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View Full Version : SWAP: Audio Note M2 preamplifier (phono version) for valve phono stage


montesquieu
18-06-2011, 23:22
****PICS added see below*****

Beginning to suspect I've gone down the wrong route here .. my VAC monoblocks (now staying for good) are extremely sensitive (as are my Tannoy GRF speakers are 98d) and the 23db of gain from the M2 is a bit of a mismatch, requiring 14db of attenuator plug!

So offering this Audio Note M2 preamp (which I'm valuing at £850-900 - it's well over £2k new) for a mm valve phono stage. Straight swap or cash adjustment as you prefer.

The M2 phono is in lovely nick and come with various mods which bring it very close to M3 level including bypass of balance, tape and variable feedback controls, and component upgrades including a quality stepped attenuator and some nice Jensen PIO caps. Some nice classic valves inside (there are six valves in total) including NOS Mullard, Tung sol and RCA. Original Audio Note box is here so can ship but would strongly prefer collection.

I was blown away by the phono stage on this which is pretty much the equal (as far as I'm concerned) of the Art Audio Vinyl One and Conrad Johnson EV1 dedicated valve phono stages I owned previously.

Anwyay just wondered if anyone fancies this - anyone got an interesting phono stage for swap?

It's the later version BTW with phonos on the back panel rather than on the side.


EDIT: will also entertain offers to sell.
Jonboy
19-06-2011, 00:09
Sorry to hear you didn't get on with the M2 preamp Tom, High gain does seem to be a bit of a trait with the Audio Note preamps
montesquieu
19-06-2011, 00:28
Sorry to hear you didn't get on with the M2 preamp Tom, High gain does seem to be a bit of a trait with the Audio Note preamps



Love the sig .. cheered me up a bit!

Yes the VACs are uber-sensitive on the inputs, and in conjunction with these speakers, it's a real gain-fest. I've gone back to the Pass B1 buffer pre (no gain at all). Pity as in so many other ways it's a lovely pre ... much more transparent than an unmodded M2 Line I heard, while the phono stage is absolutely lovely.
Marco
19-06-2011, 06:33
Could we see some pics of the M2 please, Tom? :)

Marco.
montesquieu
19-06-2011, 12:41
Some pics of this lovely M2 ... note the pair of Mullard CV4019s in the phono stage (something a bit special), the PSU side has two tubes (valve rectifier, also note the choke regulation), the amp side three tubes. For a bit of context, an M3 Line (no phono) sold on Wigwam for £1900 recently, and M1 elsewhere for £500, I would accept £850 collected (shipping to be added) for a straight sale (as I've had a few people asking).

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/m2-front.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/m2-back.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/m2-2.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/m2-3.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/m2-4.jpg
Marco
19-06-2011, 13:06
Very nice, Tom. Bloody huge though, innit? :eek:

Examining the quality of the components inside (is that a 5691 RCA tube, I can spy? :eyebrows:), I'd say that £900 is a total bargain, so someone should snap it up tout-suite!

Marco.
montesquieu
19-06-2011, 13:13
Not that huge ... normal component size turned front-ways. Width and lengthwise, goes in a normal rack (so no probs long as there's enough headroom) :)

And yes the preamp circuit uses the 5691 double triode ....
Marco
19-06-2011, 15:00
Lol, perhaps not 'huge', but height-wise, it looks distinctly chunkier than my Croft, or say, a Naim preamp ;)

Anyway, that's not really important. Did you decide to use the RCA 5691, instead of a more common 6SL7, or was that part of the original AN design? :)

Marco.
montesquieu
19-06-2011, 20:52
Lol, perhaps not 'huge', but height-wise, it looks distinctly chunkier than my Croft, or say, a Naim preamp ;)

Anyway, that's not really important. Did you decide to use the RCA 5691, instead of a more common 6SL7, or was that part of the original AN design? :)

Marco.


Don't know TBH. Came that way!
Marco
19-06-2011, 21:02
No worries. The only reason I ask is that the 5691 is by far the best 6SL7 tube I've heard (although the GE ones are my favourite)! :)

Marco.
montesquieu
20-06-2011, 09:18
Sold!
Marco
20-06-2011, 09:36
Nice one - didn't think it would last long! ;)

Marco.