AUDIO INNOVATIONS 2ND AUDIO MONOS... with 2 x BORDER PATROL PSU's

[take5]

Selling as per the Title, these fantastic Audio Innovation 2nd audio mono blocks, together with Border Patrol power supplies.

I bought these 2 months ago. It’s a long story, but here is the short version.

I was looking for an Audio Innovations P2 phono stage. One came up on Ebay, but it was part of a complete AI amp system ( 8 boxes).
The seller wouldn’t split, so I ended up buying the whole package of 8 boxes.

Something else has now come up that I want to buy and I want to free up some cash, so sadly these power amps must go. I am keeping the P2 phono, and I am considering selling the L2 Pre.

They really do sound fantastic.

A year ago I owned another pair of 2nd audio monos, but without the BP PSU’s. They sounded great. I then bought a BAT power amp. The AIs and the BAT were very similar in sounds produced, but I kept the BAT.
Well, these beefed up 2nd audios that I am now selling are better than the BAT.

Many of you will have heard the BAT at Scalford this year. It was great. These latest monos sound better.

History of these amps.
The guy I bought them from had used them for years. In 2011 he decided to upgrade them. He bought 4 brand new PSUs direct from Border Patrol and then took everything to Definitive to do the conversions and upgrade everything. (As well as the 2nd audios, there was an AI P2 and an L2.)
So, with PSUs that was 8 boxes.

I have the original receipt/job sheet from Definitive. I wont state in public how much this cost him, but am happy to share details with a prospective buyer.
Suffice to say that his total outlay was a 5 figure sum of £££££££’s

So, “fooed” to the max…………. YES !!

Here is what Definitive did.
Audio Innovations 2nd Audio's Complete with Border PSU's
1)Fit Kondo KSL-Spc A/C umbilical cord x 2
2)Change Driver stage to 6FQ7
3)4 x GZ34's
4)Replaced input valves with 6N1P
5)Shunt HT power supply with Living Voice & Hovland PP Capacitors
6)Shunt heater supply with Hovland 6.0mf capacitors
7)Cryogenically treated hook up wire for all of the above
8)Shunt cathode bi-pass capacitors with (rare) Hovland capacitors
9)Manufacture and fit 8 x valve bases.
10)Fit 8 x matched 2A3 valves.
_________________________________________________

In respect of no. 10) above, the 2A3 valves are Electro Harmonix Gold.
Like this.
http://www.hotroxuk.com/electro-harmonix-2a3eh-gold-grid.html
　
Sadly, the guy I bought them from had a few things happen in his life which meant that they were hardly used after he got them back from Definitive. So everything is great, and works perfectly, with no issues.

I am asking £2,300 for these.

When the level of funds invested into getting these to what they are now is considered, my asking price seems a ridiculously low amount, and is probably less than they are worth.
This reflects the fact that I got a bargain when buying, and that I want some cash, soon.
The 2 BP PSU’s on their own cost more than my asking price!!!
That’s before the value of the AI units, plus the Definitive foo/conversion/upgrades are brought into the equation.

I doubt you could find a better specced pair of these, but there is the added bonus that as well as being specced well on paper, they sound fantastic.

I may consider a cheaper amp in part ex.
Valve or SS. Power only, or integrated.
Not interested in a Pre.

Im sorry I cant post any pictures. I don’t have any.
There are some in the Ebay auction, from where I bought them. Here is a link to that.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDIO-INNOVATIONS-COMPLETE-SYSTEM-8-PIECES-/301113123401?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_HiFi_Separates_Sys tems_Combos&hash=item461bbda249&nma=true&si=BvoEkYF7JEq2CzJKdGS9nIzHvoU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_1223wt_922



Other than that, I may be able to get a friend to help with pictures, but Im not sure how soon that could be.

THANKS

[take5]

Still available.

[take5]

New price : £2200

[take5]

Still available

[take5]

STILL AVAILABLE.

Going up to Scotland soon, so could deliver en route or up there.

Thanks

[Floyddroid]

These are the dogs! Especially with a pair of Snell's on the end of them.

[Marco]

Im sorry I cant post any pictures. I don’t have any.

Other than that, I may be able to get a friend to help with pictures, but Im not sure how soon that could be.


Do you not own a digital camera, or even a phone with a camera on it, Brian? If you can take some pictures, there are plenty of folk here who will help you post them :)

Marco.

[take5]

Marco, sorry for the delay in responding to your post.

