• RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - RGA 16:55:13 04/26/11 (3)
  In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by markusp on April 26, 2011 at 06:24:55

  I would go with option 3 if for no other reason that you will learn about building amplifiers and then you can repair the thing yourself should it fail. And it sounds great too.
  
  I own the OTO Phono SE and all I can say is that it sounds wonderful. But it sounds different than a 300b. It is an EL84 based amp and has it's own kind of sound. I know a fair number of people who like it more than the Soro - and even a few who like it more than the Meishu - so there. To me the OTO will wind up being a classic - it sounds terrific. Having said that, I also know one salesman of Audio Note that prefers the Soro - and lots of people like the Meishu a bit better (I'm one of them) but lots of luck affording it or the tubes! OTO Tubes are dirt cheap and last longer so that is something to consider.
  
  The great thing about the kit option though is that you can upgrade it, you have tube options - and you can always build a phono stage kit too. I would love to hear a newer kit - they look like they have come a LOOOOONG way since the one I heard about 5-6 years ago.
  

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  • RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - markusp 18:36:12 04/26/11 (2)
    In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by RGA on April 26, 2011 at 16:55:13

    Feeling a little impetuous, I ended up picking up the demo OTO SE from my dealer this afternoon for less that what the base Kit 1 costs. I understand that the Kit 1 has the potential to sound better than the OTO SE as I would constantly be able to upgrade it down the road however I don't think I have the patience at the moment to undertake a complicated build and felt that the OTO SE sounded terrific as is.
    
    That said, I may undertake the Kit 1 later on down the road and in the meantime, will contact Brian to order a Dac Kit as my first entry to kit building. Pretty daunting I must say though as I suck t soldering!
    

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    • RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - Andrew Randle 00:45:14 04/27/11 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by markusp on April 26, 2011 at 18:36:12

      > > That said, I may undertake the Kit 1 later on down the road and in the meantime, will contact Brian to order a Dac Kit as my first entry to kit building. Pretty daunting I must say though as I suck t soldering!
      
      No worries about soldering, here are my tips:
      
      1) Use a 50W temperature regulated iron - Antex do a good one for a reasonable price (about 40 UK pounds when I bought one)
      2) Buy tip cleaner, use it when you first use the iron (otherwise the solder will not respond to the tip) and regularly thereafter
      3) Make sure the joint is physically stable (not moving) before soldering. A tool called "helping hands" is useful for holding wiring in place while soldering
      4) Heat the solder at the joint until it turns like water and flows around and between the joint. Should take about a good 5 seconds, maybe more.
      
      Andrew Randle
      

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    • Good choice. - R Browne 19:12:09 04/26/11 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by markusp on April 26, 2011 at 18:36:12

      I've heard the OTO SE on a couple of occasions and it's a lovely integrated amp. Probably a keeper, but if you ever get to building a Kit 1 and like that better, you could sell the OTO with little or no loss.
      
      I keep having the feeling that my current speakers would love an EL84 amp.
      

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• RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - Andrew Randle 09:10:26 04/26/11 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by markusp on April 26, 2011 at 06:24:55

  Hi Mark,
  
  Just to say, that by building the kit, having the circuit diagram and having the quiescent operating points - it should be feasible to service it yourself (providing you observe the usual safety procedures).
  
  Such is the advantage of kits.
  
  Andrew Randle
  

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• RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - AudioNoteKits 07:04:59 04/26/11 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by markusp on April 26, 2011 at 06:24:55

  Good post! Hmmmmm - Lets see - I have would have to say Option 3 - the Kit1 5th anniversary route is the way to go!! Maybe we are a little biased! ha ha - Can you send us an email at audionotekits@rogers.com and I can give you some good advise on various kit options for what you would like to achieve with budget, room size , speaker efficiency, musical tastes etc.. Thanks Brian Smith
  

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  • RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? - markusp 13:29:28 04/26/11 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Which Audio Note gear to start with? posted by AudioNoteKits on April 26, 2011 at 07:04:59

    Thanks Brian. I will email you this evening.
    

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