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Hi there.
I am thinking about some AN monoblocks and these are quite interesting. Does anyone have any experience with these amplifiers?
I am using the m3 line kit from www.audionotekits.com.
I have a feeling that the p4 is a bit more emotional, but I like the looks of the Conquest alot better. My wife does too :-)
My speakers are 90db efficient and the impedance is around 4 ohms. I guess this may be a bit difficult for a PSE 18w amplifier to drive. I also have a pair of AN/J that will probably be a splendid match.
Follow Ups:
5 minutes ago, I ordered a pair of Conquest's.
Unless they present a very nasty load not detectable in the nominal 4ohm rating, neither should have any problem. They both have 4 ohm taps, and certainly either drives the devil out of a pair of Audio Note K's which are 90dB/w/m sensitive. Unless you listen at ear-bleed levels or live in a 747 hanger, power won't be a probelem. The J's, quite naturally, would be a fabulous match.The P4's have the internal real estate for a more elaborate power supply, so you may be right about the emotional comment. I haven't heard them in anything like the same system/space so I can't really say. The Quest/Conquest/etc slim open chassis amps sell far, far better, very likely because nearly everyone likes to admire the tubes and the copper top plate. The only exception would likely be parents of crawling babies and/or small children.
Keep your ears and your mind open.
Thanks.
I have heard that Audio Note have made more or less a new circuit for the P4, and is implementing it now?
Have anyone else heard this? A more simple circuit with more transformers. Of course it is supposed to be incredible good.
Dear Bambaboo,I would be interested to hear where this came from, because whilst it is true that we are looking at the possible cost of implementing the super simple, all transformer coupled circuit, used in the new GAKU-ON across the power amplifier range, this is quite some way away, and may turn out not to be viable overall, only time will tell.
To test this we are building several prototypes of potential circuits and valve choices as we always do in order to maximise the price to sonic performance, one pair of these prototypes will be in Norway some time in December, so perhaps that is where this rumour comes from??
Thank you for the answer. Yes I live in Norway and have heard some rumours about this. Not much, but enough for me to raise my eyebrows :-)
Of course the person You are referring to that have his amps "rebuilt" is a respectable and good member of the audio society up here in the cold North.I will write some emails later to you regarding some questions I have with tuberolling and other stuff I am interested in. Probably early next year or something like that.
Hi Bambadoo,I don't know what sort of listening levels you like but I do wonder if the Conquests will drive 90dB efficient speakers loud enough. However, this comment is made without any personal experience of an 18 wpc / 90dB combination, and I note that astrostar59 is more than happy with his 91dB Zingalis.
I suggest you speak with Peter Qvortrup, who is very helpful and knowledgeable.
When I purchased the Conquests they had Audio Note 300B tubes which, in my opinion, are pretty good. I believe they are manufactured in China to match the original WE specification. However, Peter Q acknowledges that the WE 300Bs are better, albeit at a considerable price difference, and I bought a set from the Tube Shop. I believe they are better (different?), although not by an enormous amount, but I haven't felt inclined to revert back to the Audio Note 300Bs :)
I'm sure your M3 together with the Conquests will make a fine combination, but I would say that wouldn't I.
Jeremy
Peter told me that the P3 sounds better than the comparable Quest because of a larger power supply. I imagine this rule applies to the P4 Conquest comparison. I would LOVE to get a set of P4 Silver's!
If you have M3 kit why don't you build PQ signature kit? It should be better than standard Conquest for 1/3 rd of the price . Close your toys in the cabinet and enjoy the music with your wife.
Hello BambadooI am using the Conquest mono blocks with the M3 line (not kit, UK factory item) with AN DAC 1.1 kit and AN Zero transport all into Zingali Overture 2's (91db).
I have a 4.5m x 3.8m lounge and it rocks! I have no need for more volume, and the sound is superb. I am most happy, no need to shop around anymore, I have landed on planet 'nervana'.
