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It's AudioNote Kits 5th Anniversary!! - Hard to believe from our humble beginnings where we are today. It was 5 years ago that I received a palette of AudioNote UK kit parts and we started the business - I remember digging through hundreds of parts to put together the first two kit1's ordered by US customers and I thought to myself - "Oh my goodness - here we go!" - First off I need to thank Peter Qvortrup - president of Audio Note who has always believed in the DIY community! Without his continuous support the kit business would not exist as we know it today - Peter mentioned to me once that he wanted to have "informed customers" - I guess when it comes to DIY we all learn something every time we get involved in building, tweaking and of course listening to our own creations!
By the way Peter Q wrote the original Kit1 manual, which guided hundreds of successful builds including my own first kit1! I still have a few original copies.
As you can see, the Kit1 has come a long way from those early days and now has a completely different look and vast upgrade potential. I am of course talking about our brand new, 5th Anniversary Kit1. This has several new features that make it stand out from all previous versions.
Back to 2004...
When we started the business in Jan 2004 the website was just one page showing the Kit1 and the DAC 1.1 - Within a week we had a couple of orders and off we went! We had to redesign chassis's, source parts, build up prototypes, and build the website - as we expanded, the TODO list started to grow and then multiply exponentially. Over the first year we exchanged emails with hundred's of DIY'ers - many of them expressing their wish lists, enhancement requests and overall comments on the DIY industry - Subconsciously all this information seemed to get processed in our brains at AudioNoteKits and we started to tailor the products to the customer base - I am not quite sure how we did it but when I look back on the amazing array of products that we now have - I have to admit I feel very proud!
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Here is the DAC Kit 2.1 Level C with its transformer coupled output.
It is now possible to upgrade all the way from the DAC 2.0 (formally the DAC 1.1 but now in larger chassis), through all the DAC versions - all the way up to 2.1 Level C.
Click here for more about our DAC range.
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PREAMPS
Our pre-amplifiers began life with "The Preamp Kit". Pre-amps, more than amplifiers seemed to be a particular obsession with the DIY customer base - everyone was looking for a top quality -- factory like - AN pre-amp - the original pre-amp kit served us well for the first year or so of business as we were getting our feet off the ground - the customer requests poured in - some built there own custom versions - today we offer a very high quality range of pre-amps from entry level to top of the line.
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 L2 Pre-amplifier |
 L3 Line Pre-amplifier |
 L3 Remote Pre-amplifier |
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MONOBLOCKS
The addition of the Interstage Mono Blocks has been a big step for the company. My goal was to have a product that was very configurable for different tubes and paralle vs single triode - With the development of the IE core parallel 300b transformers in 2007 we can offer 20W of the ultimate single ended sound.
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With the advent of the mono blocks we moved from single kit orders to entire systems comprising of the mono blocks along with an L3 pre-amplifier, DAC, phono stage and speakers! We have really arrived!
It has been an exciting journey over the past 5 years and we want to thank all our customers from all corners of the globe who have have helped us get to this 5th anniversary. Look forward to continuing to bring you new products including the new L4 and L6 power amplifiers slated for early this year - and speaking to many of you again in 2009!
From the Wikipedia " Audiophile - is an audio reproduction enthusiast, who typically listens to music on high-end audio electronics. Audiophiles try to listen to music at a quality level that is as close to the original performance as possible. They use high-fidelity components to try to attain these goals. Many are music lovers who are passionate about high-quality music reproduction. DIY audio enthusiasts build their own equipment, especially loudspeakers."
I love that last line- this was the definition of an audiophile on the Wikipedia !
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AudioNotekits exhibited at the RMAF2008 show in beautiful Denver Colorado this past weekend. We had a fantastic time with many people coming through the room to hear the gear and ask questions and play their favorite music. We brought the new transformer coupled DAC2.1 Level C along with the new L3 MkII Line & L3 Remote pre-amplifiers.
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The new EL34 Prototype was playing for the Friday and half of Saturday. This is our new Power Amplifier offering which we will be calling the L4 series. This stereo power amp will be a juicy 35W per channel. We have a large Mundorf M-cap in the power supply. The design is modular such that you will build and test one channel at a time - the unit boasts very high quality output transformers desgined by Andy Grove along with the entire circuitry. We plan to follow this with our L6 Series Mono Block version which will boast 70W per channel and we plan to have available in kit form in 2009.
