Audio Note Kits... Anyone have opinions or experience with them?

nooshinjohn
nooshinjohn Posts: 25,447
edited January 2013 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I am looking for my next project, and building a preamp/phono stage to go with my tube amps is at the very top of my short list. Looking at their L-3 pre and L-3 phono kits. Does anyone have experience of any kind with them? All input is appreciated.
http://www.audionotekits.com/l3linemk2.html
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
Post edited by nooshinjohn on

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited January 2013
    John, I've got limited experience. I've only heard samplings of their gear at audio shows, but what I have heard did not impress me. However, I can't tell you if it was the gear or their speakers as I've not heard their gear on different speakers.

    I can tell you that their knobs are top notch. I liked them so much that I changed the stock Joule pre amp knobs (awful) to silver Audio Note. Much classier.

    Speaking of Joule pre amps, have you considered getting one. I mean, those tube amps you made deserve a top notch pre amp.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2013
    A guy I know has their DAC and he liked it but he was/is always chasing that next upgrade. If interested in contacting him PM me.

    I have to second Jesse's comment on the Joule Preamp.

    I have not even felt the need to roll tubes as they use top notch to start with.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,447
    edited January 2013
    The Joule looks to be a great pre, but I am hesitant to pull the trigger on one without hearing one. The attraction to a DIY kit is that I can give the build a "family" look to the tube amps. I cannot do the same with something as outstanding as the Joule without feeling like I just threw a can of black paint on the Mona Lisa. I love the specs on them though. If I can find one at a nice price, it would be worth a listen though. What about synergy?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited January 2013
    The Joule looks to be a great pre, but I am hesitant to pull the trigger on one without hearing one.
    You haven't heard the Audio Note either.
    The attraction to a DIY kit is that I can give the build a "family" look to the tube amps. I cannot do the same with something as outstanding as the Joule without feeling like I just threw a can of black paint on the Mona Lisa.

    There is that.
    What about synergy?

    They seem to go well with just about everything from what I've heard and read. There's 3 of us here with one and none of us are running the same gear other than a Joule and SDA's.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2013
    Mine is the crown jewel in my system. Come to KC John and have a listen.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,602
    edited January 2013
    Audio note gear doesn't jump out at you. It kinda sneaks up from behind.
    A short listen of 5 minutes isn't going to impress you. 45 minutes and suddenly
    you get it. IT doesn't do anything wrong. Too many other systems at the audio shows
    lose there luster after the first "wow".
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson