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In Reply to: RE: Nikko na-990 _ what do you think of it ? posted by beppe61 on December 01, 2015 at 09:34:29
Nikko was your classic flying under the radar stereo. Good clean power. Nothing overly exciting but a good performer in every category. Kind of like Luxman. Good - but people never seemed to rave about them.
If you like it then yes it does deserve some TLC.
Follow Ups:
Hi !
i decided to buy also the Yamaha hoping that it is a better amp.
I did not like completely the pcb layout of the Nikko.
When i see high current paths made with thin and narrow traces i get a little puzzled ... what about the Ohm's law ?
I like when i see thick voltage rails and nice output cables to the speaker terminals.
I decided for the Yamaha because it should have a good transformer and the design seems quite basic and suitable for mods.
For instance the wires connecting the speaker terminals look poor.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
This is typical of 80's style construction.
Cheap one board layouts with even cheaper parts.
What you're looking for is more in the 70's layout.
Hi and thanks a lot again.
reading around i have the feeling that this ax-500 could be very close to what i need. It should have a robust current delivery (nice EI transformer. More recent models have weaker transformer, at least looking at the power consumption rating on the back).
For comparison i attach the label of a more recent and similar Yamaha ... it has about 200W less of power consumption !!!!
No wonder if the bass is weaker.And it must be easily serviceable because i would like to try it myself.
The basic intervention ... replacing caps, bias trimmers and rewire it a little with nice speakers connectors and rca inputs for instance (i use only one channel).
I could try even to make it a little but strong power amp.
I love vintage british speakers. Kef, B&W, Celestion and so on.
They are very common here where i live now (Norway).
They are extremely well toned ... with a very nice sound.
But they usually come with plastic woofers that need current to come alive.
I know that i should go for something like a great old Threshold ...'
maybe next step.
Now i am crossing my fingers for this little Yamaha.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
Edits: 12/02/15
It certainly is a good choice to cut you teeth on leaning to service gear. Make sure you discharge the filter caps before you work on the unplugged receiver.
Dave
Hi and thanks a lot for the precious advice.
I think i will have to use a resistor maybe ?
I would like to add that also the Nikko sounds very good to my ear.
But the pcb design i do not like at all. Small traces even for high current lines ... what were they doing ?
Potentially they had a very powerful amp indeed. 540W of max power consumption. A pity.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
Edits: 12/03/15
I wouldn't write off the Nikko. Size isn't everything!
Dave
Hi and thanks again.
I did not want to discredit the amp at all. I just see some lack of attention for details that only details are not.
I believe in designs without bottlenecks.
And actually i see some efforts to increase the section of the voltage rails. They have soldered on them some wires ... but they are the size of a thick hair !!! i mean ... they are very very thin !!???
To end my ramblings i see some pcb available for DIY that they appear so much better designed that is unbelievable really.
Just a little more attention in pcb design could pay big benefits ... i am sure of this.
Mostly of course for the voltage rails ... i like them very thick and solid and low resistance.
Maybe this is what separates a good amp from a very good amp.
Thanks a lot again for all the precious advice.
Kind regards,
bg
Hi ! thanks a lot for the very valuable reply
Actually i am looking for an integrated with around 40-50W/channel but with a robust bass (high current) able to drive many speakers properly.
I have noticed that some old speakers have a very good tone but they need some current to sound exciting.
I am looking now to a Yamaha ax-500.
Maybe it is a better option ?
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
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