AUDIO NOTE UK VALVE TECHNOLOGY
Audio Note UK is a renowned leader in valve-based audio design, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to deliver exceptional sound quality. Their commitment to valves—often referred to as the "heart" of an amplifier—is evident in every aspect, from material selection to circuit optimization.
Audio Note UK is dedicated to the purity of analogue sound reproduction, placing valves at the core of their designs. Unlike mass-market equipment that often prioritizes efficiency and cost, Audio Note embraces valves for their superior tonal characteristics, natural harmonics, and dynamic expression. This philosophy drives their ongoing pursuit of perfect synergy between components, ensuring that valves operate at their peak performance.
WHY VALVES
MATTER
Valves bring warmth and authenticity to audio systems that modern transistor designs cannot match. Renowned for their ability to recreate live music's harmonic complexity and immersive depth, they remain a cherished choice among discerning listeners. Audio Note UK not only honours this tradition but pushes its boundaries, delivering unparalleled quality valve-based audio experiences.
VALVES, A Foundation of Excellence
The stock valves used in Audio Note equipment are carefully sourced from reputable manufacturers and thoroughly tested to meet their rigorous standards. These valves provide a robust foundation for their amplifiers, delivering the sonic clarity and warmth that define the Audio Note sound. Each stock valve is selected for its reliability, linearity, and ability to preserve musical detail. Audio Note is renowned for its use of premium valves in its amplifiers, including some of the most celebrated models in audio.
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300B Valve: Known for its rich tonal qualities, it excels in midrange clarity and harmonic richness, making it a favourite for those seeking a natural presence, ideal for vocals and acoustic instruments.
2A3 Valve: The 2A3 valve is prized for its musical, natural tonality, emphasising midrange richness, smooth treble, and tight, controlled bass. It excels paired with highly sensitive speakers, offering low distortion and a pure, transparent sound.
45 Valve: The 45 valve performs exceptionally well in the midrange, where its clarity and purity shine through. It produces a warm, musical tone with a smooth sound, tight bass, and clear details without any harshness. This makes it ideal for capturing subtle nuances and providing an intimate listening experience, but requires highly sensitive speakers to get the best out.
211 Valve: A powerful transmitting tube known for its speed and dynamics, it offers excellent control over large, demanding speaker systems.
EL34 Valve: Widely used in push-pull amplifier designs, this valve is lauded for its rich harmonic content and its ability to deliver a balanced, yet dynamic sound.
ECL82 Valve: Known for its compact size and efficiency, the ECL82 is often used in integrated amplifiers. It provides a rich midrange and a smooth, balanced sound that makes it suitable for both music and dialogue reproduction in home cinema setups.
6005 Valve: A versatile, lower-power valve often used in push-pull circuits. The 6005 is appreciated for its warmth and musicality, offering a natural tonal balance and smoothness. It is commonly found in both budget and high-end Audio Note designs.
ECL84 Valve: A small, low-power tube designed for audio circuits requiring a warm, engaging presentation. The ECL84 offers great clarity and presence in the midrange, contributing to a highly detailed yet smooth sound profile in compact amplifier designs.
5881 Valve: A robust and widely used power valve, the 5881 (6L6WGB) is known for its excellent dynamic range and solid bass response. It's a popular choice for more powerful Audio Note amplifiers, providing excellent control over low frequencies while maintaining a balanced sound across the frequency spectrum.
VT4-C Valve: The VT4-C is a high-power transmitting tube, part of the 211 family, and shares the same pinout and filament requirements as the 845 and 838 tubes. This classic valve is cherished for its natural sound signature, offering a rich harmonic structure with excellent midrange presence and smooth high frequencies.
Upgraded Variants: 4242E, 4300E, and 845E
For discerning listeners, Audio Note offers premium upgrades to their valve lineup, including the 4242E, 4300E, and the new 845E, each tailored for superior performance and crafted with Molybdenum anodes for unparalleled efficiency:
4242E
A superior evolution of the 211 tube, the 4242E benefits from a refined cathode composition and precision manufacturing. It offers greater dynamic range, heightened transparency, and exceptional control over transients, producing an effortlessly engaging sound. These qualities make the 4242E a standout choice for high-power single-ended triode amplifiers.
4300E
Designed as an enhanced replacement for the classic 300B valve, the 4300E features a larger glass envelope and an optimised plate structure for improved thermal stability and reduced microphonics. This results in a more extended frequency response, deeper bass, and a richer midrange, making it ideal for vocal and instrumental textures.
845E
The 845E is Audio Note UK’s enhanced take on the classic 845 valve. Featuring a precision-engineered Molybdenum anode, it delivers exceptional power handling, tonal accuracy, and harmonic richness. Built with robust construction and meticulous craftsmanship, the 845E sets a new benchmark for high-performance audio.