After our listening sessions with the EL34 we set up the Interstage Mono Blocks - parallel 300B -IE core. My source was a USB and a laptop for the first couple of days and then we were able to borrow an Audio Note transport for the last day!
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I was amazed at all the people who came into the room and mentioned that they had once built a kit back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's - Hafler, Heathkit, Eico, Scott, Harmon Kardon Citation etc... Everyone was excited that AudioNoteKits is still making high quality tube amplifier and pre-amplifier kits in today's market!
Another very interesting response we got was from all the people interested in the higher power kits such as our soon to be announced L4 and L6 Series Power Amplifiers - Expecting to have product ready in the December and January time frames!
Thanks to all who visited - we will be back next year for sure with even more goodies!
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Dear Friends,
I was hearing it from all directions that we had not updated the news section for quite a while - we are in the middle of summer and where has the time gone - my apologies indeed! Lots to report!
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The new Transformer Coupled Output DAC2.1 Level C version offers the ultimate in DAC technology.
The signal path contains an input torrodial transformer - CS8414 receiver and AD1865 DAC chips configured for Audio Note's 1X oversampling - IV transformers between the digital and analog stages - separate digital and analog power supply sections - the 5687 Line stage driving the step down AN output transformers. This unit has extremely low output impedence which makes it very versatile in driving integrated amplifiers and pre-amp's. In DIY form it is the ultimate in DAC technology! |
The DAC2.1 Level C will be available in several versions:
DAC2.1 Level C - IE Core Standard & Signature Versions
Either the standard or signature version will be ideal in driving a pre-amplifier or kit via an stereo RCA output.
DAC2.1 Level C - IE Core Balanced Standard & Signature Versions
Either the standard or signature version will be ideal in driving a balanced Pre-amplifier via XLR outputs or stereo RCA output.
DAC2.1 Level C - HI-B Core Balanced Signature
Using AudioNote's C Core output transformers this version will be ideal for driving a balanced Pre-amplifier via XLR outputs or stereo RCA output.
Click on the image above to go to the DAC Kit 2.0 product page.
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We have given the DAC Kit 1.1 a face lift and also added some nice new features and a new price. We are hoping that more kit builders can get into the Audio Note DAC sound at a lower price point and gradually work their way up.
The new DAC Kit 2.0 supports an optional USB input, signature digital board with torrodial input, PK black gates and analog filter removal - the sound is stunning! The new DAC Kit 2.0 kit is available now - this unit starts at 750.00 USD and is an ideal entry level Audio Note 1X oversampling DAC. The sound is stunning at this level and an easy build! We build and test the digital board and you simply install! We provide a TEST CD to make sure all is well and we are here for any support required! We will ensure a successful build! Ideal for use with a computer via the USB module or a 75ohm rca cable and a digital transport. The unit comes with the signature digital board from the DAC2.1 line - boasting a torrodial input transformer, PK Black Gates, CS8414 receiver, analog filter removal - It is an ideal platform for future ugrades into the DAC Kit 2.1 line where the sky's the limit with IV transformers, M2 Power supply, transformer coupled output! Even as an entry level unit the sound of the new DAC Kit 2.0 will amaze. |
You can order the new L3 without Balanced O/P, with Balanced O/P and with HI-B output transformers.
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The Pots and attenuators (stereo and mono configurations) can now be purchased with the kit or separately - for example DACT, ELMA, GoldPoint, KO-ON are now supported.
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We have now made the DACT extender kit standard with the L3 Line kit - this brings the selector switch to the back of the chassis - very short leads now go between the RCA's and the selector and then 1 shielded cable travels to the Attenuator section - this greatly improves the performance of the L3 Pre-amp.
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This new remote control comes with three pre-built and tested boards; a rear control board, the main relay section, and a front panel display - with transluscent faceplate.
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Since I started AudioNote Kits in co-operation with Audio Note, Andy Grove has been telling me about a "must" kit - the EL34 push pull power / integrated amplifier. The plan was to design a good tube amplifier kit with 30W of EL34 power, plenty of punch and raw tube sound.
