AUDIO NOTE UK
CD Players
For a manufacturer to squeeze money from the stone that is your CD-player budget, his products would have to be both exceptional and affordable. That last goal, especially, is one most designers try to reach by adopting ever-new technologies: new digital-to-analog converters, new filters, new numbers. But there remain a handful of manufacturers who would win the numbers game by not playing it at all, Audio Note among them.
Not that we are against progress per se, but as far as their digital playback gear is concerned, ours is a decidedly different approach. Our digital credo might best be summed up as: The key to making products that sound more analog is not to be found in the world of digital. Or, putting it another way: Don't bring a chip to a transformer fight. Our series of integrated CD Players are an embodiment of this policy. We combine in them technology from our reperate CD Transports and DA Converters to obtain a more cost effective package.
Be that as it may, you will be presented with something that usually goes missing in CD playback: the sort of presence—the sonic flesh and blood—that one seldom gets from the medium. Voices and instruments are represented with substance, color, and texture. Vocal cords will vibrate with real human warmth, pianos purred, cymbals sizzled, and string instruments comprising thin pieces of lightly varnished wood, whether bowed or plucked, resonated in a manner exactly like that of string instruments comprising thin pieces of lightly varnished wood.
CD ZERO
Level Zero Red Book CD Player. Our most cost effective Red Book CD playback system for the discerning music lover. For those looking for the best possible sound quality in a single, small but perfectly formed package, there is no superior choice than the CD Zero. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. -Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Entry Level criteria.
Compact Classic
Housed inside its deceptively solid casework are simplified and integrated versions of our Zero level dedicated Transport and DAC (CDT Zero/II and DAC0.1x).
Digital, done right
The in-house custom modified Philips front loading CD mechanism is designed purely to read true Red Book CD, which in our opinion is still the best possible Digital music format currently available. The Philips TDA1543 DAC is implemented in a non-oversampling digital filterless circuit, and the analogue output stage is equipped with the quite exceptional 6111WA miniature dual triode.
CD 2.1x/II
Level 1 Red Book CD player. The CD 2.1x/II is essentially a component upgraded version of the CD1.1x, equipped with better parts such as our own custom produced Audio Note (UK) Tantalum resistors, Cerafine capacitors and Audio Note (UK) copper foil capacitors, making for a more open, detailed and lively performance in comparison with its more affordable stable mate. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria.
Digital, done right
The CD 2.1x/II uses an in-house modified Philips L1210 dedicated Red Book CD mechanism and a simple yet revealing DAC based around the Philips 1543 16 bit multi-bit digital to analogue converter chip. The analogue output stage is equipped with the quite exceptional 6111WA miniature triode and our own in house designed and manufactured Audio Note (UK) copper foil capacitors. This player, like its bigger brothers, features no oversampling and no digital filtering, making for a highly effective sonic combination all housed in a small and robust chassis.
CD 3.1x/II
Level 2 Red Book CD Player. Welcome to the latest version of our long running and highly regarded Level Three integrated machine. The original CD3 was an instant classic, and is still loved and used by many discerning audiophiles around the world. This current version brings the design right up to date, and dramatically improves on the previous incarnations in every possible area. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria.
Digital, done right
The CD3.1x/II is the first model of integrated CD player in our range to feature the highly regarded Analogue Devices AD1865 digital to analogue converter chip, the same device that we use in our more costly stand alone DACs. This 18bit device has consistently outperformed every competing chip we have tested regardless of specification or price.
Dedicated Red Book Transport
The transport is our now classic in-house modified Philips CD mechanism, designed purely to read true Red Book CD, which in our opinion is still the best possible Digital music format currently available.
The analogue output stage features two ECC88 dual triode valves and our own custom designed and manufactured Audio Note (UK) copper foil capacitors. Our own Tantalum resistors are also used in critical areas, offering a quite remarkable level of performance.
CD 4.1x
Level 3 Integrated Red Book CD Player. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria.
