Reviews

DAC5.1 Professional Edition March 2020

Wow- Brian the Dac5.1 Professional Edition has only been on for a few hours is incredible! I couldn’t resist I put in a Sophia 274 b and nos Brimar 12au7. The rich tone, harmonics, way way expanded sound stage is just incredible. Imaging with tons more separation and air-holographic! The bass has texture and tone to die for. The cymbals sound like symbols. Absolute no digital glare, low noise floor. This dare I say does really sound like analog! – Bob Werhun – Canada

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L1 EL84 v2 – “Got the parts and finished the amp tonight.  The great news is that all voltages are perfect, I mean perfect!!   Everything right the first time, even the Elma switch.   Plays music beautifully, and all channels work perfectly. Amp is glorious though!!  – Jon Anderson March 2019

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Legend 300B Power Amps, L3 Preamp, L3 Phono

I spent close to 1k on Princess Sophia mesh 300B 🙂

But yes, the sound is incredible. My entire rig is now Audio Note Kit (Legend power amps, L3 preamp, L3 phono). I noticed what you are referring to about the ‘shhh’ noise with the 12ay7’s – so upgrading that board to the newest version with 12ax7 and 6922 might be a good option

I’ve heard and owned a lot of amplifiers/preamps/phono and nothing touches your products in terms of sonic quality. My previous PSE 300B sounded AWFUL compared to the Legend and I think I may have paid MORE for it. Same with the L3 preamp – I previously had a pre that retailed for close to 10k, so I was obviously skeptical about the L3, but the L3 blew it away.

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It’s been maybe five years since I built my L3 phono, L4 Remote pre and EL-34 amp. All are working flawlessly and sounding great.

-MB Dec 2019

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300B triple C core transformer pair  upgrade

 “I’ve had the chance to listen for a few hours now. Excellent upgrade. Your transformers represent the final piece in the upgrade puzzle for me. Finally not listening the hifi anymore, just letting the music coming to me. It’s actually better than live, as I don’t have to listen to over amplified music which is typical of most venues (with exception of classical). Vocals show the most obvious improvement over the stock audionote transformers, now very real and thrilling. ”

Eric Barnett

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Mentor L5 Pre-amplifier

“Wow, I have been working in my office since 3 am. Time flies when the music is immersive!! I should know by now not to be surprised, but well apparently not. When I hooked up the Mentor, I did not have any indication on power up that I had a signal. Well everything was connected perfectly but the floor on the Mentor was even LOWER than if it was not in the path. I have been using the 300B, love the warmth but occasionally hoped for more dynamics. Not a problem now!!!. The Mentor has added incredible dynamics AND clarity. My wife walked in and got a strange look on her face and asked: “Is that JJ Cale?” “That’s Cocaine right?” “That’s the Preamp you just built?” Wow, I don’t even like this song and it sounds great….” No accounting for taste but it’s not just me, this line stage is amazing! More later, Build shots attached.” BOB

DAC 5.1

“I have to admit, I was not expecting such a huge leap in performance from what I already had…but it’s all there! I did some extensive critical listening last night. You can add the following to my review: As I listen further, the extraordinary capabilities of the 5.1 DAC reveal themselves. Beyond the superb imaging and soundstage, there is a clearer separation of instruments and textures.

Voices are a revelation with more “in the room” presence and very lifelike. Horns sound like real horns. The strum of key notes on well recorded piano is very apparent. Drum hits have more attack.  Bass notes and low end weight are more textured and apparent. The 5.1 is just able to go deeper and extract what seems like more emotion and detailed nuances from my collection of recordings that I know very well. It is like listening to them all over again for the very first time.OS Valvo ECF80s (actually 7643s). Really beautiful sound.”

ANDREW KOLOSHUK

EL34 Power Amplifier C-Core

“My previous amp (a Conrad-Johnson) was a nice amp, but this (EL34 C core stereo power)   is in a different class altogether.  Absolutely dead quiet, detailed, transparent, gorgeous sound — especially with my NOS Mullard EL34 (the real deal, not Russian knock-offs) and NOS Valvo ECF80s (actually 7643s). Really beautiful sound.”

