Feeling the Vibes: Audio Note M3 Phono Preamplifier Review

Audio Note M3 Phono Tube Preamplifier

I’ve fallen in love with two different tube preamplifiers today. Just that kind of Friday, I guess!

Of course, these preamps could make anyone swoon. First it was the Aesthetix Calypso, and now it’s Audio Note’s delicious M3 Phono, which, despite its name, is not just a phono pre (although it is one stinkin’ beast of a phono pre) — it’s a full-on line preamplifier, and it’s captured my heart, swiftly and easily.

This one is tube-based front to back and uses interesting valves to craft its magical sound, like 6X5s, OB2s, and 6072a tubes.

Bobby Hutcherson’s album Wise One is a record I’m wise to place on the queue when I fire up such a refined piece of equipment as this.

Why? Because a well-recorded vibraphone is a really good measuring stick for components’ abilities to accurately portray a soundstage, and to hold those image positions firmly as the vibes move up and down the musical register. Any of Gary Burton’s wonderfully recorded discs work just as well.

When an amp or a preamp makes those individual chime notes ring and hold still in empty space, you know it’s a magical device. That’s hard to accomplish.

I’ve found that you can do a lot of work to perfectly place and align your speakers, but a magical element, like this Audio Note preamp, can leapfrog much of the progress you've made in one quick jump.

This M3 is another of these game-elevator pieces that instantly raises the standards of the system it’s placed in. If you’re looking to work on your soundstage and “image lock,” I can’t think of a quicker path than trying something like this beautiful M3 Phono.