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Kit1 300B/2A3 - 5th Anniversary Edition
Integrated or Power-Only Single-Ended Triode Hi-Fi Amplifier
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We are pleased to announce the new "5th Anniversary Edition Kit1" - The original Kit1 is the product that started the Audio Note Kit business. How many of you new that Audio Note president Peter Qvortrup wrote the original kit1 manual! The amplifier is considered a classic and with the new look we feel that we have payed homage to this wonderful single-ended amplifier that has set so many people on the audiophile path!
The brand new chassis design will now cater for all possible configurations of this ever-popular amplifier.
The previous versions of the Kit1 have been replaced by this new version that allows all Kit1 configurations to use one common chassis. The old pages have been archived and can be accessed from links at the bottom of this page.
The Kit1 offers you the chance to experience real high quality S.E.T. (Single-Ended Triode) amplification for yourself - but at a highly affordable price. This kit has been evolving since it first appeared in the mid 1990's and, as such, has proved its high reliability and customer satisfaction index time and time again.
The new chassis and configuration options have come about from listening to the needs of all our users over these years and make this model second to none - allowing us to combine all previous models of the Kit1 into one highly upgradeable unit.
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Extensive upgrade ability
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In previous versions it was not possible to upgrade from I/E core to Double C-core output transformers without changing the chassis. The same chassis can now be used for both; making it easy to upgrade to higher grade (and larger) transformers when time and money permits.
Also, with a combination of different faceplates and insert plates (see below), you can even begin Integrated and later upgrade to low gain Power-Only once you have a high gain pre-amplifier in place (like our own L3 Line Pre-amplifier, for example).
You may also have noticed that the volume control on the integrated version has moved away from the center - this has been done to provide more space internally for more volume control choices than ever before.
Above you can see the drop-in panels that make it possible to configure for integrated or power-only modes.
The new version comes in several different configurations:
| Kit1 Standard Version (black chassis, stainless steel insert plate) | $1,899(USD) |
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| Kit1 Signature Version | $2,599(USD) |
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Black Gate Capacitors |
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Audio Note Copper Foil Film Signal Capacitors |
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Audio Note AN-V Shielded cable |
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Audio Note Tantalum resistors |
| Audio Note Double C-core output transformers (PQ Version) | $1,800(USD) |
| TDK Volume Pot | $75(USD) |
| ELMA selector kit for 3 input selection | $100(USD) |
| 2A3 Configuration | (Specify at time of order) |
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Hi-B Double C-Core Output Transformer Option
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We are lucky enough to have access to Audio Note's high-end double C-core output transformers that are used in the AudioNote finished products. These transformers are hand made on site at the AudioNote UK factory and available as an optional upgrade.
These remarkable transformers (Hi-B 0.15mm TRANS-300 series) have the effect of increasing depth and resolution; offering that true high-end SET sound across the full frequency range. The previous versions of the Kit1 required a different chassis for the different output transformers. This new version allows both I/E and Hi-B to be supported by the same chassis. It is therefore now possible to start with I/E transformers and later upgrade to Hi-B without the need to change or modify the chassis. |
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More Pictures
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The following pictures show the new Kit1 at various stages of construction.
Click on an image below to zoom-in or cycle through the images using the arrow buttons below.
I completed the build of my Kit1 amp on Sunday and only need to tidy up the wiring now. In the meantime I have been able to listen to two or three CD,s.
Even without allowing burn in time I'm very impressed with the sound and even more impressed with the sound stage. I've come to realise that my speakers are a lot better than I thought. I loved my old Kit1 but it doesn't bear comparison with the new one on any aspect. The thought that it can only get better as it settles down delights me.
Thank you for the efforts you have made to help me to succesfully complete the building of the amp, I couldn't have asked for more.
Terry Kelly
The sounds I am hearing from this setup are just wonderful. As compared to the previous system (which I still have as a reference) the sound is richly detailed against an absolutely black background and very three dimensional.
I have never had a sonic experience like this in my own home before. And this is with only about five hours of burn in time so far.
The amplifier power is beyond adequate for the speakers. It is a perfect match as best I can tell.
