'Streaming' Music System

For the True Starter
 
 
 
The System
 
This system is composed especially for those who prefer to connect a laptop, music server or other modern digital sources as their main source of music. 
 
 
 
Consisting of the 9 watts per channel IZero integrated amplifie, the DAC 0,1x DA Converter, a pair of AX-Two loudspeakers and Audio Note cabling, this music system not only offers performance unrivalled at this price-point, but the elegant looks and superb build quality one would expect from Audio Note. 
 
 
 
IZero Integrated Tube Amplifier
 
For the new Zero range, we decided to design an integrated amplifier rather than a pre / power combination. The result is the IZero, and it has exceeded all of our expectations.
 
 
 
Offering a level of performance that was previously considered unthinkable for an amplifier of such diminutive size and price, the IZero really is something very special, producing a bold, rich, smooth and delicate performance, whilst offering a level of fine detail finesse that is quite incredible.
 
 
 
Internally it features a level of component quality that is unmatched at this price point, including our own Audio Note (UK) custom designed and manufactured output transformers. 
 
 
 
DAC 0.1x Tube DA Convertor
 
The unique approach of Audio Note to digital is already present in our entry level digital to analogue converter. Our 1 x oversampling Direct from Disc technology which refrains from any digital filters to preserve the musical content.
 
 
 
The analogue signal is fed to a valve output stage utilising a 6111WA dual triode.
 
 
 
The converter features both coaxial SPDif and USB input so that you can connect your laptop or other modern digital source directly.
 
 
 
Later, you can add a CDT Zero CD-Transport to connect to this DAC, to make the best of digital CD replay the Zero series has to offer.
 
 
 
AX Two Loudspeakers
 
The AX-Two is a compact ‘book shelf’ design, using two drive units per cabinet to cover a very wide frequency response, given its modest dimensions.
Unlike many ‘book shelf’ designs, the AX-Two is relatively efficient and offers the amplifier an easy ‘load’, making it highly suitable for our range of superior quality, low powered valve amplifiers. 
 
 
 
A much overlooked area of acoustics is the material choice for the drivers. It is vitally important that the sound and characteristics of an individual drive unit are complimentary to those of its chosen partner, so that when an instrument is reproduced by both drive units (which is almost always the case), the upper range does not sound detached from the lower range and visa versa. This is an aspect of performance that cannot be measured by even the most sophisticated test equipment; it can ONLY be judged by listening.
 
 
 
It has become very fashionable to use all manner of exotic materials (beryllium, diamond, carbon fibre, ceramics etc.) as cone materials in modern drivers, mainly because it gives the impression that the manufacturer in question is making great strides in their research into better sounding speakers.
 
 
 
The sad fact is none of these materials work as intended, as they all have their own distinct sonic signature. No instrument manufacturer in their right mind would dream of making a trumpet from carbon fibre or Beryllium for example, or a cello or violin from aluminium or plastic (not if they were serious anyway!), so no matter how the crossover is designed, this sonic signature will be present when the speaker reproduces music. It may be less obvious and audible with some types of music, but ultimately the chosen material will always imprint some of its own signature on whatever sound is reproduced. 
 
 
 
Read a complete review of the AX Two loudspeakers here.
 
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Cables
 
This special offer comes with a set of the Audio Note AN-A interconnect cables and 2 x 2 meter of AN-D speaker cable worth Rs. 22.000. The cables are made out of 99.9999% pure Audio Note copper, and offer superiour performance when compared to similar (of higher) priced cables.
 
 
 
We feel that this Audio Note’s Zero system is a great advertisement for the benefits of partnering a good low-powered amp with sensitive loudspeakers. It’s a winning combination of cohesiveness and integration; brilliance and detail; dynamics and attack. With each individual component being very well matched, the overall result is superb and, as we’ve already indicated, as separates they need no excuses making for them.
 
 
 
Read a review of a complete Zero system here.
 
 
 
Available with either glossy white, brushed aluminium facias or the classic black acrylic.