“It was a great honour…” is not a phrase I find myself saying all that often. In a super busy year, with all sorts happening, opportunities to get involved in hi-fi activities outside our Reading store had been rather hard to come by. That didn’t look likely to change anytime soon.

So, when Micky Seaton of Audio Note extended a kind invitation to support him and the team at the Stereonet Hi-Fi Expo 2026, I jumped at the chance. Not only do Audio Note build beautiful-sounding electronics at their manufacturing home in West Sussex, but they also have a gift for playing great music at hi-fi shows. I’ve often found myself camping out in one of their rooms.

But would it be a great honour to don a proverbial Audio Note cap and represent them for the weekend? I thought it would be fun to take you all with me and share the experience…

Selection Headache: ‘Lots’ of Music

Having never taken part in a show with Audio Note before, I asked Micky if there was anything I should bring along. I was expecting a lengthy response that might cover anything from suitable attire to reading material about the equipment, or perhaps a plentiful supply of drinks. Bottled water, of course. Instead, he replied rather succinctly: “Music, Rishi… bring lots of music on vinyl and CD.”

That evening, like an excited young pup in an older dog’s body, I started rifling through my CD and record collection, asking myself throughout: just how much is ‘lots’ of music?

Realising that Audio Note would most likely be forklifting in a tonne of music themselves, I decided on a less-is-more approach and packed about ten records and fifteen or so CDs. A clutch of music that I hoped might hold a small torch, even just a lighter flame, to Audio Note’s much-admired selection.

First Day on Tour with Audio Note

The first morning arrived, as had I, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, at the Audio Note exhibition room where I’d been asked to report. That’s when James Taylor of Audio Note told me that Micky had unfortunately needed to leave and wouldn’t be able to take part. This was a big change, as Micky is a tour de force for Audio Note, having delivered a vast number of shows for them. I’d been looking forward to working with him, and it immediately dawned on me that my first Audio Note gig would be without his great company and expertise to lean on.

James stepped up to the plate and marshalled us superbly in Micky’s absence. He took the reins of Audio Note’s more aspirational system showcasing their new IZVOR ladder DAC technology and field-coil loudspeakers. The assignment for Dan Houston, an acquaintance of Audio Note and a former writer for Hi-Fi Choice magazine, and me was to run the system in the adjacent room.

Even though Micky had left his personal treasure trove of music behind, thankfully he’d also briefed Dan to bring his own swag bag of CDs and vinyl. Between us, we therefore had some familiar tunes to pull from. It wasn’t long before I was wishing I’d brought ‘lots’ more music, just as Micky had advised! Audio Note are strong advocates of physical music formats, and our demonstrations were firmly centred on CDs and records.

So, whilst we didn’t have a streaming playlist to fall back on, we did have the opportunity to live out our innermost DJ fantasies. With Audio Note, it’s all about actually playing music, one song after another. If you’ve spent time in one of their demonstration, you’ll probably know that the record boxes are never far away. Occasionally, they’re close enough to require a little care on your way in. Mind that wax!

The Audio Note Demonstration System

Let’s get into the equipment we had the pleasure of operating. Our CD source was a CDT One/II CD transport, paired with a DAC 1.1x/II digital-to-analogue converter. For vinyl, we were cueing up records on a TT-One Deluxe turntable, fitted with an Arm One/II tonearm and an IQ2 moving-magnet cartridge.

Both sources fed an M1 Phono preamplifier, which in turn was connected to the star of the show: Audio Note’s new 35th Anniversary P1 SE Signature power amplifier. All of this played through the AN-E/D loudspeakers, the entry point to Audio Note’s AN-E range.

At the time of the show, the complete system was priced at around £24,000. ‘Entry point’ is therefore relative when we’re talking about Audio Note’s range! I’d particularly like to share more about the amplifier and speakers, as this was my first experience of both and they each left a lasting impression.

Centre Stage: Audio Note’s 35th Anniversary P1 SE Signature

The new 35th Anniversary P1 SE Signature is a pure Class A valve power amplifier, comprehensively revised by Audio Note engineer Andy Grove. Improvements include revised output transformers and a redesigned power supply, alongside other component changes. In his notes on the anniversary redesign shared by the P1 SE and OTO SE amplifiers, Andy talks about achieving “a realistic bass kick”, with the sound and feel of an actual kick drum or bass guitar.

Before knowing anything about what Andy had said, what struck me about our system was how organically it delivered bass. There was plenty of shape and texture underpinning whatever we played, rather than simply a low-frequency thump. It was a quality that made itself felt across a wonderfully varied selection of music.

Another interesting part of this power amplifier’s design is its volume control. This proved useful for finding a sweet spot in the system’s gain, allowing the preamplifier’s volume control to work comfortably within its range. Once we’d found that balance, the preamp, power amp, speakers and room all felt as though they were singing as one.

In Focus: Audio Note AN-E/D Loudspeakers

Audio Note’s AN-E family offers an extensive choice of models, with differences in drivers, internal wiring and construction, as well as appearance. The AN-E/D loudspeakers we were demonstrating sit at the beginning of that range. They forgo the more elaborate cabinet construction and choice of wood finishes found further up the family, coming in black ash with a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter and an 8-inch paper mid/bass driver.