I must admit I was blown away when I heard the prototype - "the secret is that we have designed and build extremely good output transformers that have been tweaked and matched perfectly to the audio circuit" - Andy admitted to me. He went on to say that a lot of push pull amps get a bad reputation because they are not designed that well - the feedback characteristics have to be precise and its more than just math. The transformer design need to be spot on and designed to match the circuit precisely - its real lab tweaking and listening to get it all right! This amp I think will be very popular with people listening to - modern music - 70's classic rock - old vinyl - replace your current solid state rig with the tube amp and be prepared to be blown away - Available in September - the unit will be housed in a chassis similar to the pre-amp but taller. You will be able to run a pre-amplifier with it and use as a power amp or buy it as an integrated amplifier with a 6SN7 line stage! |
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The L2 Line Kit has been shipping in both phono and line versions for the last couple of months - Planning to offer an optional 6SN7 line stage or dual 12AU7 line with the kit!
The phono stage has been proving very successful with vinyl fans! |
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We are going into out 5th year at AudioNote Kits. I often look back at the humble beginnings and where we are today - A big thankyou to the many customers who have got us to this point with their multiple kit builds, feedback, suggestions, points of view, and general good humour to keep us sane as we have built up to this now expansive product line. Jasmine is growing too!
We had a large amount of orders in December and I want to thank all those who ordered kits - We are working through the back log and expect to have everything shipped by the first week of January!
I will be heading to CES/THE Show in Las Vegas which will be held January 7-10th and I will be found either at the Audio Note room or wondering the show floor! If you want to meet up send me an email as I will be checking email during the show!
2008 will be very exciting as I plan to launch a new series of amplification products and add exciting enhancements to the Pre-amplifier, Phono, and DAC lines! I hope that more people can get involved with the audio hobby that we all enjoy!
Once again thanks to all of you and look forward to chatting and emailing with many of you again in 2008!
Merry Christmas to all!
Regards
Brian Smith
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Hello Friends
Wanted to update everyone on a couple of new items on the go.
Firstly, thanks for signing up for the newsletter. We have over a hundred participants and will be writing a first news letter shortly. I was going to have a customer input section on various topics. If anyone has some interesting information on various topics I will include some excerpts. For example, I would be interested in hearing what people have to say about "Favorite vinyl Recordings" - which vinyls really standout as being superbly recorded!
The next order of business to discuss is some name changes that we have had to implement on the kits (and rightly so).
We are changing the name of the M3 Line kit, M3 Phono and M2 Pre-amp to the L series - so basically we now have the:
L3 Line Pre-amplifier
L3 Phono Stage
L2 Pre-amplifier
The products are the same and we will continue to enhance them but the names have been changed so as not to clash with the finished product names. The reason for this is that the Audio Note dealers were getting a lot of questions such as "Is the M3 Line Kit the same as the finished product?" etc...
What I have tried to do working with Audio Note is create high quality products using the finished product circuits along with newly designed circuits - mixing and matching, building prototypes, and testing to come up with very high quality products. For example the L3 Pre-amplifier kit is made up of M3 Line circuitry, M3 output transformers along with the M2 power supply (6X5/ECL82). The L3 Phono Stage uses the M3 phono stage (6072) based along with the M2 power supply - Nothing holding our customers back from jazzing up power supplies and signal boards to take these kits to the highest levels! This will be good in the long run as we will clearly distinguish between the Audio Note DIY and the finished products and we can all enjoy the Audio Note sound at what every price point.
Regards
Brian Smith
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Hello Friends
I am back from my 3-week trip to Europe, which included stops at AudioNote UK, Milan Top Audio Show and the Norwegian HI-FI show. All in all it was great time and I had a chance to meet up with several customers, colleagues and distributors.
Before I go any further I want to introduce a new feature on the web site. We are introducing a Newsletter that we can send out to all subscribers periodically to inform about new products, sales, audio shows, customer support information, feedback, testimonials, etc. To sign up just go to the Subscription information block on the main index page or click HERE. We just ask for your name, e-mail address and whether or not you are an existing customer – You will get an introductory e-mail and then we will be able to keep everyone updated on the latest kit activity. Of course all the information is private to AudioNote Kits.
Back to the trip - I spent a couple of days at the Audio Note factory and I had a chance to meet with my friends at Elephant Holdings (our Hong Kong distributor). We had some good discussions on kits and the strong DIY market in HK. We have just shipped over the first MonoBlock pairs to go along with their complete inventory of the kits for the HK market.
 Travelling with Peter Qvortrup |
 A possible kit ???? |
Then it was a drive across the UK, France and Italy to the TOP audio show in Milan. I first attended this show in my first year of the kit business and I had a picture taken of me with the 211 finished product – See the updated version above.
