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Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

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Posted on May 26, 2015 at 14:29:19

BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012

Any thoughts on both sound quality and parts/ build
Quality. That is if one has it built.
Digiplate is about 15% of total for ANK. Bottlehead has an associate who charges
$1250.00 for the 300b kit.
Thanks

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RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

GTCharlie

21:39:58 05/27/15

HiFiOd

15:22:28 05/31/15

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

BenE

16:42:31 05/28/15

...

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RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

GTCharlie

21:39:58 05/27/15

HiFiOd

15:22:28 05/31/15

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

BenE

16:42:31 05/28/15

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

Frihed89

23:12:39 05/28/15

Frihed89, do you think

jusbe

14:10:14 06/02/15

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?

morricab

11:49:33 05/31/15

that ws helpful

BenE

05:22:16 05/29/15

RE: that ws helpful

Frihed89

12:50:26 05/30/15

RE: that ws helpful

rebbi

19:19:20 06/18/15

RE: that ws helpful

Paul Joppa

08:17:30 05/29/15

RE: that ws helpful

BenE

08:49:41 05/29/15

RE: that ws helpful

Paul Joppa

12:44:06 05/29/15

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?, posted on May 27, 2015 at 21:39:58
GTCharlie Audiophile Posts: 983 Location: Philippines Joined: December 9, 2004	may i suggest that you listen first to both, before making a decision. the AN kit has bigger chassis, and this means space for whatever amendment you might want to do later. otoh, you might find either one already excellent and you might not want to modify anything. your own ears are the best judge

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?, posted on May 28, 2015 at 16:42:31
BenE Audiophile Posts: 405 Location: midwest Joined: March 18, 2012	i wish I could. I don't have the opportunity to listen to either, unfortunately. Thanks

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?, posted on May 28, 2015 at 23:12:39

Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005

Both amps reflect the character of the 300B. The AN Kits model 1 is (or used to be) basically a poor man's AN (UK) Meishu, lacking a good power supply. It is somewhat warm. Bottlehead amps use a different driver and output typology and generally sound more neutral and dynamic (although the 300B is not known for its dynamics). I have never had an opportunity to directly compare the two and my comparisons from memory are my own impressions in different places and at different times. Both amps will perform better with higher grade OPTs, although I have never heard the new AN Kit C-core speakers they offer at additional prices. The difference in my AN (UK) Meishu with dual C-core OPTs was profound compared to the stock unit. Magnequest makes the OPTs for Bottlehead. Contact them if you are interested in knowing what they can offer you.

that ws helpful, posted on May 29, 2015 at 05:22:16
BenE Audiophile Posts: 405 Location: midwest Joined: March 18, 2012	I see ANK has the upgraded Ccore version. Seems like a nice kit. I think bottlehead now has their own OPT and you can upgrade to Magnequest. I could be wrong. Ever heard any of the SET's from Tubes USA from a Japanese builder? Thanks

RE: that ws helpful, posted on May 29, 2015 at 08:17:30
Paul Joppa Industry Professional Posts: 7296 Location: Seattle, WA Joined: April 23, 2001	"...I think bottlehead now has their own OPT and you can upgrade to Magnequest." That is correct; the stock transformer (and plate choke since it's parafeed) are my designs; Magnequest offers replacements that fit the mounting holes, and include a variety of core materials.

RE: that ws helpful, posted on May 29, 2015 at 08:49:41
BenE Audiophile Posts: 405 Location: midwest Joined: March 18, 2012	I didn't mean to imply that the Bottlehead OPT were inferior to the Magnequest. I hear great things about you, Mr. Joppa and your designs. Thank you

RE: that ws helpful, posted on May 29, 2015 at 12:44:06
Paul Joppa Industry Professional Posts: 7296 Location: Seattle, WA Joined: April 23, 2001	No offense was taken - I have been an admirer of Mike's work for a couple decades, and remain so. Mike's materials and construction are a grade or two above the ordinary/industrial materials and construction of my designs.

RE: that ws helpful, posted on May 30, 2015 at 12:50:26

Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005

Ben, older AN Kit 1 products had an upgrade to AN(UK) double C-Cores. The ones I see these days are not made by AN(UK).

Does anyone know the source of AN Kits new double and triple C-Cores?

RE: Bottlehead 300b kit vs ANK 300b integrated kit ?, posted on May 31, 2015 at 11:49:33
morricab Distributor or Rep Posts: 9180 Location: switzerland Joined: April 1, 2005	I was thinking of trying out a AN Oto Se Signature, which also uses the AN C cores as an upgrade over the EI version. The one review of it made the guy say it sounded better than his Meishu Silver.

How?, posted on May 31, 2015 at 15:22:28

HiFiOd
Audiophile

Posts: 707
Location: Oakland, Califonia
Joined: May 30, 2001

How likely is one to find both of these amps at a store, or high end salon? Basically you might as well say- wait a few months, schedule around this one event, get a plane ticket, and go to Rocky Mountain Audio show/fest or wait until the next audio show where both of these manufacturers are present. Or if you are lucky 2 people in your town might agree to let you go to their house and listen to their systems. This is why they call this place an Asylum?

Frihed89, do you think, posted on June 2, 2015 at 14:10:14
jusbe Audiophile Posts: 5950 Location: North Island Joined: April 4, 2000	the Elrog 300B would be suited to the Bottlehead Paramount, from your experience of both? Big J "... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal* salvation is a contradiction in terms."*

RE: that ws helpful, posted on June 18, 2015 at 19:19:20

rebbi
Audiophile

Posts: 288
Location: Austin, TX
Joined: September 4, 2008

Having recently built an ANK Kit 1 myself, I can tell you that I love the amp. I have the 2014 Edition with the updated, heavier gauge aluminum chassis, the newer heatsink configuration and the latest transformers, which are made to ANK's spec - they are monstrously heavy and seem very robust.
I find the amp to make wonderful music as you'd expect a 300B to be, yet there's nothing slow, syrupy or mushy about the amp's character. It's a remarkably "modern" sounding amp - sweet, extended highs and an amp that, with the right speakers (read, easier to drive) will pump out fairly amazing bass.
I am pretty certain that Brian Smith of ANK in Canada buys the C-Core trannies directly from AN UK. He's a great guy and I'd suggest you call him if you're interested in one of his products. Happily, ANK is currently running a July 10% off promotion, too.
I have a little audio blog and blogged the process of building my Kit 1. I also offer a lot of specific listening impressions. You're welcome to take a look:

Steve's Audio Blog

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