Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Note M2 Manufacturer: by chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com

Model:	M2
Category:	Manufacturer:
Suggested Retail Price:	£1700
Description:	Valve pre-amp with moving magnet phono stage
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Note
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Note

Review by chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com on January 03, 2002 at 07:37:04
IP Address: 212.159.144.204

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Before I proceed, please note that the price quoted is the UK retail for the phono model and that the basic M2 is £1000; although the £1700 M2 under review is the phono model I`m assuming the components/schematic are identical apart from the addition of the moving magnet phono.
First of all, if anyone is expecting an in-depth comparison between the M2 and comparatively priced units, forget it - I`ve neither the time nor the inclination so whatever value is placed on this review is down to the individual; no matter how thorough we may try to be, there`s no getting away from the fact that all opinions are subjective anyway.
That being said, the M2 was replacing a Meridian 518 which fits between Transport and DAC to provide digital attenuation among many other functions, so the DAC was connected direct to the power-amps.
In effect then, the M2 is being compared to no pre-amp whatsoever - which is quite a bench mark for a £1000 unit to compete with I`m sure we`d agree? Consider also that the Meridian was favoured over the 15K Audio Synthesis Passion by Martin Colloms and received a whopping 45 points using his listening scale (a good passive pre scores in the upper 30`s, the average active around 20 or below).
First listening with the M2 and there was a slight loss of resolution which left me wondering if I`d be better off keeping the Meridian; but of course, being too eager I hadn`t let it warm up sufficiently.
Half an hour later and I`d been won over by the fluidity and colour (in the positive sense) of the M2 - ultimate resolution of the finest detail probably wasn`t as good as the Meridian (but neither was a 15K unit`s), but the presentation was possibly more organic and very involving.
Basically, I wasn`t missing any of the Meridian`s great strengths at all and felt that the Audio Note added something previously absent which is beyond me to fathom if truth be told; maybe it`s simply the valves, I`m not sure.
Before purchasing the M2 my main concern was that adding even more valves to a system with a valve-output DAC and valve power-amps would take some `Ooph` from the bass, and after reading about the M2 adding it`s characteristic `bloom` when doing my homework via the web I wasn`t sure I was doing the right thing but felt I had to at least give it a try - the `giant-killer` quotes nudging me somewhat.
Subsequently, I`ve played all sorts of music and needn`t have been concerned. From Moby`s `Ambient` to Pink Floyd`s....well, every Pink Floyd recording they ever made (the MFSL versions are superb), the lower registers were fine and dandy much to my relief.
In fact, there`s recently been a thread or two on `Music` Forum concerning how the recent `Echoes - Best of Pink Floyd` remasters compare to the MFSL Original Master Recordings from way back when.
When comparing one track on my own system with M2 in situ, I could hear the band member`s lips being opened before the vocals began (2.57 into `Echoes`) on the MFSL, whereas this was absent on the new remasters which apparently were taken from the studio tapes(?)
To begin wrapping up then, it`s hard to say what the M2 sounds like as all it`s really doing is revealing the sound of the system. All I can say is that my system gives beautifully smooth vocals with presence and emotion (and the EAR amps are in no way SET`s) yet doesn`t do so by adding any rosiness or colouration I was wary of.
Bass is taut, plenty of impact etc - but the overwhelming characteristic is one of a completely integrated presentation, again though depending on the rest of the system; be confident that this pre-amp will not be the weak link however.
Of course, there must be better pre-amps for more money, but at this price I can`t fault anything and it`s by far the cheapest component in my system.
In conclusion I`d just add that in no way am I an authority on valves or valve-amps, and that my perspective on the M2 is from one who`s been slowly dipping his foot in the valve `water` waiting for the gains of a tonally richer, more fluid sound to be offset by some negative aspects - but I`m still waiting.
Thanks to all those on this Forum who gave me information/recomendations on this pre and the EAR power-amps by the way; my opinion on the EAR 509`s to follow shortly, but this review says a lot about the EAR`s ability as it is.
Before I forget, we`re talking about a chassis which is just shy of 12" wide, 6" tall (inc. feet) and 16" front to back.
Chassis is black with gold lettering and four equally spaced gold dials giving a symetrical presentation.
Three Line Inputs are CD, AUX and TUNER, with inputs and outputs for taping.
Best Regards,
Chris Redmond.

Product Weakness: Audio Note components are larger than most and are deeper than they are wide; considering the heat generated from transformers and valves it makes sense to me though, and there`s plenty of room for tweakers.
Product Strengths: Fluid, musical - all the characteristics you`d expect from valves when correctly implemented.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	EAR 509 100watt valve Monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	See review
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Wadia WT3200 Transport with Audio Note DAC4.1x
Speakers:	Vintage dual-concentric 15" Tannoy Monitor Golds with Russ Andrews crossovers, new cabinets.
Cables/Interconnects:	Stealth Fineline Mk2 Silver digital IC, Kimber Select 1020 from DAC to pre, and Pre to power. No speaker cable is used.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	You name it, I`ve played it.
Room Size (LxWxH):	15` x 15` x 9`
Room Comments/Treatments:	Furnished living room - no special treatments other than blu-tac to stop various ornaments/pictures/mirrors rattling.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Approximately 1 month.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio P600 power regenerator. All mains cable in separate spur is in Kimber High Current cable, as are power-cords for components.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	As above.

Product Weakness:	Audio Note components are larger than most and are deeper than they are wide; considering the heat generated from transformers and valves it makes sense to me though, and there`s plenty of room for tweakers.
Product Strengths:	Fluid, musical - all the characteristics you`d expect from valves when correctly implemented.