Better, by design
Its shares many of the elements found in two of our most highly regarded Digital playback devices, the CDT Two/II and the DAC2.1x. However, the component quality contained within its solid and purposeful chassis exceeds that of either machine. Our own custom Audio Note (UK) resistors and electrolytic capacitors are used extensively, in all critical positions.
Digital, done right
The Digital section features the highly regarded Analogue Devices AD1865 digital to analogue converter chip, the same device that we use in our highest level stand alone DACs. This 18bit device has consistently outperformed every competing chip we have tested regardless of specification or price. The analogue output stage is based around two ECC88 dual triode valves, and the output capacitors are our own Audio Note (UK) copper foil variety. Special attention has been paid to the power supplies in the CD4.1x; even the display has its own dedicated supply, which reduces internal noise to an exceptionally low level.
CD 1.1/x
The CD1.1x is the latest incarnation of our long running and ever popular Level One Integrated Red Book CD player. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria.
Digital, done right
The in-house custom modified Philips front loading CD mechanism is designed purely to read true Red Book CD, which in our opinion is still the best possible Digital music format currently available. The Philips TDA1543 DAC is implemented in a non-oversampling digital filter less circuit, and the analogue output stage is equipped with the quite exceptional 6111WA miniature dual triode and our own Audio Note (UK) Tin Foil output capacitors.
CD 5.1x
Level Three Red Book CD Player. The CD5.1x is a completely new machine which elevates the one-box CD player to hitherto unknown levels of performance. Never before has it been possible to achieve such astonishingly superior levels of digital replay from a single chassis, integrated design. The CD5.1x features the top-loading Philips CD Pro 2LF CD mechanism, which we custom modify and improve in-house, bringing the performance of this already excellent mechanism up to a standard that is truly in a class of its own. The power supply is a valve-rectified and regulated design, using a 6X5 and ECL82.The analogue output stage uses a combination of 1 x 5814a and 1 x 5687WB valves, feeding a pair of our world-renowned output transformers, using SHiB cores with copper primaries and secondaries. A mix of our own 0.5 Watt and 1 Watt non- magnetic Tantalum resistors are used in all critical areas, as are our own custom Audio Note (UK) foil / Mylar and electrolytic capacitors. The CD5.1x uses our own in-house designed and manufactured digital transformers; silver wound for the transport side and copper wound for the DAC side.
AUDIO NOTE UK
CD Transports
In the 1980's, people spoke of experiencing "no air" and "aggression" while listening to digital recordings.
Today we understand the principles which are fundamental to this phenomenon, we name it Jitter, we test it, calculate it and dress it with numbers, systemize it and describe it entirely. Jitter has always been and still is the worst enemy of the digital audio format. And today it is understood.
Fact: Digital audio data is 'just' 0's and 1's. There may be many formats (.wav, .aif, CD-audio) but the information is still digital. There is no loss during format conversion, provided the formats don't utilize compression.
Fact: Copying CD's (if they aren't damaged physically) is a lossless procedure. You can extract CD-audio with your computer and generate a file on your hard disk. Compare this file with the file created when you extract the same audio using a ₹20 Lakh player, the resulting two files are identical.
The question which naturally arises out of this paradox is: why does the ₹20 Lakh player sound better?
Before we answer that question, let us first understand that at the Digital Out of a ₹5000 rupee CD-player we have the same 1's and 0's as we do in the ₹20 Lakh player. The only difference is in the Jitter content. Jitter only means that the data (the 1's and the 0's) is not perfectly time-aligned, but is transmitted either slightly earlier or later than it should be in the ideal case. However, this time flaw is not as great as to cause a digital error (data fallout).
While companies throw ever more sophisticated military-grade digital processing at CD in an effort to achieve perfect measurements and make it sound acceptable, Audio Note is suggesting that far from being the solution, processing is actually the problem. This will astonish many people, but we have done a lot of work in this area and we cannot with any consistency say that more or less jitter makes any difference to how a transport sounds. What always does make a difference to how it sounds is if you try to correct measurable jitter by re-clocking and other methods. Sometimes you lose bass, sometimes it just sounds harsh and clinical, but it always sounds worse. You lose the sense of organism in the music.”
