Solid State Power Amp Reviews

AkitikA GT-102 power amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: AMG Giro G9, Linn Sondek LP12 Valhalla turntables; SME M2-9 tonearm; AMG Teatro, EMT TSD 75, Koetsu Rosewood Standard cartridges.
Digital Sources: Mac mini computer running Audirvana 3.2; Border Patrol, Mytek HiFi Manhattan II, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analogue 2 DACs; Integra DPS-7.2 DVD player used as CD transport.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23, Bob's Devices CineMag 1131, Dynavector SUP-200, My Sonic Lab Stage 1030 MC step-up transformers; Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III RIAA, Tavish Design Adagio phono preamplifiers; Linear Tube Audio microZOTL2.0, Pass Laboratories HPA-1, Rogue Audio RH-5 line-level preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Bel Canto Design REF600M monoblocks, First Watt J2, Pass Laboratories XA25, PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium.
Loudspeakers: Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a, KEF LS50, Joseph Audio Pulsar, Magnepan .7, Tekton Impact Monitor.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Cinnamon (USB), Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio (coax). Interconnect: AudioQuest Big Sur & Cinnamon, Auditorium 23, Kimber Kable Silver Streak, TriodeWire Labs Spirit, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7. Speaker: Auditorium 23, TriodeWire American.
Accessories: Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X-1719-AMG GR LF, PS Audio PerfectWave PowerBase isolation platforms; Sound Anchor speaker stands; Dr. Feickert Analogue Protractor; Acoustical-Systems SmarTractor cartridge-alignment protractor; Musical Surroundings Fozgometer azimuth-range meter.—Herb Reichert

COMMENTS
Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on June 14, 2018 - 1:52pm

Goes to show more money can't always buy more happiness ..............

hifiluver's picture
Submitted by hifiluver on June 14, 2018 - 3:47pm

...but for the same money you can buy even better.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on June 14, 2018 - 5:31pm

... to delete the output coupling capacitor and lower the output impedance?

Jason P Jackson's picture
Submitted by Jason P Jackson on June 15, 2018 - 12:51am

How could that be? I'm building one.

Oh I see, It's a 1k sine. Still, nice measurements.

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on June 16, 2018 - 9:11pm

Great glimpse!

trmntr03's picture
Submitted by trmntr03 on June 18, 2018 - 2:24pm

I have a DAL Audio 3875 Chip Retro Amp, purchased used (virtually new, though) at Audiogon about 9 months ago at $158 ($350 new then, now at $400 new) for my 2nd system, and I can't be happier. It is build to the order in the U.S. They also make 3886 amp at the same price. Anyway, now I am a firm believer of the well-designed chip amps regardless of the price.

jorgen's picture
Submitted by jorgen on June 23, 2018 - 5:36am

Hifiluver can you really?

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on June 30, 2018 - 2:37pm

... for $299 the A-150, which is rated (with both channels driven) at 75 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms and 150 watts RMS per channel into 4 Ohms.
For $399, their A-300 is rated (with both channels driven) at 150 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms and 300 watts RMS per channel into 4 Ohms.

invaderzim's picture
Submitted by invaderzim on July 27, 2018 - 8:59pm

comparison with those would be great

invaderzim's picture
Submitted by invaderzim on July 27, 2018 - 8:58pm

Herb, you are my new hero for reviewing an amplifier that is sold in kit form.

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on July 15, 2019 - 5:44pm

Glad to see the review of the kit. Hope to see more like this.

If any reader might be interested in this LM3886 amplifier, I would suggest that they should consider the NeuroChrome line. I am not affiliated with them, only making a suggestion.

https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-686/

thatguy's picture
Submitted by thatguy on November 18, 2020 - 11:50am

I'd been looking at the Akitika for about 3 years but kept thinking "it can't be that good".

I'd built a LM3886 based amp that was highly rated before and just wasn't impressed. There wasn't anything wrong with it but I just didn't use it after my initial testing; there wasn't any part of it that drew me into the music with it. I built a TDA7293 that also received praise and it was slightly more enjoyable but nothing great.

I finally just broke down and bought the kit reviewed here and it was fun to build and I really enjoy the sound. I will find myself just sitting and listening to the music; excited to hear the next song and the next....

I probably spent way more on the other chip amps I built from scratch gathering up parts from here and there for them and they never looked as finished as this. They always seemed like bargains when I'd start buying the PCBs and components but then you add the cost of the case, and heatsinks and power supplies and connectors and on and on. By comparison it was great getting everything in one box for one price.

Rbertalotto's picture
Submitted by Rbertalotto on February 28, 2021 - 2:46pm

Like you, I built tons of Dynaco, Heath and Emco(?) kits when in High School. Built them for myself and anyone that wanted a kit built. My brother in law and I even built a Heathkit TV...But it never worked. I blame my BIL...Terrible with a soldering iron! Anyways, this week I plan on picking up a VTA St120 Dynaco clone tube amplifier kit from Bob Latino...I want to try a tube amplifier in my system. But this under $400 kit has me thinking....Maybe I should just suck it up and do both! Great review...BTW are you aware that there is model for 4 ohm speakers and one for 8 ohm speakers now....Thanks

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