I use 300b tubes from HiFi Supply in China, TJ solid mesh new shape. And all philips everything else including the M3 but have a Mullard cryo in the DaC. All AN ANV silver interconnects.
Go for the Conquests. They are upgradable, built like a tank and a pure design by Andy Grove. Highly recommended. Let me know how you get on. Ring Peter at AN uk, and mention Julian from Spain. He is a great guy and will sort you out.
Thanks alot for the information.
Of course I am already thinking of some upgrades. (Havent ordered yet, but I am 90% sure I will do so within a week)
The first upgrade I am considering is to replace some valves.
Next is maybe the OPT's to some high-b cores? (I am not sure which type, but I guess the Trans 305 type - will try to get some advice from the AN people there)
Next is some black gates and/or some AN tants.
This is what makes it very fun, I am not in a hurry and can spend months and years to do these upgrades.I notice that AN makes a low gain version of the Quests now. The Conquests do not have this option yet. (Not from their webpage anyway). Peter Q has always an ace up his sleeve when it comes to upgrades and good advice. Maybe they have spent some time thinking about a low gain version of the Conquest also? Would be interesting to know, and if it is possible to send the amps to UK for upgrading to the latest version?
Just some thoughts.
Actually, all the amps built on the narrow, slim-line chassis clear up to the Kegons are now built low gain as standard issue. You can, in reality, get any of them built either way.I know it's an expensive upgrade, but if you can swing it, I'd go with the HiB transformers at the outset. The std transformers would make expensive door stops after the upgrade. Why buy two sets in the long run? The std caps and resistors aren't so painful to set aside, IMHO.
(The Audio Note UK web site still shows the following picture of the marketing team debating tech issues with some sand amp mfgr out of picture . . . I can say that because, nominally, I'm responsible for getting the thing up to date and speed. Sorry. Abject apologies. Improvements right around the corner. No, really. . .)
Keep your ears and your mind open.
Dave, Can the Conquests be updated to the low gain version? Gain has always been a problem for me with the M3 and I have little control over low volume listening and by 9 o'clock the house is shaking with db's. I can only image that when I upgrade to better, more efficient AN speakers the jump from 0-60 will occur in nanometers. If I could correct this gain issue with my M3/CSS's I would be a very, very, very happy man indeed. I was actually going to ask Bob about this soon.
I thought the low gain versions were intended for people using very high sensitivity speakers and a way to lower the noise floor . If this is the case then I don't know if you would benefit from the lower gain/noise version. I am just speculating from memory so your best bet is to ask Peter or your dealer about that.
I have Audio Note Conquest Silver monoblocks in the low-gain version which were purchased in February 2005. I'm using them with a bespoke M5 pre-amp fitted with remote control of volume. Because the taper on the non-standard volume pot differs from the one normally fitted, it was necessary for me to use the low-gain version of the amps to ensure reasonably uniform control over the range of volume adjustment. I'm using AN E/Lexus Signature speakers with external cross-overs, and I find there is adequate volume available for my - relatively restrained - listening needs.
Ok, thanks for the info.
The reason why I asked about the "low gain" version was because when I read on www.audionote.co.uk it says
" Accordingly in July 2004 we started offering a low gain version of all the amplifiers in the Compact range, Conqueror to KEGON.Again we have made a major upgrade sound-wise when the two stage 6SN7 was pulled out, the circuit rewired and replaced with a single stage 6J5, the input sensitivity dropped dramatically, but then so did the hum and noise and in addition it cleaned the sound up enormously, making them perfect for 96dB plus efficient speakers."
Sorry when I read it now I can see that this also yields the Conquest.
Today I have 90dB efficient speakers, but I will probably change these in some time from now. They are the Xavian XN360, and are maybe a bit difficult for the Conquest to drive.
Have you tried any tube rolling on the amps?
I am a phonecall away from ordering them now.Best Regards
Best Regards
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