audio note meishu & meishu tonmeister.
about the audio note meishu & meishu tonmesiter
The Audio Note Meishu is a 300B valve integrated Class A, single-ended amplifier. The Meishu was a one box design, first launched back in the early 90’s. It has been hugely successful, with a mesmerising sound that is still available today in almost the same way as when it was originally launched.
The Meishu Tonmeister is from a completely new generation of Tonmeister amplifiers from Audio Note. Taking legendary designs and applying all of their research and developmental wisdom from the last few decades to take classic amps to a level never heard before.
the original meishu.
The Meishu was originally launched in the early 1990’s, as a Pure Class A Singled Ended valve amplifier that uses the highly regarded 300B direct heated triode valve, to produce a level of performance that even today is radically superior to the vast majority of current designs. Each model is available as a line level only or with an integrated phono stage.
There are three different versions of the Meishu available:
- Audio Note Meishu integrated amplifier.
- Audio Note Meishu Silver integrated amplifier.
- Audio Note Meishu Silver Signature integrated amplifier.
9 watt SET, 300B based integrated amplifier. This is the best way to bring 300B tubes into your system if you are looking for a one box solution. Naturally, warm, and full sounding which gives us the rich glory of the 300B tube.
meishu tonmeister.
Not ones to sit still Audio Note decided to take the already legendary Meishu and improve on it, introducing the new generation of “Tonmeister” amps. In order to create a better amplifier, the idea was to simplify the circuit and optimise every element, so the combination works seamlessly together. This is exactly what they have done with the Meishu Tonmeister.
The new PSU uses only one mains transformer, one 5U4 rectifier valve and one choke. When this arrangement is optimised, it works extremely well, producing a very homogeneous and ‘complete’ sound.
The input and driver stage is very similar to that found in the JINRO, TOMEI and ONGAKU!
in-house ingenuity.
The superb output transformers for the new Meishu Tonmeister were designed specifically for the project by Andy Grove.
The circuit is now a beautiful example of elegant simplification, something that could only be realised thanks to Audio Note’s ability to create extremely closely matched transformers in-house, and having their own supply of custom resistors, in-house made foil capacitors and custom made electrolytic capacitors. No other company goes to these lengths to design and build their own components, and therefore it gives Audio Note a huge advantage in control of their equipment, and you can hear it!
The result is an amplifier that maintains the legendary Audio Note musicality, midrange magic and glorious tonal colour of the original MEISHU, whilst bringing new and previously unheard levels of information retrieval and dynamic expression, redefining what is usually expected of a 300B SET amplifier.
Tonemeister review
Both input and driver stages are new and improved. They are similar to the brand’s flagship Ongaku,where the inter-stage transformer driven by 12AU7 and 5687 vacuum tubes uses a transformer designed and manufactured in-house to achieve the best energy transmission, which helps make the sound more uniform and more convincing. Compared with the previous circuitry, this is the most fundamental improvement.
To be more specific, it is calm yet not tranquil. Its delicateness lies in the expressiveness of the music, rather than deliberately showing off and magnifying the details. Its emotions and contagiousness stem from the sensory stimulus of its musical interpretation rather than mere sound effects. Musical details, contrasts and changes are clear, orderly and elegant, so that I can delve into meticulously savouring and interpreting the music. At the end of the day, the ultimate focus is music plus enjoyment! – Words by HiFi Review, Dec 2019.
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