AUDIO NOTE AnE speakers

Hi I have AnE Spx signature speakers and wondering if I better use 4 ohms or 8 ohms connection from my low gain Shinri amplifiers. Does anyone want to share your thoughts? I was told to try both but not sure if I hear much differences. Thank you

 

Thank you so much for a quick reply. I will try....

 

I have similar speakers. Mine are the Lexus Signatures with outboard crossovers. I have AN Conquest Silver Signatures which have 4 ohm and 8 ohm taps. I have tried both and there is a difference. Since the AN-E lives above 6 ohms most of the time you will get higher output using the 8 ohm taps due to better impedance matching. The 4 ohm taps will result in a higher damping factor which theoretically should give you better low frequency control (more bass tightness) at the expense of absolute output power. Look at it this way. The lower impedance tap runs the audio output through more transformer windings then the higher impedance taps do. The more windings the more theoretical degradation of the audio signal. There is no danger in trying both. Steve is right about using source material that is not ultra dynamic in your listening tests. It will be easier to discern a difference. I love my transformers sound (UHiB double C core with silver primaries) but less is always more. Unless your speakers are a difficult load, which the AN-E certainly is not, then always use the taps that run your signal through the fewest windings. If I had 16 ohm taps I would probably use them.

 

I have the AN-E/LX Hemp + Quest amps and went through the same debate. In the end the 8 ohm sounded best to me - more dynamic, more presence, more fun.

 

For the money the LX Hemp are the best sounding speakers I've ever heard. Such an amazing value for what they produce.

 

It is rather the 4 ohms taps on a tube amp that would provide less burden on the amplifier, and possibly a more faithful frequency response.

Impedance graphs of Audio Note speakers from reviews show impedance drops below 6 ohms in spite of the manufacturer rating.

6 ohm speakers connected to an 8 ohm tap demand more electrical current at a particular voltage output level. That's why other amplifiers, like the Yamaha next to me, allow you to choose "8 ohm min" or "6 ohm min" - the latter limits the current to avoid self-destruction.

Transformers of tube amps are a bit more complex than a pure voltage source, though. Transformer voltage gain increases linearly as a function of the number of windings, but impedance at a square root. It is a current source that can be driven into magnetic saturation, etc. When the speakers are 6 ohms instead of 8, the tubes might see 6000 ohms instead of 8000 ohms. The 8 ohm tap uses the full secondary winding, the 4 ohm, only part of it.

What sounds good to you (within what doesn't blow up your amp) is of course the important factor.

 

The impedance curve from Stereophile’s measurements is exactly why I initially thought the 4 ohm taps would be better for the E’s.

 

I am suprised Audio Note does not recommend which tap to use for any given AN amp with each particular AN speaker. Particularily since the AN philosophy is to have an entirely AN system.

 

This is interesting; I hadn’t seen it or thought of it before. Does this approach make sense with gear other than speakers?

 

Well AN makes other speakers besides the AN E - the AN J is 1dB less sensitive but it never drops below 5 ohms - so in certain respects it is easier to drive. The OTO has less trouble with the AN J than it does with the AN E. Not that it has trouble with the AN E - just less trouble - so if you play loud with bass - the OTO will be more at ease with the J than the E. So with the AN J and OTO - the 8 ohm tap is fine - but with the AN E you might consider the 4 ohm tap if you intend to play bass heavy music.


The SORO at double the power and is more at home with the AN E.

Not everyone will run Audio Note in an all AN system so the other taps are there to accommodate those users. If you own KEF LS-50 or Magnepan speakers you probably want to run the 4 ohm taps.

You won't hurt the amplifier either way - so they generally just advise you to use whatever tap sounds better to you.

 

Actually we do, we always recommend the 8 Ohm tap. Peter

 

Run free, that's the spirit!

 

If the improvement/difference is significant your memory should distinguish something, depending on the individual.

 

Thanks for the input Peter! Mark

 

Well there you go, thank you Peter, appreciate that. I should have known you would have that covered somewhere. The longer I own my Audio Note gear(over 5 years now) the greater my appreciation for your fine company grows and the more I realize the products and design philosophy enable me to enjoy music at home like never before(and I have been at this for over 30 years)

 

Thank you everyone for your great inputs!!!