Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...


Hi, Folks,
If anyone's interested, I've started a blog with lots of photos, documenting my ongoing build of the Audio Note Kit 1 300B SET amp. If you've ever thought of building any kit before and want to get a feel for what it's like, you're welcome to have a look!
rebbi

Showing 5 responses by swampwalker

Rebbi-
The problem is that it is very hard to find somewhere where you can listen to speakers, without a salesman obnoxious presence...
What I would suggest is to get to a show where you can hear some/most of these speakers. Israel was at the show in Manhattan in 2014 and is likely to be there/RMAF/Capitol Audiofest in 2015. Most of the time, if you're patient you can get the music you feel is most critical cued up for a listen. If you're recognized as really serious, you might even get an extended demo before or after hours, with the possibility of a show special price. In the meantime, since you are very happy w the amp/speaker sound you now have for 90% of what you listen to, you can enjoy that, let the stuff break in more, and get used to how different things affect the sound. I know how hard patience can be, but short of buying, comparing, and selling the loser, there are not too many options these days, esp. w boutique products. Unless of course, you can find a B&M store who stocks Coincident, Ref 3A, Tekton and who knows what else.
Rebbi- if you think that your amp clips "a little" you might want to consider a sub or pair of subs with its own amplification. I know the ref 3s roll off but I'm not knowledgeable enough to know whether that affects the amp trying to amplify those low frequencies which really gobble up the power.
If it were me, I'd also go for the higher efficiency Lore. IF I was changing speakers.
Good news, Reb. Can't wait to "hear" your impressions of the amp w the new trannies in place. FWIW, I used a Wavac 300b with some much older "Ref 3a" monitors several years ago and never ran into clipping, although I don't usually listen to full range orchestral music and volume is typically quite moderate. I put Ref 3a in quotes because they are labeled Innovac; a predecessor company to Ref 3a. Built in Switzerland, same designer/owner (before Tash took it over), same basic technology w/o the BE tweeter. I'll have to drag them up from the basement and see how they sound w the Lady Day+ 300bs monos I am now running.