We present you the best way to do it. A separate CD Transport connected to a DA Converter provides the best possible solution for CD playback. Period.
CDT-Zero/II
The CDT-Zero/II represents our most cost effective Red Book CD Transport for the discerning music lover. For those looking for superb sound quality in a small but perfectly formed and affordable package, there is no superior choice. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level Zero criteria.
Digital Done Right
The in-house custom modified Philips front loading CD mechanism is designed purely to read true Red Book CD, which in our opinion is still the best possible Digital music format currently available.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Zero/II is equipped with a single ended / RCA 75 Ohm digital output.
CDT-One/II
The next step up the ladder in our dedicated Red Book CD Transport range, the CDT-One/II easily proves just how good silver discs can sound, when played correctly.
Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria.
Digital Done Right
The in-house custom modified Philips front loading CD mechanism is designed purely to read true Red Book CD, which in our opinion is still the best possible Digital music format currently available.
Make the Connection
The CDT-One/II is equipped with both single ended / RCA 75 Ohm SPDif and balanced / XLR 110 Ohm AES / EBU, transformer coupled, digital outputs.
CDT-Two/II
The original CDT-Two was an instant success on its launch, and its direct descendent, the current CDT-Two/II, builds and improves upon the original model's performance. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria.
Digital Done Right
Custom modified Philips CD Pro2LF CD mechanism, power supply with three separate mains transformers, Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver cable for internal digital signal transfer, silver wired digital output transformer using thin laminated core, Audio Note (UK) Tantalum resistors and custom electrolytic capacitors.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Two/II is equipped with both single ended / RCA 75 Ohm SPDif and balanced / XLR 110 Ohm AES / EBU, transformer coupled, digital outputs.
CDT-Four
Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria.
Digital Done Right
Top loading in-house custom modified Philips CD Pro2LF mechanism, choke coupled three transformer power supply, silver wired output transformer, Audio Note (UK) SOGON cable from CD mechanism to digital output stage.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Four is equipped with both single ended / RCA 75 Ohm SPDif and balanced / XLR 110 Ohm AES / EBU, transformer coupled, digital outputs.
CDT-Three
If you're looking for the best possible sound quality from Red Book CD in a small, perfectly formed half width chassis, look no further than the CDT-Three. Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria.
Digital Done Right
Top loading, custom modified Philips CD Pro2LF CD mechanism, power supply with three separate mains transformers, Audio Note (UK) AN-Vx silver cable for internal digital signal transfer, silver wired digital output transformer using thin laminated core, Audio Note (UK) Tantalum resistors and custom electrolytic capacitors.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Three is equipped with both single ended / RCA 75 Ohm SPDif and balanced / XLR 110 Ohm AES / EBU, transformer coupled, digital outputs.
CDT-Five
Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria. No expense had been spared in any area, and we have used the finest possible components and materials available to construct this truly outstanding, reference class CD Transport.
Digital Done Right
Top loading in-house custom modified Philips CD Pro2LF mechanism mounted on sprung sub-chassis, providing vibration-free operation.
Valve Digital Output Stage
Valve digital output stage with valve-rectified power supply, custom designed and built output transformer. All silver-wired, Black Gate capacitors everywhere, Audio Note (UK) PALLAS digital interconnect used for internal digital signal transfer.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Five is equipped as standard with 1 x single ended / RCA 75 Ohm digital output, as we find this offers the best form of connection for the valve digital output stage. However, a single unconnected balanced / XLR output socket is fitted to the chassis as standard, and this connection option can be specified by the customer at the time of ordering, if required.
https://www.audionote.co.uk/_files/ugd/89c24f_966909f2e8954b26adac7f9d3610060d.pdf
CDT Six/Force
Whilst the rest of the audiophile world continues it delusional and ultimately doomed love affair with the currently fashionable crop of what are claimed to be "high resolution" computer sources, we at Audio Note (UK) continue to extract even greater degrees of information and quality from Red Book CD, which is still the best, currently available digital music format. To this end, we proudly introduce the latest in our line of extreme performance, dedicated Red Book CD Transports, the CDT-Six / Force. Audio Note (UK) is highly critical of the digital medium as presented by compact disc; we sincerely hope that you too will find this transport breaks free from the "digital mould" that we are all so accustomed to, and so opens a new window on your CD collection. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level 6 criteria. No expense had been spared in any area, and we have used the finest possible components and materials available to construct this truly outstanding, Reference class CD Transport.
