Audio Note System ZeroSystem price: 12,000 DMby Cai Brockmann
The debate continues on today: does the number zero belong to the natural numbers? Natural or not, it can be stated with certainty that Audio Note's Zero Series, launched in 1999, eases entry into the world of vacuum tubes (/valves).
Pure luxury, thy name is Audio Note. The people at Audio Note are steadfast advocates of tubes, and among their product offerings are inconspicuous amplifiers which contain more pure silver than all the jewelry of Queen Mum at a gala dinner. For 600,000 DM they're yours. Also available, at approximately the price of a brand new compact car, are pickup cartridges. Or speaker cables or D/A converters as expensive as a BMW Z3 sports car. And in addition to all this, Peter Qvortrup, the president of Audio Note, cultivates his passions: gigantic collections of tubes, components and LPs, each good enough to drive any connoisseur to tears. The uninitiated might get the impression that Audio Note is reserved exclusively for the solvent upper class.
But that is decidedly not what Peter Qvortrup has in mind. The restless Dane from Brighton, England, is one of those obstinate people in the hifi business who can easily provoke the anger of more complacent competitors with his sharp edges. Qvortrup hates the obsequious mainstream and loves to ask unpopular questions. He doesn't take anything for granted without checking it out himself first. And he always wants to have his way. It is not surprising that he has developed a definite, perhaps healthy, arrogance, and he has made more than just friends. And he couldn't care less about journalists, in particular those from the hifi trade press.
I like people like Peter Qvortrup.
And I like Audio Note.
In the early nineties, when my long repressed enthusiasm for tubes finally broke free and a plethora of tube amplifiers was competing for my favour, a quite inexpensive Audio Note control/power-amplifier combo spoke directly to my musical heart. For a long time all other candidates were left behind, pale and boring in comparison. But what does "quite inexpensive" mean in this context? Well, bearing in mind Audio Note's extensive line of high end equipment, less than 10,000 DM for a control/power-amp combo can be considered a bargain.
And bargains sell well, in some cases so well that manufacturers often begin to strip down profitable low budget series until they turn into cheap "volume ware," ruining once prestigious names. By then, of course, it's too late.
Peter Qvortrup, of course, is aware of this. This is the reason that Audio Note has taken plenty of time to expand its product range downward. Internal criteria are rigid. For many years, a scale of "Levels," clearly defined by Qvortrup himself, has been in use. The Levels are a price-performance schedule for developing, evaluating and combining each Audio Note component. Until 1999, Level One had represented Audio Note's basic system: gear with a well developed layout but equipped with rather unspectacular parts. And still, as ever, the Audio Note connoisseur can achieve top performance with components from Level Five, where pure silver and super-duper special parts abound.
Interestingly, this level system also features negative numbers. But take note: Levels Minus One and Minus Two are strictly reserved for solid state components. Even people who don't like tubes have to grin at this audacity. In the world of Audio Note tubes rule - always and everywhere!
The Zero Series' debut, at the High End '99 in Neu Isenburg near Frankfurt, didn't alter much. Level Zero still means tube equipment - with one exception. The CD transport works without a bulb. The output stage of the indispensable D/A converter, undoubtedly the part which is vital for sound quality in this price range, underscores the importance of the tube.
The D/A converter sports the robust and durable dual triode type 6111WA, a miniaturized tube developed in 1951 to function at least 100,000 hours without failure and - if placed correctly - to generate the desired tube timbre. Because of its size and technical data, the extra small 6111WA, which doesn't require a socket, may have a long career in Audio Note's Zero Series.
The 6111WA is featured on three different Zero Series components: on the D/A converter, the phono preamplifier and the line preamp. In all three you'll find a 6111WA right on the main board, the long wires cut and soldered directly onto the board. I could go on for pages about sophisticated circuitry layout and component selection. I could ask my colleague Roland Kraft for further advice, continue on about fancy and refined details... but I won't!
There is simply not enough space for that. After all, this Zero system consists of eight components - or rather nine, if one takes into account the alternative, brand new, remote controlled preamplifier. And there could easily be several more, because Audio Note offers a full range program including record players, in-house designed cables and millions of components. As I mentioned before, there is a huge catalog - so we'll have to content ourselves with the least expensive offering from the world of Audio Note, the entry system.
