ASPEN AMPLIFIERS/ ASKA GK1-R. Hybrid Tube/ Solid state pre-amplifier
Shortly after it came up for sale again on Gumtree, being sold by the guy that went to view and bought it from the ebay seller.
The second owner was in London and he was willing to ship and was selling it on because he preferred his existing preamp.
Long story short, it arrived via a shipping co that i personally would'nt have used and it was'nt particularly well packaged and did'nt have enough cushioning within the box and was probably moving around a bit.
It only worked on one channel and even then the signal was not full.
With no comeback on the deal I was going to get it repaired but since then i've reverted to an integrated and thats where i'm staying!
THIS PRE THEREFORE IS SOLD AS A PROJECT FOR A DIY'ER OR OTHER COMPETENT PERSON WHO WANTS TO HAVE A GO AT GETTING IT GOING.
I was assured it was fully working and accepted that before I bought it unseen.
The 2nd owner also said that the xlr's were not operational, only the RCA/phono connections but they are there should anyone wish to connect and use xlr.
The info after the photos is the original ebay listing which was still in my watch list plus some other info from the company that sells the brand.
Apparently £600 worth of parts were used in it's DIY construction.
It is quite a chunky construction, the case is substantial with a hefty front panel.
As far as i know this one does not have a phono stage built in.
I will post it anywhere on UK mainland for £75 inclusive.
__________________________________________________ ___________
The following wording is from the original ebay listing with some Aspen company info thrown in.
*********This pre amp is not working and needs to be fixed.**********
. ASPEN AMPLIFIERS/ ASKA GK1-R. Hybrid Tube/ Solid state pre-amplifier with amazing sonics!
First to listen will buy.
this is a kit version of Hugh Deans AKSA Swift pre-amplifier!
the parts cost £600.00, plus the chassis, with everything selected for audio quality, for example the left and right channels have their own special GOS(Grain Orientated Silicone) EI core transformers. I have added an upgraded Dale/Vishay stepped ladder volume control. This version has 4 stereo high quality relay switched source inputs. The retail version of this amplifier, which was known as the AKSA Swift, was over £2.5k! The only difference between the retail product and this one is that the retail one has an input for MM and MC record cartridges.
you can still buy the entry level GK1 kit from Aspen Amplifiers at 940 Australian Dollars. The entry level GK1 does not have the input switching.
I just want it to go to a new home, as its not being used.
I will not ship this, and will want to demonstrate the pre-amp before selling. I'm in Ashford, Kent and can be flexible with times ect.
here is a summary of the pre-amp spec/review:
he AKSA Swift is the fully assembled, retail version of the high end GK1 kit. this is an exceptional, Australian made preamplifier with proven, sublime sonics. It features timber, chromium and stainless steel construction, and like the GK1 kits is a hybrid solid state/vacuum tube line preamplifier which couples program sources to a high end power amplifier. The Swift features the following:
Premium quality anodised aluminum construction
No less than seven power supplies for maximum channel separation
Four sources: DVD, CD, Aux and Tuner
Available for 110-120V and 220-240V mains operation
The design aim of the Swift was to add that indefinable tube romance, beguiling imaging and palpable 'thereness' to a premium quality solid state power amplifier such as the AKSA. This must not cost transparency or resolution. The Swift should further deepen, heighten and widen the sound stage, and add musicality, greatly enhancing the listening experience. Functionally, it should offer the source selection and level control of a preamplifier, with the convenience of remote control.
All this is effortlessly achieved with the Swift. You are there with the performers - close your eyes and they are in the room with you. The Swift brings palpable emotional communication to a long listening session. It makes you smile, sets your foot tapping, and brings the occasional tear to the eye. The transparency is stunning, while vocalists are brought to a level of realism seldom heard, even when compared to live performance. The Swift is a must have for the serious audiophile who seeks to recreate the authentic, emotion-laden musical experience of a live performance.
he Swift is constructed completely dual mono throughout and includes two custom wound, grain-oriented silicon steel power transformers, one for each channel. It uses no less than seven onboard discrete power supply regulators. The volume control is fully buffered, gain is 4dB, bass is tight and punchy, yet wonderfully musical. Midrange is so rich one could swear the performer is in the room, and the top end offers a crystalline sweetness which is a revelation. Soundstaging even confers height; difficult, almost impossible to render with most audiophile components. The discerning audiophile is invited to tube roll, with a list of suggested tube types printed on the rear panel. All these qualities are complemented with the phono option, which is configured for Moving Magnet cartridges of 47K impedance.
The Swift permits use of very long interconnects whilst preserving full compatibility with the AKSA and most other power amps. This preamplifier adds that mystical "warmth" associated with tube audio equipment, yet delivers solid state resolution, impact and drive. This is power with glory at its beguiling best....
SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency Response
-3dB points at 15Hz and 80KHz
Harmonic Distortion
Second harmonic: -42dB , Third Harmonic: -54dB.