Digital Done Right
Heavy copper chassis for maximum electromagnetic and vibrational isolation. Top loading in-house custom modified Philips CD Pro2LF mechanism featuring a heavily upgraded servo board, including a selection of Black Gate capacitors. CD mechanism is mounted on a sprung sub-chassis based on the suspension system developed for our TT-Three analogue turntables, providing vibration-free operation. SOOTTO cable is used between the CD mechanism and the digital output board.
Valve Digital Output Stage
Valve digital output stage with valve-rectified power supply. In-house custom designed and built silver wired output transformer. Our own Audio Note (UK) Silver Foil capacitors and Black Gate capacitors are used extensively. Audio Note (UK) PALLAS digital interconnect used for internal digital signal transfer.
External Power
Three separate power supplies housed in an external chassis, offering the best possible power connection for the sensitive and innovative digital system. Valve-rectified and regulated power supply with Double C-Core choke. SOGON LX96 used for the umbilical cables between CDT-Six transport and Force PSU chassis.
Make the Connection
The CDT-Six is equipped with 1 x single ended / RCA 75 Ohm digital output.
AUDIO NOTE UK
Digital to Analogue Converters
In preferring vinyl and tubes, Audio Note is not alone in the wider audio world.
It’s in the area of digital technology our company differs from the mainstream – and radically too. As owner of what is probably among the world’s largest private record collections, Audio Note UK's Peter Qvortrup might appear an unlikely champion of Red Book CD. But champion he is, spending big R&D money in an effort to make CD deliver similar musical satisfaction to vinyl. The work led Audio Note to pioneer a fundamentally different approach to D/A conversion than that taken by the rest of the industry, rejecting oversampling and digital filtering in favour of an architecture that takes the native data stream, converts it to analogue, then passes it through a simple filter. The resulting output, as we readily admit, measures horribly on a spectrum analyser. And yet, and yet…it sounds glorious – natural, organic, with none of the brittle edginess that leaves so many audiophiles deeply dissatisfied with digital sources.
Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that regardless of the theoretical and measurable advantages of the signal manipulation employed in all currently available digital products, such as higher over sampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction. All these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal, based as current theory is, on an assumption that music is similar to book keeping data which off course it is not. Music is a time continuum from start to end, which when broken is irreparably damaged and no amount of clever manipulation can ever restore it to its original time-frequency-amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the in coming information properly.
In other words, our DA Converters use no over sampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all the digital filtering that is part of the over sampling, all filtering our DAC's are done in the analogue domain where is appears to be easier to retain good wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour than in the digital domain. The result is that we can represent the best possible digital replay in the world. The result closely resembles that what is possible from our top analogue setups.
DAC 0.1x
Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that regardless of the theoretical and measurable advantages of the signal manipulation employed in all currently available digital products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, the result is this: all these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal. Current theory is based on an assumption that music is similar to bookkeeping data, which of course it is not. Music is a time continuum from beginning to end, which when broken is irreparably damaged and no amount of clever manipulation can ever restore it to its original time-frequency-amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you.
The DAC 0.1x uses the revolutionary and currently exclusive Audio Note digital technology dubbed 1x oversampling™ direct from disc™ circuit topology. The technology, in essence, dispenses with all the correction measures inherent in all other D/A converters and presents the digital signal directly to the converter after reformatting. In other words, all products in the Audio Note DAC range have no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all the digital filtering that is part of the oversampling, we have also dispensed with all filtering in the analogue domain to further retain good wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. The end result being a reproduction more reminiscent of master tape in quality, with greater differentiation and contrast between different recordings.
