Blog #8
OTO PHONO SE Silver Signature 35th Anniversary out in the wild!
Even Twix my nosiest spaniel was excited about the new delivery from Audio Note (UK)
Ok, I admit it I couldn't wait...........
I know blog #7 was barely a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still midway through writing my initial findings on my system, however a brilliant knock on the door heralded the arrival of my brand new Audio Note (UK) OTO PHONO SE Silver Signature 35th Anniversary Edition serial number 00255.
In addition, also included was a new "breathed on" Audio Note IO (blue) moving coil cartridge serial number B065 (I'll explain later).
After plugging the new OTO into my system, I knew I couldn't wait and had to give you a short update as to my thoughts after 15 hours or so under its belt.
I had been expecting this delivery for a week or so, with daily mounting anticipation as the usually reliable courier decided to not be reliable on a next day delivery. Fortunately I was exposed to another facet of the tight knit Audio Note (UK) team.
Lily (my saviour) who I had met only briefly in my visit to Audio NOTE (UK) in December 2025 voraciously chased up the courier, and kept me posted daily as if I were the single most important thing in her life. She recognised that to Audiophiles the imminent arrival of new equipment is an enormously exciting and impactful event and when there was a knock on the door with the mysterious, exceptionally well packed pallet, I praised her to the high heavens. I thought it worth mentioning that Audio Note excellence filters down from the first screw in construction to arrival in your house.
The excitement mounts....
Expectantly awaiting installation
(Contrary to many other people!) I read through the manual from cover to cover as it's all part of my enjoyment and build up, carefully unpacked the OTO which visually was identical to my non-35th anniversary loan model. I'd have to say, a fact I was pleased about as I think it looks a work of art, red writing on aluminium.
I then installed it into my rack, plugging in all the cables with pleasing solidity and turned it on.
The manual WAS different, and informed me of the internal changes, why they were done and what effect they would have on the sound. Expectation built another level....
First impressions....
What a lovely sight!
Is it fair to compare a brand new stone cold OTO against a loan OTO with many, many hours under it's belt? It sounded very well run in and is without doubt the best amplifier running though the best system I'd ever heard in my home.
Firstly, how did it sound before?
Since I picked up my system from Audio Note (HQ) on 17/12/26 I had been pretty much playing it every day and had slightly more than 250 hours listening, as I'll go into in the next blog in more detail.
I knew I'd like it as I know I like the Audio Note sound but I was unprepared for the incessant "How can this get any better" moments. Any music, CD/vinyl, expensive 180 gram or free from the local tip/landfill (yes, you heard it here first! I'll go into that gem in next blog) sounded better than I remembered and everything had a (cliche alert) "live" feel. I'd put an album on and listen from start to finish, just marvelling in what the next track would sound like. On a few occasions, I played an album TWICE back to back. (Never ever done that before). Even more surprising it was albums I'd never have bothered with normally, I just got caught up in the wonder of what was happening in my room.
It's audibly clear the Audio Note performance level system is a sound concept.
My entire level 2/3 system works exceptionally well together, like an Olympic rowing boat, you feel each part is helping rather than hindering the cause.
So when the time came to return the OTO loan amplifier, I didn't really want to, (I'm hanging onto the IO cartridge for a bit more listening).
I was happy in my own personal nirvana and didn't want it to end.
Well how did it go?
Even from first switch on, there was a definite difference and that only widened as the OTO got warmer, after I'd been playing music for 6 hours non stop, it was nice and toasty and the gap had pleasingly increased more.
It sounded the same as my beloved loan OTO but surprisingly and definitely pleasingly BETTER in all aspects.
The well oiled rowing team I discussed in the previous paragraph were rowing tighter, better trained, more motivated. Bass hit HARD, voices projecting further and with more "flesh" to them, the highs went high without shrillness, the soundstage was huge and extended well beyond the room boundaries.
The phono stage tweaks are a masterstroke, the differences here are not subtle at all. I've now gone from delighted to ecstatic about my LP reproduction.
