ANK (name origins - Audio Note Kit abbreviation) VS Audio Note - what is the difference?
ANK is a company that branched off Audio Note in 2004.
It operates separately, its products were influenced by Audio note, but they are not the same as Audio Note. They have different schematics. Audio Note supplies some parts for ANK, and provided support in the design of the products.
However, ANK is NOT the kit version of AN. So, when you get the EL84 kit, you are NOT getting the OTO for 1/5 price, but you are getting a different amplifier using AN transformers.
Don't expect to get same value from 2000$ that you would get for 10K$. You are getting a good amp, yet with a lower level of specialization (more generic parts, different circuit.) The downside is that it will fit LESS into a ful AN system (lower synergy), but MIGHT synergize well or even better with a non-AN chain.