The Zeros look smart - at least the electronics do. Modern but not stylish. Charming at first sight in their lovely silver compactness. Made in the Far East - the price, my friends, the price! - they promise solidity: aluminum diecast cases and massive faces which, on request and for a little extra, are also available in black.
Knobs and buttons are rather sparse, which enhances the elegant and pleasing appearance. I find the CD transport particularly sharp. It displays as many knobs on front as the mono power amps, namely none.
"Help," I hear you cry! You whose remote controls fail late at night or who lose them regularly in the creases of your sofas. Please don't panic: two buttons on the back of the transport control basic functions (drawer open/close, play/pause). This very cool solution makes the Sony-based transport convenient for everyday use.
The DAC-Zero is even simpler than its data supplier. It has neither displays, knobs nor a remote control, but instead features an up-to-date 24bit/96kilohertz delta-sigma D/A converter. And of course the 6111WA mini tube in the output stage.
The T-Zero, on the other hand, proudly displays buttons and a full size display -understandable features considering that it is a tuner which must be able to seek and store radio stations on FM, AM and long wave without remote control. In its output stage, a ECC83 dual triode tube ensures good sound quality.
Just as new as the tuner is the M-Zero-RIAA phone preamp. This latest component is optimized for MM pickups, whose signals it amplifies and of course passively equalizes with the help of two dual triodes - 6111WA and 6112WA (NOS Sylvania).
The whole system is controlled by the M-Zero-Line. Five line level inputs, including tape loops, should suffice for most applications. Two pairs of RCA jacks at the output stage encourage easy bi-amping and are served - of course - by a 6111WA. Audio Note Level fans will be pleased that the M-Zero is equipped with Level One components.
Even newer than the brand new tuner and RIAA is the preamplifier's fraternal twin, a comfortable alternative to the M-Zero-Line. It turns out to be equipped not only with remote control, electronic source switch, motorized potentiometer and the suffix "Remote Control", but also with some amusing prototype casework. It reads "M-One" instead of "M-Zero" and "valume" instead of "volume," oversights which I find charming. I almost failed to note these fun faux pas on the prototype because all of my attention was fixed on the remote control features and LEDs.
In contrast, the P-Zero mono power amplifiers convey seriousness. In a slightly deeper but also enclosed case, ECL82 tubes glow in AB operation, delivering clean eight watts via golden terminals on the back. That should be sufficient to drive the Danish-built Absolute Zero II - the fourth premiere within the Zero series - reasonably well. The appearance of these floor speakers, however, is definitely sober, and a glance at the back, which is only 85 percent covered, leads us to suspect a mistake. But this is not the case. The seemingly short wooden boards are not a mistake but actually serve as the port for a "quasi quarterwave rear loaded horn," as Audio Note calls it. The advantages of this uncommon bass tuning are as follows: the agile papercone woofer gets unspoiled support; the speaker offers an efficiency of true 93 dB; and the Absolute Zero II can be positioned either free standing or against a wall. The only disadvantage: because of the huge bass port, the frequency response in lower regions drops abruptly. But it seems much more important to me that each pair is carefully tuned to its partner and has to stand up to the specifications of Audio Note's in-house reference.
Strong words - but I've experienced the effects with my own eyes and ears, first at the Audio Note facilities in Brighton and a few weeks later in our new image hifi studio.
My colleague Udo Ratai and I were fascinated immediately by the Absolute Zero II speakers - okay, I admit, by the whole system. It's true that to initialize the CD transport we have to switch it on and off two or three times before the DAC finds the correct data base, but we are used to that from computer programs, and so we keep our cool.
Somehow the whole Zero system seems to radiate a certain relaxed mood. As soon as you know - and have accepted - what Audio Note's smallest system cannot deliver, life becomes easy.
So it's best to say goodbye to the idea of having wild parties with the Audio Note Zeros. It just wouldn't work - the system is simply not made for this - and that's okay! The attraction of this system lies not in its ability to play rough, but rather in its light-footed yet convincing musical performance. And this applies also to degrees of volume far beyond the acceptable neighbourly noise level. So can you have parties? Yes - but no wild ones.