One of my favourite albums, a mono recording of My Fair lady. Andre Previns piano was still beautifully rendered between the speakers, hovering in the air as I'm now used to, however it had now gained a body and "meatiness" that was not there before. Shelly Mannes' drum solos smacked with extra impact but still retaining the delicacy of the brushes on the drum skin.
The performance felt fleshed out and "supercharged".
I was not expecting to write anything about this Madonna CD. I was not a particular fan. It's my wifes and has been sat in a drawer, unplayed for 20 plus years, probably bought when I was a member of the Britannia music club (brings back memories).
Wow. I originally put this Madonna on for a kind of laugh, just to see, as I don't own many CDs and stopped laughing pretty quickly. Played it twice back to back. Sat there dumbfounded, marvelling at the audio dynamics playing out in my room and past it's boundaries. Each element was laid bare, soaring round the room, separated from each other, doing their individual best to fascinate me. Textured bass projected out from the front wall, turned 180 degrees and retreated. In the semi dark, eyes shut, cat on lap, each track was like a firework display.
I was happy. Once again I thought "can this get possibly get better?".
With the 35th Anniversary, it did. Everything was incrementally superior than before.
The Tube compilation album from 1985, one of my free tip/landfill rescues. Another of my played twice back to back albums. I put it on "just to see" and 90 minutes later and 2 complete plays couldn't wait for the following day to play it again.
I really enjoyed this Tube LP, I quite liked a few of the artists from years back, but I sat marvelling at Level 42 - The sun goes down (living it up). Mark Kings bass playing I remember was lauded as exceptional, now I was witnessing it in full force, a song I'd never cared for before left me sat back in admiration.
Black Uhuru playing What is life absolutely rocked, there's no other word for it.
The 35th Anniversary showed it's very best as the cornerstone of an audio system bringing back an unloved, dusty, seconds away from landfill, album to the forefront of my listening experience.
And the IO cartridge, have you forgotten?
2 magnificent IO 1 (Blue) cartridges, externally visually identical, internally a very different story.
Audio Note (UK) have a policy of continuing improvements to their products, the MEISHU Tonmeister, the OTO 35th Anniversary for example.
The IO moving coil cart is now in its latest iteration.
The entire AN UK IO range recently went through a slight change of design and build, with some material changes – which has improved the performance quite significantly. In the picture above (in the box) is the latest IO, I'm currently enjoying very much the loan IO (on the arm) which has approximately 30 hours under it's belt.
I'd like to listen more to this model and run it in further before I consider it fair to report on any differences between the two, I've heard it's not at all subtle!
Once again something else to look forward to in the future and I'll let you all know when I've changed them over and put some hours on the "breathed on" iteration.
I believe that if your IO cartridge has to go back to Audio Note (UK) for a rebuild, it gets automatically updated to the latest spec. Nice to know!
Conclusion
This 35th Anniversary OTO PHONO SE Silver Signature is clearly and easily identifiably an extremely special amplifier. The previous model had zero identifiable flaws and yet this improves on that!? Better still, it's still running in so further improvements will be forthcoming.
I'd say if I owned the pre 35th Anniversary model I'd be tremendously satisfied and proud, it is glorious. This new one is just those extra sprinkles and I'm very happy to be spending a LOT of hours together with it (and the cat). By the way, I've discovered she's not a TOOL fan, but likes Robert Cray!
The IO 1 moving coil cartridge cartridge is also the best cartridge I've ever heard outside a show, I'm looking forward to reporting on the latest version whilst enjoying immensely the previous model.
As an added bonus the prices of the improved models have remained the same, more for less, what's to complain about!
35th Anniversary:
OTO Phono SE £4850 GBP (current as of March 2026)
OTO Phono SE Signature £7150 GBP (current as of March 2026)
OTO Phono SE Silver Signature £11350 GBP (current as of March 2026)
IO 1 Moving Coil cartridge £3999 GBP (current as of March 2026)
What's in blog #9?
It's long overdue, but I'm very happy to be able to report on my system in blog#9. It should have been this blog but couldn't resist the detour!
The listening room is cleared, just need to paint, add plants and decoration.
I'm looking forward to it, I hope you are too! See you then and happy listening!