Hi,
Looking to pull the trigger on a new project. It's time for a new pre-amp and was thinking on Audio Note Kit L4 Mentor.
Any experience here on the forum with the specific device? Any pitfalls to be aware of? I plan to assemble it myself.
Much appreciated!
Looking to pull the trigger on a new project. It's time for a new pre-amp and was thinking on Audio Note Kit L4 Mentor.
Any experience here on the forum with the specific device? Any pitfalls to be aware of? I plan to assemble it myself.
Much appreciated!
I looked on the ANK site and they don't say which tubes are in this apart from the 5U4. Any idea?
At $3500 (is that US dollars?) I would expect a nice stepped attenuator for volume control. Not a plain old Alps pot.
jeff
jeff
Yes USD. There is an option for a 64 step one with the remote, the one that comes with L5 Mentor.
Is that good or bad? 🙂 I know nothing about tubes, that's why this project seems interesting to me...
Nothing wrong with the tube compliment. IMHO it's a very complicated (and expensive) design for a line stage, but I would love to hear one.
jeff
The CV181 is a version of ECC32. Those go for around $300 on ebay - expensive tube! ECC99 is normal prices.
Pretty sure the kit just comes with an EH 6SN7. Blech! 🙂
They're charging $3500 for a 6SN7 line stage, you gotta print something fancier than that on the PCB.😉
jeff
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LOL ok if I got this right, (and I probably did not), you are saying that they are selling it with the standard $50 6SN7 tube, where the much more expensive and potentially direct replacement is $300 CV181, which is printed on the PCB?
Of course if you guys know and are willing to suggest a tube preamp that comes in kit form please let me know, would definitely love to explore as a potential next project...
Having built and still enjoying (it's warming up as I write) an ANK EL34 integrated amp, I would say that the quality of the components is great, the support needed improving, but Brian seemed to be always open to offers over price. You may be comfortable with haggling (or not) but always ask. Get it if you want it.
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What speakers are you driving with it? Hope you'll share more info once the thing brakes in and you have some hours in it...
I've had it for years, so well broken in. Currently using UK built PMC Twenty 22 speakers, and for me it works really well.
F5, F6 or AlephJ, depends on the parts availability. I was hesitant on F6 parts and now guess what lol.