Audio
Note Kit 1
300B/2A3
SE Amplifier
The
Kit1 offers you the chance to experience real
high quality S.E.T. (Single-Ended Triode) amplification
for yourself - but at a highly affordable price.
This kit has been evolving since it first appeared
in the mid 1990's and, as such, has proved its
high reliability and customer satisfaction index
time and time again.
The
new chassis and configuration options have come
about from listening to the needs of all our
users over these years and make this model second
to none - allowing us to combine all previous
models of the Kit1 into one highly upgradeable
unit.
Extensive upgrade ability
In previous versions it was not possible to upgrade
from I/E core to Double C-core output transformers
without changing the chassis. The same chassis
can now be used for both; making it easy to upgrade
to higher grade (and larger) transformers when
time and money permits.
Also, with a combination of
different faceplates and insert plates (see
below), you can even begin Integrated and later
upgrade to low gain Power-Only once you have
a pre-amplifier in place (like our own L3 Line
Pre-amplifier, for example).
You may also have noticed that
the volume control on the integrated version
has moved away from the center - this has been
done to provide more space internally for more
volume control choices than ever before.
Above you can see the drop-in
panels that make it possible to configure for
integrated(right) or power-only(left) modes.
The new
version comes in several different configurations:
Kit1 Standard Version (black
chassis, stainless steel insert plate)
The standard version includes the following:
Beyshlag resistors
high quality electrolytics
Audio Note AN-A Shielded cable
PTFE silver plated copper wire
Paper in Oil Film capacitors
Stainless steel hardware
Single Volume control
One input
Silver Plated RCA's
all tubes: 6SN7, 5687, rectifier and 300B
tubes
Kit1 Signature Version
Includes everything from the standard version
above but adds the following:
Black Gate Capacitors
Audio Note Copper Foil Film Signal Capacitors
Audio Note AN-V Shielded cable
Audio Note Tantalum resistors
The following extra
options are available:
Integrated amplifier option
Includes: ELMA selector kit for 3 input selection
together with the extra input RCA's and different
faceplate to change the standard
power-only Kit1 into an integrated amplifier
2A3 Configuration
(specify at time of order)
Hi-B
Double C-Core Output Transformer Option
We
are lucky enough to have access to Audio Note's
high-end double C-core output transformers that
are used in the AudioNote finished products.
These transformers are hand made on site at
the AudioNote UK factory and available as an
optional upgrade.
These remarkable transformers (Hi-B 0.15mm TRANS-300
series) have the effect of increasing depth
and resolution; offering that true high-end
SET sound across the full frequency range.
The
previous versions of the Kit1 required a different
chassis for the different output transformers.
This new version allows both I/E and Hi-B to
be supported by the same chassis. It is therefore
now possible to start with I/E transformers
and later upgrade to Hi-B without the need to
change or modify the chassis.
For more information see also: AudioNoteKits.com
What customers are saying about the Kit 1 (300B
mode)
Terry Kelly
I completed the build of my Kit1 amp on
Sunday and only need to tidy up the wiring now.
In the meantime I have been able to listen to
two or three CD,s.
Even
without allowing burn in time I'm very impressed
with the sound and even more impressed with
the sound stage. I've come to realise that my
speakers are a lot better than I thought. I
loved my old Kit1 but it doesn't bear comparison
with the new one on any aspect. The thought
that it can only get better as it settles down
delights me.
Thank
you for the efforts you have made to help me
to succesfully complete the building of the
amp, I couldn't have asked for more.
Christopher
Miller
Initial Reaction:
The sounds I am hearing from this setup are
just wonderful. As compared to the previous
system (which I still have as a reference) the
sound is richly detailed against an absolutely
black background and very three dimensional.
I
have never had a sonic experience like this
in my own home before. And this is with only
about five hours of burn in time so far.
The
amplifier power is beyond adequate for the speakers.
It is a perfect match as best I can tell.
Some time later:
I am listening to my kit 1 as I write this on
my laptop. Joe Williams is crooning as never
before in my living room. The sound of the amp
with the Silverline Sonatina's is truely beautiful.
