Akitika GT-102 vs. Luxman L590AXII Class A Amp Section: $500 vs. $9,000. WTF? See Description.

[@stereopolice]

Guys, no joke, I'm a little humiliated, but listening here in person I'm almost preferring Akitika. I'll keep you posted. I'm not sure yet but we might have a giant killer on her hands.

[@matytinman]

There is an excess of bass. You should move away the rear wall speakers if possible and DECOUPLING BETTER them from the ground. Those speakers need internal reinforcement to reduce woofer vibrations, I think. I commented at the time, Akitika sounded better than Luxman in the three clips.

[@matytinman]

by Aceinc -> Audiocircle: Changes to Klipsch Cornwall IIIs.

[@f430ferrari5]

Isn’t the price of the Luxman partly due to “looks” and the VU meters and switches and knobs? To me. It’s not worth it. The Akitika which I never heard of looks quite similar to my Acurus amps which I still have from the late 90’s. Very basic. Sounds good. Reliable. For others the nice looking style fits for them. Kind of like McIntosh. Beautiful looking amps with the blue VU meters and good sound and reputation. Too much for me though. I prefer to spend more on my cars.

[@sandyshoremann7524]

Was hoping for something special, but dynamics greatly squashed v the Luxman. The sound was not engaging across the YTube. Enya may certainly not be the best test subject, regardless, I haven't heard her synth work in ages, and the music takes me back a few decades to a more wondrous time. Monitored with Samson Sr-850 studio HP and a quality 24bit DAC card running at 96khz - Sandy the Aging Boston Audiophile

[@AndJusticeForAll...1985]

Bro you're listening through KZbin and an iPhone microphone. @@matytinman

[@cruise2023]

Just gave you a whole pile of feedback below and only printed the first line, WT !!! Luxman sounds warmer, bloomy, smoother and fuller bass. The Atikita sounds a little more edgy up top, more neutral and has hold of the bass. Yes they are different but considering the price diff, the Atikita did very well. After a long listening session with diff genera I think the Luxman would win out, so it should. But marry the Atikita with the right speakers and you will have something there and have money left over to spend on ? I have built 3 speaker kits so I believe anything DIY is great value as the Atikita appears. Regards From Australia.

[@thetakeout]

The Akitika is no joke! I love Book of Days from that Enya album. Thanks for the videos. They have been fun. It's a fun hobby we have. Some morons are chasing "what's best". That is unhealthy at best. But each piece of gear is a new experience and trying to learn what it adds or detracts can be a lot of fun. Thanks for your channel!

[@1999zrx1100]

Morons eh, keep buying your crap.

[@NeilBlanchard]

I agree that the AkitikA GT-102 (the 4 ohm "GT-102 Z4" version in my case) is a wonderful amplifier. It is the best amp that I had heard. It has better treble and midrange than my B&K ST-140, and better bass and dynamics than my Schiit Vidar. And I have also built the GT-104; which is the 4 ohm version of the discrete version of this amplifier - and it is noticeably better. The GT-102 is the easier build - about half the parts, and no biasing to do. The GT-104/8 is more parts to stuff and solder, and it does require you to bias it - but this is quite easy; because of the thermal feedback that Dan Joffe uses.

[@naastradamus]

Hi Neil, what would you say the stand out differences are between the GT-102 Z4 and the discrete version GT-104?

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@naastradamus All the great qualities of the GT-102 Z4 - get even better with the GT-104. The bass in particular is even more controlled and dynamic, and midrange layering, are noticeably better. Soundstage is a bit better, too.

[@yanrad]

that Akitika had a sweeter sound, but that Luxman was fuller, smoother and more balanced. Considering the price the Akitika is amazing though. Thank you and cheers!

[@regimani7817]

This comparison is an eye opener for me. I really enjoyed music from luxman. Luxman succeeded In the context of musicality or kind of this thing called 'drawn into the music' comparing to Akatika. It will be great if you get an amp with the quality of luxman in the price range between $1500-2000.

[@jungtarcph]

About to finish the Akatika Z4. One channel is working. So far so good! Need to fix one of the RCA solderings. Dan who runs Akatika is very responsive and helpful!

[@derbigpr500]

Just listening through great headphones I clearly prefer the second recording playing from 29:00 onwards, don't know what gear is playing that and don't care.

[@abc-ni9uw]

Love Enya watermark 1988 😊

[@sandyshoremann7524]

Referring to my reply below, I must listen again a bit later. I have found YT, over the past year or two, is so flaky, one minute you are getting a good resolution stream, the next it sounds like junk. Then my boiler is running now - the ignitor on that unit gens giant RF and destroys data streams. p.s. How did you mic this, I am not hearing the room much at all. Close mic approx 1 meter?- Sandy

[@cruise2023]

Hope to get a review of the GT-108 when it arrives, would be interested in how it compares, cheers.

