The Audio Note (UK) M6 preamplifier has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 4 criteria: –
Pure Class A operation
Zero negative feedback
Single Ended circuit topology
Valve rectification
Materials and component quality
It is well known that the accurate reproduction of music, not just sound, requires the purity of the incoming signal to be preserved. It is therefore not difficult to conclude that, in order to achieve this goal and to retain the musicality of the original performance, the complexity of the circuitry itself must be kept to a minimum. In response to this, the M6 Line uses a single-ended, zero feedback circuit topology. This is simply the most linear design possible, demanding pure Class A valve operation and removing the need for a phase splitter, which introduces unnecessary crossover distortion.
In contrast to the majority of the audio industry, we design our circuits with the aim of minimising non-harmonic and time-based anomalies, rather than producing vanishingly small harmonic or low intermodulation distortion measurements. These non-harmonic amplitude and time-based distortions have a highly perceptible and adverse affect on the signal waveform, and it is far more important to address these factors than participate in the increasingly irrelevant numbers game that chases “perfect measured response.”
As a result, the M6 was designed for maximum linearity and minimum transient distortion, and avoids the need for detrimental “corrective” measures, such as inherently error-prone feedback loops.
Rather than using separate controls for volume and balance, the M6 Line is equipped with a dedicated Audio Note (UK) stepped attenuator for each channel. This not only brings the enormous improvements in sound quality expected from the now legendary Audio Note (UK) stepped attenuators, but also provides a level of channel balance accuracy that is impossible to achieve with conventional volume and balance potentiometers.
The M6 Line Pre Amplifier features an ECC82 and 7044 line stage, and uses a 6X5 valve-rectified power supply based on the M10 Galahad PSU. This power supply also incorporates an ECL82 for voltage regulation and a 5651 as a voltage stabiliser. Audio Note (UK) silver wiring, tantalum resistors, and our own custom electrolytic capacitors and Audio Note (UK) copper foil signal capacitors are used throughout the circuit, along with in-house designed and manufactured, custom Audio Note (UK) output transformers, which feature a UHiB c-core, copper primary and silver secondary. The M6 also has a correctly designed and implemented balanced output circuit.
The M6 Phono Pre Amplifier features a ECC82 and 7044 equipped line stage and uses a 6X5 valve-rectified power supply based on the M10 Galahad PSU. Audio Note (UK) Silver wiring, one Watt AN(UK) Tantalum resistors, our own custom electrolytic capacitors and Audio Note (UK) copper foil signal capacitors are used throughout the circuit, along with in-house designed and manufactured, custom Audio Note (UK) output transformers, which feature a UHiB c-core, copper primary and a silver secondary. The M6 also has a correctly designed and implemented balanced output circuit. Additionally, it features an exceptionally fine moving magnet phono stage which uses three 5670 valves, Audio Note (UK) copper foil signal capacitors and pure silver wiring and its own dedicated, valve regulated and rectified power supply.
At the heart of the M6 RIAA is an exceptionally fine moving magnet phono stage which uses three 5670 valves. This is followed by a 7044 equipped line stage, and both sections are powered by their own dedicated 6X5 valve rectified power supply based on the M10 Galahad PSU. These power supplies also incorporate an ECL82 for voltage regulation and an 5651 as a voltage stabiliser. Audio Note (UK) Copper wiring, Audio Note (UK) one Watt Tantalum resistors, our own custom electrolytic capacitors and Audio Note (UK) copper foil signal capacitors are used throughout the circuit, along with in-house designed and manufactured, custom Audio Note (UK) output transformers which feature UHiB double c-cores, copper windings for the primaries and silver windings for the secondaries. The M6 RIAA also has a correctly designed and implemented balanced output circuit.
