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Audio Note L4 EL34p & EL34i Amplifiers
EL34 Push-Pull Power & Integrated Amplifiers - 35W per channel Class AB1
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Brian Smith
AudioNoteKits is very proud to announce the new version L4 EL34p & EL34i amplifiers. First released in 2008 as a pure power amp we have made numerous enhancements based on customer feedback and our own experiences. The amplifier is now a stellar part of the growing AudioNoteKits product lineand an example of the ultimate in high end DIY audio!
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The new version amplifier can purchased as a pure power amp or as our new Integrated amp technology complete with tube pre-amp section, ELMA extension kit and three pairs of RCA inputs.
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The amplifier sports an updated power supply section complete with new massive low inductance CHOKE and Mundorfs latest power capacitor technology.
The new Choke, ultra Quiet Mains T-190 and newly designed PCB make up the new EL34 Power Supply section that we are using in the 35W & 70W amplifiers!  |
A brand new ultra thick PCB has been designed to house the EL34 & ECF80 driver sections. Every detail has been taken into account to make for a very clean build - large chassis and signal ground traces expertly layed out assure a perfect sonic operation! Our new CMC black teflon valve bases are used for the EL34's such that they have an ultra snug fit into the board!
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Here is the new EL34 PCB using the CMC black valve bases
Expertly designed with all the ideal grounding strategies for ultra quiet operation! Click on the image to see a larger picture. |
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We designed a new 12au7 tube pre-amp buffer section to drive the EL34/ECF80 power amp - this board is installed on the inside front of the chassis.
This ultra quiet tube stage add the desired gain for an ideal integrated amplifier - it's so quiet as we have used some tricks to minimize any possible noise from this pre-amp section!! Tube-roll away with your 12au7 collection to get different characteristics to your overall sound! |
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We have also added our ELMA selector extension kit with custom bracket similar to the L3 pre-amp - this assures very short RCA input wire lengths into the selector switch controlled from the front. From the selector, the audio signal uses AN-A shielded signal cable to travel to the ALPS PCB pot or which ever Potentiometer you want to install (the chassis fits all the standard types from various manufacturers including GoldPoint, DACT, ELMA, TKD, etc.) Alps is also offering a Remote control version of their 100K ALPS pot which easily fits into the amp!
The chassis is made of our usual thick 3mm aluminum powder coated black. Chassis fittings include AN gold brass knobs, AN speaker posts and gold plated RCA's.
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Our custom made C-core transformers for the CLASS AB1 EL34 amplifiers extend the sonics in both the lower and upper registers for amazing control, definition and detail. Under development for over 3 years, we are now in full production mode! Order our L4 C-core version amplifier in either power or integrated configurations for outrageous sonic quality!
| L4 EL34p Power Amplifier | $1,875(USD) |
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| L4 EL34p Power Amplifier C-Core Signature | $3,000(USD) |
The C-Core Signature version includes:
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| L4 EL34i Integrated Amplifier | $2,050(USD) |
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| L4 EL34i Integrated Amplifier C-Core Signature | $3,175(USD) |
The C-Core Signature version includes:
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| C-Core Output Transformers Upgrade (our custom EL34 C-core technology!) | Add $950(USD) |
| 1.4A Mains Upgrade (double capacity new Mains transformer) | Add $400(USD) |
| Treasure Tubes 6CA7 | Add $300(USD) |
See www.partsconnexion.com for L4 component upgrade kit.
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Brief History
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The new EL34 stereo CLASS AB1 amplifier from AudioNote Kits was designed by master craftsman Andy Grove of Audio Note UK – This amp is near & dear to Andy’s heart and he has used many years of amplifier design knowledge to come up with this awesome new EL34 tube amplifier for the DIY market! As one customer recently put it – it sounds ridiculous! (that means very good!)
I asked Andy to write me an article on how the design came about – what were some of the reasons you went with the Pentode wiring instead of the Ultra linear mode as used in the famous DYNA ST-70 – Its been about a year of R&D from the development of the output transformers, the overall circuit design– the prototype building, the tuning and optimizations of the circuits, the partitioning of the circuits into hardwired and PCB – the overall layout of the amplifier, the manual and all the parts sourcing – the end result is a DIY kit of the highest quality with amazing sound results! At 35W it is very flexible and running in CLASS AB1 it has many of the benefits of a single ended sound with the advantages of push pull!
Below is Andy’s article – Enjoy!
Brian Smith
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Thanks Brian ! The L4 sounds very special. Like you said the virtues of SE with the drive of PP. I heard many EL-34 based amps but none like the L4. Congrats !..
The power supply looks robust, great and yes, no hum whatsoever. I also get a good read out from the TP's (21.5V for all the tubes). sherif elkady (AudioNote Eqypt dealer) |
- yes, true, as others wrote as well: this amp is deadly quiet! No, and "no" means really "NO", noise, hum, or whatever, even when you turn volume end-right without input signal. Frankly, my QUAD 606, sizzles a bit then! So the L4 definitely provides a real deep-black stage and background for the music, from my perspective one very important prerequisite for a good sound.