Frankly, the owner's choice of music will probably be influenced by the same refined taste that leads him or her to select the Zero system. Of course I don't intend to discuss personal preferences in music. By no means! But I do predict that the Zero's delicate musical performance will inevitably have a similar impact on personal music selection. As I am experimenting with the tuner I happen to stumble across a fantastically produced radio play (on public radio, of course). I stay with it through the usually boring closing sequence because the tuner's smooth and strong sound quality doesn't create artificial masking, but instead seems very live. Then an LP of Ella Fitzgerald in her golden years turns on the platter; after enjoying the deep colours of her voice, my vinyl collection is checked for similar highlights. You will come across almost forgotten albums with the sudden wish to listen to them again. In my CDT-Zero spin splendid pop, rock, baroque, blues, rap and hiphop pieces, as well as works from other eras. And classical opuses. And big band jazz -- not in full glory, but as close as it gets. And by the way: it gets extremely close and sounds excellent.
You have surely noticed that the Zero set puts me in a great mood and sends good vibrations to its listeners. It also embodies fundamental qualities found in any truly capable system: it increases the appetite for more music, stimulates the senses, and delivers clarity in rhythm and melody.
Even Ulrich Michalik, who enters the room to a rocking beat and remains seated longer than intended, testifies to the absence of any dullness in system and speakers. He would have liked to get more lower bass - at the time of this review he allows a highly explosive 200,000-DM-system to shake the foundations of his house - but he finds everything else in order. My colleague Uto Ratai and I think so as well.
For a few seconds there is unbelief written in UM's face as I reveal some of the system's data: 1) it is fully tubed, 2) it has just eight friendly watts p/c, and 3) it costs only 12,000 marks. Yessir, the whole thing. The system consists of CD transport, D/A converter, external phono stage, tuner, control amplifier and power amplifiers. Two of them. And it includes the speakers. A pure CD based Zero system would be only 8800 DM... UM gives me a surprised look.
Now it's Udo Ratai's turn to ask questions. What would the speakers alone cost, etc. What? Only 1800 DM? Fabulous! By the way, we both prefer the speakers positioned openly in the room. Then their marvelously leisurely, colourful and detailed performance is even more open, relaxed and free, an altogether stunning experience with acoustic music of every kind. We are just about to agree that we don't care about the missing lowest octave because the most important part of the sound is in the fascinating speed and the correct acoustic size of instruments, when the Klais organ of the St. Hedwigs Cathedral in Berlin grips us with substantial pedal tones - obviously the bass requires only a quality recording to drive this Zero thing right. And it still cannot hide Peter Qvortrup's preference for classical music. I'm convinced of this when I look at the percentage of this genre amongst my daily growing pile of LPs and CDs.
Indeed it affords great pleasure when an orchestra reaches a forte passage and the Zeros allow the orchestra to vibrate with sheer intensity. Not with subsonic force, but in a rather delicate way, always presented with captivating smoothness, verve, élan and a spatial easiness which, especially at its price range, is extraordinary. Perhaps it's a side effect of the huge bass port on the back of the speakers, but it's a pleasing one. I find it suitable and recommendable.
In conclusion I'd like to make a comment regarding cables. Those who wish to can easily spend a lot more money on Audio Note's cables than on the entire Zero system. One can certainly note the sound quality difference when compared with Audio Note's good basic cable, and it is comparable to a upgrade in hardware, but the price difference is so drastic that it almost hurts. In this case it is a good thing to have Audio Note's Level scale at your service to help keep your feet on the ground.
Audio Note's Zero gems are fun anyway. Lots of fun even! From now on I can recommend a fully tubed system which is both attractive and musically authentic, and is offered at an economy price that will smooth out any frowns.
It appears, dear lay mathematicians and philosophers, as if the number zero is a "natural" number after all - at least in the world of true-to-nature music reproduction. And that's a fact for tube newcomers as well as for all other prospective connoisseurs.
