Audio Innovations Second Audios - I am in love.

[horace]

Have you ever bought a bit of kit simply because you always wanted it but couldn't afford it way back when?

When I were a young man the the amps of my wildest fantasy were these: Audio Innovations Second Audio monoblocks. They cost three grand (and that was twenty years ago), which was a ludicrous sum for a spotty ex-stoodent going through an extended slacker phase. Might as well have been three million - it was never going to happen.
Well, it has now!

I do intend to write copious notes on how jawdroppingly, gobsmackingly awesome these amps are, but for the time being, all I can say is .

A big thumbs up for Simon at 2ndhandhifi for being his usual excellent self - he was kind enough to lend me a starter preamp to get me up and running.
Thanks to Guy, too - loads of useful info and advice, as per usual .

I am only a decent valve or passive preamp away from the end now (but am broke, so it will have to wait).

Yum.

More to follow - and yes, there will be pictures, but not until I have dusted the rack. I don't want my fellow wammers to think I don't know how to use a duster....

Martin

[flapland]

More to follow - and yes, there will be pictures, but not until I have dusted the rack. I don't want my fellow wammers to think I don't know how to use a duster....

Martin

Congrats Horace, I think you might be about to break the AUP though... Is it not against the rules to talk about or admit to using a duster.

[take5]

Nice one, I look forward to hearing how you are getting on.

there was a bake off last weekend, and the talk turned to high end mono power amps. These were mentioned by some of the guys who know about these things as being right up there. I think the phrase rare as hens teeth was used. and now you find a pair. Very nice find.

[macvisual]

Great choice! A friend of mine many yrs ago owned a pair from new, utterly fabulous!

Enjoy them.

[horace]

Nice one, I look forward to hearing how you are getting on.

there was a bake off last weekend, and the talk turned to high end mono power amps. These were mentioned by some of the guys who know about these things as being right up there. I think the phrase rare as hens teeth was used. and now you find a pair. Very nice find.

Cheers
I don't have much experience of what most would call 'high end' kit, but the 2nd Audios produce music in a way that I cannot imagine being bettered. That will do for me. I've never heard such convincing noises from a hifi system before - Miles davis is playing a different instrument to the one he was playing last week. He's playing much better too!


I can't believe my luck.


Cheers

Martin

[horace]

Congrats Horace, I think you might be about to break the AUP though... Is it not against the rules to talk about or admit to using a duster.

Well, in truth, the reason I don't want people thinking I can't use a duster is, erm, because I can't use a duster. How does it go again - spray, spray, wipe? something like that - I've seen it done on the telly.

[horace]

Does anyone have a simple passive preamp they're not using at the moment and would be prepared to lend me for about 6 weeks or so?

Happy to pay postage etc.

Many thanks

Martin

[rockmeister]

Now all you need are some big Snells, or maybe AN E specials?
I once owned some prototype 2nd audios (built into series 800 boxes).
I sold them. WHY???????????

[horace]

Now all you need are some big Snells, or maybe AN E specials?
I once owned some prototype 2nd audios (built into series 800 boxes).
I sold them. WHY???????????

I think Snells might struggle to get past my domestic design consultant, but the amps drive my Ushers beautifully.
What on earth did you find to improve on the AIs?
Mine are going nowhere.
Cheers
Martin.

[Bourney]

I saw those, I'd have bought them if I had the room to accommodate them. Interested to hear how you get on

Simon is great to deal with.

[horace]

I saw those, I'd have bought them if I had the room to accommodate them. Interested to hear how you get on

Simon is great to deal with.

I don't have room for them either - I'm making room. At the moment they occupy a shelf each on the rack - not ideal, as the glass shelf above gets rather toasty. Having said that, they don't generate all that much heat by tube amp standards.

I always enjoy a trip down to Simon's - coffee and plenty of kit to gawp at.

Cheers

Martin

[macvisual]

Photo's please....

[horace]

Photo's please....

OK, piccies added - I even had a go at that 'dusting' thing. It was quite scary, so not sure I'll go there again.

[flapland]

OK, piccies added - I even had a go at that 'dusting' thing. It was quite scary, so not sure I'll go there again.

Now if you want to cancel Christmas you could get the Audio Permier Quatro 4's being advertised by Central Audio as a Pre.

[horace]

Clearly, I am going to need a better preamp at some stage. The humble Rotel isn't half bad all things considered, but the amps deserve better. More tubes, perhaps, or would a passive be a better bet?

I have tried a simple pre using an Alps pot, but it sounds rather dead - the pot is a 10k and I'm having to crank it up to get decent levels, so maybe a 20k or higher is needed?

Grateful for some tips here, as funds will only stretch to a DIY job for the time being.

Cheers

Martin

[horace]

Now if you want to cancel Christmas you could get the Audio Permier Quatro 4's being advertised by Central Audio as a Pre.

All I want for Christmas is my family jewels still attached.

Maybe in the next life....

[horace]

According to that awfully nice bloke who knows all there is to know about Audio Innovations, these are most likely the last incarnations of the 2nd Audios, all the better for it. If so, that's a bonus.

The output tubes are a mixture of different brands (which is reflected in the price I paid) but I have to say that they sound so bloody marvelous as they are that I'm not inclined to throw money at new valves any time soon.

Thank goodness for self-biasing. What a boon.


Cheers


Martin

[pobox-123]

horace,

Nice monoblocks!

Many years ago my father had Audio Innovations monoblocks, and they looked like your ones . He was using them with Audio Note AN-J Speakers, and very expensive Audio Note silver speaker cables & Interconnects.

One day, try and get some Snell 'J' speakers if you have the room. The Snell Js are very good sounding speakers IMO! And they can sure boogie.

Regards.

[bonneville]

I was tempted to weigh in my Tannoys and buy these,are the valves 4 or 8 pin?
Vinnie.

[horace]

I was tempted to weigh in my Tannoys and buy these,are the valves 4 or 8 pin?
Vinnie.

4 pin, so I assume the mod described on the Border Patrol website was done at some point.

Cheers

Martin