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| AN ANATOMY OF AUDIO NOTE & THE QUEST 300B MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIERS by Constantine Soo October 5, 2001 |
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| Specifications Per Monoblock Weight: 26.5lb Dimensions: 7.7(H) × 8(W) × 19.7(D)(inch) Power Consumption: 85W Fuse ratings: 1.6A anti-surge (110 to 120V supply) Input impedance: 100K ohm Input Sensitivity: 250mV for full output Output noise: 0.6mV RMS typically, unweighted Maximum output: 9 Watts RMS per channel Into 4 or 8 ohm loads Channel balance: 0.3dB or better Roll-off frequency: -3dB at 35kHz minimum Tube compliment: 300B (one), 6SN7 (one), 5U4G (one) MSRP: $3,999 (a pair) Manufacturer: Audio Note (UK) Ltd. 25 Montefiore Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1RD United Kingdom Tel: +44 1273 220 511 Fax: +44 1273 731 498 Website: www.audionote.co.uk Email: info@audionote.co.uk |
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differentiated from each other and dynamics became effortless. A relaxed urgency from the Quest represented a stark contrast to the K-horn in the company of Monarchy Audio’s SM70s. Although K-horn’s human voices during more serene passages did not compare to the tranquility of the AN-E/D, the very |
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| credible soundstage size as accorded by the K-horns made it equally enjoyable. Piano playing, as in Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini [RCA Victor Living Stereo 09026-68886-2] carried a renewed thoughtfulness as induced by the Quest, complimenting the momentary bursts of fortissimo in convincing dynamics. Again, the tradeoff in the K-horn is the tonality of the piano, not having the same supremely rendered harmonic content as the AN- E/D. |
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| From the first note in Richard Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra [Deutsche Grammophon Karajan Gold DG 439 016-2, or BMG Direct D134748] precision playing of instrument groups from the virtuoso s of Berlin Philharmonic under Maestro von Karajan became more discernible from the |
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| Quest, in their near-perfect unity of tonalities and dynamics. All this lead to the anticipated emergence of the superhuman in the demonstration-quality full- force eruption of the orchestra. It is always an incomparable experience from the K-horn when this passage is played. The K-horn and MA’s SM70’s rocked my house to pieces with Metallica’s daunting dynamics [Elektra 9 61113-2]; this dynamic potency was also largely intact with the Quest. Nevertheless, it was during the solo playing of electric guitars that the K-horn showed the level of realness a good tube amplifier could help it attain. However, to devotees of punchy heavy metal music, the Quest may not be dynamic enough. |
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The most intoxicating music ever to come from the Quest driven K-horn was the trumpet playing of Tiger Okoshi of JVC [JVC 2022-2 20bit K2 Super Coding]. Horn playing horn makes sense; but with a 300B tube amp brewing it through a 104dB |
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| efficiency horn speaker – amidst milder dynamics -- I reckon such presentation will create many converts of both horn and tube. Dynamics were again slightly more truncated than when the Monarchy Audio SM70’s were driving the K-horns; but the realness of instruments and dimensionality of Quest were unmatched. CONCLUSION If parts quality is indicative of the level of neutrality, and the product with the most premium parts represents a supreme example of Audio Note’s philosophy, then the $95,000 Gaku-On is the ultimate embodiment of that philosophy. Almost 24 times the price of the Quest, one can reasonably expect a steep diminished rate of return on improvements when progressing from the Quest upward to the Gaku-On. Since the Quest’s is priced in a more competitive range, we can also reasonably expect it to largely represent what the company has to offer. As noted in my AN-E/D review, beautiful and memorable music was produced when the Quest’s were driving the 94dB 2-way AN-E/D with the Wadia 27 as a pre-amp. The monoblocks excelled at depicting instrument tonality, a trait more readily recognized when driving the AN-E/D. The success of the synergy is evident, as the AN system played loud without strain, conveying ample instrument tonalities as described in my AN-E/D review. The sound of the K-horns driven by the Quests reminded me of Tannoy’s Churchill, as renewed subtlety and finesses flowed from the K-horns. Transformation may be too dramatic a word to describe changes brought about by the AN monoblocks; but the Quest bestowed delicacy and nobility upon the K-horns. The AN-E/D was less dynamic than the K-horns but more detailed in tonality rendition. K-horn admirers may find fault with the AN-E/D’s wide-dispersion pattern and lesser dynamic capabilities; and AN-E/D users may yet find K- horn’s tonal accuracy wanting. While Audio Note recommends pairing the Quest monoblocks to speakers with sensitivity of 89dB or higher, I would caution against driving speakers with less than 90dB efficiency, especially if they have more than two driver units. The Quest’s couldn’t drive my 90dB sensitivity 6ohm impedance Genesis VI, which has two tweeters, one 5inch midrange and one 5inch mid-bass. A dedicated servo amplifier powers the three 10-inch subwoofers separately. Caution in pre-amp selection is also required when matching the Quest to very efficient speakers. The pre-amp used must be extremely low in noise, otherwise loud idling noise will result. I was surprised that even my Krell KRC- 2 didn’t fare well in the coupling in terms of noise. Upgrading the Quest to the C-core transformer equipped "Silver" version should at least extend the top and bottom-end definition, a trait I noted most prevalent on the C-core GW Labs 270 tube amplifier that I previously reviewed. At $4,000, the pair of Quest monoblocks is a competitive and noted contender for tube aficionados who are seriously considering worthy companions for their highly efficient speakers. Borrowing words from food critiques, the Quest is sweet without masking the palate of accompanying subtleties. Regarding Audio Note’s beliefs and philosophies, the company goes to great lengths in the iteration of those philosophies to a greater extent than most companies ever have. The ideology and driving desire for music reproduction at its purest are undoubtedly nicely conceived and well intended. Time will be the judge to the soundness of their ideas. Meanwhile, there is space for all of us to voice our opinion. Associated Equipment: Digital Front End CEC TL1 CD transport Wadia 27 Decoding Computer Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player Amplification Aragon 2004 Audio Note M-3 Decware SE84C GW Labs Cyclop monoblocks Krell KRC-2 Monarchy Audio SM70 monoblocks Music Reference RM9 II Loudspeakers Apogee Duetta Signature Audio Note AN-E/D Celestion SL700 Genesis VI Klipschorn Cabling Wadia ST glass fiber (2m) Audio Note AN-La (8 feet, bi-wired) Audio Note AN-V silver cables (RCA 1m, 2 pairs) Cardas Quadlink (8feet) Granite Audio #470 silver cables (RCA 1m, 2 pairs) Granite Audio #560 AC Mains TMC assorted varieties Van den Hul MCD-352 Accessories Salamander Synergy 20 (2), Tube Traps, cones, feet |
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