Reviews
Breakthrough of ZERO -Audio Note's ZERO SeriesHiFi Review MagazineBy Anthony Lam Heung Wing
The saying that musicality plus slim design characterized traditional British amplifiers are totally agreed by hifi enthusiasts. Linn, Meridian and Musical Fidelity are good examples of this breed. Audio Note, a highly acclaimed company renowned for its impeccable musicality has join the league launching its slim size ZERO series.As far as I know, current there is no other products similar to the ZERO series. The ZERO series includes 5 components namely CDT ZERO CD transport, DAC ZERO tube DAC, M ZERO tube pre amplifier and ZERO mono block tube power amplifier. Albeit other companies may have similar series, they may not have a unified appearance. Even they have a unified appearance, they may not be so handy and delicate. If they could be so delicate, definitely they do not possess the tubes of the ZEROs. Every component of the ZERO series is tube related except the CDT ZERO. One could imagine that ZERO series must be flooded with warmth and richness. The ZEROs could also considered to be one of the best beginners' tube gear for those who are pursuing sweet dreams of tube or those who have a tight budget to spend.The most affordable Audio Note equipmentI could never imagine that listening to Audio Note at such a bargain price, the average price of each component is only several thousand quid! Consider buying the complete series is only some twenty thousand quid which is not pricey. In terms of Audio Note's price tag, it is a real bargain! Don't get me wrong, the guys from Audio Note will not sacrifice the sound quality in the exchange of an affordable price. As we all know that Audio Note's cable are highly accoladed by hifi enthusiasts on its second to none musicality. Frankly speaking, I am a big fan of Audio Note's cable. That said, it is natural for me to use the whole set of Audio Note's cable including AN-V to link up the DAC and pre amplifier, AN-Vx to link up the pre and power amplifiers. AN-L is also used to hook up the speaker. It is almost an all Audio Note system except for loudspeaker. Seems like the guru from Audio Note need to design a speaker to match with the ZERO system. This time I use Focus Audio's 6TII to complete the listening test. Firing up the system, there exist synergy between the ZEROs and Focus Audio. The sound is warm and rich but free from overwhelming and colouration.As an overall assessment, the pre and power compos surprise me in terms of their prices. I have take for granted that musicality is a must from this system. Looking at CDT ZERO per se, there is nothing worth mentioning. Nevertheless, when linking it to DAC ZERO it will be another story.According to the specification, DAC ZERO is the only DAC in the market utilize 24bit/96Khz Delta Sigma chip with tube. There has been a plethora of discussions on 24bit/96Khz Delta Sigma chip in here and elsewhere. In a word, the strength lies in the detail of music it could deliver. Accompanying the new 24bit/96Khz Delta Sigma chip does not imply giving up its tube usage tradition. Thus, at the output stage a 6111WA has been utilized. 6111WA is a slim ballpen shape 1 inch tall, a Class A output double triode (equivalent to 12AU7). It has the advantage of tube sound and the life span of transistor (about 100,000 hours or eleven years). Users do not have to worry about tube replacement therefore the tube does not require a socket and could directly print on the PCB board. This method also avoid interface signal loss. Pre & power tube amplifiersM ZERO preamplifier also use a 6111WA tube in its line stage. Its design is minimalist and without any gimmicks. The pre amp has a balance switch for left and right channels, 4 sets of inputs and one set of tape output. In addition, two sets of output are given for the purpose of bi amping.Despite ZERO series has a unified size with 218mm (W)x110mm(H), its CDT and pre amp's depth is only 294mm, just like a female shoe box. Looking at its power amp with 356mm in depth, comparing with its CD transport and pre amp, it looks like a male and a female shoebox. In each ZERO there is two ECL82, a triode/pentode with Class A output equivalent to 6BM8.Each ZERO has a rated 8W output, but do not led down by its low power. In fact it could drive the Focus Audio without any difficulties. The sound is swift and bouncy but not fatiguing. However, if part with an easy load loud speaker such as B & W's DM308, it would sound more vivid but not as rich as Focus Audio. So it is a dilemma for potential users. Based on my experience, despite small powered amplifiers in general lack of punch and slam, they could release more detail than the bigger brothers. For those who are familiar with Audio