Are 5 Watts Enough? ACA Mini by Nelson Pass | DIY Amplifier

I was lucky enough to get an ACA Mini from Nelson Pass himself. It's a DIY Audio Amplifier with only 5 watts of Class A power... Does it hold its own?
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[@glenk0]

It’s a great little amp! I have mine powering a pair of Troels Gravesen designed SBA761 speakers, about 90db efficient, and they sound great. It’s no giant killer, but it is a fun little amp and a rewarding diy kit for builders of all skill levels.

[@mykandrew]

Couldn't agree more 👏

[@scaryperson27]

I am using it with a pair of 89db sensitive floor standers. I agree that it sounds really good. I have mine mounted to larger heatsinks with a linear supply I had laying around. Bias is .440v at 24v at the moment.

[@chelillingworth9466]

I just built this amp and I am floored by how good it sounds, I also built the full size ACA, I ran that in stereo mode and in both monoblock modes as I built two of them. I ended up following this great thread on DiY audio and heavily modified the amp with premium parts and dual power supplies and it sounds killer. This little push pull amp though doesn't roll off at the top as much as the ACA and it's just got something awesome happening even in its purely stock mode!

[@calico88]

Where to buy the kit and the ifi power supply ?

[@sarahX..]

How did the IFI psu affect the high frequencies specifically compared to the original psu?

[@mykandrew]

High frequencies were tame with both of if I remember correctly. I would have to re-evaluate it to be sure.

[@sarahX..]

@@mykandrew I ask because we are thinking of trying either ACA-mini or F5 as tweeter amp in a tri-amp setup using concentric 115db mid/high horn. Aim is for extended refined airy sparkly highs that really shimmer. Any other suggestions are more than welcome thanks.

[@chelillingworth9466]

Do you have any impressions about how much of an improvement the IFI power supply was over the little brick that it comes with? Sounds like maybe that brick blew out before you had a chance to do a comparison? The power supply that it comes with is tiny compared to the 36 volt meanwells that I have for my modded ACA. That IFI looks really intriguing, it might also be a killer upgrade for my hagerman tube phono preamp that uses a wall wart.

[@chelillingworth9466]

I'm going to answer my own question, I went ahead and got the iFi elite power supply just on a 30-day trial. The improvements it makes are no joke and if you match it up with some efficient speakers I have mine with Klipsch fortes, The results are amazing! And the improvement over the stock power supply is enormous, totally shocked!

[@sarahX..]

@@chelillingworth9466 What kind of improvements exactly? We are looking to get a ACA exclusively for midrange duties 300Hz - 6.5kHz on a very high efficient horn based (electronic XO) system. We need a low watt amp that is somewhat warm and buttery smooth (especially in the upper midrange) with good stage depth and not too forward. Would you say the original PSU should suffice our particular requirements ? Any other suggestion ?

[@chelillingworth9466]

@@sarahX.. I would say it's definitely buttery smooth and it does a really great job with soundstage depth and width a very holographic presentation. Adding the ifi elite power supply enhanced it and every way, much more detail and specifically much better imaging everything was much more defined. The nice thing about the ACA mini It's that it's so inexpensive so you can really experiment without too much risk, and you can purchase the iFi power supply on a 30-day money back from most retailers and see what you think.

[@991carreras3]

Any chance you might know someone that has the right test meters and could complete the build for us?

[@mykandrew]

@mikegalusha1 probably could for the right price 😉

[@991carreras3]

@@mykandrew thanks ill contact him.

[@HalfVccTronYente]

Where is the amp and the sound?

[@robertjc605]

Yes with the right speakers.

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

Try a pair of the Hestia OB speakers.

[@991carreras3]

I checked the web site the board is not available right now hopefully back in soon.

[@mykandrew]

Yeah there are a few people waiting. High demand for these little guys.

[@scaryperson27]

They should be available now. Both the essentials kit and the completion kit. I am listening to it now. It is a great ?little? amp!

[@991carreras3]

@@scaryperson27 thanks. Now I know what to get with holiday money.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Certainly, we do not use more than 10 W/rms Look at it this way, every day you drive 100 km at a speed of 130 km/h, with a 70 HP engine, at maximum Or you drive 130 km/h with a 200 HP engine, moderately Which engine will last longer?

[@jstwatchnread8420]

Definitely he built amp that looks like luxury car with one mile per gallon...

[@scaryperson27]

That is not an accurate comparison. This little amp will last just as well as a larger amp.

[@stevencaskey8502]

Symphony Fantastic by Hector Berlowits. Superb mucic. Hope you enjoyed.

[@Gullsz]

I want to get one, but they charge 86 dollars shipping to uk for a small circuit board. What a rip off!

[@mykandrew]

Shipping rates are outrageous to ship in the US, I can only imagine how ridiculous it is globally

[@zoenagy9458]

5W sound for 200W used electricity :D

[@mykandrew]

Lol gotta love Class A

[@Uraim]

if you have a super sensitive speaker set then its enough.

[@kvcl123]

so where' s the sound? i cant hear it.. 👎

[@mykandrew]

Can't hear what?

[@kvcl123]

@@mykandrew your nelson pass amp. i can hear only words beautiful words 😁

[@mykandrew]

@@kvcl123 you are going to have to build one to hear it... lol

[@kvcl123]

@@mykandrew yeah okay

[@jonvonshitzlebawm3331]

You expect a KZbin demo?😂 you realize the compression of the upload to KZbin makes that useless right?