I am listening to my kit 1 as I write this on my laptop. Joe Williams is crooning as never before in my living room. The sound of the amp with the Silverline Sonatina's is truely beautiful. The amp probably has perhaps 30 hours on it now. I cannot imagine the sound improving beyond what I hear at this point even though this is still on the low side for burning in a tube amp. The sound is so fine already.
Christopher Miller
After some hours of work when I heard the unbelievable realism and transparency of the sound without any hum I was really surprised. There is no feeling of tiredness even after long hours of listening. The emotional side of the music that you can get only with high end products is delivered without any restriction for a very reasonable price. All the instruments are clearly identified and the special localization of the instruments is perfect. The dynamic is close to the reality from the very deep bass to high frequencies and there are no artificial colorations, the response curve seems to be very homogeneous. The absence of inter modulation effects increase the justness and the reality of the sound. I was used to listen music with my Audio Note Kit four and Preamp kit assembled 5-6 years ago, the result was excellent up to the day when I finished the Kit 1.
I am now discovering all my CDs in a different way and I am surprised with many details which were not audible before. Thanks to Audio Note for this high quality product.
Rifat Gursel - France
There are quite a few DIY kits in the market. After spending many hours researching which kit to build, I finally chose AN Kit1. Last kits I built were over twenty years ago, the Hafler pre and power amplifiers, which I still have, connected to Maggies II with JBL double 10" Alnico inside Acoustat sub box, and a pair of B&W 801s. I still have the Micro Seiki DQ-500 turntable.
The first music I played on my Kit1 was Narada's 'Yosemite'. I could not believe the clearness of all the instruments flowing out from the speakers and you can feel the vastness of Yosemite infront of you. Unlike the solid states, music from Kit1 is softer yet precise and accurate from high to low notes. I can't wait to upgrade my Kit1.
Chris Tsai
During my time with the Kit One I have upgraded it a lot. All capacitors, except for those in the power supply board, are now Black Gates of various types. The Black Gates are well worth the relatively high price – they really are. The Black Gates makes the sound quality climb several steps on the High-End-Ladder. The openness and transparency is now unheard of - I have to laugh every time I put on a piano concert because of the incredible realism provided by the Kit One. I’m a pianist myself and I tell you: If you know how a piano sounds like in a concert hall, the Kit One with some upgrades could probably be the best sounding amp you have EVER heard!
Trond Seland, Norway
From the very first musical notes that emanated from the Kit 1 I knew that this amp was different. As a matter of fact it reminded me of my first tube mono blocks, VTL Compact 100s, in the way it presented a full orchestral sound field. It has gotten better with break in and even though I have in the same room a pair of Atma-Sphere M-60s, I continue to listen to the Kit 1 in happy astonishment.
Yes, the Black Gates warmed up quite nicely and now after a five minute kick start in the morning, my kit 1 becomes a maven of musical presentation. It's just fascinating.
Rick Justice, West Virginia U.S.A
I am going through my vinyl collection again because everything sounds so amazing, like hearing everything for the 1st time!!!
The kit one is DEAD silent and the music flows out of it like nothing I have ever heard before. My humble Rega p3/Dynavector is a shining beacon of analog bliss.
Erik Anderson
I had pretty much made my way through all the established hifi brand names, and had actually placed a deposit on a (then) new Mark Levinson power amp when I stumbled upon a Kit 1 system driving some skanky old Lowthers.
It is no exaggeration to say that all the blood drained from my face ( a friend who was there can testify to this!) and I just could not believe what I was hearing before me. Here was an actual flesh and blood performance being recreated extemporaneously before my very 'eyes', and everything hifi had talked about and promised, but I guess I'd not till then known that they'd never delivered. Nothing short of a paradigm shift could explain the experience---in that one instant, I lost whatever trust I had had for mainstream scribes and dealers in one blow.
A happy kit one owner in Toronto, Canada
It's now 2.5 weeks since I started listening to my 2A3 kit. It never failed and it plays marvelously. It has improved over the days and I think it is a contender amongst the best tube amps on the market. It has fantastic details, wide and deep soundstage and voices sound extremely natural. It matches my First Horn speakers so well.
JP Boudreau
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