Audio Note UK Ongaku Kensei 211 valve Single Ended Triode balanced amplifier now up & running!

Yeah, not super old (newer production than a TDA1541) but they can be pretty rare if you have a circuit that relies on a characteristic of a particular light-dependent resistor. For example, a "Philosopher's Tone" pedal. Or hard to replace if, for example, you've got a DLS Effects pedal where they ground the part numbers off.

Just like a particular germanium transistor used in an early Fuzz-Face (out of many others), rare only because of the celebrity use of the pedal and the now-novelty of UK-made transistors.

LDRs, a resistor that is controlled by light, but has some unique properties where semiconductors don't fit the bill. "Off" impedance in 100Mohm + range, and naturally slow-response, and variable resistance instead of just switching, tolerant of hundreds of volts. I've tried not to ponder interesting ways to use them, because the supply is limited.

The Evolution of LDR Volume Control | Tortuga Audio

 

bump this just because it is so beautiful!

 

I think a much better approach--about any component--is to insert into your system, and then live with it for a while. You don't need to worry about level matching then. If for some reason you tend to play louder with one piece of equipment than with another, then that's part of what differentiates the two pieces of equipment.

 

Which model of Symposium stand did you get?

What kind of change to the sound did the Symposium make, if any?

 

Come down off your cross. You brought the knives to a thread about an Audio Note product posted by a gentleman who quite enjoys Audio Note equipment and who happens to know a thing or two about sound quality. You have to expect a little bit of defensiveness.

Nothing passive aggressive here....

 

That was really well stated Warren. I responded the way that I did because the suggestion that someone who has purchased a $100,000 amplifier should fix or improve it with a $30 part is ridiculous and insulting. What sort of response would you expect when making that kind of suggestion?

If you go to one manufacturers discussion, do you then go and tell everyone that discusses CAT or ARC or Dan D’Agostino that their expensive amps can be improved with a $30 part? Porsche discussion boards? It can go on and on.

However, if someone wants to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the $100k amplifier versus other models that they have heard, then I am all for that. At least that would be constructive. I myself have all level four and a bit of level five in my system, except for my speaker cable, which is only level two.

I have upgraded my interconnects to Sogon and been very pleased with the improvement. I am trying to convince myself that it’s worth saving up a long time for the Sogon LX96 to be biwired in my system. I am getting fabulous sound with my biwired Lexus (true biwire with four runs per side). I feel like I will be glad when I have upgraded the speaker cable, but that is pretty pricey cable!

So, if anyone wants to share their experience of how they felt the sound was improved or not after upgrading to Sogon, then please share : )
(And I even brought the discussion back on to the subject of Audio Note - maybe not Steve’s amp, but it discussing AN!)

 

Well said, Warren and Don.


Don, I have Sogon interconnects, like you, and they're just magnificent. For me, this is absolutely a cable for life. It has made me wonder about upgrading my speaker cables to Sogon.

Might it be possible for you at some point to arrange with your local dealer to borrow a pair of Sogon speaker cables for a few weeks?

 

Even in not high end AN system, Sogon interconnect made such a big difference for me, that I can compare it to the feeling when I've changed AZ3 speakers to AN-E. Incredibly transparent but not harsh, very detailed, but not annoying. I just can only imagine how Sogon speaker cables in true bi-wiring setup would change system character.

 

Just try a Sootto IC and add some Sootto PCs and you will be blown away in a AN system, no matter which level you are at. The cost is somewhat prohibitive.

I am surprised, people in this thread don't talk more about this fabulous cable line.

 

Honestly, don't encourage him. Don borrows them, has a brief intense passionate relationship and then gives them back. Think of us for a moment, he is a pilot of a big plane. Which passenger wants a depressed , distracted audiophile pilot up front who had to listen to his system last night without Sogon LX96 between his amps and speakers. @ Don, Be happy with what you have and let us fly peacefully at 40000ft secure in our tin can. Cheers.

 

This is the best response ever!

 

I didn't know that AN makes a Sootto power cable. Thanks for letting us know

 

In my otherwise non-AN system, I really like my Sogon interconnect between my linestage and amplifier. As others have mentioned it sounds very open and transparent without being harsh at all--smooth, yet detailed. Sootto is not a viable option, particularly because this interconnect is 4 meters long. My Sogon speaker cables are also good, but, they did not make as obvious an improvement as the long interconnect.

 

When I needed a 2 meter IC between my DAC and pre-amp, I almost (but not enough to continue saving) felt guilty settling for Sogon.... What a world we live in,huh?

BTW, I have Sootto in two other places in my. system, so I understand what I was missing.

 

I very recently changed over a wiring harness on a pair of AN-E Alnico's from SPe to LX96 and in doing so I realised that running LX96 as speaker cable into the SPe compromised the sound considerably. 96 all the way through is quite remarkable and in hindsight, I think SPe into LX96 rather than the other way round would have given a better result. In reality if Don wasn't going to change speakers anytime soon then he would be way ahead if he rewired the HE's internally first with Sogon and still be able to eat. Using the 96 as the last link from the X-overs to drivers gives the bigger bang. He stills gets to fly and be happy and thus avoid a "breaking bad "moment.

 

Hahaha! Yes, it’s true. I need to wait until I can actually afford to buy them before trying them : )

I tried a very fancy and fast BMW years ago and absolutely loved it. Then got into my Ford Escort for the drive home and cried the whole way ; )

 

This is food for thought. I have a pair of external crossovers waiting to be installed one day as well. I may get my techie to price out Sogon internal cabling as an option from the external crossover to the drivers. Hmmm...

 

The signature E speakers use 1.5 meters to do that (plus whatever is inside the speaker) so it is reasonable to think in terms of biwired 1.5 meters for that, which is still very expensive

 

Internal lengths needed for a pair of E's for a comfortable change is minimum 45 cm's so position your X-over in a pretty handy location. The best solution is probably for Don is to try and source a reliable supplier of second hand Sogon speaker cable. The only caveat I have that as good as the HE magnets are, the Alnico's are in a different league and the difference sonically is significant and really shows the benefit of what the Sogon brings. I would still do it but look carefully at what is involved as it's quite a bit of work.

 

I visited the factory yesterday afternoon and then spent a couple of hours during the evening listening to the TT3 1/2 Reference prototype the Super DAC and Legend Power Amps for the first time at PQ’s house.

Firstly at the factory I had the Phillips 5R4GYS Rectifiers that Steve H, John Mee and myself have been using tested out. They passed the relevant voltage check perfectly so should be completely safe to use.

I can also report that both vinyl and CD sounded outstanding at PQ’s! Much better than the sound that I’ve heard before at his home great as it was. CD reached to a level that I didn’t believe possible. A Jaw dropping listen! No perceivable CD compression and so vinyl like in an organic, lush way. Anyone who gets a chance to hear this system should jump at the chance.......

 

I can second this! While the DAC unfortunalty was on its way to Slovenia with Darko and Daniel for a show I was nonetheless lucky enough to spend seveal days listening to the new half reference (which I will order and have on demo soon) and the Legends (DA 100 based ) ... the sheer level of musical refinement and engagment those new amps have is simply stunning. There is high level AN and then there is the Legend! I am still in a bit of shock having heard his system with a large varitey of different music .