DONALD STEVEN

L3 Phono Stage V2

“The L3 Phono V2 is the best RIAA I have ever had and the best I have ever heard.”

JAN OVE OUSDAL, NORWAY

 

DAC 2.1

“Hi Brian I received the DAC a couple of days ago. It is awesome and has exceeded expectations. Beautiful build quality and looks (give my thanks to Digital Pete). I put a CD on repeat to burn it in a bit, and right now it has less than 20 hours on it. Even with these low hours, it blows away my MSB DAC. There is simply no comparison with the detail, sound and presentation of the music. Very very pleased.”

Best Regards, Robert

DAC 5.1

“I just got the tubes and hooked up the new DAC last night: First, awesome build – truly a work of art – Thank You! Second, stunning sound right out of the box. My heavens it sounds nice. Supple, clarity without brightness, great low end, just a joy to hear. WOW! “

JIM

EL34 The Artiste Triple C-Core Monoblocks

“The monoblocks now have about 400 hours and they are indeed transparent, holographic, good tonal balance, and very musical. The midrange is where their strengths lie. Honestly they better the sound of McIntosh 300 watts power amp which I sold off. Whatever you advertised for the sound is spot on and i thank you for the Artiste Monoblocks. My next project is to contemplate your El84 Integrated. Again many thanks”

ANWAR

Interstage 300B SET Monoblocks

“I feel that I owe you what will be a long overdue review of my Interstage mono blocks. The build process was predictably smooth (I have built an Audio Note Kits DAC so this was expected) and took me a couple of weekends to complete. The time was well rewarded, as the resulting amps are really quite remarkable. Simply put, with these amps, I am finding myself listening to more music than I have in a long time.  

Unlike other high end audio products I have owned, I am not just reaching for my “good sounding” recordings (which sound awesome here as well),because everything I play through these amps just sounds so right and easy to listen to.  What has struck me most with the Interstage mono blocks is not only how amazing vocals sound, but also how arresting acoustic and electric guitar sounds. I have had more than a few “feels like they are in the room moments” and thats pretty awesome. The bass is also noteworthy, as I was not expecting clean tight and plentiful bass from a 20 watt tube amp.

All of this, and the music just seems to come out of a totally dead quiet background with no audible hum or noise at all. Sure there are other kits on the market, but I doubt that any of them come close to offering the level of quality and performance I am experiencing. I cannot thank you enough for offering a kit that performs as well as this one. Please do keep up the good work.”

BLAIR PIERSALL BOSTON MA

 

DAC 5.1 Signature

“Dear Sir I am taking time to let you know that I am immensely impressed with your products; particularly the Dac 5.1. Based on the build quality and superb performance of your Dac 5.1 I ordered the Mentor preamplifier and a pair of your 300b monoblock amps. Your ANK Dac 5.1 Signature produces a realism that is hard to believe. My associated equipment consists of Audio Note { Kondo amp and pre amp } some Shindo gear as well as Mark Levinson cd transport and dac converter.

The Mark Levinson 390s has been surpassed by you Dac 5.1 and is now in storage. I am not a stranger to hi fi kits ; going way back to the Eico and Dynakit era. Your products in the four digit price rang really outclass many audio products in the mid five digit range. I can still hear to the 14,000 HZ range and use very high efficiency speakers such as the Shindo Lafitte..Voxativ drivers..and my own very limited production ; the 22,200 gauss flux density Reps R-1 speaker system. Thanks again for making available to us , some really fine audio products that don’t break the bank. Sincerely”

FRANCIS M REPS




EL34 Stereo Amplifier

“It’s taken me a while what with summer holidays and so on but I have just got round to writing a few words for you on my impressions of the EL34 C-Core Power Amplifier. Notes on the kit building experience The kit was a joy to build, professionally put together and very easy for anyone with just a basic understanding of electronics, there is a lot of information on the included CD-ROM, plenty of pictures, so if there was anything I wasn’t sure of it soon became clear after a quick look through the files and pictures on the disc. I can see from the quality of the components that the kit as a whole is really good value, I built several Audio Note kits back in the 90’s so when I was looking to build a new amplifier I was very pleased to find your website, your website is great by the way, it looks like you have a range of fantastic products so I can only say keep up the good work!

