From Audio Note AN/J-D to where?

I like the AN-E’s, particularly because they work well with lower-powered tube amps (my favorite kind of amp).  At your price point, and your preference for placement near a corner I don’t know of too many alternatives.  Volti makes some good sounding systems built around compression/horn midrange drivers, but they may not be readily available to you.

I you can get your speakers away from the walls and out into the room, you can use open baffle speakers.  PureAudioProject makes some very good speakers at very reasonable prices.

The Audio Note E's are copies of Peter Snell's Type E's. I have those, plus Type A's and K's. I recommend you try to find a pair of Type A's in good working condition. They are exceptionally fine speakers easily capable of filling a large space with wide-range dynamic sound!

Thank you for your responses. 

My budget is flexible. My intent is to find speakers that give me an emotional experience. If the speakers are 18.000$, so be it. 

Schetl speakers are 25000 EU and I have seriously been considering them, but Schetl recommend rooms from 30 to 100 square meters and they require some space from the wall, which doesn't make sense to my listening room as it is now.

Rather than jumping ship, why not stick with AudioNote for the favorable reasons you mentioned in your post. My local 56-year-in-business audio dealer demos all models of the AudioNote speakers and amplifiers, sources, etc. He also offers electrostatic speakers along with lots of trade-in units to compare to. All fun to listen to yes. Better?, hard to say, maybe not.

The all AudioNote matched systems, speakers, amps, sources, are some of the most enjoyable and engaging to listen to every time I go in there. If you are more into musicality and engaging sound, there is more to be realized imo. Jumping ship just to try different technology, while this can be fun - it’s a bunch of different rabbit holes to explore. Geez, it takes a ton of time to get it right, or never get there. A well designed (matched) system can be end-game for many. I see a lot of very nice trade-ins at this dealer, and what their next AN end-game system looks like.

How much have you listened and experimented with AudioNote amplifiers to pair up with your AN speakers? Have you jumped up the line with true AN amps and sources? I’m not referring to the AN-kits. I’m asking about the AN amps made at AudioNote with the most choice parts used. Go to one of the audio shows if you can. Lots of fancy rooms, and often times a simple AudioNote room down at one end somewhere at the show.   Sit, listen, and decide for yourself how it sounds for you. Ignore the hype at these shows, and compare to all of the other fancy and overly-technical gadget rooms. What's more "musically engaging" to you?. 

Stepping up on the AN amps with your current AN speakers is another chapter or two yet to go - if you’ve not tried this yet. Trying this first, and then jumping up the line in AN speakers might be something else to try before jumping ship to another batch of mixed technologies that may not work as well together. How much do you enjoy exploring new technology -vs- simply buying and listening and enjoying "music" with a well integrated system is what I’m getting at. Best of Luck on your decision.

Thank you for some intelligent reflections Decooney. 

I was quite impressed with Oto Phono SE Signature which I find as an attractive and affordable amplifier. I also like Audio Note products but for me it seems that after level 3, the prices reaches astronomical heights. I'm very well aware that the costs of running a production line of that size, using high quality components (silver) and constantly developing and researching new ideas, but it appears that a lot of smaller producers, Yamamoto Sound Craft, are building exceptional amplifiers that are more budget-friendly. Even though they are different brands I would suggest that they have a similar approach to audio reproduction.

I would also suggest that a single-ended amplifier from Yamamoto using VT-52 with point-to-point wiring, no negative feedback and an approach to the most simple and circuit would cost a lot more if it had Audio Notes logo on it. The same goes with speakers. 

I'm not sure if it's reasonable to compare these two brands, so I would rather claim that they have produce have high quality amplifiers. 

In terms of speakers I'm quite confident with the AN-E/SPe HE. It is an easy and quite safe choice, but before deciding I'm trying to see if there are options that I oversee: open baffle systems, field coil (I've heard one should consider this carefully since it's a complex system), horn speakers etc. 

There are many who think that AN is the end-game, and the best one can do is change components within that line.

There’s another possibility -- you’re bored and want to experience variety.

I’ve noticed that there are different "schools" of thought in high-fidelity audio....I find inspiration in Japanese audiophiles and their horn-loaded systems powered by tube amplifiers, as well as in open baffle systems, field coil drivers, and AlNiCo-based designs.... I also like Audio Note products but for me it seems that after level 3, the prices reaches astronomical heights.

There are many paths to great sound. Those paths are different. The question you have to answer is,

"Do I want something with the same character & somewhat better OR Do I want a new experience?"

A lot of people on this forum talk about "end-game" gear. I don't like that concept. It's too convergent, too conservative.

My appreciation of audio is the same kind I have with painting, music, and theater:  I don’t just want "better," I also want "different."

apollinaire I will say this stepping up from the AN-J/D to say an AN-J/lx, my current speakers, would render a significant improvement as I am pretty sure the D series doesn't use Birch ply cabinets but standard particle board. To me it's those lively sounding bitch cabinets that add a lot to the speakers quickness and overall live sound. So yes the AN-E/Spe would be quite the significant upgrade for you.

As far as electronics go sure AN gear can be pricey but so are a lot of other brands. Integrateds like the Oto and Soro sound so good they really are enough for many users. That said I've not used AN amps to drive my speakers, currently using a pair of Wright Sound Co 2a3 monoblocks which are excellent in my small room.

One thing sensitivity does is offer you a ton of flexibility in choosing an amplifier. The only other of the speakers you mention that I've heard would be Shindo the big field coils are amazing but very $$ and require a fairly large room. Good luck in your search and have fun with it!

@apollinaire after level 3, the prices reaches astronomical heights.