Configuration:
Bailey solid state topology, Self-biased Cathode follower with frequency-sensitive active power supply regulation.
Gain:
x 1.6 (4dB)
Tube, and B+:
ECC 189 x 2 (6ES8), 135-145 volts
Filament:
365mA at 6.3 Vac per channelFor sale. ASPEN AMPLIFIERS/ ASKA GK1-R. Hybrid Tube/ Solid state pre-amplifier with amazing sonics!
First to listen will buy.
this is a kit version of Hugh Deans AKSA Swift pre-amplifier!
the parts cost £600.00, plus the chassis, with everything selected for audio quality, for example the left and right channels have their own special GOS(Grain Orientated Silicone) EI core transformers. I have added an upgraded Dale/Vishay stepped ladder volume control. This version has 4 stereo high quality relay switched source inputs. The retail version of this amplifier, which was known as the AKSA Swift, was over £2.5k! The only difference between the retail product and this one is that the retail one has an input for MM and MC record cartridges.
you can still buy the entry level GK1 kit from Aspen Amplifiers at 940 Australian Dollars. The entry level GK1 does not have the input switching.
I just want it to go to a new home, as its not being used.
I will not ship this, and will want to demonstrate the pre-amp before selling. I'm in Ashford, Kent and can be flexible with times ect.
here is a summary of the pre-amp spec/review:
he AKSA Swift is the fully assembled, retail version of the high end GK1 kit. this is an exceptional, Australian made preamplifier with proven, sublime sonics. It features timber, chromium and stainless steel construction, and like the GK1 kits is a hybrid solid state/vacuum tube line preamplifier which couples program sources to a high end power amplifier. The Swift features the following:
MM phono as standard
Premium quality timber, chrome and stainless steel construction
Full remote and manual actuation
Tracking subwoofer output, bypassing tube for tighter bass
No less than seven power supplies for maximum channel separation
Five sources: DVD, CD, Aux, Tuner and MM Phono
Home Theatre bypass
Available for 110-120V and 220-240V mains operation
The design aim of the Swift was to add that indefinable tube romance, beguiling imaging and palpable 'thereness' to a premium quality solid state power amplifier such as the AKSA. This must not cost transparency or resolution. The Swift should further deepen, heighten and widen the sound stage, and add musicality, greatly enhancing the listening experience. Functionally, it should offer the source selection and level control of a preamplifier, with the convenience of remote control.
All this is effortlessly achieved with the Swift. You are there with the performers - close your eyes and they are in the room with you. The Swift brings palpable emotional communication to a long listening session. It makes you smile, sets your foot tapping, and brings the occasional tear to the eye. The transparency is stunning, while vocalists are brought to a level of realism seldom heard, even when compared to live performance. The Swift is a must have for the serious audiophile who seeks to recreate the authentic, emotion-laden musical experience of a live performance.
he Swift is constructed completely dual mono throughout and includes two custom wound, grain-oriented silicon steel power transformers, one for each channel. It uses no less than seven onboard discrete power supply regulators. The volume control is fully buffered, gain is 4dB, bass is tight and punchy, yet wonderfully musical. Midrange is so rich one could swear the performer is in the room, and the top end offers a crystalline sweetness which is a revelation. Soundstaging even confers height; difficult, almost impossible to render with most audiophile components. The discerning audiophile is invited to tube roll, with a list of suggested tube types printed on the rear panel. All these qualities are complemented with the phono option, which is configured for Moving Magnet cartridges of 47K impedance.
The Swift permits use of very long interconnects whilst preserving full compatibility with the AKSA and most other power amps. This preamplifier adds that mystical "warmth" associated with tube audio equipment, yet delivers solid state resolution, impact and drive. This is power with glory at its beguiling best....
SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency Response
-3dB points at 15Hz and 80KHz
Harmonic Distortion
Second harmonic: -42dB , Third Harmonic: -54dB.
Configuration:
Bailey solid state topology, Self-biased Cathode follower with frequency-sensitive active power supply regulation.
Gain:
x 1.6 (4dB)
Tube, and B+:
ECC 189 x 2 (6ES8), 135-145 volts
Filament:
365mA at 6.3 Vac per channel
OPTIONS: ?
MM Phono Stage
A very high quality phono stage of astonishing synergy with the AKSA products is offered as an option. This feature is not available with the GK-1B Entry Level, but is incorporated into the input/switching pcbs of the M and R variants. The phono used two stage active feedback/passive EQ, and exploits the very latest in IC technology to offer very low noise levels, and unique, musical treatment of the ubiquitous clicks and plops which plague the vinyl medium.
Imaging is a great strength of this circuit, and it is possible to clearly discern height as well as depth and width in the soundstage.
The components for the phono stage are sold as a supplement to the GK-1M and GK-1R kits.
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