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
Reb,

I didn't say it clearly but what what I meant is what is emphasized more or less in specific recordings. Specific things like you mention that you hear now and did not before, or vice versa.

The grip on the bass thing does not surprise me and is a valid thing to compare but its what effect does that and other technical differences actually have on specific recordings.

For example I have multiple amps speakers and systems. I know which one performs and sounds best in general to me, but I also know I hear different things in each case. Each system has its own unique biases that may be subtle or more. We realize what we hear currently that we like a lot faster than anything else that might be different. It usually takes time to get ones ears around everything, hence the common practice of making one change at a time and giving it some time to sink in.
One thing I've noticed about the audiophile community is the secondary nit picking of someone's obvious enthusiasm over a product. I suspect that the intentions are good but some how people can't seem to resist. Rebbi is simply thrilled and happy with his amplifier, is that hard for some to accept?

A few years ago on this site a person named Alberto wrote a review of his recently purchased Shindo Cortese amplifier. He just loved what it did for the music he enjoyed and wanted to share this experience with fellow music lovers. Sure enough after a while people began to question could it "really' be this good sounding.They wanted to know what had he compared it to reach his conclusions and on and on it went.

The guy was just happy he found an amplifier that made such beauty in his home, is that so bad? The whole point of music is to enjoy and get emotionally involved with what you hear.Alberto was a guitar player and I think like most musicians they "must' have that emotion and communication factor present or else its all a waste of time.

I guess I relate strongly to this approach rather than some cerebral analytical investigation of the sound more so than the music. Rebbi loves what this his amplifier has brought to his home system and this level of joy should be celebrated. He's hearing music at a higher and deeper level than ever before with the addition of this amplifier. That's a level some(many?) never reach.
I'm very happy for Rebbi.
Charles,
First, I completely agree once again with Charles1Dad.

Second, Rebbi, you confuse me. On the one hand you now have a system where you state that the low end is surprising you (yet the Manley had a little more grip), ok, understand that, then you state you'd like a little more efficient speaker, ok, understand that also, then, you say you were listening to something familiar this morning that gave you chills, musically captivating, ok, understand that. What I don't understand: I thought you had a constrained budget, hence I wasted a lot of time writing about a great bang for the buck speaker that is similar to the DeCapos, only more efficient (by a lot) with solid bass foundation that certainly, by all accounts, competes with $5,000 speakers. I know I would have recommended to you other speakers if I knew your budget was several thousand dollars plus. So, what is your budget? I feel a bit foolish, sounding like a Tekton salesman when I have no connection to them whatsoever. And, if the music is captivating, giving you chills on music that you mostly listen too, then are you going to actually throw that away for a type of music you don't often listen such as Techno Synth Bass?
Charles, I agree with you 100%. I am happy for everyone who enjoys what they are doing.

On the other hand, that alone does little to help someone work through their issues. That requires open discussion and not being afraid to make suggestions in good faith.

When the issues are all resolved, then there will be nothing much left to talk about here save good wishes.

I am very fickle with these things. On one hand the engineer in me wants to dissect every technical detail and apply those accordingly. On the other hand the other part of me says this ain't that hard just try some different things until you find what works. Its a dilemma. You often have to pul at things from both sides in order to cover all the bases properly. There is a term for this called the "strategy elastic" that companies apply in order to move in the right direction strategically despite there often being no single correct answer to issues in many cases.
Mapman,
"Strategy elastic' I like that concept.
Mikirob,
You didn't waste your time in my opinion. I get the feeling the Tekton Lore is a hidden gem at a very approachable price. Every now and then you can come across a low cost(relatively speaking)product that offers exceptional value and quality. The Lore has gotten rave reviews from a diverse group of reviewers.