Totally agree, and understand - to the point I don’t own those next level amps myself, yet I look at them and listen to them each time I go to my local dealer. Oto, Soro, others there too as mentioned above. There are some 211 mono amps and one integrated by AN I’d love to own, yet just don’t see my self splurging that much and so to your point, what else. There is just an undeniable synergy around what Peter offers though.  

In addition to AN, my local dealer offers some of the next-level down cost options starting with Quicksilver Audio. Myself and many friends own them, and we upgrade caps and tubes to get to the best sound we can. I’ve heard your speakers and others on the lower cost Quicksilver Mid Monos there too, a nice little pair of EL34 amps on the AN speakers. My other audio buddy has owned some of the nice Shindo gear, and we met growing up owning many of Dennis Had’s amplifiers from Cary and later years of Inspire by Dennis Had amps, so I totally get the ideas of exploration.Those can be fun and affordable to. Enjoy the music!

First of all I do really appreciate Audio Note products and there are no doubts, that they are a leading enterprise in the audio industry. I'm very amazed by how much effort they put into producing every single component themselves. The output transformers are astonishing. However, with this post I'm trying to nuance my understanding a bit and would be pleased if someone would elaborate on open baffle systems versus Audio Note AN-E SPe/HE for instance. 

If you like the sound of AN, stick to it. What AN does is give you more as you progress in the line. And significant more. I've been an AN fan for a few years, going up the ladder as my budget allows it. Now I have a pretty good AN system and realized that big jumps up the ladder gives you bigger jumps sonically. For example, going from a level 2 to a level 4 is 10 time the jump, not only two times.

Having owned AN-J's and now AN-E's, I can tell you it is a huge jump. And if you can stitch your budget to get the Alnico's you will not believe your ears. This is my current speaker, awaiting delivery of the new AN-E LTD, which are field coils speakers.

Also, the synergy of AN products is incredible. If you go, little by little to everything AN, including cables you will have an ultra musical system. I do believe that is the end goal of this hobby.

Finally, it is true that AN speakers are based on the old Snell speakers, but they are not the same. AN speakers have evolved dramatically. Only the looks are similar now.

Good luck and enjoy the hunting....

As you are in Europe and have an interest in horns, have you listened to Avantgarde's line of speakers?

I have been recommended the Avantgarde Duo Mezzo. They look astonishing!

I live in Denmark.

I’ve been in this hobby for 50 years and if I have learned anything at all in all this time, it’s that if you are happy with your audio system it makes little sense to chase gear. Why spend more money when you’ll still be listening to the same music, and unless you spend significantly more money on higher end components, you're not likely to hear much if any improvement?

Of course this is just my opinion, but I wish that someone had given me this advice decades ago when I could have saved a lot of money.

Enjoy the music 😊

@apollinaire I have been recommended the Avantgarde Duo Mezzo. They look astonishing!

I live in Denmark.

>> What's your real budget limit for speakers and amplifier purchase? <<

Above you indicate reference to "amplifiers that are more budget-friendly". 

​​​​​​​However, now inquiring about Duo Mezzo speakers that sell used in the 20s, and retail new for upwards of $48,500 Euro depending on Mezzo or XD versions.  

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Finding a reputable dealer can help a lot. Go listen to the speakers and amplification together.  Otherwise this is a crapshoot "chasing gear" as @jimmyblues1959 mentioned above. Denmark makes a lot of speakers.  

I am a 300b tube guy and chose the AER-BD3 drivers made in Germany.  Highly efficient with the ability to reach very high.  The cabinet makes a big difference and both AER and Charney make creative cabinetry to match. I also use REL subs with this set up

Hello again Decooney.

I was recommended the Duo Mezzo. A friend of mine talked with a German enthusiast who sold his pair (used) for a lot less. 

I second Charney speakers with AER or Voxativ single drivers. Paired with 300B amp and decent sub-woofers is an outstanding system.

Have you tryed living voice speakers?

I have never had the chance, unfortunately. I wonder if there’s a distributor in Denmark. 

Ideally, open baffle speakers would be placed with a lot of room behind the speaker and some room to the side-four feet from the back wall and something like two feet or more from the side wall to the edge of the baffle.  But, I've heard them in small rooms closer to walls than this, and I still think they sound terrific.  Again, I reiterate that the German PureAudioProject speakers are a bargain and sound very good.  They have many options for the midrange/high frequency driver. Since you appear to be willing to spend more than your initially mentioned price, you could easily get a PureAudioProject open baffle with the Voxativ fieldcoil driver option and this is an extraordinary system.  For $30k dollars in the USA, one can get the open baffle speaker from the Portugese company Cinnamon Audio; it might be cheaper in Europe and it is killer good.

I am a BIG fan of the Charney Audio back loaded horn "Companion" speaker.  It comes with various choices for the single driver used in the system.  I've heard the Voxativ and AER options and both sound terrific (I like the AER slightly more).  This speaker can be used close to the walls so it would be a fantastic choice.  But, it is hard to audition here in the USA and I would bet it would be extraordinarily hard to hear in Europe.  

Thanks for all the recommendations. I will try to study each and everyone of them carefully.

The easy and most obvious choice will be the AN-E SPe/HE. I like their natural tone and I also like their classic, sophisticated designs. It might sound silly but for me I also appreciate that speakers are nice to look at and have in your room. 

My point with Audio Note is that they offer high quality, high-end speakers. It appears though that AlNiCo and Field Coil versions are quite expensive and it may be possible to reach to the same level/quality by looking into smaller brands that aren't as popular as Audio Note. 

I have been studying Swissonor B.A.C.H. 12D, a 2-way coaxial and coplanar loudspeaker with Tractrix-horn. I must get to know more about the whole technical aspect since I can't say what a 2-way coaxial solution with bring and how the Tractrix horn is great (or not).