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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Note M-ONE RIAA Preamplifier (Tube) by lou dijon

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REVIEW: Audio Note M-ONE RIAA Preamplifier (Tube)

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Model: M-ONE RIAA
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: 1650 Euros
Description: Phono stage
Manufacturer URL: Audio Note

Review by lou dijon on January 24, 2011 at 04:19:49
IP Address: 92.138.184.16
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for the M-ONE RIAA


hello fellow inmates

I have to tell you of the new steps I took in my system : last month I went to Triodes & co in Paris with my savings and my TT One, my faithful Audio Note turntable. There, Philippe changed my cartridge, an Ortofon, for a brand new IQ3, put it in place and checked thoroughly my TT1. I bought also an M1 RIAA, the phono stage to go with my M1 preamp, and as I still had some money on my savings, I took an AN Lexus interconnect. At the end of the day, I went home.
The next morning, I was not working, I decided to put the TT1 back in its place, but I didn't want to change everything, I would not know what each element had brought me.
What this cartridge brought me was extraordinary -- compared to what I'm used to, of course. The image of the sound was wider, taller ; my vinyls had more bottom, more bass. Maybe also warmer. The first record I listened to was Ziggy Stardust, by David Bowie, a record I bought new in '72, and I've never stopped listening to. It was beautiful, I had the sensation I was entering new territories, closer to the elites in audio.
I listened to the TT1 like that for maybe four days, then put on the M1 RIAA.
First of all, I must tell you I had a good preamp, a passive one, with a good phono stage, based on the SRPP ANZAI schematics. So when I put in place the M1 RIAA, the difference was not so stunning than with the IQ3. Then it grew on me, small details coming to light : of course, I played again the Ziggy Stardust album, and I discovered that where I used to hear backing voices, there I could almost spot each person singing, and I could place them in the studio. Fascinating after all these years. And I played records and records, and discovered new things each time. Now I must say I found a flaw : on certain old albums, I also better heard the scratches on the surface of the vinyls, and thought it was the price to pay to have all this clarity.
Five days later, as in an afterthought, I decided to plug the new interconnect. And that was it ! Gone were the noises of surface, of scratches, it was amazing, it had come from the interconnect I had till then.
It is funny, because my cd playing system (Audio Note CDT One + Dac Two Signature) costs more than my vinyl playing system, but I have more pleasure listening to my black waffles.

And I checked my system, now I only have to chance one interconnect and it will be full Audio Note. Of course, I already ordered it from Philippe in Triodes & Co in Paris. More to follow...


Product Weakness: The same problem than with all AN products : you know there is something higher in the range, your problem is to know if you can afford it.
Product Strengths: Warmth and "humanity"


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: AN P2SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): AN M1 + M1 RIAA
Sources (CDP/Turntable): AN TT1 + IQ3
Speakers: AN-Es
Cables/Interconnects: AN
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 8 x 4 x 2,5
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: a month
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Audio Note M-ONE RIAA Preamplifier (Tube) - lou dijon 04:19:48 01/24/11 ( 3)