• RE: IE or Hi-B - ClarKit 14:11:32 09/19/08 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by horny on August 30, 2008 at 01:42:21

  I have just upgraded my monoblocks from TRANS152 (IE) to TRANS300 (HiB) (just a couple of hours ago !!). The system comprises Audio Note kits (monos, L3, DAC 2.1, L3 Phono) plus AN/E HE (finished product). Since building I spent a year upgrading - mostly based on experiences of others in posts in this forum (thanks guys!!!). I really know this system now - and the character of each and every upgrade. As supplied the kit system sounded great - BUT - the sound now is utterly transformed with the cumulative effect of all the upgrades - I really mean a MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION - night & day difference. Maybe I will write on my experiences one day.
  
  What do I think of the TRANS300's ? - well right out of the box they are a backward step, I am itching to put the 152's back as the sound has lost much of its magic. BUT there are glimpses of how they may sound when run in. And what I REALLY HAVE LEARNT is how massively important running in is - so I will reserve judgement until they have 600 / 800 or even more hours on the clock.
  
  I would say is that the TRANS300's are expensive - and starting again I would still spend my money on the fundamentals first (power cables, interconnects, tubes, caps, speaker cable etc. etc.).
  
  I really do not see that the TRANS300's are value for money in the standard kit without upgrades.
  
  
  
  
  

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  • 20 hours on ........ - ClarKit 00:20:26 09/21/08 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by ClarKit on September 19, 2008 at 14:11:32

    ............. the sound is much imoroved as brian says the base is much better but also the overall quality of sound still needs more hours to really settle in though i would still upgrade first though but the 300's are going to be a big step up
    
    

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• RE: IE or Hi-B - horny 00:34:00 09/02/08 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by horny on August 30, 2008 at 01:42:21

  Thanks for the answers
  the question was not totaly complete
  It is the L3..... there is the EI and the HI-B choice
  i am not specialy interested in the best hights but the bass and midbass must great.
  is the Hi-B here in the same level as the EI ?
  
  

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  • RE: IE or Hi-B - DRCope 16:05:18 09/03/08 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by horny on September 02, 2008 at 00:34:00

    The base model uses an IE configured OPT, but the description doesn't say what the core material is.
    
    The top upper models both use double c-core configured OPTs with Hi-B cores. Even if the core materials were the same as the base model, (which I suspect they're not), the double c-cores would be substantially better across the board. The short answer is: "If you can afford to do one of the double c-core versions, do it!"
    
    
    Keep your ears and your mind open.
    
    

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• RE: IE or Hi-B - DRCope 15:25:18 09/01/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by horny on August 30, 2008 at 01:42:21

  I'm afraid apples and oranges are getting mixed here. . .
  
  IE is a core configuration, the alternative to which is double c-core, which is used in the better and more expensive transformers and products from Audio Note, both factory built and kit.
  
  HI-B is a silicon steel core material, alternatives to which include the lesser M6 steel and the superior radiometal with various percentages of nickel content.
  
  It's possible to design/build/wind IE transformers with either HI-B or nickel, just as it's possible to build double c-cores with either.
  
  Additional info is available through the link below:
  Keep your ears and your mind open.
  

  • AN Transformer Design Article   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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• RE: IE or Hi-B - AudioNoteKits 08:28:13 08/31/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: IE or Hi-B posted by horny on August 30, 2008 at 01:42:21

  I find the HI-B give bigger bass authority and seems more useful with higher efficiency speakers - up in the high 90's and 100 db range
  The PQ kit1 for example sounds like a tank with the HI-B's - serious authority!
  Brian
  
  

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