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AUDIO NOTE UK

Power Amplifiers

​The musical information captured needs to be amplified before we can fill a room with music. Audio Note does not make amplifiers that use transistors as amplifying devices anywhere. We believe – and much of the audio industry conclusively proves this with its products – that transistor amplifiers are sonically inferior, fundamentally flawed when compared to well-executed valve amplification. Live music is a linear sonic event, yet transistors are semiconductors - or partial-conductors - and they are neither linear nor natural voltage amplifiers. To achieve a bandwidth wide enough for music they require correction - feedback - and this process further damages what little remains of once linear recorded events. This is why all transistor amplifiers sound poor to a lesser or greater degree.

Pentode or tetrode valves also require corrective feedback to suppress load sensitivity and improve bandwidth, but being high impedance devices that require teaming with an output transformer they are less un-linear than transistors. They will therefore sound better than transistors when well implemented in an audio amplifier, in push pull, but especially when used single-ended and/or in pseudo triode mode with their grids connected together. They also have the advantage of being comparatively low cost and efficient in terms of power output, so are valid as amplifying devices in amplification where cost is a consideration.

Audio Note continues to believe that directly heated triodes remain the pre-eminent output tubes for musical amplification. They are less efficient and more expensive that pentodes or tetrodes, but they are highly linear voltage amplifying devices and respond in truly remarkable ways to the application of highly informed circuit design, and to the use of better components and materials. Directly heated triodes first appear in Performance Level Three, this is the level where component parts quality starts playing a serious role. At each level from Level One through to Level Six we develop the very best possible circuit and power supply configurations, then apply steadily more refined components and materials to achieve a predictable ladder of higher quality sonic performance. Click here to read more about the Audio Note Performance Level system.

Together with Audio Note analogue and digital sources, speakers and interconnects, Audio Note amplifiers build into systems whose musicality will touch you like no other. At the same time, each element also stands in its own right as the pinnacle, we believe, of what is sonically possible to achieve at each given price point.
 

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P1 PP

The Audio Note (UK) P1 Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A valve design, producing an outstanding level of performance and value. The P1 PP has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria: Pure Class A Push-Pull Pentode operation, Materials and component quality.

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P2 PP

The Audio Note (UK) P2 Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A valve amplifier which preserves the entire musical waveform as one "whole," producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the majority of current designs. Part selection is optimised to realise the most neutral and realistic sonic reproduction. The P2 PP fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level 1 criteria: Pure Class A Push-Pull Pentode operation, Materials and component quality.

A high gain power amplifier stage is used consisting of an ECC82 dual triode acting as an anode follower for the first stage, the output of which is applied to a second anode follower (6SL7) which feeds the parallel connected 6L6G output valves. The output transformers are custom designed and manufactured by Audio Note (UK), and are of the highest possible quality. The power supply is a multi-element design, ensuring precise operation of each circuit stage, whilst a DC supply feeds the low level valve filaments.

P2 SE

The P2 SE fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria: Pure Class A Single Ended Pentode operation, Materials and component quality. Some of the superior quality components utilised in the P2 SE include: Audio Note (UK) custom tinfoil capacitors, used in the most critical areas. Dual power supplies and transformers, one for the output stage and one for the remaining circuitry. Custom designed output transformers, manufactured by Audio Note (UK). These output transformers—one of the most critical areas of valve amplifier design—allow the P2 SE to produce impressively extended and controlled bass.

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PALADIN

The Audio Note (UK) Paladin Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 45 triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.

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QUEST

The Audio Note (UK) QUEST are Pure Class A Single Ended mono valve amplifiers that use a single 300B triode valve per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.

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EMPRESS

The Audio Note (UK) EMPRESS Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 2A3 triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.

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P1 SE

The P1 SE has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria: Pure Class A Single Ended Pentode operation, Materials and component quality.


 

VINDICATOR

The Audio Note (UK) Vindicator Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 2A3 triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.

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CONQUEROR

The Audio Note (UK) Conqueror Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 300B direct heated triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.

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CONQUEST

The Audio Note (UK) CONQUEST Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 300B triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality. 


 

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P3 TONMEISTER

The Audio Note (UK) P3 Tonmeister Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 300B direct-heated triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality. 

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JINRO SHOCHU

The Audio Note (UK) JINRO Shochu Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 211 triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. Sharing the circuit design found in the legendary ONGAKU Kensei and TOMEI Kensei amplifiers, the JINRO Shochu use copper for all transformer windings rather than silver or silver / copper to produce a performance that is both unique and beguiling.  Level 3 components are used throughout, including Audio Note (UK)™ Copper Foil Capacitors and in-house designed and manufactured copper wired output transformers. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality. 

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P4 BALANCED

The Audio Note (UK) P4 BALANCED TONMEISTER Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 300B triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality. 
Valves : 2 x 5U4GB (1 per chassis), 4 x 300B (2 per chassis), 2 x 5687 (1 per chassis)

ANKORU/II

The Audio Note (UK) ANKORU/II MONO power amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve mono amplifiers, using a pair of the highly regarded 211 triode valves per chassis, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. They use a similar circuit design and topology to the legendary Audio Note (UK) GAKU-ON amplifiers. However, where the GAKU-ON power amplifiers use silver wherever possible, such as for all transformer windings, the ANKORU/II instead use copper.It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.  

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SHINRI

The Audio Note (UK) SHINRI Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Single Ended Triode valve amplifiers that use a single 300B triode output valve per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.
Each amplifier is completely hand assembled, and uses only the finest possible materials and components: Audio Note (UK) custom Output Transformers, using AN(UK) copper primary windings, Audio Note (UK) custom 1 Watt Tantalum resistors, Audio Note (UK) Copper Foil capacitors, Audio Note (UK) Silver internal wiring, Black Gate capacitors in critical areas.

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KASSAI

The Audio Note (UK) KASSAI Mono Power Amplifiers are a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifiers that uses the highly regarded 300B triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.
Each amplifier is completely hand assembled, and is equipped with the following components: Audio Note (UK) custom Output Transformers using Copper primary windings, AN(UK) silver secondary windings and AN(UK) UHiB double C cores, Audio Note (UK) custom 1 Watt Tantalum resistors, Audio Note (UK) Copper Foil capacitors, Audio Note (UK) Silver internal wiring, Black Gate capacitors in critical areas.

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GINREI

The Audio Note (UK) GINREI Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 211 triode valves per chassis, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. They use a similar circuit design and topology to the legendary Audio Note (UK) GAKU-ON amplifiers. However, where the GAKU-ON power amplifiers use silver wherever possible, such as for all transformer windings, the GINREI instead use copper for the primary windings and silver for the secondary windings. They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

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BARANSU

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The Audio Note (UK) BARANSU Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 300B triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. Each amplifier is completely hand assembled, and uses only the finest possible materials and components: Audio Note (UK) custom Output Transformers, using AN(UK) silver windings and AN-Perma 50% Nickel Double C cores, Audio Note (UK) custom 2 Watt Tantalum resistors, Audio Note (UK) Silver Foil capacitors, Audio Note (UK) Silver internal wiring, Black Gate capacitors in critical areas.
They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

NEIRO

The Audio Note (UK) NEIRO Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 2A3 triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Materials and component quality.  
Each amplifier is completely hand assembled, and uses only the finest possible materials and components: Audio Note (UK) customer Output Transformers, using AN(UK) copper primary windings, AN(UK) silver secondary windings and AN(UK) UHiB double C cores, Audio Note (UK) custom 1 Watt Tantalum resistors, Audio Note (UK) Copper Foil capacitors, Audio Note (UK) Silver internal wiring, Black Gate capacitors in critical areas.

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TOMEI KENSEI

The Audio Note (UK) TOMEI Kensei Stereo Power Amplifier is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 211 triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. Sharing the circuit design found in the legendary ONGAKU Kensei and JINRO Shochu amplifiers, the TOMEI Kensei bridges the gap between them. Featuring a combination of copper primary and silver secondary windings for the transformers, its performance is both unique and beguiling. Level 4 components are used throughout, including Audio Note (UK)™ Tantalum resistors and Foil Capacitors and in-house designed and manufactured copper/silver wired output transformers. They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

KAGEKI

The Audio Note (UK) KAGEKI Mono Power Amplifiers are a Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended design, that use a pair of the highly regarded 2A3 triode valves per chassis, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

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KEGON

The Audio Note (UK) KEGON Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 300B triode valves per channel, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. Each amplifier is completely hand assembled, and uses only the finest possible materials and components: Audio Note (UK) custom Output Transformers, using AN(UK) silver windings and AN-Perma 50% Nickel Double C cores, Audio Note (UK) custom 2 Watt Tantalum resistors, Audio Note (UK) Silver Foil capacitors, Audio Note (UK) Silver internal wiring, Black Gate capacitors in critical areas.
They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

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ONGAKU

The ONGAKU integrated has rightly earned a place in history; its name is synonymous with the finest possible audio reproduction, and for once the reality is equal to the legend! The ONGAKU Kensei shares the same circuit as its integrated sibling, but instead is equipped with a single pair of Balanced / XLR inputs. Each input is connected to an in-house custom designed and manufactured, fully silver wired, balanced input transformer, offering the perfect input interface for any of our Balanced output equipped preamplifiers. It is a Pure Class A Single Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded VT-4C / 211 triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to any other current designs. Only the finest possible components have been employed: Audio Note (UK) silver wire has been use exclusively for all internal wiring, including all transformers and power supply connections. Audio Note two watt Tantalum resistors have been used throughout. All capacitors are either Black Gate Electrolytic or Audio Note (UK) silver foil. All transformers are our own in-house custom designed and manufactured devices; driver and output transformers are fully silver wired AN-Perma 50 nickel C-core and the mains transformer is a fully silver wired HiB double C core. No stereo power amplifier has ever produced the levels of musical purity delivered by the ONGAKU Kensei… It is without doubt the finest possible stereo chassis power amplifier available today.
They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

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GAKU-ON

The Audio Note (UK) GAKU-ON Mono Power Amplifiers are Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended valve amplifiers that use a pair of the highly regarded 211 / VT4-C triode valves per chassis, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. The GAKU-ON represent the pinnacle of our mono amplifier range, and no expense has been spared in their design or production. The finest components are used, including a host of Black Gate capacitors, our own Audio Note (UK) silver foil capacitors and Tantalum resistors, silver wire and the finest core materials for all transformers, and silver signal wire throughout the circuit.
They have been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfil all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: Pure Class A operation, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended Output Stage, Valve Rectification, Directly Heated Triode operation, Finest materials and component quality.

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The 'Legend'

The ultimate power amplifier. 
“The ‘Legend’ was conceived as a new semi-bespoke series, the shape and circuit design of which are inspired by the Ongaku and Gaku-On, both highly respected by audiophiles. However, the sound effect has been vastly improved upon, and the production of the chassis is the epitome of luxury. Users can choose to use 845, DA100, 212D or even 300B for their power tubes… As each pair of Legend will have their own unique design concept, there will not be traditional serial numbers; each pair are instead named after famous pianists. My ‘Legend’ is named after the American pianist Julius Katchen.

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