 

[Dasher]

Let me rephrase that. Not using the amps in the AEB-I could improve the performance of the Exakt/DAC function.

I'm pretty sure that you're correct. I only use 6 channels of my AEB-i and I don't believe that the amps in the spare channels activate as they are almost certainly load sensing. If the line outs are before the amps (and I guess that they are) then the amps will see no load and consequently not activate. This means that the PS is only having to supply the DACs - which should be an easy job for it. Running three channels (or less) out of five on my 5125s makes considerable difference to sound quality - and I can only really put this down to the PS not having to work as hard.

 

[formann]

I disagree with the comment that going Selekt Hub is the better way. I had a Selekt Hub here (non-organik) and the ASH/AEB-i was much preferred to SH/AEB-i by my ears. I had the two side by side into Keilidhs. I cant comment as to the performance of the new Selekt as I haven't heard it side by side.

This is an odd experience.
I've done the test at home Akurate Exakt DSM vs Selekt DSM (original version) and the AEDSM is flat and uninvolving in comparision. Did the demo for 4 mates as well. THis was into Akurate Exaktbok 2xA4200 and MISO.
Did a similar test at a mate with New Klimax DSM compared to AEDSM into his Katalysted Akubarik. No fun to listen with the AEDSM. Swapping to Selekt DSM a massive step and brought the smile back (but of course not at Klimax level).
Probalby due to the improved clock.
@Zee did the same comparison with Selekt and AKurate Kat into his Exakt Akubariks with the same result.