I have been camping since the weekend, near your corner of the World.
Well, Criccieth, but I did see a sign for Wrexham!! It rains a lot, doesnt it.

I havent moved into the modern times yet so no, I dont have a phone. However, my daughter may be able to take a few phone pics.

Let me dry out first and then I'll get onto it.

In the meantime, anyone thinking about these..............Dont wait ..........................

These are as good as it gets in terms of AI amps.... Buy them. They are in fantastic condition and work perfectly.

Im driving up to Scotland on Friday and can deliver there, or on route.

Thanks

[Marco]

Hi Brian,

No worries, matey. Glad you're enjoying North Wales... I think it's raining pretty much everywhere at the moment! Last week we had a heatwave!! :eyebrows:

If you can get your daughter to take some phone pics, and email them to me (PM me for my email address), then I'll post the pics for you, no problem.

Anyway, in the meantime, have fun! :cool:

Marco.

[take5]

New price. £2100.

I can deliver these to the Cranage show this coming wekend, if that helps anyone.

And can probably deliver the following weekend on or near the M6 / M40 .

Sorry, still no new photos, apart from the ones I link to in my opening post. Still hope to get some new ones soon.

thanks


Some pics:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/829/hlx5.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/850/scif.jpg



http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/823/hgmw.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/834/5ezl5.jpg

[Marco]

Pics now added for Brian! :)

Marco.

[take5]

Marco, thanks very much for helping with the pictures.

I should just add, to avoid confusion.

You will see 3 Border Patrol PSU's in the pictures. One belongs to my P2 phono stage and is not in the deal, or for sale.

For sale are a pair of AI monos and 2 BP PSU's, for £2100.

Thanks

[Marco]

No worries, matey. Good luck with the sale! :cool:

Marco.

[stevied]

Tonight i spent 3 hours with these amps

They are excellent

i didn't want Brian to take them home.

Liquid spirit on vinyl by Gregory Porter ,The Guy was in the room!

Just beautiful Amps

If you have the funds just buy these,bargain of the year.

[take5]

Sreve, thanks for the plug.

Yes, these are still for sale.

Steve is a mate, so I didnt go to his house tonight to try to flog these amps.
He simply wanted to hear them in his system, so I took them around to his. Very nice it was too. The Orbe/Morch/Dynavector combo was really nice and we heard some great sounds.

Also some nice music. Cannonball stealing the show on Autumn Leaves, Ellington and Hodges, Elvis, Queen , Eagles, Sting sounding very folky.
But then ( as Steve hinted ) Gregory Porter popped his head around the door and invited himself in to sing a few songs for us. He sounded even better in the room with us, than he does on vinyl. Wonderful voice.

So, a very nice evening. thanks Steve.

Amps still for sale at £2100. They are fantastic and you will not find a better pair than these.

[User211]

I heard these in a cellar at Guy Adam's house (Mr Voyd) 20-25 odd years ago with some Snell type Js and needless to say a Voyd/Helius Orion and I think an IO IIRC.

They were excellent. They are worth it with the right "efficient enough" speakers i.e. type Js

[take5]

Justin, thanks for your comment.

If I may be so bold.

This set up will be much better than the version you heard.

I had Audio Innovations 2nd audios previously, in their original form, (as I presume you heard.) They were very good. I had them at Scalford in 2013, where they went down well.

This pair, with the Border Patrol power supplies and Definitive upgrades are far better.

I agree that they work well with Snell/Audio Note type speakers. I have used them with Cs, Js and Ks.

But they shouldnt be ruled out if someone has less efficient speakers. They seem much more powerful than the original versions.

For example, Steve was told by a mate that my amps wouldnt drive his Ampion Xenons which are rated at 86 db efficient. Well last night disproved that theory. (actually the mutual mate hadnt heard them. I must take them over and educate him ! )

Anyway, Im open to demos.

[User211]

Can:t vouch for the mods but in standard form I was impressed - if indeed the ones I heard were standard. LOL.

Anyway. well worth checking out people.

[take5]

Amps still available.

[Bncyuan]

Hello Brian,

It's been a long time and the thread is likely dead. But I wonder if the amp is still available and you still willing to sell? Please update me.

[take5]

Yuan, im sorry but I sold these last year.

They were the best amps I have owned or heard in my system.

Good luck in your search

[Bncyuan]

Thank you all the same Brian. I hope to come across another pair upon which to do some modification. Cheers.