The amp probably has perhaps 30 hours on it
now. I cannot imagine the sound improving beyond
what I hear at this point even though this is
still on the low side for burning in a tube
amp. The sound is so fine already.
Rifat Gursel - France
After some hours of work when I heard the
unbelievable realism and transparency of the
sound without any hum I was really surprised.
There is no feeling of tiredness even after
long hours of listening. The emotional side
of the music that you can get only with high
end products is delivered without any restriction
for a very reasonable price. All the instruments
are clearly identified and the special localization
of the instruments is perfect. The dynamic is
close to the reality from the very deep bass
to high frequencies and there are no artificial
colorations, the response curve seems to be
very homogeneous. The absence of inter modulation
effects increase the justness and the reality
of the sound. I was used to listen music with
my Audio Note Kit four and Preamp kit assembled
5-6 years ago, the result was excellent up to
the day when I finished the Kit 1.
I am now discovering all my CDs in a different
way and I am surprised with many details which
were not audible before. Thanks to Audio Note
for this high quality product.
Chris Tsai
There are quite a few DIY kits in the market.
After spending many hours researching which
kit to build, I finally chose AN Kit1. Last
kits I built were over twenty years ago, the
Hafler pre and power amplifiers, which I still
have, connected to Maggies II with JBL double
10" Alnico inside Acoustat sub box, and
a pair of B&W 801s. I still have the Micro
Seiki DQ-500 turntable.
The first music I played on my Kit1 was Narada's
'Yosemite'. I could not believe the clearness
of all the instruments flowing out from the
speakers and you can feel the vastness of Yosemite
infront of you. Unlike the solid states, music
from Kit1 is softer yet precise and accurate
from high to low notes. I can't wait to upgrade
my Kit1.
Trond Seland, Norway
During my time with the Kit One I have upgraded
it a lot. All capacitors, except for those in
the power supply board, are now Black Gates
of various types. The Black Gates are well worth
the relatively high price – they really
are. The Black Gates makes the sound quality
climb several steps on the High-End-Ladder.
The openness and transparency is now unheard
of - I have to laugh every time I put on a piano
concert because of the incredible realism provided
by the Kit One. I’m a pianist myself and
I tell you: If you know how a piano sounds like
in a concert hall, the Kit One with some upgrades
could probably be the best sounding amp you
have EVER heard!
Rick Justice, West Virginia U.S.A
From the very first musical notes that emanated
from the Kit 1 I knew that this amp was different.
As a matter of fact it reminded me of my first
tube mono blocks, VTL Compact 100s, in the way
it presented a full orchestral sound field.
It has gotten better with break in and even
though I have in the same room a pair of Atma-Sphere
M-60s, I continue to listen to the Kit 1 in
happy astonishment.
Yes, the Black Gates warmed up quite nicely
and now after a five minute kick start in the
morning, my kit 1 becomes a maven of musical
presentation. It's just fascinating.
Erik Anderson
I am going through my vinyl collection again
because everything sounds so amazing, like hearing
everything for the 1st time!!!
The kit one is DEAD silent and the music flows
out of it like nothing I have ever heard before.
My humble Rega p3/Dynavector is a shining beacon
of analog bliss.
A happy kit one owner in Toronto, Canada
I had pretty much made my way through all
the established hifi brand names, and had actually
placed a deposit on a (then) new Mark Levinson
power amp when I stumbled upon a Kit 1 system
driving some skanky old Lowthers.
It is no exaggeration to say that all the blood
drained from my face ( a friend who was there
can testify to this!) and I just could not believe
what I was hearing before me. Here was an actual
flesh and blood performance being recreated
extemporaneously before my very 'eyes', and
everything hifi had talked about and promised,
but I guess I'd not till then known that they'd
never delivered. Nothing short of a paradigm
shift could explain the experience---in that
one instant, I lost whatever trust I had had
for mainstream scribes and dealers in one blow.
What customers are saying
about the Kit1 (2A3 mode)
JP Boudreau
It's now 2.5 weeks since I started listening
to my 2A3 kit. It never failed and it plays
marvelously. It has improved over the days and
I think it is a contender amongst the best tube
amps on the market. It has fantastic details,
wide and deep soundstage and voices sound extremely
natural. It matches my First Horn speakers so
well.
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