I follow this site that gives me some fancy systems - two systems around Audio Note in the same day - When the AN E - just isn't big enough.
while not as impressive these are doing the job here. The AN-E SPx AlNiCo ... what a truly stunning speaker. the refinement is amazing.
you will love them. they take some time to break in, especially for the bass to fill in but once they do, simply stunning. they work with any DHT valve but are especially good with the 211 based stuff and of course the higher level 300bs amps ...
I know, sounds like just a number - but, once you get to listen to those amps (in the right room), go can never go back.
Those are beauties @slcaudiophile. Here are my homemade AN Speaker Kit-04 AlNiCo's. Hooked them up without a veneer job to test them and have never looked back.
They are VERY impressive I remember the first time I heard them--I was just SO carried away by the music. That was the first time I felt the AN magic, and I decided that they were my end goal speakers. And now I have them! I enjoy the music they make everyday. While the SPe HE is a great speaker for the money, it doesn't have the musical drive of the Alnicos IMO. So it's a worthwhile upgrade @spartree
I heard them first at an audiophile's place in Hong Kong. I believe he was the pianist for the Chinese Symphony orchestra and has retired - teaches piano now. He had his speakers upgraded to the AlNiCo - and he played some "non-dynamically limited" Chinese Drum - these are expensive discs with warnings that they will destroy your loudspeakers if you are not careful. The experience was rather amazing. If I see those albums - I will pick them up - I would prefer them on vinyl however.
yes, high gloss apple. it is really hard to capture the finish in a photo on these speakers, as many of you know.
Looks fantastic. Aesthetics aside, does anybody know if the high gloss finish has an impact on how it sounds? I imagine that the finish would make the cabinet stiffer and wonder if AN has compared the sound of their cabinets with and without the finish, all other things being equal?
I had my cabinets changed from a nongloss version (not apple, though) to my current high gloss apple, and perhaps the sound got slightly more focused. But I was told beforehand that this should be the case, so it may be placebo In any case, I can safely say that in my system the difference is small, and that I would only choose high gloss for the aesthetics. Which is reason enough--they look fantastic!
How was that done? I really like the high gloss finishes might consider getting mine done unless it involves shipping back to the factory. I'm assuming that's the case but just in case thought I'd ask. And I'm sure your speakers look and sound fantastic!
yes agreed. i advise all clients to do a HG finish. it is expensive but worth it. and no, no sonic difference between HG and Satin ... the HG is just really cool to look at.
I agree that the high gloss looks great. It can be a challenge to keep looking great though, especially in sunlight as it will show any fingerprints, dust, or smudges. Does anyone have any tips for keeping the high gloss finish looking good?
I have the HG finish on my TT2. It is a magnet for smudges, for sure. I use a soft microfiber cloth with just a wee spritz of water if necessary. Mostly I just keep the lights low. The music sounds better that way anyhow.
Good tip on the gloves. With the heat in California though, sometimes I just have to leave the windows open unless I want to be listening in an oven!