Original owner Audio Note M3 Phono preamp for sale. The unit is about 11 months old, has been used in pet/child/smoke free environment. It practically looks brand new, but conservatively rating it as 9.
This is the latest build representing the most up-to-date circuit design, component, and attenuator from Audio Note. Experienced user has reported that new M3 sounds better than older M5 and comes reasonably close to M6 (impressive given the price difference). The included MM phono stage is exceptional. In order to support a MC cart, the recommended way is to add a step up transformer.
The stock tubes (very few hours on them) are mostly NOS (with the exception of PSVANE ECC82 tube). These tubes were carefully chosen at the factory and contributes to the voicing of the preamp. However, I've a good collection of tubes that I've bought after researching a lot on what tubes works well with M3 Phono.
* 1x NOS Brimar CV4003 / 12AU7 - Platinum Grade. But has less than 10 hours on it.
* Psvane 12AU7-S ECC82 Gold Pins Art Series/matched gain tested. ~300 hours.
* 2x Telefunken ECL82 (true NOS): ~350 hours
* 2x NOS NIB Matched Tung-Sol 6X5GT Rectifier Tubes USA 1944. ~350 hours.
* 1x NOS Raytheon 5687: ~300 hours
* 2x NOS Raytheon 5651: ~300 hours
The above tube set approximately cost $500. Anyone buying the M3 phono, can get the entire set for $175.
IMO, of all the components Audio Note makes, their preamp is truly the special one. And M3 Phono is the sweetest spot value wise. It's incredibly transparent, yet wonderfully musical. I'm moving on to more expensive Thomas Mayer amp and preamp; hence the sale.
Asking price: $
6995. List price is above $11K. Local pickup from Brooklyn, NYC is welcome. Otherwise, buyer pays shipping and 3.5% paypal fee (if not using check/money order/paypal gift option).
Product description page:
https://www.audionote.co.uk/m3
