Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
Audio Note IZero
Integrated amplifier
Relative price
typical
Among the 59 integrated amplifiers in the catalogue, this one is typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
Audio Note (UK) IZero — entry-tier integrated valve amp; only Audio Note integrated NOT in Class A (uses ECL82 in Class A/B for affordability). 8W per channel from 4× ECL82 triode/pentode tubes. Hand-built Hove, East Sussex, UK with custom-designed in-house output transformers.
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FIT: 8W output mandates ≥92dB-sensitive speakers (typical AN UK pairing: AN-K speakers 95dB, Living Voice IBX 94dB, horn loudspeakers, Cornwall, Klipsch Heritage). NOT compatible with sub-90dB modern speakers (B&W, KEF, PMC active, Harbeth M30+, Spendor D-series). Modest power but sufficient for nearfield desktop or efficient floorstanders in small-mid rooms.
Most spec fields inferred — Audio Note philosophy is "engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification" and they deliberately publish minimal numerical specs (per company position). Spec_completeness=partial reflects this honestly.
Competition record
Assessed against 19 rivals across the sixty systems: it takes the slot in none of its 60 head-to-heads.
Where it gives ground
The dimension the engine names as the weakest link, counted across every head-to-head it lost.
- timing and drive ×5
- low-level clarity ×4
- tonal body ×4
Who it comes up against
NVA S80 Stereo
8 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
Audiolab 9000P
5 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot decisively.
Sugden ANV 50
4 lost · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Sugden ANV 50 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
an absolute wonder at creating tension and dramaHi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020
Leema Hydra II
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan)
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot decisively.
Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150)
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150) keeps the slot clearly.
With the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII, the pairing gives up most on tonal body.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
connected and wholeDagogo 2014
Audio Note P1 SE
3 lost · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino V12
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
Against the BBC Sound brief, the EAR Yoshino V12 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Rega Aura Reference MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
connected and wholeDagogo 2014
Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino 890
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
Chord ULTIMA 6
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot decisively.
Longdog Audio P6100M (pair)
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
Exposure 3510
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Exposure 3510 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Sugden A21 Signature
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Sugden A21 Signature keeps the slot decisively.
With the Harbeth P3ESR XD2, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Naim NVC TT MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Rega io
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Rega io keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Leak Stereo 230
1 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Leak Stereo 230 keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Creek 4040A
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Creek 4040A keeps the slot decisively.
With the Falcon Q7 Complete@Home, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
On its own merits the Audio Note IZero is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Quad Artera Stereo
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Quad Artera Stereo keeps the slot decisively.
What the reviewers said
Audio Note entry valve integrated Audio Note IZero positioning· Harmonic texture
connected and whole Dagogo 2014· Tonal body
the IZero masters Dagogo 2014· Tonal consistency
valve naturalness Dagogo 2014· Harmonic texture
How it scores
Voice
- Tonal body 76 from listening evidence
- Harmonic texture 77 from listening evidence
Bass
- Bass control 60 from specification
- Physical impact 54 from specification
- Bass extension 54 from specification
LowerVolume
- Low-level noise floor 72 from specification
- Micro-dynamic resolution 72 from specification
- Tonal consistency 76 from listening evidence
Specifications
| power 8ohm w | 8.0 |
|---|---|
| power 4ohm w | 8.0 |
| power class | AB |
| damping factor | 8.0 |
| line inputs | 3 |
| line input sensitivity mv | 300.0 |
| line input impedance kohm | 100.0 |
| has phono | False |
| phono mm | False |
| phono mc | False |
| pre out | False |
| pre power separable | none |
| internal bass management | none |
| headphone out | False |
| frequency response hz | 20/20000 |
| weight kg | 10.0 |
| integrated dac | False |
| digital inputs | 0 |
| notes |