Audio Note AN-E SOGON...$165K

[Orb]

Tom,

We had this debate before. Some people feel that they do not need low bass frequencies at low levels to get audio nirvana. Their sound systems show other aspects, such as liveliness and presence, that with some types of music, surpass anything we can have in conventional audio. IMHO, there is no point in this hobby where we can say to others "get real".

I agree Micro, but then this argument moves comparing AN to such as the Eclipse speakers (the larger TD mk2 range IMO) and these compromise in some ways to bring an amazing sound that is missing from most conventional designs.
However, they do not charge such high prices like AN.
I appreciate part of the AN cost model is the use of rare parts (and how does one actually value these in terms of use in a product), but I still find it difficult personally to correlate their price/design to that of other engineered designs whether done like Eclipse or more conventional speakers and electronics.
Is the reference AN 4-box CD-DAC system really that much better than the 4-box dCS Vivaldi; one based upon rare parts and certain design element while the other (dCS) is the definition IMO of engineering high end.

As you can see I am rather dubious of the AN prices for their high-end reference products (to be fair their lower end is more price engaging for a consumer), but then the price is more than just engineering/sound quality and the way the reference AN is positioned as a "desirable" product.
Desirable to those that do buy into the AN narrative/position/sound.

Anyway and more in general to all.
As I said earlier does it really matter though if for consumers there are alternative truly competitively priced high end products available from others; after all every market segment has insane priced products whether it is watches,drinks,furniture, crud sorry mean modern art, etc.

Cheers
Orb

 

[TitaniumTroy]

First off I have never heard an Audio Note speaker, however for $165k. I could get any of the following 2-way speakers, and have enough change left over to pay off my mortgage and buy a nice car. $15k Raidho C1.1, 18k YG Acoustics Carmel, 12k Focal Diablo Utopia, 13K Magico S1, 25k Magico Q1.

Just looking at the Audio Note on it's home page leaves one scratching their head 165k, really, for a plain looking wooden box, compared to the speaker's I mentioned above. It looks like a Yugo compared to Porche's, Ferrari's, and Buggati, in technology and looks wise, also at a much lower price. Of course performance is the ultimate judge which I would wager would not favor the Audio Note. While certain audiophiles may favor the AN sound and be willing to pay for it, good for them. For the rest of us to question it's pricing is the logical thing to do. Get Real, indeed!

 

[Andre Marc]

First off I have never heard an Audio Note speaker, however for $165k. I could get any of the following 2-way speakers, and have enough change left over to pay off my mortgage and buy a nice car. $15k Raidho C1.1, 18k YG Acoustics Carmel, 12k Focal Diablo Utopia, 13K Magico S1, 25k Magico Q1.

Just looking at the Audio Note on it's home page leaves one scratching their head 165k, really, for a plain looking wooden box, compared to the speaker's I mentioned above. It looks like a Yugo compared to Porche's, Ferrari's, and Buggati, in technology and looks wise, also at a much lower price. Of course performance is the ultimate judge which I would wager would not favor the Audio Note. While certain audiophiles may favor the AN sound and be willing to pay for it, good for them. For the rest of us to question it's pricing is the logical thing to do. Get Real, indeed!

Many consider AN a cult.

 

[TitaniumTroy]

Well thanks for the info Andre, that put's a different perspective on it.

 

[Andre Marc]

Well thanks for the info Andre, that put's a different perspective on it.

It is all a matter of perception, not just for AN, btw.

 

[LL21]

...Is the reference AN 4-box CD-DAC system really that much better than the 4-box dCS Vivaldi; one based upon rare parts and certain design element while the other (dCS) is the definition IMO of engineering high end.

As you can see I am rather dubious of the AN prices for their high-end reference products (to be fair their lower end is more price engaging for a consumer), but then the price is more than just engineering/sound quality and the way the reference AN is positioned as a "desirable" product.
Desirable to those that do buy into the AN narrative/position/sound...

Cheers
Orb

Hi Orb,

Also have wondered...but I remain interested to hear the 4box if only because of Martin Colloms review of it. H has only been so unequivocally positive a few times that I recall...Wilson x1 grand slam in 1994, Krell FPb650, and SF Guarneri. All of hypotension went on to become longstanding legends in audio. He rated MSB around 250-300 but AN DAC 5th Element at 450 saying it had completely overturned digital audio, and that he may not have been able to fully test it's limits due to limitations of ARc ref 5 and D'Agostino amp.

 

[Orb]

That is true Lloyd, although I am not a fan of that marking system.
Still as it is a "traditional" NOS DAC its level of resolution will be less than that of many other DAC types reviewed including the MSB.
Personally I agree with JAs closing question that raises interesting points last time he reviewed one of the AN DACs; "The CD-4.1x is a paradox: does it sound good because of how it measures or despite it?".
As an example many prefer a digital reconstruction filter that is weaker in alias rejection (measures less well in many ways).