[@stereopolice]

It will be thorough.

[@christophergaus3996]

​@@stereopoliceI am very very excited for a GT-108 review and direct comparison w/102. The new discrete design intrigues me, I'm considering building an akitika for each channnel. Reading around it seems you can get even better power

[@stereopolice]

The 102, as I am rediscovering, is sooo darn good, yes, I can't wait for the 108. However, I am impartial and honest, therefore, if it disappoints, I'll let you know. But I certainly don't expect that to happen.@@christophergaus3996

[@christophergaus3996]

@@stereopolice I am very very curious, been contemplating Akitika for a while

[@jesseccs]

Can your 108 kit shipping to Taiwan?TKS

[@EarlofBaltimore]

I'm intrigued. I might have to break out the old solder station and try my hand at one of those kits.

[@stereopolice]

I was such a pleasure when I did it. And then, you get to hear it .... Wow!

[@stereopolice]

Are you a son of Baltimore, the city?

[@EarlofBaltimore]

@@stereopolice I take my handle from Earl Weaver. I was a kid from the suburbs between DC and Baltimore. I have lived in and around Baltimore at times.

[@stereopolice]

Right on. I know my way around Baltimore. Cheers. Polock Johnny's baby!!!! @@EarlofBaltimore

[@EarlofBaltimore]

you know it!

[@dilbyjones]

Subbed again glad ugave a stab. It’s ok not to pray to Luxman!

[@badbruise]

Keep the videos coming….. good stuff

[@stereopolice]

Txh; it's comments as yours that keep me going.

[@cruise2023]

Okay just found you by accident, all good 😀

[@StagnantMizu]

anyone here tried the PMA 720 it looks quite good inside and sounds awesome but not compared it to high class amps, it is also class A

[@joyojoyo8]

love the Enya!

[@СтаниславРайков-в8й]

1 For some reason, your speakers are deployed, one is standing in the corner of it, there is much more sound!! 2 Klipsch Cornwall 3 Shit 3 Try listening to it at a high volume 4 Try it on good speakers, you'll immediately understand Klipsch cornwall 4 is a very bad speaker, well,Talking about cornwall 3 . Take DALI epicon 6.8 Or jbl 4367

[@СтаниславРайков-в8й]

And another question: how can something be compared to this kind of music???

[@boneseyyl1060]

It's pretty close for sure. I think the Luxman is just subtlely better. A tiny bit better on the separation and clarity, and maybe a tad more dynamic sounding as well. Whether that is worth the price difference is a whole other story.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Welcome back my dude!!!!!!😮

[@stereopolice]

Thanks for the kind words!!!!!!!

[@jonpatrick66]

Good information 💯 thanks

[@Josh-qk8us]

The Luxman definitely sounds better, but the Akatika is impressive for the price

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

No it doesn’t. 😂

[@hadbl12]

Looks good

[@dougg1075]

Very cool

[@RanTausi]

Cheers 🍻

[@1999zrx1100]

Horrible music to do any comparison with if that is even possible through KZbin. Try some Jazz that is nothing but acoustic instruments recorded live. We all know what drums sound like live. Synthesized noise has to be the worst way to judge any system. Something like Dave Brubeck- Take Five, with decent gear Joe Morello’s drums will make any system come to life. That cheap amp does pack a punch for the $. After years of running high wattage McIntosh gear I’ve gone back to low wattage Class A amplification in the Luxman 590 as well. They say a future classic but not cheap, 1/2 the joy of audio is the tactile feel and appearance unfortunately. We all have our thing, been into audio over 40 years, never gets old.😎

[@stereopolice]

I do my best. I can't be all things to everyone. I enjoyed your comment. Cheers.

[@1999zrx1100]

You clearly put time into your videos, not trying to be critical but notice so many use music that really makes it tough to evaluate components. Some of the stuff recorded back in the 60’s was so well done. I think that’s why a lot of audiophiles get into Jazz at some point. If I had the room for a second set up the GT-102 would surely be on my list, I bet it easily compares the newly released Musical Fidelity A1 that is 4 times the price. 🙏

[@stereopolice]

I'll do some Jazz. Give me a good reference song? @@1999zrx1100

[@1999zrx1100]

I had mentioned Dave Brubeck, Take Five, another is Elvin Jones album Heavy Sounds, Raunchy Rita sounds amazing, also try Shelly Mann/Bill Evans, Empathy.. song called I Believe In You. So well recorded can’t help to hook you. 👍

[@stereopolice]

BTW, Joe Morello is one of my top 5 fav drummers of all time.

[@samuilc8000]

Preferring Lux!

[@LenovoLenovo-g2f]

I prefer my Mitsubishi M -A04 .

[@РомаРома-я9щ]

Что это было?

[@ZVM600]

Stereoeblan😂