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US$4,000 looks like a strong buy for a DAC 5 if it’s the genuine Audio Note piece and not a kit or heavily modified example. Recent used asking prices for DAC 5 Special/Signature variants sit far higher, often around US$10,000 to US$23,000, so this is well below the usual market and worth serious attention.
That’s a very respected ladder/tube DAC for listeners who want density, tone, and a natural, non-fatiguing presentation rather than hyper-etched detail. At this price, the main thing to verify is completeness and health: confirm exact version, service history, tubes, original transformer/output stage, and that it powers up cleanly with stable output. If it’s intact and unmolested, this is the kind of rare vintage-audio buy that can be genuinely exciting.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Audio Note (UK) traces its roots to 1991, when Peter Qvortrup, a seasoned valve amplifier designer with prior experience at Audio Innovations, founded the company in Sussex, England. Collaborating initially with Hiroyasu Kondo, Qvortrup launched the OTO PP integrated amplifier that year—a modular valve design still in production today, hand-built in their Partridge Green factory. This enduring debut underscores the brand's commitment to timeless engineering over fleeting trends.
The company specializes in complete, in-house valve-based audio systems, crafting everything from turntable cartridges and tonearms to preamplifiers, power amplifiers, DACs, speakers, and cables. Their modular philosophy permeates the lineup, allowing tailored configurations while prioritizing premium components like custom-wound transformers and silver wiring for purest signal paths.
Positioned as Europe's largest and most prestigious maker of ultra-performance valve hi-fi, Audio Note (UK) commands the high-end niche, appealing to discerning audiophiles seeking musical authenticity over mass-market convenience. With a global distribution network and a reputation for longevity, it stands as a boutique benchmark for those investing in heirloom-grade sound reproduction.
See all Audio Note listings on RADAR.
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eBay UK
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