Brand: Audio Note
The Audio Note IQ II is an integrated amplifier designed by Audio Note, a British audio equipment manufacturer. It is part of their Integrated Quartet II (IQ II) series, which includes a range of components designed to work together to achieve a natural and detailed sound.The IQ II is a valve-based amplifier, meaning it uses vacuum tubes instead of solid-state devices. This design choice can result in a rich and smooth sound with a more organic and natural timbre. The IQ II uses a choice of ECC82 and EL34 valves, which are known for their warm and rich sound.One of the unique features of the IQ II is its two-stage I-FET input stage, which includes a pair of matched input FETs (field-effect transistors) that provide a low-noise, low-distortion front end. This stage is followed by a valve buffer stage that ensures a low impedance output to drive long loudspeaker wires and provide better speaker control.The IQ II offers a power output of 32 wrms (2 x 16 wrms) into 8 ohms, which is sufficient for most high-sensitivity speakers. It also features a selection of inputs, including two pairs of single-ended RCA inputs, a pair of balanced XLR inputs, and a USB input for digital sources.Other features include a solid-state rectifier, a choke-based power supply, and a choke-filtered preamplifier stage. The design of these stages minimises noise and distortion, resulting in a clear and detailed sound.Overall, the Audio Note IQ II is a high-quality integrated amplifier that offers a warm yet detailed sound. It is a versatile component, suitable for a wide range of music genres, and is well-regarded by audiophiles and music lovers alike.