Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...


Hi, Folks,
If anyone's interested, I've started a blog with lots of photos, documenting my ongoing build of the Audio Note Kit 1 300B SET amp. If you've ever thought of building any kit before and want to get a feel for what it's like, you're welcome to have a look!
rebbi
Rebbi
What's fascinating is 8 watts of high quality is impressing you to this degree on a speaker that's in reality only 86~87 db! Think what the amp will achieve with 93 db or higher and a high or flatter impedance load, Oh my! You have not heard the full potential of your SET despite how pleased you are with it currently. That is the beauty of your situation.
Mikirob,
I think at some point along the way we adhere to the more power is better mantra. I sure did at one point. We live and learn and find what's best for are individual needs. At one time I owned a Symphonic Line amplifier. A well regarded SS amp. You know what? It was good. My current SET has just moved me to an entirely higher level plain and simple. This is why I can relate to what Rebbi is just discovering now. I understand his great joy with his wonderful amp.
It is, however, possible to go too low in power. I started with a 45SET and then a 2a3 before settling on a 300b amp. My very long speaker cable runs may have had something to do with the fact that the 45 and 2a3 sounded thin despite the fact that the ZuDefs have built-in amps to power the bass drivers. One of the beauties of this hobby is the willingness of small companies to communicate directly with their customers. As Rebbi has learned, there is nothing better than a conversation with a designer/manufacturer who wants a happy customer. Sean Casey at Zu has been unfailingly helpful and gracious with his time. Clearly the same can be said for many others.
I can't imagine what it would cost to ship these babies from Cyprus (the location of the seller) to the US, but look.

Good price, though (before shipping)!
Rebbi, Charles is right as Almarg pointed out, the DeCapo's are likely 86-87db. Get a true 93db or above and everything will get much, much better. And GSM is also correct with his observation that guys like the Zu fellows, Eric at Tekton and many other smaller company designers/manufacturers bust their collective behinds to stand by their product and help their customers. It's daunting, many fail despite good quality products. At any rare, quality over quantity for me and I still am antsy to read Rebbi's further observation and comments.