- Instruments are drawn clearly, clearly separated with space around - sometimes too much space, but here I am really sure that this WILL change with burn-in, this looks like a typical effect. I checked that with Jethro Tulls "Songs from the Wood", "I am the whistler", if you know what I mean: all these bells, pipes, etc. etc. in that background of heavy guitars, drums etc.
- And really very nice sound colors!!!
Emotionally:
- Enjoyable. ABSOLUTELY enjoyable. From the first minute. Fascinating!
Joachim Mack
A friend of mine and I heard this amplifier at CES in the Focus loudspeaker room. I'm a single ended 2A3 guy myself. Well...the Focus people played this Flamenco dance track on their 90 db speakers (Hi Fi Flamenco was the disc). You talk about kick'in @$$!!! When the track was over the room was full of people and everybody exhaled all at the same time! I'm now taking a second serious look at push-pull.
Gregg Owens
Dear Brian,
I spent some time listening to the EL34 amp tonight. After changing one driver tube the amp had 50% less hum than any other amp I own (<1 mv AC). This is a big deal when driving 105 db efficient horns. The EL34 is liquid, authoritative, dead quiet and throws an amazing sound stage.
My wife was instantly impressed which isn't always the case but said that the sound was great and kept getting better the more we listened. Dark Side of the Moon has never sounded better!
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John
The L4 really DOES rock, no question about it. I put on some 'Stones and it was like the Maxell ad......timing, power, punch, volume, pitch........MUSIC. Classical as well......strings are absolutely sweet; some Shostakovitch string quartets for instance, or Vivaldi wind instruments. Voice is great too; all sorts of intonations you've never heard before.
Robert Hughes (C-core version)
AN Kits L4 - C Core EL34 Amplifier Review
L4 - EL34 kit design
The build quality and design of the L4-EL34 is of Extreme high quality, well thought out, and no different than any Audio Note finished product. The online instruction manual is highly visual and informative with description. The step by step CD photos make it impossible to go wrong.
Customer Service
Brian is extremely helpful (and a nice guy!), answering all questions related to kit parts, build connections, troubleshooting, upgrading parts, and general advice directing you toward the best sound reproduction possible....he really knows his stuff!!
Sound Quality
Turning on the built amp for the first time (a very nerve racking thing), revealed a quiet but very clear sound envelope. The amazing thing right away is that you notice is the extreme low noise floor....is there even a noise floor?.... It is so quiet that even with the volume up and no source pumping through, I have to keep looking to see if this amp is on...... Jet black background that is unbelievable to experience. (this unit must have a mini-black hole inside it sucking in all the back ground radiation :-)) The 50 hour mark started to allow this amp to open up, revealing a sound with excellent weight and sound pressure, but so detailed and non-fatiguing without imparting any colour, or favoring any particular frequency range. I am a professional musical as well and believe you me, I have tested this amp musically and am proud to have my music reproduced through the L4. At 80 hours, more of the signature parts are starting to burn in, revealing a large room canopy of sound......the sides get wider, the separation of instruments is excellent, and the note decay and air around each note and is breathtaking!! What truly needs to be heard is how this amp magically creates a depth of sound stage presence, giving you a 3D effect, allowing you to be right there in front of the musicians. The L4 is no filter and doesn't hold anything back. My preamp is the AN M8 and if the L4 was holding anything back..... it would tell me!! The truly amazing thing is, the silver caps and the output transformers still haven't burned in completely and I can't wait to hear this result. I can't imaging how this L4, (or anything else for that matter) could be any better. I'd like to see Stereophile Magazine review this L4 and put it up against anything in the 10k+ range!! You will not be disappointed one bit with this amplifier's performance!!! This one is a winner!!!.....and Highly recommended !!!
Excellent Job AN Kits!!!
Don Perkins
Words are difficult to find, it's unbelievable, I never heard a sound like this, Harmony so rich, phenomenal energy, extraordinary sound scene with a surprising depth. And the voices ! How to describe the voices, with only tears of emotion... With Audionote the music is simply true.
Thank you very much Brian for having allowed me to hear that. Now I have only a single envy : to try all your kits and the next is the DAC !
Nicolas
Quite an achievement this amp, I find it hard to even drag my old one out of the cupboard now. So Andy (Grove) was right - this is a new type of sound - full of punch.........soul..........and detail! Yet it carries loads of finesse as well !
Quentin Gore-Rowe
"I just want to say that I've spent the evening with the most wonderful EL 34 amp I can ever imagine. I just listened to Ruggiero Ricci on a London Blueback totally mesmerized by the performance. I just couldn't move. I switch to Alison Krauss - So Long Wrong and am equally impressed." --- I find it extremely engaging.
Great job!!!
John Geisen
"One of the fantastic things with this amp is that it has a lot of body and weight in the sound. And that is without losing any detail. And the dynamics will totally rock your socks off! To this day I have not heard an amp that can perform as the L4. Playing that good in all levels is something I have not heard from any other amp so far. And I have had many really expensive amps tested in my system!"
"an amp that gives you a huge soundstage, transparent full bodied sound and totally kicks ass"
See Olof's extreme build by clicking on the pictures below:
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Olof Lilja
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