Robert
Tapehead
Popped over to visit Andrew Randle last weekend.
I'd been looking forward to this visit since the system is radically different to the stuff I tend to use, and much of it was built by Andrew himself.
I'd seen pictures of previous versions of Andrew's mono amps about two years ago and got a brief listen at the last Scalford show where they were driving Steve Toy's Tannoys for part of the day. They are the most massively over-engineered sub 20w amps I've ever seen and quite unusual in having no capacitors other than in the PSU, with coupling and phase splitting performed with interstage transformers. Very much a no compromise valve amp and these are designed for 7w output.
Another interesting part of the system for me were the Audio Note loudspeakers, with hemp coned bass/mid drivers and a hybrid horn/reflex cabinet delivering 96dbw sensitivity and some low bass. Often it's one or the other with high sensitivity unless huge cabinets are used, but not here.
The vinyl front end is Lingo LP12/Ekos/Klyde/Linto and this feeds the power amps direct since each has a volume control.
Digital is laptop into Audio Note NOS dac via MF V-Link.
Two parts of this system really surprised me.
I truly wasn't expecting 7w tube amps into the AN loudspeakers to prduce such a powerful and muscular sound. Absolutely no slop or waffle at the bottom, just tight, full and clean. Testament to a quality valve amp properly made.
It will be interesting to see how Andrew develops this as I know he has further plans to push it even further.
The Linn sounded gorgeous and really suited the AN loudspeakers. I always enjoy the sound of a good LP12 front end, and this was excellent. The Klyde surprised me as I'd not heard one previously. Reminded me of the old Asak with lots of drive and guts, and a bit deliberately sweetened at the top.
The AN dac wasn't really my cup of tea and I thought it sounded a bit spotlit and forward, and I found myself preferring the bare signal from the AEX in fact as this sounded closer to the Linn front end presentation. I'm not usually a fan of NOS dacs which might explain my reaction, though Andrew though it was performing below par and needed some attention so the jury is out on that one.
But a lovely sounding vinyl system and one that anyone predisposed to dislike the high sensitivity/low power valve school of system building should definitely hear. It might well dispel a few prejudices!
Andrew was a gentleman as always and I thank him for a thoroughly enjoyable day.
A few pics:
IMG_0073 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0074 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0076 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0078 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0079 by trebor1966, on Flickr
I'd been looking forward to this visit since the system is radically different to the stuff I tend to use, and much of it was built by Andrew himself.
I'd seen pictures of previous versions of Andrew's mono amps about two years ago and got a brief listen at the last Scalford show where they were driving Steve Toy's Tannoys for part of the day. They are the most massively over-engineered sub 20w amps I've ever seen and quite unusual in having no capacitors other than in the PSU, with coupling and phase splitting performed with interstage transformers. Very much a no compromise valve amp and these are designed for 7w output.
Another interesting part of the system for me were the Audio Note loudspeakers, with hemp coned bass/mid drivers and a hybrid horn/reflex cabinet delivering 96dbw sensitivity and some low bass. Often it's one or the other with high sensitivity unless huge cabinets are used, but not here.
The vinyl front end is Lingo LP12/Ekos/Klyde/Linto and this feeds the power amps direct since each has a volume control.
Digital is laptop into Audio Note NOS dac via MF V-Link.
Two parts of this system really surprised me.
I truly wasn't expecting 7w tube amps into the AN loudspeakers to prduce such a powerful and muscular sound. Absolutely no slop or waffle at the bottom, just tight, full and clean. Testament to a quality valve amp properly made.
It will be interesting to see how Andrew develops this as I know he has further plans to push it even further.
The Linn sounded gorgeous and really suited the AN loudspeakers. I always enjoy the sound of a good LP12 front end, and this was excellent. The Klyde surprised me as I'd not heard one previously. Reminded me of the old Asak with lots of drive and guts, and a bit deliberately sweetened at the top.
The AN dac wasn't really my cup of tea and I thought it sounded a bit spotlit and forward, and I found myself preferring the bare signal from the AEX in fact as this sounded closer to the Linn front end presentation. I'm not usually a fan of NOS dacs which might explain my reaction, though Andrew though it was performing below par and needed some attention so the jury is out on that one.
But a lovely sounding vinyl system and one that anyone predisposed to dislike the high sensitivity/low power valve school of system building should definitely hear. It might well dispel a few prejudices!
Andrew was a gentleman as always and I thank him for a thoroughly enjoyable day.
A few pics:
IMG_0073 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0074 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0076 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0078 by trebor1966, on Flickr
IMG_0079 by trebor1966, on Flickr
