It certainly has been illuminating and fun telling you about the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier (review HERE), and the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1xII Level II Red Book CD player (review HERE), whose virtues have been a new high point in enjoying music for me.
Now, to add to the fun, bright and early today some new audio components have arrived from Peter Qvortrup at Audio Note (UK)!
Today's Fresh Catch is the Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge, the Audio Note (UK) AN-V Silver Interconnect Cables, and a couple of CD-Rs from Peter of more 78 transfers by Anatoly Markovich Likhnitsky!
The Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge ($4,132.13 USD)
Peter sent me an Audio Note (UK) IO I MC phono cartridge to listen to, which was packaged in an attractive wooden case.
Inside the case you can see the blue version of the IO I MC cartridge (you get to choose between a blue or red finish).
Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge
A closer look ...
Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge
The IO I moving-coil phono cartridge uses Alnico magnets, 99.99% pure silver wire for the coil, and the coil wire "extends all the way to the output terminals, avoiding all unnecessary connections."
The cantilever of the IO I phono cartridge is "an extra thick walled, slightly tapered Titanium tube, the taper being both outside AND inside, since this affords by far the greatest rigidity. Another advantage provided by this type of material was the possibility of employing a longer cantilever, which greatly reduces cantilever excursions."
The IO I MC cartridge uses a butyl rubber damper with adjustable tension, a solid diamond stylus, and body that provides "rigidity and structural integrity to minimize standing waves and eliminate any resonating air pockets within the assembly."
I'll be discussing the IO I moving coil cartridge in more depth as I proceed, with more detailed photos, but in the meantime you can read more about the IO I MC phono cartridge in the owner's manual HERE.
The Audio Note (UK) AN-V Silver Interconnect Cables ($754.57 USD)
Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnects.
Peter also sent a pair of the Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnects to try for connecting the Audio Note (UK) AN-S4 step-up transformer to the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier.
Audio Note (UK) AN-S4 step-up transformer (SUT).
That combination of components will provide an all Audio Note (UK) component path from the IO I MC phono cartridge, to the AN-S4 silver step-up transformer, with the AN-V silver interconnects connecting it to the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier.
Given the synergy I experienced listening to music with the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1xII Level II Red Book CD player with the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier, I suspect this all Audio Note (UK) analog source path will provide a similar synergy, which I am excited about listening to, which of course, I'll be telling you all about in future posts, and the eventual article for Positive Feedback.
I'll also give the AN-V silver interconnects a try between the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1xII Level II Red Book CD player and the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier, and let you know what that combination is like.
78 Transfers by Anatoly Markovich Likhnitsky!
I've really been enjoying listening to the 78 transfers to CD by Anatoly Markovich Likhnitsky (and some others as well), as I have been chronicling for you here at Jeff's Place with my "The 78 Experience - Feeling the Music" posts (HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE).
Peter also sent along two CD-Rs of 78 performances of Poliakin and Rachmaninov/Paderewski/Cortot that Anatoly Markovich Likhnitsky restored, and for which Peter subsidized the cost.
I'll look forward to telling you all about these in future "The 78 Experience - Feeling the Music" posts, so stay tuned on those!
Ok, that's all for now. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
