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In Reply to: Re: AN Conquest or P4? posted by astrostar59 on November 6, 2006 at 15:37:36:
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.
Follow Ups:
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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