Click on image above to enlarge

Had always wanted a true "Audiophile Amplifier" and after corresponding with Hugh R. Dean
the designer and supplier of this amplifier, decided to build the AKSA 100W-N Plus.
Information about this Amplifier can be found at: http://www.aksaonline.com.

Ordered the amp kit from OZ, and the transformers recommended by Hugh from Plitron
in Toronto. The amp kit arrived in 6 days, but the transformers would take a month to arrive, which
was ok as it would give me time to assemble the amp and see what miscellaneous parts would also be needed.

Stuffing the circuit boards was straight forward, except I found it easier to change the sequence of the parts installed. I find it much
easier to install the small parts first then installing the next smaller parts and so on. This method keeps the parts on the board when
turning the board over to solder. Reading ahead in the manual, I could see that it would be difficult to perform the voltage checks at
Test Point 1 & 2 on each board while adjusting the trim pot once the unit was assembled. After checking with Hugh, decided to
fabricate a couple of "perf boards" to facilitate testing and add them to the heat sink rail. Details later.

Ordered extra parts needed from Mouser as follows: http://www.mouser.com

A complete parts list, sources, and prices (as of Feb. 2005) is available at:
http://www.wmeckle.com/AKSA/Parts/Parts%20list.htm

Checked several sources on the Net for suitable rack mount cases, but couldn't find any that I fell in love with that had a reasonable price.
Hugh sent me a few pictures of his case for the AKSA 100W, and I liked the idea of using the heat sinks
as sides of the cabinet and letting them hang out in the air and not be enclosed.  Maybe I could use his case as a guide and
adapt it for rack mount capability. Hugh did a VERY nice job on his case, example:

Great job Hugh, but for my needs, I need to make some minor modifications. All my electronics are rack mounted
for convenience, so I need rack mount capability. Most of my components have the on/off switch in the
lower left area of the front panel and therefore the power cord enters the left rear of the unit. This allows me to bundle all
the power cords on the same side, out of the way of the interconnects. I don't know the method Hugh uses to mount the
transformers, but I'd like to make brackets for them to suspend them from the sides, so the top & bottom of the
case can be removed without disturbing the transformers. For the same reason, I'd like to make a bracket to mount
the power supply board and capacitors to the rear panel. Lastly, I need to make test points 1 & 2 accessible from the top.

The transformers from Plitron finally arrived
 Drew a schematic for hooking up the transformers to the power supply.
http://www.plitron.com/

Click on image above to enlarge.

The rectifiers and capacitors are mounted and soldered on a supplied circuit board.

Obtained some scrap 1/8" steel to fabricate brackets to support the transformers, so the top and bottom could be removed
without disturbing the transformers. Part of the heat sink land was removed to provide access to the bolts, and provide room for the power
         switch. Note: The top and bottom of the heat sink edges were drilled and tapped to accept 8/32 button head, Alan machine bolts, to allow
attaching the top and bottom of the case. The front and rear of the heatsink was drilled and tapped to accept ¼ 20 Alan machine bolts to attach
the front and rear panels.
Plitron steel dish washers were used on either side of the mounting bolt, as were Plitron neoprene washers. The mounting bolt is a ¼ 20 cap screw.

AC wiring is complete, Test point boards are installed and color coded Blue for left and Red for right.

Front and rear views of the completed amplifier.

I'd be happy to try to answer any questions regarding the design of the case. All the metal work was made from scrap.
And all the cutting of that metal work was done as a favor for my providing two dozen donuts to the metal workers.
For questions, please E-Mail me at: aksa@wmeckle.com