Inside, they use Audio Note’s own copper cabling, a relatively modest specification compared with the more substantial wiring options in some of the company’s other models. On paper, there’s less to get excited about than with their more expensive siblings, but that hardly tells the whole story.

It had never really occurred to me to recommend this particular model, as I’ve generally regarded Audio Note’s Level 2 and Level 3 equipment as a sweet spot. But, by gosh, these stripped-back speakers were in no way showing themselves to be a poor relation. What they perhaps missed in outright detail, they more than made up for with a soothing and forgiving presentation. They were fully capable of revealing the realistic tone, shape and energy that the anniversary power amplifier was serving up in spades.

A Sonic Sanctuary: The Audio Note Effect

From my memories of previous exhibitions, Audio Note’s rooms have often served as a sonic spa or sanctuary: somewhere to sit down, escape the busy corridors and settle into the music. What became apparent in our room was how quickly visitors latched onto what we were playing, before remarking on how good and unfatiguing it sounded.

I can remember only two occasions over the whole weekend when the conversation ventured into what you might call ‘hi-fi speak’. One visitor mentioned the spread and depth of the soundstage, while another noted the lack of grain or harshness from the speakers. Mostly, the response was much simpler: a gentle smile, followed by someone slipping into a vacant chair for an extended listen.

Another visitor asked about the power output of the 35th Anniversary P1 SE Signature. I had to raise my voice above the music to explain that it was rated at 8 watts per channel, which rather helped make the point! With suitably efficient speakers, a modest power rating certainly doesn’t mean a modest musical experience.

Other comments ranged from “It’s nice to hear real music being played” and “I can actually feel the person singing” to “This is the most enjoyable room so far” and “Which song is that you’re playing?” For me, those questions and reactions were as rewarding as any discussion about the equipment.

Wrapping Up: A Terrific Tour with Audio Note

After two days of exhibiting with Audio Note, my favourite part of the experience was listening to good music and exchanging discoveries with the people in our room. It was lovely to show somebody a CD or record sleeve when they wanted to know what was playing. It was also great fun to work our way through almost every track on a compilation CD that a visitor had put together and handed to us. We left it running as a crowd of music lovers began to form, enjoying it every bit as much as Dan and I were.

At that moment, the system was truly singing and nobody seemed to want to leave. That’s another nice touch with Audio Note: if you bring along a CD or record, you can ask them to play it and they’ll make every effort to do so. That willingness to share music was a lovely part of the experience.

My time with Audio Note was all about the joy of listening to music, and what could be a greater advert for their equipment? It truly was a great honour to play ‘lots’ of music and enjoy it so thoroughly in room S21.

Come and Hear Audio Note for Yourself

If this has whetted your appetite, get in touch with us at Audio T Reading or our colleagues at Audio T Bristol to arrange an Audio Note demonstration. Bring along some of your favourite music, tell us what you enjoy listening to, and we’ll help you explore a system that suits you.

You can also experience Audio Note at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2027, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th February, as we celebrate 40 years of the Show with our 38th event. It’s another opportunity to settle in, discover some music and hear Audio Note for yourself.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. Below is a selection of songs, in no particular order, played by Dan, our visitors and me during the weekend. You might just find a new favourite among them.

Thanks again,

Rishi - Audio T Reading

If you have any questions about the equipment featured here, or any other hi-fi or home cinema enquiries, please get in touch.

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Our Audio Note Playlist

“Lit” and “Dragged” by Kiasmos
“Strings of Light” by Yussef Kamaal
“Battleships” and “Awaze” by Makaya McCraven
“Bless Me (Mike Schommer Rmx)” by Babe Roots
“Kamaloka” and “Home” by GoGo Penguin
“Palmistry” by Tabla Beat Science
“All Melody” and “A Place” by Nils Frahm
“On the Seven Seas Dub” by Nightmares on Wax and Adrian Sherwood
“Brothers and Sisters” by Butch Cassidy Sound System
“Slabo Day” by Peter Green
“Show Some Emotion” and “Woncha Come On Home” by Joan Armatrading
“Outsiders” by Jean-Michel Blais
“Lights Out” and “Three Faces” by Menahan Street Band
“Continuum 5” and “Continuum 6” by Nala Sinephro
“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” by Ryuichi Sakamoto
“Tswana Dub” by Intrusion
“Walking in the Rain” and “Pull Up to the Bumper” by Grace Jones
“I’m in the Mood” by John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt
“Queremos Paz” by Gotan Project
“Out of Sight” by Moderat
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits
“The Race” by Yello
“Superstylin’” by Groove Armada
“Welt am Draht” by Pantha du Prince
“Manhattan” by Blossom Dearie
“God’s Comic” by Elvis Costello
“One Away Lover” by Norris Cole
“The Unforgettable Year 1919: Suite, Op. 89a, The Assault on Beautiful Gorky” by Shostakovich
“Los Endos” by Genesis
“Kashmir” and “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin