A wiseman once said: Luck is preparation meeting opportunity. So, there I was, prepared to buy a Sony SCD-1, a machine I just new would stir my tea. Thing was, my local dealer didn't have an SCD-1, he didn't even sell the brand.
Well, what do you have? I asked.
Alot of my clients like Audio Note. You should take this DAC home for the weekend. He smiled wryly.
Let me tell you that that DAC Zero (the bottom of the AN line, mind you) struck me upside the head as if to say "Here I am! The one you've been looking for!"
Well, I brought back the borrowed DAC, and ordered the most expensive version up the line that I could afford.
Nuff said, I suppose. Since that "lucky" day, I've been climbing the Audio Note ladder. Even tried my hand a building a couple of pieces. They sound great and provide quite a bit of fun and enlightenment, too. Check 'em out:
http://audionotekits.espyderweb.net/
So why did I go with Cain & Cain instead of AN speakers? Mostly 'cause I don't have the required corners for the Audio Note speakers to sound their best. The curse of the modern tract home--all open spaces and not a symetrical cornered room in sight. Oh well; the room sounds good as it stands.
Thoughts on room treatment and other upgrades welcome.
I'm enjoying my journey as I hope you are yours.
April 06 Update: replaced the AN copper caps in the Balanced Line Pre with AN Silver caps. Stunning! The difference is not subtle. Almost frightening in it's resolving power. I'd take a picture, but, well, you know, they're caps! Ok, they look kinda cool, but this neurosis goes a bit far when you start looking at caps and lusting. Right?
CDT-2/II, wasn't too sure how much difference a transport would make. No second-guessing now. This thing is amazing. Physicality and sense of space are it's calling cards.
Audio Note M-2 line
Balanced Pre kit, uses M2 power supply and M3 (pre 2006) amplifier section which drives HiB core output transformers. With copper AN caps and AN-V along with some Black Gates for good measure--this thing is quite impressive.
Audio Note DAC-4
Audio Note DAC 4.1x Balanced
Audio Note Meishu P-3
Kit1, this was my first Audio Note kit I built. After hearing what the DAC did, I just had to try this. 300B, set, no neg feedback. Upgraded with Black Gates, silver wire, tantalum resistors and plenty of good tubes--red base 5692 RCA and Western Electrics are are glorious combination! This is an amp to hold onto for life.
Audio Note Kit Interstate Monos
All blackgates, AN HiB Ccore output tx, and Ultra HiB Ccore interstage tx. WE300b. Big and beautiful!
Audio Note AN-E/Spe HE
High eff, hemp coned in very nice madrone burl on Sound Anchor stands
Audio Concepts Titan
One nice thing about big, open tract homes is the lack of standing waves. That's about the only nice thing that can be said from an audio viewpoint. With my huge volume room *see pic*, a single Titan does a good job taking the baton from the Cains. A pair would do more, for sure, but with test discs I get solid 27Hz response. Better yet, I like the way it plays music, and it matches the Cain's finish nicely.
Hi ya Doug, how are you running the wires from the amp to the speakers? Is the AN speaker better than the Cain n Cain? Or do they both have their better points on different material?
Hey Doug, when is the next party? I can bring a great wine from the foothills. In two days I am going to SF to listen to Gallo speakers powered by a new super version of my amps.
Doug, thanks for the great audio party. You always do it right. Your daughters are an utter delight, and it was fun having their company.
That was the best sound you have had in that room. There was a lot of detail, that never drew attention to itself. I was amazed at it's integration. Your subwoofer was well matched.
We are so right about the superiority of our non-upsampling DACs.
I heard the AN Zero when at Doug's, right after he got it. It was an epiphany for both of us. Before listening, Doug was describing it to me as a, "Whole," making a round motion with his hands, "Head." He was right. I got me an AN DAC as soon as I could. I've auditioned other players, and even SACD. None compare to the naturalness of the AN.