After the Milan show it was another week at the factory where I worked with Andy Grove on some mods and testing on the various kits along with some new ideas soon to be posted!
Our next show was the Norwegian HIFI show near Oslo where our distributors UPGRADE Audio had an impressive system set up including the new Parallel Double C core Mono Blocks with core interstage and all Black Gated out! The sound was amazing!
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After buying up lots of parts for the new Phono kit and some others Peter wanted to thank me for doing such a great job with the Kit department of Audio Note over the last 4 years...
Thanks Brian!
So its back to work for October, November and December so feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail if you are interested in getting started on an AudioNote Kits project!
Regards
Brian Smith
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Dear Audio Friends
Its summer time and I hope everyone is enjoying their vacations, the outdoors and the great weather ! I am managing to get out somewhat but also we have been working hard to bring a couple of new products to release! It's possibly the most exciting time we have had here at AudioNote Kits and really takes us to a whole new level of audio product offerings.
As you can see from the main web page we have just released the new InterStage Mono Blocks - the ultimate in SET technology - With the popularity of the Kit1 over the last decade I have had numerour requests for a power amp mono block.
Well we went one better and made the kit very versatile and based the design on an interstage transformer between the input tube and the output Triode - the results were staggering! Audio Note uses this technology in their highest level 211 finished product amplifiers! What a marvelous offering we now have for fans of the 2A3 and 300B
As mentioned, the kit is very versatile in that it can be built as a single Triode or a parallel triode. We have interchangeable chassis plates that are very stylish and allow you to customize your amplifier (and even change it any point). We also have a removable rear plate for mounting large power supply capacitors (2 cap & 3 cap).
We have a limited number of kits available until Oct 1 - Check the web page for pricing and configurations. Also we will make the Mono Block Manuals available for download later this week.
We have also just released the new M3 Phono Kit and we have been getting some amazing feedback- the M3 phono board is all silver hardwired and uses the the top of the line components - This kit is our ultimate offering in vinyl reproduction and when coupled with an M3 Line Pre-amp provides an ultimate pre-amp experience. We will be announcing our new Step-Up kit later in August which will provide a complete Moving Coil system for audiophiles. Enquire about half built kits - we can build the hardwired phono stage for you when ordering an M3 Phono kit. We have written a fantastic new manual for the M3 hardwiring which we will post on the M3 phono web page later this week .
With the release of the monoblocks AudioNote Kits is able to offer the finest amplication, pre-ampliers, DAC's, and speakers for the DIY audiophile - In other words for a reasonable budget a complete kit system of the highest quality can be built from scratch!
I am planning some new kits for next year - A transformer based Headphone kit with different impedances to accommodate different headphones - a possible transport kit to go along with our DAC products and 35W push pull mono block EL34 - If you have any thoughts or opinions on these new kits and the current new offerings feel free to drop us an email.
Thanks for all your support!
Regards
Brian Smith
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Hello All,
Thanks to everyone for your continued support of the kit business!
I am pleased to announce an exciting new product offering that we have been working on hard in the background - the new M3 Phono Stage.
This kit is truly a vinyl lovers dream! We have taken the 6072/12AY7 Phono Stage used in the Audio Note M3 Pre-amplifier and made it available in DIY form.
The kit comes in our large M3 Line chassis and uses the 6X5/ECL82 M2 power supply. Separate 12v filaments are used to heat the input cascode stage and the output stage. The kit comes in standard versions with Beyschlag resistors and AN tin paper in oil caps and AN-A cable or you can stuff it with all the best quality components - Audio Note Copper capacitors, 1W or 1/2W tantalum resistors and AN-V cable for both input and output signals driving AN silver RCA's. The kit is really our highest end offering in Vinyl reproduction.
Our beta customers have been amazed at the overall quality of vinyl reproduction.
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| The M3 Phono Stage is the ultimate in Vinyl reproduction! | |
Combined with our M3 Line Stage we have an outstanding Pre-Amplifier section. Click here to check out our M3 Phono web page.
Thank you.
Regards
Brian Smith
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Hello everyone - the winter has come and gone!
AudioNote Kits had a great winter season with a lot of kit product being shipped to all corners of the globe.
The DAC Kit 2.1 has been a huge hit for us and we are continually getting great feedback.
Back in December I went to the Audio Note UK factory to sit down and design the new Interstage Mono Block Kit.