Sound quality
Sounded good from the start but now it’s run-in (around 150+ hours) it’s sounding REALLY GOOD!! The sound has opened up a lot, mids are clear and smooth, highs and lows are extended and well defined. I’ve never been sure of what people mean when they talk about the ‘warm’ sound of valve amps, to my mind that could mean coloration with an emphasise in the lower mid/upper bass region, this amp certainly doesn’t have that, it’s tonally neutral but it does sound smooth and sweet and reproduces music in a fluid, effortless way which I think is the mark of a good valve amplifier. At the same time as all this it’s fast! timing is excellent and leading edges are reproduced in a way not necessarily associated with valve amplifiers.

You mention on your website how you have enjoyed listening to your Al Di Meola mid 70’s albums on this amplifier, I have these albums on a CD box set (not the vinyl originals sadly) and I totally get what you mean, the detail is amazing and the amp really seems to get in the groove with the music, I have just been listening to Herbie Hancock’s jazz/funk fusion album ‘Head Hunters’ (also mid 70’s) and you get the same felling with that album as well, that’s not to say this amp is a one trick pony, it sounds great on just about anything you can throw at it (good music that is). All in all this is a truly great amplifier, I’m sure it can be improved with a few signature parts (upgrading the coupling capacitors as you recommended for instance) but I am more than happy with the way it sounds at present so I am in no hurry to do this, it has the ability to put a big smile on my face, what more could you ask for?”

JOHN

EL34 Level 3 Monoblocks

“I received the EL34 Level 111  monoblocks yesterday, the quality of this kit is outstanding! I’ve built my own tube amps before, but they’re nowhere near this nice. I can also appreciate all the R&D you guys have put into this, it saves me HOURS of playing with layout and measuring. I’m going to have to buy one of your 300B lots at some point.

I’m extremely impressed by the range of products and price ranges you’re able to offer. It seems like you’re constantly developing new products and evolving the classics. I also think even your high end equipment is reasonably priced (in the context of hi fi audio).”

JORGE ESPINOZA

EL34 Level 3 Monoblocks

“Brian – man oh man, I just can’t imagine the day I hook up these bad ass amps up…. I’m going to be in tears, that’s a given… I made a  slight change in color on the choke and a little brass hardware…..I promise that’s all i will do lol…..im an artist how could i not add a touch of flare and tasteful to Audio Notes style I think….

CHRIS HABERLAND

EL34 Level 3 Monoblocks

“I’m interested in the EL34 MonoBlock Level 3. I was fortunate enough to have an acquaintance bring his pair over for a listen through my speakers, JBL 4365. They sounded absolutely sensational. We had to run them with a CD source (Oppo BDP-105) only for the day as my pre amp is XLR output only. So no turntable. And still they sounded breathtaking.”

A.  CAMPLONE

EL34 Integrated

“It sounds fantastic. I’m particularly impressed with the bass, clean, smooth flat response, and plenty of output – surprising for 35 watts.”

GEOFFREY SHORTEN

Mentor L5 Pre-amplifier

“Today the boxes have arrived. WOW, how exciting, unpacking the boxes. It is better than Christmas! I am impressed by the size and quality of the Mentor parts. Now I am starting to understand what you meant with “finest pre-amplifier on the planet!

JIRI OPLATEK

Interstage 300B SET Monoblocks Quad C-Core

“Overall kit quality is stunning.”

ANTHONY PARKIN, UK

L3 Phono

“We assembled the phone stage and ran it to play. It was amazing – first 30 minutes it was going  better and better and finally it reached it stationary state. What to say? This is the best sound which we heard so far… I would like to learn more how it was designed basically what is the philosophy of the design of the system.

NIKOLAY NIKOLAEV, UK

Interstage 300B SET Monoblocks

“Success.  The filiaments glow and power stays on”

“I went ahead with the voltage measurements and the measurements checked out to within less than 5% difference from expected.  This is probably within the variability of the mains voltage.  Then I played some music.  I literally froze in amazement where I was standing.  The transparency and the detail and the liquid sound of the female vocalist was fantastic!!  I was concerned about the adequacy of the bass with only 20 watts when I first ordered the kit, but in fact, the acoustic double bass had both depth and detail and much more in fact than my 125 watt/channel tube amp. WOW! – am I happy! “ “I finished the second amp yesterday afternoon and have been listening to all sorts of music. 