Note's products should know that even the top model of Audio Note could only deliver 8W to 10W but applauded by users for its superb musicality.The beauty of the ZERO series lies in its musicality and the eye-catching appearance. When I first build up the ZERO's block, it looks spectacular! Those silver boxes lying tidily side by side as if a set of elegant silverware. Apart from its sound quality, it is delightful to own a systemized but non-stereotype ZERO series. In terms of sound quality, there are several aspects which are worth mentioning.Pre- & power amplifiers are extremely musicalFiring up the overall system and the components independently once again proved that Audio Note's strength lies in tube amplification. The system is not only characterized by its sweetness alone, more importantly is the musicality it could deliver. No matter it is Celibidache play Bruckner (EMI#72435669025) or Essential Carreras (Philips#432 692-2) the system could provide seamless musicality. More importantly no matter it is brass, woodwind, strings, percussion or Carreras' vocal, Audio Note could honestly reproduce the very nature of every piece of music. We should not take for granted that all hi fi products could honestly reproduce the very nature of every piece of music. Even the so called high end products are only selling their own nature instead of the characteristics of each kind of musical instrument, not to mention some low price products. I understand that to reproduce the texture and dynamics of a real musical instrument nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the reproduction should be at least near to the sound of the original musical instrument. Some 80% of hi fi products available in the market could not do this. Fortunately the ZERO series has inherited the heritage of Audio Note's traditional pursuance of sonic excellence. Thus M ZERO and ZEROs are extremely musical. This strongly supported that Audio Note has a niche in tube amplification and it is hard to find a contender at this price range.Comparing with the amplifier, the CDT ZERO is less impressive. It is not a negative comment on the CD transport, the product has done its job but may not stand up among its competitors. In order to squeeze a little bit more from CDT, it should be partnered with DAC ZERO's 24bit/96Khz DAC. Due to special relationship between CDT ZERO and DAC ZERO, so I would like to give some suggestions to those who are interested in the ZERO series. Firstly is either buying the whole set of ZERO's product, or buying the transport and DAC. Alternatively, one could also consider buying the DAC alone or the pre amplifiers and power amplifiers. If I have to make a conclusion, the musicality of the pre and power amplifiers are exceptional compare with its DAC. Nevertheless, the musicality of the DAC is better than its transport. So the choice is all up to you guys. In terms of cables AN-Vx would perfectly match with the ZEROs but AN-V would also be fine. The best loudspeaker cable to part with the ZEROs was AN-L. For loudspeaker matching, BBC's LS3/5A, Focus Audio FS68 or ProAc Response 1SC and etc would match the appearance of the ZEROs. When partnering with LS3/5A, vocals and violins would be very smooth and attractive while FS68 would be very emotive. However, 1SC would sound more rational, it could get a good tonal balance in each and every musical component. In addition, I would recommend those who would like to buy the ZEROs to use Hi-Fi Tips underneath the ZERO DAC and power amplifiers. It would sound more analytical and have a better contour. For CDT and ZERO pre amplifier it is optional whether to use them or not.For those who have recently bought a new flat should contemplate installing such an eye catching, musical and slim hi fi system. But the most fascinating thing is to spend only $10,000 something to possess Audio Note's equipment. The ZEROs had proved to be a formidable gear to other products at this price level.Anthony Lam Heung Wing
The Audio Note Zero Systemincludes wiring, electronics, and speakers.by Larry Cox, Francisco Duran and Victor Chavira By AudioMusings
All five boxes (amps, preamp, DAC, transport) are the same height and width; the monoblock amps (all of 8 watts!) are deeper. The speakers are floorstanding. It is a pretty cool-looking system, given the mix-and-match look of most audiophile systems. If you want to enjoy music and don’t want to chase your tail around the high end, buy the Zero System. It is not the greatest stereo I’ve heard in overall terms, or in any single respect. However, for about $6000 you can own a COMPLETE SYSTEM and forget about gear forever, or at least for about ten years, when it will be time to replace the tubes. Stop reading and buy!
Okay, so you didn’t stop reading and buy. Let me share my saga. I’ve shuffled through gear for over twenty years in pursuit of an audio happy ending. For a short while I listened to lady singers twittering like birds and standup bass performed by a “musician” who couldn’t play well—extraordinarily well-recorded stuff I now yawn at. I’m smarter now. When reviewing or considering gear for purchase, I listen to the music I’d listen to even if I weren’t in pursuit of great sound. For this listener, a "flat to 20Hz" system doesn’t guarantee happiness, or even music. Listening to music you like is the path to happiness. For me, the criterion by which a system can be judged is whether you wish you were listening to music on it, right now, no matter where you are. This is different from thinking “I want to get home to listen to music because I wonder what the bass on a particular recording will sound like.” This is thinking about your system rather than thinking about music. There is nothing wrong with that kind of thinking, but it is about audio, not music.
My initial impression of the Zero System was not favorable. In fact, when I plugged it in, I thought it really sucked. Forget the pursuit of music. Simone’s Sony receiver and CD player and her horrible xxxx 101speakers were very little worse, and at about one-sixth the cost of the Zero System. Ray Lombardi, the Audio Note rep, said that the system had been used at CES, so I figured it was broken in. Wrong. While I couldn’t find any recordings that sounded good, anything with a full bottom end sounded especially bad—thin, light weight, and lacking realistic timbre. After about three weeks with the system on full time, things were no better. To be fair, I figured I had to keep listening even if the sound was bad, then prepare to either return the product unreviewed or write a negative review. At this juncture I gave up on my music collection and started going through Simone’s, hoping to find something that sounded good. Nothing.
I thought, at least I’m discovering what’s good in Simone’s collection. After a weekend away, I put on Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits and it sounded pretty darn good—still no bottom end, but vocal richness started to show up. Who else would you expect to exhibit that quality more than Sinatra? Next I stuck in The Cole Porter Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald, and that sounded good, too. I thought, what the heck, maybe it’s time to start listening seriously. I then slipped in Israel Kamakawiwo’le’s Facing Future, my reference for sweet, natural sound. Wow, Israel’s emotional intensity was amply demonstrated. Then, Pink Martini’s Sympathique showed up as even more emotionally engaging, and I loved that, but even tracks like Donde Esta Yolanda? with its driving rhythm, and Amado Mio with its BIG sound were wonderful, full, and rich! With that, the break-in of the Zero System was apparently complete, and the onslaught of a love affair commenced. Once it broke in, the Zero System’s performance was astonishing, but way different than my system’s. Mine, when properly powered, does macrodynamics way better than every other system I’ve heard. The Zero System has very little deep bass. It starts in the midbass region, where it is overblown and flabby unless the rear-loaded horn speakers are up against the back wall, where they are designed to be placed. The Zero System may not offer deep, thumping bass, but the rhythm of music—meaning meter—is present. Music is reproduced with an excellent sense of swing, and this listener was moved. An overarching feature of the sound was coherence. The system moves on a dime. Despite the absence of heft, everything moves together so well that even orchestral pieces or tight rhythmic groups move as one, so that you get a sense of the musicians playing together. The melody of music is all the more discernible because the timing and rhythm are delivered intact. If you compartmentalize the sound of the Zero System, you’re likely to be unimpressed. It is hard to identify where the sound is outstanding, even in the midrange, typically the domain of tubes. No portion of the audio spectrum leaps out. Don’t get me wrong, the midrange was very nice, but in terms of “liquidity” or three dimensionality, it wasn’t a match for what is available for a higher tariff. What it did do, however, was present music coherently, with an evenness of weight and balance, so that no instruments stood out. The Zero System conveyed music with so much of the delicacy, warmth, speed, and lightness of touch that occurs with the real thing that I am forever changed as a listener.
While I’ve heard sweet systems before and will again, what is often present in such systems is a syrupy sound, one that obscures detail. These systems frequently have a slightly ponderous quality. At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve heard many systems that sound more “transparent than the Zero System, but which are on the border (or over the border) of being edgy and bright. I’ve heard systems with more drive, but frequently that demonstrates itself like the difference between a power boat and a sail boat, the latter having a grace and elegance that the former will never have.
If you are someone that wants to hear the weight of a Holst symphony, or you listen to alternative music with techno bass, you’ll be unimpressed by the Zero System and should look elsewhere. This system doesn’t have impressive weight or drive, yet there is that quality of ineffable grace, delicacy, and the power of the wind behind the music that brought this listener closer to the sound of real music. This extraordinary system inserts few “errors” into the reproduction of music. You get a full snapshot of the musical event. For the cost of some single components, you get a full impression of music, from the color of the sound to the rhythm of the beat and the emotion of the message. Highly, highly recommended.Larry Cox
When a whole slew of gear came my way from Audio Note, a company that has a reputation for musical-sounding products, I was delighted. The gear in question is Audio Note’s “Zero System,” no less than five separate components, a pair of speakers, and the wire necessary to hook everything up. Audio Note’s web site has many interesting articles in addition to information about their equipment. I especially liked reading “ARE YOU ON THE ROAD TO AUDIO HELL?” Another thing of interest to me was a price list for circuits, valves, solder, wire, and chassis, among other things. You can buy enough parts from Audio Note to build your own components or customize existing Audio Note gear. This I really liked.
Before hooking up the complete system, I tried each component by itself. I first tried the transport, which sounded smooth and well-balanced, though I preferred my Pioneer/Musical Concepts DV414 DVD player (used as a transport). The DV414 sounded more full and handled dynamics with more authority. Nevertheless, with all kinds of music, from my Muddy Waters, Folk Singer CD on Mobile Fidelity to Metallica and Eliades Ochoa, the Audio Note DAC Zero had that liquid midrange sound.
Next came the P Zero amps. They were a big surprise, because I didn’t expect 8-watt monoblocks to push my Response 2s to very high levels. Well, folks, I sat back on my couch just staring at those little amps in wonder. The P Zeros sounded as if they were more like 100-watt amps. Not only did they drive my speakers with ease, but they proved to be a very good sonic match. Next up was the M Zero preamplifier, which proved to be one nice unit. It has enough extension at both ends of the frequency spectrum to bring a full picture to orchestral music. The sound had a slight warmth that was inviting in my system. I didn’t try the AZ Two speakers in my system because I couldn’t wait to hear the entire Audio Note system. The speakers can be bi-wired, but they came without jumpers and I was supplied with only one run of speaker cable. Instead of jerry-rigging my own jumpers, I used one pair of my JPS Superconductor+ for the bass.
Before I go on I need to register two minor complaints. One, the binding posts on the amps and speakers tend to work loose after a while, no matter how hard I tried to tighten them. This was a slight annoyance. Second, and this is partly due to the budget price of the M Zero, the RCAs on the back are too close for comfort, at least for the macho American interconnects that I first tried. Admittedly, I had no trouble using the Audio Notes cables, as they have thin-barrelled RCAs. Finally, with the entire Audio Note system hooked up and playing, I got a nice sense of balance. The sound was not too liquid or euphonic, but had just the right amount of sweetness and detail. Music did not sound too thin or too bright, too dull or too thick. There was an even tonal balance and musical timbres were just right. This equipment has a very good balance of bass, treble extension, and midrange rightness. On went Metallica, which had fast transients along with a powerful, dynamic sound. On Muddy Waters Folk Singer, the quality of the recording was obvious. I heard background details and musical nuance that sounded natural.
On the Eliades Ochoa CD, the bass was very tuneful, with a nice rhythm. This system shows off acoustic music well, with nice texture and the right amount of bloom from bass instruments. (Those tubes, perhaps?) The upper bass showed speed and snap when called upon. My UB40 discs had good weight in the low end. On this system, you could definitely tell that these discs were not as well-recorded as the other CDs I tried. The midrange showed a bit more glare than you’d want. There was full, deep bass on their Greatest Hits II CD, but the bass never sounded out of synch.