The constraints that I had were that the kit must support 2A3 and 300B - It had to be a perfect match for the M3 transformer coupled pre-amplifier.
I also wanted to make it easily converted to a parallel 300B - Andy Grove had been mulling around a number of ideas over the last year over this kit so when we got together in December we both knew what we wanted. The first prototype was built on a kit1 chassis in December in the UK. Andy chose a 6SH7 input tube followed by a custom designed 1:1 interstage transformer. The 300B or 2A3 triode follows that along with the output transformer - Either the TRANS-152 IE core output transformer used in the famous Kit1 or the double C-core TRANS-300 used in the PQ kit. The interstage will also be available as an IE core or double C-core as we get going with production!
We have a small production run of chassis arriving middle of June and we are planning for general release of the IS Mono Block Kit in mid July time frame - stay tuned!
We are also announcing another new product - The M3 Phono Stage. Details to appear on a dedicated webpage that will be up in about 2 weeks with some nice pictures.
The new M3 Phono Stage is the same 6072 based circuit used in the famous M3 Pre-amplifier finished product - the new Phono stage will be available in 3 levels of part upgrades including a signature version in all tantalums and copper caps with black gates - the Phono stage has 40db of gain. We will also be releasing this product with optional internal step-ups for moving coil with 1:10 or 1:20 configurations - this can provide an overall 55db of gain approx for Moving coil setups! Stay tuned.
I also will have the new external step-up product available in about 2 months - Basically it will be a kit that you can wire up a pair of very high quality Audio Note step-ups in its own little chassis.
We just got back from the Lone Star Audio Fest - check out the pictures below:
Lone Star Show Update
We had a great time at the Lone Star Audio Fest in Dallas this weekend - thanks to everyone who stopped by.
We were showing off the latest AudioNote Kits system including the new Prototype mono blocks along with the AN-E Speaker kit 03, M3 Line Pre-amplifier, M3 Phono Stage, and DAC 2.1 Kit.
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We'll be at the Rocky Mountain Show in October with some more exciting products in the moving coil area.
Thank you.
Regards
Brian Smith
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Dear Friends
Thanks for all the great support of the AudioNote Kits throughout the world. We have shipped kits to many far away places and it confirms that DIY audio lovers are in every corner of the globe. We have been hard at work filling orders, answering emails, keeping parts in stock and engineering new products with Audio Note UK (we have some real suprises over the coming months).
The DAC Kit 2.1 is a huge hit with great responses from all our customers – we are hoping to post some more reviews shortly! One of the great comments I got from a customer was that it was like listening to vinyl! Another auditioned several transports with it and felt that the DAC Kit 2.1 was the only product that allowed him to hear all the nuances of the different transports.
I feel that 2006 was a great year for the Kit business as we brought up the level of our manuals, web site, and products throughout the year. We have started to work with dealers in Hong Kong with Elephant Holdings and Upgrade Audio in Norway. We introduced the DAC Kit 2.1, enhanced the PHONO-MM kit and are also offering the M2 Pre-Amplifier Kit in line and phono versions. Many tweaks have been done across the whole product line to ensure that you have a wonderful time building and listening to your kit for many years to come!
Several new products are slated for 2007 and we will be making several announcements in the coming 1-2-3 months.
I will be posting some more regular news this year and sorry for the long delay in updates.
Now on a family note: My little boy Keelan is 4 & 1/2 years old and we spent most of the Christmas season watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special originally made in the mid 60's with the jazz score by Vince Guaraldi. Keelan was 'snooping' around in my music room a week ago and I got a whim to put on the original vinyl of the Charlie Brown soundtrack through the all analog system - Kit1 2A3, Audio Note TT1 and the PHONO-MM stage.
I watched his expression as the music started and he just stood there and looked at me with this huge grin on his face. I knew what he was thinking – this sounded so much bigger than the television in our living room! I think he was wondering where the music was coming from as there was no television around – well we sat still for the whole side listening to his now favorite music on a Single Ended 2A3 system! When the music finished he said "Christmas Time is here", pointing at the turntable and signaling to me that he wanted to listen to Track 1 or possibly the whole side again!
On that note I wish everyone all the best and I want to thank the many people who supported and helped the Kit business over the last year. Without all of your feedback, suggestions, and favours in many cases the AudioNote Kit business would not be where it is today!
Thank you.
Regards
Brian Smith