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Matching with Audio Note speakers

I hope there will be interest in this question. I've recently learned by reading about the wonderful capacity these speakers have for breathing life into music reproduction. I know generally that it is recommended to match them with SET amps, particularly to realize their full potential in midrange reproduction. I'm interested if anyone has had good results with solid state amplification. I'm using Herron electronics (with Spendor speakers) and would like to know thoughts about the AN speakers as a reasonable upgrade?
mdvuolo
mdvuolo OP
40 posts
 
Thanks again for the imput. Muzikat, you've got me thinking about the smaller AK speakers, the AN-K and AN-J. I've got more research to do and ideally at some point I would like to audition the speakers. I also have call in to the U.S. distributor, Audio Federation in Boulder, CO, to ask them about amp matching and recommendations for my moderately large room (15 x 22).
mdvuolo OP
40 posts
 
Addendum:
I spoke today with Neli Davis, at Audio Federation, Inc.in Boulder, CO. She was very informative and helpful in discussing the different high end AN speakers. She was NOT discouraging about the use of good SS amplification. Again, at some point I should probably get down there (I live in WY) and audition the speakers.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
Of course AN/Es are voiced with SETs and probably do sound 'best' with SETs. However, to me, 'next-best' to SET is the chip amps - gain clones and Tripath. These amps will give you something pretty close to SET sound with lots of power if you need it.
muzikat
932 posts
 
Checking back in on this thread.
I am using an LFD Zero MKIII amp right now. Audio Note Ks sound fabulous with this amp, maybe better than with Audio Note OTO.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
Those LFD amps are supposed to be quite special. They brag about low feedback, low parts count. Kind of like SET.. except SET is pretty much no feedback, lowest possible parts count. (That last part is an oversimplification, especially since some of the best SETs have more complex circuits than the simple ones, but you get the idea.)

I heard people say the LFD amps are the best *solid-state* amps they've heard, but I've not yet heard "best amp".
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