The DAC 0.1x converter uses a Philips TDA1543 stereo D/A converter chip and features a 6111WA valve zero-feedback output stage.
DAC 1.1x/II
The Audio Note (UK) DAC1.1x/II Digital to Analogue converter has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria: Materials and component quality. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal.
Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Audio Note (UK) DAC1.1x has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for oversampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions!).The DAC1.1x/II Signature also features an abundance of upgraded components in comparison with the standard edition, including our own Audio Note (UK) Tantalum resistors in key areas.
DAC 2.1x/II
The Audio Note (UK) DAC2.1x Digital to Analogue converter has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria: Valve rectification, Materials and component quality. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal.
Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Audio Note (UK) DAC2.1x has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for oversampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions!). The filter-interface coils / transformers are of extremely high quality, and are custom designed and manufactured in-house by us. The DAC2.1x Signature also features an abundance of upgraded components in comparison with the standard edition, including our own Audio Note (UK) Tantalum resistors and Copper coil capacitors used in key areas. It also features a valve-rectified power supply (the standard DAC2.1x uses solid state rectification).The DAC2.1x/II Balanced features an upgraded version of the classic Audio Note (UK) Line preamplifier output stage, using a pair of ECC82 / 5814a double triode valves. Unlike the preceding models in the Audio Note (UK) DAC range, the DAC2.1x/II Balanced features a pair of custom designed and manufactured output transformers. These devices not only have exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both single ended and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a power supply with valve rectification. This technique not only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but also provides well isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. Internal components are of extremely high quality, as is expected from an Audio Note (UK) product.
DAC 4.1x Balanced
The Audio Note (UK) DAC4.1x Digital to Analogue converters have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: Valve rectification, Materials and component quality. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal. Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Audio Note (UK) DAC4.1x has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for over sampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions!). The filter-interface coils / transformers are of the highest possible quality, using 80% nickel super mu-metal cores. The air gaps in the two filter coils per channel are matched across the full frequency range to within 0.1dB of each other, using a specially designed program to supplement an Audio Precision System 2 test rig.
The DAC4.1x Balanced features an upgraded version of the M6 Line pre-amplifier output stage, using the 5814a and 6463 double-triode valves. This is coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) copper wire on a High B C-core. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both unbalanced and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. The DAC4.1x Balanced Signature features an upgraded version of the M6 Line pre-amplifier output stage, using a pair of 5687 double-triode valves. This is coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) copper wire on a High B C core. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both unbalanced and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a dual-channel power supply with double-choke filtering and valve rectification. This technique not only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but also provides well-isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. The digital power supply is an exceptionally low noise, shunt-type. Internal component quality of this calibre has never before been seen, in either consumer or professional equipment. There is an abundance of Audio Note (UK) capacitors, and Audio Note (UK) Tantalum film resistors throughout the circuit. Analogue stage filter inductors and internal wiring are all produced with Audio Note (UK) wire.
DAC 3.1x/II Balanced
The Audio Note (UK) DAC3.1x Digital to Analogue converter has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Valve rectification, Materials and component quality. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal. Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Audio Note (UK) DAC3.1x has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for oversampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions!). The filter-interface coils / transformers are of extremely high quality, and are custom designed and manufactured in house by us.The DAC3.1x/II Balanced features an upgraded version of the classic Audio Note (UK) Line preamplifier output stage, using a pair of ECC82 / 5814a double triode valves. This is coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) copper wire. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide-frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both single ended and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a dual-channel power supply with double-choke filtering and valve rectification. This technique not only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but also provides well-isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. The digital power supply is an exceptionally low noise, shunt-type. Internal component quality is of extremely high quality. Audio Note (UK) Copper Foil capacitors and high quality resistors are used in key areas throughout the circuit. Analogue stage filter inductors and internal wiring are all produced with our own Audio Note (UK) wire.
DAC Five Special & Signature
The Audio Note (UK) DAC5 Special Digital to Analogue converter has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Valve rectification, Materials and component quality.
