ACA Mini Completion Kit

A real class A amp built in an evening, ideal for beginners and a great replacement for class d desktop amps. Big thanks to NP. Nearly finished a b1 pre to go with it and full range speakers after that to complete the picture. Don't wait on, just get a kit and build one :)

Pros: Really surprised at the sound quality out of this lil amp. I built it as a curiosity but it gives an amazing soundstage that easily outclasses my vintage amps. When paired with efficient speakers and keeping the volume below 75db, it might be the best sounding amp I own.

Cons: my kit did not come with all the correct resistors. Luckily my engineer neighbor came to the rescue and got me the parts I needed to finish. Directions are good, but not dummy proof. It is limited though and really doesn’t like to be pushed above 1-2 watts. But lets be real, its punching way above its weight for its cost.

Overall, I would highly recommend this amp to anyone who is DIY amp curious. Fun to build, great to listen, excellent learning experience. Thanks Nelson!

This is my first complete kit, I've made.
Using:
- Full ACA mini kit and binding posts from the store
- diyaudio fire metal solder
- Araldit standard
- Ohmmite Heatsinks (8 x VM1-038-1AE)
- Aluminium plate (dimensions 250 x 190 x 15mm)
- Some small material
The amplifier sounds wonderful and it will be used with 6 x 9inch and 12inch full range speakers (another one is planned:-)). The adjustment for biasing was a little time-consuming but at the end it's a very nice experience.
(see my post #2,255 at the ACA mini thread)

Without any formal knowledge, extended experience or measuring instruments, my impressions are that this little amplifier reaches way lower in the bass region as well as the high frequencies without a roll off. The sound is full and complete. I am excited anticipating how it will sound after some use. The kit is simple and easy to build. Would suggest two multimeters for the biasing - makes it easier. The kit was flawless (as always), the build guide by 6L6 was excellent and we must thank Nelson Pass for his generosity to all of us. If you are thinking about building this amplifier, please don't hesitate! Highly recommended!

For my first kit amp project this thing is mindblowingly good. With the online guide, a little verification with a meter, fun soldering and bam! A little giant killer is born! So much fun. Sounds WAY bigger than it should….

Thank you for making such a great, easy to build, “DIY” package available. Now for some woodwork and aesthetics. This one is worth something nice! If I could give it ten stars I would.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I bought this kit simply because I like building kits. If they are inexpensive, I build them and give them away. At the time of this review the kit was $125. Cheap enough. But once I built it and connected it to my Magnepan LRS and KEF LS50 Metas, as a bi-amped system, using the ACA Mini above 70hz.....This little amp ain't going anywhere! I have a Pass Labs First Watt F5v2 that is my absolute reference amplifier. I've tried dozens of A,AB,D, Tube amps and nothing sounds as good as the F5v2.....but other than raw power, this little guy holds its own. Easy to build and fun to set the bias as it is a little challenging. You really need two VOMs and solder in a few little pieces of wire at the test points to allow easy connection with small alligator clips and you'll be in "High Cotton"......A nother issue is reading the resistors so you insert the correct ones. You need a good OHM meter and I recommend a auto calibration version. About $50 at Home Improvement Big Box stores or Amazon. If you are into this kind of stuff you should have one anyways. I mounted mine in an aluminum cabinet I built out of scrap, but I didn't like the looks. Finally I mounted it exposed on a wood base and added a level control to make balancing with the subwoofer easier. Get one and build it...You'll LOVE it!