4/11/2023 0 Comments Audionote soro se![]() ![]() I purchased my Audio Note Soro SE brand new during December 2007. I listen to jazz and rock music, mainly vinyl records, and I tried several both solid states and tube amplifiers from various audiophile brands before and along with the Soro, but I always kept it as it beat them everytime ! I use this Soro with both French "Mulidine" or Cabasse "Sampan" speakers (>93dB efficiency) and the Soro drive them very easily. The phono section is outstanding and justify on itself the purchase of this amp. I replaced all and tried at the same time to replace modern tubes by NOS ones (6L6G RCA black plate, RCA ECC83, Philips ECC82.) with a great success as the sound is now very natural with a strong 3 dimensionnal presentation. While in nice condtion, I thought it needed electrolitic capacitors change after 25 years of performance. It is one of the presumably 1st series of the 90s (it has an excellent twin ECC83 SRPP phono stage and an ECC82 SRPP line stage, and has input cinch connectors on the left side). It has its very own humane signature which makes the musical flow feels right – nothing is augmented and nothing is diminished, every single tone is in a perfect balance with its harmonics and in proportion with the whole.I bought mine second hand. What I can already tell is that Audio Note OTO Phono SE Signature is the most accomplished amplifier I’ve heard to this moment. I will ask Peter some questions in regard of materials that have been used and design decisions that have been made in order to reach the level of performance I am so amazed of. We will have a look under the hood and will inspect the topology and the way this product has evolved since it has been conceived about a quarter-century ago. I’ll have more to say after the break-in period is over, so these are only my preliminary impressions. “How do you get experience?”, asked the pupil. “How do you get good judgement?”, asked the pupil. I am reminded of the following old joke: Once a pupil asked his master, “Master, what is the secret of life?” “Good judgement.”, answered the master. Good judgement is the key here and that’s the art. The human ear is the factor that dominates decisions, not the measurements, and this is the trickiest part – being able to assess the acoustic outcome. He mentioned that in the last 30 years Audio Note UK has grown enough to afford to spend vast amounts of money on research and development of parts and special processes – something not really available to the smaller companies. ![]() In one of his emails Peter pointed out the following two factors that distinguish Audio Note: The first is the role of the critical listening, which is indispensable and very important part throughout the creation process. What makes Audio Note different from the rest is that decisions are based upon listening with human ears, not with electronic devices. It takes me into journeys where I forget myself and get lost in the tone which is complex and rich. I don’t want to bother with tube rolling for OTO’s way with music does not leave anything to wish for. It is like a magnet for me, I get into the music deeper and I can’t detach myself off the system. Tone is richer and there is an abundance of overtones I haven’t heard before. Music has never sounded as involving before and I found myself much closer to its essence. Right out of the box I am able to discern OTO’s more relaxed and natural presentation in comparison to my class AB reference amp. Peter not only hasn’t been afraid of competition – as you probably know he is not even worried to put Audio Note products in direct comparison with live performing artists – but as he told me “We are happy to help you expand your horizons!” Some also might have been afraid that their own creations would not stand the competition of the Chinese contender I use as a reference. It looks to me that some companies are rather inclined to play safe and pay for advertisement in glossy magazines than to support an independent blogger in his quest to explore the possibilities of audio reproduction. I want to tell you that before knocking on Audio Note’s door I tried with several other manufacturers of audio equipment, but my requests remained unfulfilled. After unpacking I realized that I am not accustomed to see such a solid build every day. Few weeks later Andy Whittle, the sales manager of Audio Note UK, was standing downstairs with a big, 20 kilogram heavy box containing the requested amplifier. In my initial email to him I simply stated that I am interested in this pure class A single-ended amplifier that would probably suit my taste better than my push-pull Line Magnetic LM-211IA . Peter Qvortrup, the owner of Audio Note UK, was so generous to sent me one unit to test and review. I have the pleasure to enjoy Audio Note OTO Phono SE Signature amplifier in my system guys. ![]()
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