I am very happy with the result!!  These amps are great!!   The most amazing thing is what they do with female vocalists:  The sound emerges from an absolutely quiet background – no trace whatever of hum – and the sense of presence is fantastic.  Also, there is plenty of detail and bass for classical music.”

ALLAN SMITH, California

L1 EL84 Integrated

“Thought, why not try something heavier, so put on Metallica – Black, my goodness!!  The L1 EL84 Integrated amp came alive.!.  I have not done much comparison yet, but I can say it sounds awesome!! I can feel the difference in the sound stage, clarity, tone, and even tightness in bass. In the end the build was worth it!!”

SAMSON LOPEZ, UK

Mentor L5 Pre-amplifier

“The DAC is almost beyond belief. I am re-discovering all my discs while my records and tape lie still. And the ‘Mentor’, walks, and often runs, away from my similar priced McIntosh preamplifier in everyway. Low level resolution was quite astounding even when using other pre-amps, but with the L-5 ( Mentor), it moves into a different class.

So many products in audio have increased in cost and decreased in value and performance. The media seduces us into thinking what they say is what we want. All the products carried by AudionoteKits, are of the highest standard for schematic conception, layout, parts, fit and finish.”

GEORGE ZABRECKY

DAC 2.1

“Just a quick mail to say many thanks for the perfect and professional packing and shipping you did on the DAC, so many people can’t pack. Once again Brian many thanks for your superb service, I might look at a preamp as well.”

PAUL

DAC 2.1

“The DAC 2.1 is the single most rewarding purchase in my 37 years of audio.”

ROBERT GRANDONI

DAC 2.1 built by ANK finished products builder Digital Pete

“Your work is exquisite!!!! I’m so pleased that I can’t even find the words to express my feelings. I’ve been listening to it for only three hours but I can already tell how much better it sounds than what I was listening to before. Vocals are much clearer, separation and soundstage have snapped in where they should be, bass is deeper but with no smearing. Every part of the listening experience has improved.

I could go on and on with the superlatives, and I haven’t encountered any negatives! I can’t even imagine how good it will sound after more break-in. Doing business with you has been a pleasure from beginning to end. You should be proud of your customer service as well as your product. I’m looking forward to our next transaction. By the way, please feel free to use me as a reference. Also you have my permission to quote any part of our communications to prospective clients.”

ALAN SIMON, Colorado

 

DAC 3.1

“The imaging and separation between vocals and instruments conjures up an amazing illusion and I feel I could walk over and touch the individual parts. I threw a lot of complex music at the DAC with organs and classical content and I was pleased to see the DAC resolved all the detail and never sounded cluttered. On more modern music I heard stuff from the mix that previously just blended in and the vocals were surreal. I took the DAC away with me to my parent’s house, my father got me into hi-fi originally.

We had a hi-fi bake off one evening and listened to a variety of transports and DACs, the DAC 3.1 was always the winner. The result is that I’m now buying more CDs than previously, second hand is a great source and cheap.I would without a doubt recommend this product to anyone who is thinking of buying a DAC and is handy with a soldering iron. Construction took me around 12 hours. I was also impressed with the quality level of the components supplied in the kit. The instructions are fool proof and the whole kit came in individually labelled bags with an inventory.”

ALEKS

 

DAC 4.1

“I have finish the assembling of my DAC4.1 kit and I’m very satisfied of it. All what I anticipate from this kit meet all my expectations. The timbres, the soundstage, the drive, the bass have reach level I have never met with any others dacs I’ve listen to in the past. I’m really happy with it!”

SYLVIAN

 

DAC 4.1 built by ANK finished products builder Digital Pete

“Just a note to let you know the DAC arrived about an hour ago.  I just wanted to let you know the workmanship looks stunning.  The layout is absolutely neat and everything looks polished.  It is obvious you take great pride in your work. Out of the box on first listen I could tell this is a special piece of audio gear.  It has detail and dynamics in spades.  After a number of hours of playing time the warmth and presence became more apparent.  It has that one character that I love and call “concert hall” sound, the acoustic space of the musical performance.”

