![]() Furthermore, increasing the volume level never gave the impression of the speakers crudely spitting more sound out or becoming unsettled. It was not completely linear, but instead followed more of a logarithmic curve as you turned up the volume. Speaking of volume levels, I found the behavior of the OTO’s unusually sensitive volume knob especially interesting. This helped me dispel the expectation that you “must have (100, 200, etc.) watts per channel in order to drive a speaker properly.” For the volume levels I regularly listen to in my 13’x10’ room, 65-85db, 9wpc seemed to work perfectly. Throughout the several months I spent listening to the Audio Note system, I never felt that I needed a more powerful amplifier. Sound Quality and Performanceĭespite having “only” 9 watts per channel on tap, there was seemingly limitless power and headroom available. They’re designed with four groups of twisted-quad Litz conductors per cable, so four cables run to each speaker to bi-wire. These cables consist of 96 strands of high-purity copper, arranged in a Litz configuration. I connected the speakers to the OTO Phono PP with the AN-Lexus LX Bi-Wire speaker cables. Sporting a ¾” tweeter and an 8” paper cone woofer and shipping without grilles, their design exudes simple elegance. While they share many attributes, they are far from simply a clone or re-imagination of the original. These speakers are the spiritual successor and modern-day interpretation of the vintage Snell Acoustics Type K speakers. Instead of trying to fight resonances and create a completely inert enclosure, Audio Note embraces the natural resonant frequencies of the cabinet and uses them to enhance the operation of the drivers. Instead of MDF, the cabinet is constructed of six layers of Russian Birch ply, a wood specifically selected for its acoustic properties. These gorgeous works of art immediately reminded me of heirloom-quality vintage furniture that I would be proud to pass down to future generations. They are easily the most beautiful speakers that I’ve had in my listening room. My review sample AN-K/LX speakers arrived wearing a stunning olive wood veneer. AN-K/LX Loudspeakers and AN-Lexus LX Bi-Wire Speaker Cables Due to its Class A design, this amplifier generates plenty of heat, so you’ll want to provide a minimum of 7 inches of clearance above it for adequate ventilation. Peeking inside through the top vent reveals several Audio Note UK tin-foil capacitors used in both the primary and phono preamps. There is also no hiss heard through the speakers. The amplifier’s complete lack of hum or buzz further demonstrates its physical refinement. The discrete phono stage uses one ECC83 (Psvane or Electro-Harmonix) and one 6N23P (Russian NOS) tube.įour gold control knobs adorn the front of this classy-looking amplifier, which is finished with a highly reflective gloss-black acrylic plate. Before reaching the amplifier section, the signal passes through one 5670 General Electric NOS tube in the driver section and two 6UA6 tubes (NOS RCA, Westinghouse, or other) in the preamp section. Weighing in at a respectable but manageable 27 lbs, the OTO PP integrated amplifier uses four vintage General Electric NOS 6005W power tubes in a push-pull configuration to deliver 9wpc. Are you ready to dive in and take a closer look inside these components? Let’s find out if their musical performance is more than the sum of their parts. ![]() My goal was to hear what kind of experience this turnkey “just add music” system provided. What is the rationale behind why a company would choose to manufacture its own capacitors and transformers, versus selecting from the bevy of commercially available options? Finding the answer to this multifaceted question will begin to give you an understanding of the company’s approach toward music and the gear that makes it sound real.įor this Audio Note review, I took a listen to the AN-K/LX speakers ($4,900) powered by the OTO Phono PP tube integrated amplifier ($5,000), connected with a 2.5m pair of AN-Lexus LX Bi-Wire speaker cables ($2,200). ![]() This ensures that the company is in complete control of the signal path from start to finish. Most notable is Audio Note’s healthy obsession with designing capacitors and transformers. The company’s unique and outspoken approach to all things audio has made it a household name among audiophiles and HiFi enthusiasts. ![]() Audio Note UK is a company that marches to the beat of its own drum. ![]()
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