STATUS - SOLD
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Description :
The Audio Note Quest is a pure class A, parallel, single-ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 300B directly heated triode valve, producing a level of performance that is radically superior to current designs. It is the monoblock version of the Audio Note's Conqueror with bigger and better output transformers, and paper-in-oil signal capacitors, otherwise it has the same configuration with a slightly higher power output of a conservative 9 watts due to the better transfer behavior of the output transformer. It features valve rectified choke power supply, Audio Note's copper foil signal capacitors and making use of one 300B output tube per channel. What is not so ordinary is how powerful and controlled it sounds, even when driving medium sensitivity speakers. Circuitry-wise, the Audio Note Quest uses tube rectification and a choke regulated power supply to supply the DC to the main board, where a 6SN7 dual triode serves as an input/driver tube that acts as the first gain-stage. The second gain-stage is the output using a 300B direct-heated triode before being connected to the hand-wound output transformers with separate tapping for 4 or 8 Ohms. It is an extremely simple and direct signal path that plays an important role in defining the transparent nature of this amplifier. All components in the signal path are direct-wired, signal capacitors are Audio Note's Copper-Foil paper-in-oil capacitors, critical wiring consists of their own pure silver interconnects and all output transformers are hand-wound in-house.
The Audio Note Quest gives a sense of ease and control of the bass despite driving difficult speakers. Percussion tracks render with sufficient speed and definition, enabling the listener to follow easily to each beat of the music. All this are coupled with an amazingly wide sense of dynamics that instruments like drums that seem to literally come aliv. It has the characteristics of what a single-ended amplifier should sound like - namely having a warm, smooth and sweet midrange, 3D soundstaging and airy highs. It does disappoint on any of those points, but added to the musical palette other not-so-expected qualities like excellent transient response, huge dynamics, almost see-through transparency and a bass response with control that belies its low power. By playing full orchestral pieces, complex percussion tracks, busy fusion jazz and even some techno with heavy, synthesized bass, it still remains composed and never lost grip of the music. It allows the listener to experience voluminous passages while at the same time conveying with exceptional clarity the subtle refinements of music. It does well with chamber ensemble recordings, in which complex textures are aptly portrayed, and transmits layered tonalities in a most seductive way. The Audio Note Quest can without a doubt make emotional and involving music that runs deep into the essence.
Specifications :
Input Impedance...............................100kohm
Input Sensitivity................................250mV for full output
Output Noise....................................0.6mV RMS typical, unweighted
Maximum Output..............................9 watts RMS per channel into 4 or 8 ohms loads
Fuse Rating.....................................2A Anti Surge (110V/120 VAC Supply)
......................................1.2A Anti Surge (200/240 VAC Supply)
Channel Balance..............................+/- 0.3dB
Roll-off Frequency.............................-3dB at 35kHz minimum
Tube Complements...........................2 x 6SN7WGTA, 2x 5U4G, 2 x 300B
Power Consumption.........................135 watts
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................20.5 x 53.5 x 20 cm
Weight............................................24kg
Miscellaneous :
Made In...........................................UK, England
Condition.........................................9/10
Product Information :
http://www.audionote.co.uk/products/amps_monoblock/quest_01.shtml (Manufacturer's Website)
http://www.audionote.co.uk/downloads/amp_quest_manual-zz209.pdf (Manual)
Reviews :
http://www.stereotimes.com/amp100501.shtml
http://www.audionote.co.uk/articles/reviews/iaudioquest.shtml
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/m3+quests_e.html
http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=492 |