The Audio Note DAC5 is the most unique digital product available today. It uses the most unusual and innovative digital circuit on the market, combined with some of the finest components, materials and power supplies possible. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal. Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Audio Note (UK) DAC5 has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for over sampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions!). The filter-interface coils / transformers are of the highest possible quality, using 80% nickel Super mu-metal cores with 99.99% pure Audio Note™ silver wires. The air gaps in the two filter coils per channel are matched across the full frequency range to within 0.1dB of each other, using a specially designed program to supplement an Audio Precision System 2 test rig.
The DAC 5 Special features an upgraded version of the M6 pre-amplifier line stage, using a 5814a (ECC82/12AU7a) and a 6463, both of which are dual triode valves. These are coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) silver wire on a High B C-core. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both unbalanced and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. The DAC 5 Signature features an upgraded version of the M6 preamplifier line stage, using a 5814a (ECC82 / 12AU7a / 6189) and a Telefunken 6463, both of which are dual triodes valves. These are coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) silver wire on a 55% nickel Audio Note (UK) Supa-Perma C cores. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both single ended and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a dual-channel power supply with double-choke filtering and valve rectification. This technique not only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but also provides well-isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. The digital power supply is an exceptionally low noise, shunt-type. Internal component quality of this calibre has never before been seen, in either consumer or professional equipment. There is an abundance of Black Gate and Cerafine Audio capacitors, and Audio Note (UK) Tantalum film resistors throughout the circuit. Analogue stage filter inductors and internal wiring are all produced with Audio Note (UK) 99.99% pure silver wire.
Fifth Element/ Fifth Force
The Fifth Element / Fifth Force DAC is without doubt or question, the finest Digital to Analogue Converter we have ever produced. As one would expect, no expense has been spared in the construction of the circuit or the components used, and it is a full Audio Note (UK) Level 5 product. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero negative feedback, Single Ended circuit topology, Valve rectification, Materials and component quality.
The Fifth Element / Fifth Force is one of the most unique digital products available today. It uses the most unusual and innovative digital circuit on the market, combined with some of the finest components, materials and power supplies possible. Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have shown beyond doubt that, regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher oversampling, noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal. Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably damaged, and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists may tell you. As a result, we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any manipulation whatsoever. All we do is reformat the data stream to allow the converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly. In other words, the Fifth Element / Fifth Force has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital filtering that is required for oversampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain where it is easier to retain good, wide band phase-frequency and dynamically coherent behaviour. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes, even better than the 20Bit versions). The filter-interface coils / transformers are of the highest possible quality, using 55% nickel Super mu-metal cores with 99.99% pure Audio Note™ silver wires. The air gaps in the two filter coils per channel are matched across the full frequency range to within 0.1dB of each other, using a specially designed program to supplement an Audio Precision System 2 test rig.
An extremely unique feature of the Fifth Element / Fifth Force is its use of an input buffer stage for the incoming digital signal, using an EF800 valve. Audio Note (UK) was the first company in the world to commercially implement such an arrangement, and it is one of the many technical achievements found in the Fifth Element / Fifth Force that pushes the performance of this digital to analogue converter beyond the threshold previously thought possible for such a device or digital audio technology in general. The Fifth Element / Fifth Force features a version of the M9 pre-amplifier line stage, using a 6189 (ECC82 / 12AU7a / 5814a) and a Telefunken 6463, both of which are dual triode valves. These are coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio Note (UK) silver wire on a 55% nickel Audio Note (UK) Supa-Perma C cores. With a 33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function possible. The analogue output has provisions for both single ended and balanced operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors. To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a version of the Galahad power supply found in our M9 Phono pre-amplifier. This supply features full valve rectification, regulation and voltage stabilisation. This technique not only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but also provides well-isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. The digital power supply is an exceptionally low noise, shunt-type. Internal component quality of this calibre has never before been seen, in either consumer or professional equipment. There is an abundance of Black Gate and Cerafine Audio capacitors, and Audio Note (UK) Tantalum film resistors throughout the circuit. Analogue stage filter inductors and internal wiring are all produced with Audio Note (UK) 99.99% pure silver wire.