BILL SCOBY

DAC 4.1

“Saludos sr. Brian Llevo 40 horas de escucha con el dac 4.1, y estoy fascinado con esta maquina ¡!! Me gusta mucho como suena en todos los sentidos. Tiene un sonido abierto y produce una escena grande. En cambio la musica no suena debil y volatil…. Sino rapida y con firmeza.

Las voces son claras , limpias y las reproduce con fuerza. Los agudos parece que no estan…. Pero cuando hay instrumentos de metal, aire , ,cuerda (octava superior) aparecen milagrosamente, con todo el esplendor… (simplemente es que no son persistentes). El grave y subgrave son lo mejor que he escuchado en mi vida en un cd-dac…. Rapido, apretado, y bien articulado…. Apreciando las diferentes notas de grave a subgrave muy bien definidas y no produce ese tipo de grave grande , y difuso. Lo que hecho en falta es mas resolucion (transparencia) y microdetalle….. Entonces he comprado nuevas valvulas “nos” a un famoso importador en “usa”. 2- raytheon (1950-1960) 2- tung-sol (1950-1960) 2- philips (1970) cryo….

En todas , la transparencia a ganado mucho….. Con estas valvulas las cualidades del 4.1 se han acrecentado hasta un nivel hi-end. No es una broma ¡!!! Hay que tener el resto de componentes del equipo a un nivel de calidad muy alto, para poder reconocer todo lo que puede hacer este 4.1. Esta vez…. La transparencia es tanta como lo que esta gravado dentro del cd.….. Y el equilibrio tonal es casi perfecto ¡!!!!! Mi satisfaccion es maxima…… no puedo continuar evaluando el 4.1 sin compararlo con productos de marcas del mundo high-end referencias. En mi equipo he tenido: naim, jadis , mark levinson, proceed, chord, karan, audiomeca, ….. He escuchado en tiendas especializadas: dcs, krell, vitus, copland, cary audio..etc……. Cableados, amplis, cd , dac, altavoces…….. Estoy familiarizado con productos de alto nivel, y os puedo “confirmar” que este dac 4.1 pertenece a ese grupo selecto. “por supuesto es mi opinion”…. Pero yo, ya tengo uno en mi casa, para mucho tiempo. Gracias sr. Brian…. Por conseguir una maquina de 3100$ (kit) con un nivel de referencia absoluta…….”

MARIO DIAZ, Spain

DAC 4.1

“I can tell you Brian the DAC is amazing. It plays wonderfully. I have never listened to music from valves like this before and this is just after a few hours listening time.”

OLAV STENSEN

EL34 C-Core Integrated Amplifier

“Thanks very much for the wonderful tube amp kit. I just completed the assembling last Sunday evening. It worked properly from the very beginning, all voltage checks were OK from the scratch.

Thanks to your genious circuit and to high quality parts including the impressive C-Core output transformers, one ends up with a marvelous integrated amp at a very reasonable price!! Congratulations to this product. I hope that you will have a lot of success with selling this valuable product in the future!”

DANIEL OERTLI

EL34 C-Core Integrated Amplifier

“The EL34 Integrated C core sounds freaking awesome! So smooth…. I don’t think that I have very discerning ears, but I am pretty sensitive to any harshness. (A lot of systems actually cause me a bit of pain). There is absolutely none with this amp. The music also just seems more completely formed. The sound stage is so much more crisp and organized.

The difference between my old amp and this one is pretty amazing in this regard. Another surprise is the potency of the 35 watts! My last few amps have been 100 watters. This seems pretty much as powerful. It has no problem driving my 86db efficient Sonus Faber Liuto monitors.

Anyway I couldn’t be happier. I’m not expecting or hoping for any improvement with the break in. Do you think there will be? I can’t imagine it. Pete – great job with the build. As I’m sure you realized after answering my multitude of calls, I am a bit of a perfectionist. The craftsmanship is impeccable. I can’t stop staring at it. I defiantly don’t want to hide it with the cover. I will be having you build something else for me in the future.”

CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON