In the Audio Note (UK) integrated amplifier product line, the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Level 2 integrated amplifier is one up from the entry level Audio Note (UK) I Zero integrated amplifier. 'The result is an amplifier that maintains the legendary Audio Note musicality, midrange magic and glorious tonal colour of the original Meishu, whilst bringing new and previously unheard levels of information retrieval and dynamic expression, redefining what is usually expected of a 300B SET amplifier.'įrom a build standpoint, that's what the additional $11,601 USD in the price of the Audio Note (UK) Meishu Phono Silver Tonmeister 300B SET Level 3 integrated amplifier ($19,300 USD) buys you compared to the $7699 USD of the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Level 2 integrated amplifier. These allow us to exert extremely tight control over the performance and voicing of the complete amplifier from input to output, something that is simply beyond the possibilities of manufacturers who have to rely on 'off the shelf' components.' 'The circuit is now a beautiful example of elegant simplification, something that could only be realised thanks to our ability to create extremely closely matched transformers in-house, and having our own supply of custom resistors, in-house made foil capacitors and custom made electrolytic capacitors. So what is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 in terms of build/performance? It's also a lot. So what is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 in terms of cost? It's a lot.įor example, the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Level 2 integrated amplifier's current price is $7699 USD, the Audio Note (UK) Meishu Phono Silver Tonmeister 300B SET Level 3 integrated amplifier's price is $19,300 USD, and the Audio Note (UK) Jinro 211 SET Level 3 integrated amplifier is $32,060 USD. Level 3 integrated amplifiers, like the Audio Note (UK) Meishu Phono Silver Tonmeister 300B SET integrated amplifier, and the Audio Note (UK) Jinro 211 SET integrated amplifier, for example, are 'Class A single-ended directly heated no feedback triode amplifiers'. Level 2 integrated amplifiers, like the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier, for example, are 'Class A single-ended pentode or tetrode amplifiers & Class A push-pull directly heated no-feedback triode amplifiers'. The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier is a Level 2 integrated amplifier in the Audio Note (UK) ' performance level system', and the Audio Note (UK) Meishu Phono Silver Tonmeister 300B SET integrated amplifier is a Level 3 integrated amplifier. I installed the Audio Note (UK) Meishu Phono Silver Tonmeister 300B SET integrated amplifier into my vintage Altec A5 Voice of the Theatre loudspeakers based audio-visual system, in place of the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier (below), that I wrote a long term report about HERE.Īudio Note (UK) Meishu 300B Phono Silver Tonmeister integrated amplifier. It seems to me like SET amplifier designs are maturing closer to their full potential, due to the very high-quality transformers available, the very high-quality of capacitors, resistors, etc., used in their circuits, and of course the continual refinement of the circuits themselves, in terms of power supplies, input and driver stages, and other design elements.

I can tell you for sure that the SET amplifier designs I've been listening to of late are in a different performance category from those I've owned previously. They were all unique and all had their desirable traits, and I really enjoyed my time with them. Over the past few decades I've owned numerous SET amplifiers built around 45, 2A3, 300B, and 845/211 vacuum tubes. I've been having a ball getting reacquainted with single-ended-triode (SET) amplifiers.

Audio note integrated amplifier