The Zero System made me think of music more than hardware. Two things kept popping up in my mind as I listened. If these are Audio Note’s least expensive components, I wonder what their pricier stuff sounds like. I also kept thinking about all you get for around $5000. This system is fun to listen to, and fun to play around with. What it doesn’t deliver in audiophile terms, it more than makes up for in delivering the musical goods. And while it definitely had audiophile qualities such as a good soundstage, detail and air, space, etc., etc., the music it was dishing up made those things relatively unimportant. Music lovers and gearheads alike, take note. Here is a system that serves both of us. Now there is no excuse not to keep fattening up our record collections!Francisco Duran
Audio Note designs are well regarded for their quality and musicality. The Zero System is Audio Note’s attempt to bring their sound to entry-level music lovers, although $4600 is not exactly my definition of an entry-level price. All of the components are housed in extruded black or silver aluminum chassis. The first component is the Zero M remote-controlled line level preamp. The faceplate has four smooth-turning knobs. Two sets of outputs are included on the back, facilitating bi-amping. Inside the box is a single 6111WA tube. The 6111WA tube is remarkable for its long life of 100,000 hours. That‘s over eleven years of constant use! The 24/96 DAC-Zero processor and CD-Drive are next in the chain. The DAC also utilizes a 6111WA tube in the output stage. The P Zero monoblock amps are small and light enough to carry with one hand. Each produces eight watts via two ECL882 (6BM8) tubes run in class AB2. Those eight watts power Audio Note’s AZ-Two speakers. The AZ-Twos are two-way, rear-horn-loaded designs. Each speaker features a soft dome tweeter and an eight-inch paper-coned woofer. The woofer sports a serious foam surround. However, because of their 93 dB sensitivity, the AZ-Twos don’t have to flex too much muscle to produce hefty levels of sound.
And what a lovely sound the system makes! I can sum up the Zero System’s sound with four letters: Q-U-A-D. The system was smooth, coherent, musical, and easy to listen to, reminicent of our esteemed A.D. Banerjee’s E.A.R./Quad system. Music sounded organic and vibrant. No region in the frequency range was too aggressive. My CD recommendation for this issue is The Colors of Latin Jazz series on the Concord label. Each budget-priced disc contains music by Concord artists, arranged by theme. My favorite disc is A Latin Vibe. The Zero System produced a rhythmic and dynamic sound. The vibes resonated with clear, percussive attacks. Bass was substantial and well defined. The dramatic force of the speakers gave no indication that they were being powered by a mere eight watts. At one point in the review process, I decided to to test their power handling. I was relaxing to the sounds of Natalie Merchant’s Ofelia CD. As her lovely voice floated me away to a peaceful place, an idea struck me. If eight watts sounded this good, how much better would forty watts sound? My EL34-based Anthem is a respectable amplifier, but I could not have been more mistaken with my hunch. Volume and dramatic scale were not significantly affected. The foundations of the music firmed up, but at the expense of harmony and delicacy. The musical perspective shifted away from Natalie’s beguiling vocals. The band seemed to step forward and compete for my attention, rather than support the vocalist. With the P Zeros reinstalled, music became easier to follow, and sounded less terse.
Of all the components in the system, the AZ-Two speakers were the most enjoyable. Sonically, the Twos recalled the other horn speakers we’ve reviewed, the Loth-X Ion 4s. Both speakers produce a warm, coherent, and robust sound. However, the Twos have greater top end extension. I briefly considered keeping them as high-sensitivity backup speakers, but my experiment with the Anthem convinced me that the AZ-Twos and P Zero monoblocks sounded best when used together. (One thing: Audio Note must find something to protect the tweeters better than the salsa cups from El Pollo Loco that I used!) The Audio Note Zero System is one of the most satisfyingly musical performers I have heard in my home. The sound is decidedly non-audiophile. I discovered no new audio treats on my CDs. Instead, I found myself easing into the music and following musical lines and performances. The Zero System may not be much to look at, but its musical involvement is much greater than the sum of its parts. Could I assemble an equally musical system for $4600? Yes. Starting with the unbeatable MG 1.6s at $1500, I’d add one of the many fine tube or solid state integrated amps currently available for around $2000. That leaves about $1100 for a CD player and cables. Which system would be better for your musical needs? Only you can decide, but seek out the Zero System and give a listen before you spend.Victor Chavira
Accessi Unici
dal 2002
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elevato rapporto qualita'/prezzo: Questo funziona bene! low cost!
