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Against the obvious alternative of a newer DAC at this money, £5,337 is an ambitious ask: it sits well above the comparable used-market 75th percentile of £3,714, versus a £1,934 median. Unless this is an unusually late, immaculate example with excellent valve history and full original packaging, there should be meaningful room to negotiate.
The DAC 3.1x/II Balanced remains a compelling, distinctive converter, using Audio Note’s prized AD1865 architecture, no-oversampling design and transformer-coupled valve output stage. It offers both RCA and balanced outputs, with a notably fluid, dynamically coherent presentation that suits revealing valve systems. At this price, however, insist on confirmation of the exact revision, mains voltage, working AES/EBU and RCA inputs, healthy ECC82/ECL82/6X5 valves, and included remote or accessories. A substantially lower price would make it a much more attractive buy.
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.
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