Cheers
Orb

 

[LL21]

That is true Lloyd, although I am not a fan of that marking system.
Still as it is a "traditional" NOS DAC its level of resolution will be less than that of many other DAC types reviewed including the MSB.
Personally I agree with JAs closing question that raises interesting points last time he reviewed one of the AN DACs; "The CD-4.1x is a paradox: does it sound good because of how it measures or despite it?".
As an example many prefer a digital reconstruction filter that is weaker in alias rejection (measures less well in many ways).

Cheers
Orb

Hi Orb,

Understand...and yet Martin Colloms rated both and placed the AN 5th element far ahead in performance of the MSB set HiFi critic reviewed. Specifically, he wrote his visitors got whatever they wanted fro this digital, depending on their penchant...power, dynamics, rhythm, etc...

 

[sahar]

Sorry if replying to an older thread is awkward but as an owner of Audio Note speakers, I thought I could illuminate some facts regarding the costing of the SOGON speakers. There was a photo posted earlier of a pair of AN-E SEC Speakers showing the x-overs on a rear shelf in a library setup. Those x-overs are a quarter of the size of the SOGON x-overs due to the size of the silver foil caps used. Unfortunately the bulk of the cost of of the speakers is in the 24 mtrs of SOGON speaker cable used internally in the x-over and connecting from the x-over directly to the driver terminals. $100k of cable used in a small pair of speakers is always going to cause scepticism but that's the nature of the hobby we sometimes enjoy.

 

[MylesBAstor]

View attachment 13922 Sorry if replying to an older thread is awkward but as an owner of Audio Note speakers, I thought I could illuminate some facts regarding the costing of the SOGON speakers. There was a photo posted earlier of a pair of AN-E SEC Speakers showing the x-overs on a rear shelf in a library setup. Those x-overs are a quarter of the size of the SOGON x-overs due to the size of the silver foil caps used. Unfortunately the bulk of the cost of of the speakers is in the 24 mtrs of SOGON speaker cable used internally in the x-over and connecting from the x-over directly to the driver terminals. $100k of cable used in a small pair of speakers is always going to cause scepticism but that's the nature of the hobby we sometimes enjoy.

Welcome and thanks to more insight into the speaker!

 

[Orb]

Sahar welcome
Interesting information and thank you.
Cheers
Orb

 

[taters]

I have heard Audio Note speakers on many occasions and I always leave the room thinking these guys just don't get it. Usually, I am the only one in the room that is listening along with the dealer...who seems to have a somewhat "shell shocked" look on his face.( due to my obvious lack of interest and the fact that I am probably the only a'phile he has seen all day!)
IMHO, IF these speakers and gear were something special and were competitive with the best out there, then MAYBE...BUT they are NOT and again IMHO, they aren't even close.

I was at one of the shows, I think it's called THE SHOW. It happens in Vegas and Newport. I walked Into a room displaying all Audio Note gear. I have always heard about AN but never listened to it before. Well, I have to tell you. It's some of the worst gear I have ever heard in my life. Even my wife that Isn't even a audiophile commented on how bad the sound was. I think some people by equipment by the size of their checkbook rather than what it sounds like.

 

[taters]

Davey, I agree completely. Their set ups at shows are laughable too.

I never thought that would ever happen. I agree with Mr. Marc.

 

[sahar]

I was at one of the shows, I think it's called THE SHOW. It happens in Vegas and Newport. I walked Into a room displaying all Audio Note gear. I have always heard about AN but never listened to it before. Well, I have to tell you. It's some of the worst gear I have ever heard in my life. Even my wife that Isn't even a audiophile commented on how bad the sound was. I think some people by equipment by the size of their checkbook rather than what it sounds like.

I agree with you Mr. taters, many systems at audio shows are poorly hampered by the acoustics of a hotel room and the 20 sweaty audiophiles packed in there with the odd non audiophile wife in tow. Fortunately, my checkbook allows me to have a dedicated music room without those distractions and it has now been 19 years since I drunk from the Audio Note Koolaid cup after brief distractions with Gryphon, Audio Research, Martin Logan and more than I care to remember after I bought my first copy of The Absolute Sound back in 1985. I have probably paid for a great deal of Mr. Qvortrup's children's education with my purchases over the years and he in turn has provided me with the most delightful musical education one could wish for through his companies efforts, a win-win all round.

 

[Peter Breuninger]

I've been a fan of Audio Note since the early 90s. Does anyone remember the famous "Singled Ended Survey" in TAS issue 104? I still have flashbacks to that AN Meishu.

To appreciate AN you have to live with it. AN draws you into the music, you simply forget about HiFi.

I'll have a full level 5 system here soon and I'll keep everyone up to date on the set up and listening sessions.