Audio Note M3 Phono Technical manual

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M3 Phono
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PRE AMPLIFIER
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OWNERʼS INFORMATION
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1) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
2) CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
POWER REQUIREMENTS
3) INTRODUCTION
4) OVERVIEW
5) UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
6) CONNECTION
9) OPERATION
11) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
12) WARRANTY INFORMATION
13) CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTENTS
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OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: -
Never touch the power cord with wet hands.
Always remove the power cord by grasping the plug, not the cable.
Never expose the unit to excessive heat or magnetism.
Never let an inexperienced person repair or reassemble the unit.
Never put anything, especially metal objects, inside the unit.
Never place excessive weight on the unit.
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Do not store or operate this unit in areas of high humidity or in close
proximity to water / moisture.
Do not expose or immerse the unit in liquid of any kind.
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This product generates high levels of heat. Adequate ventilation must
be provided. Do not restrict airflow through any ventilation slots or
place the unit on any surface that may restrict airflow.
Valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures;
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.!
RISK OF SHOCK OR ELECTROCUTION! INTERNAL OPERATING
VOLTAGES ARE LETHAL!
Do not remove top cover, unless specifically instructed to do so in the user
manual.
This unit contains fuses and other safety components in accordance with
BS60065 requirements.
In the event of failure, replacement fuse or safety component must be of
the same part type and value.
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This product must be earthed –ensure that the mains supply cable earth /
ground is correctly connected.
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SUCH REPLACEMENT MUST ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A
QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN.
Do not attempt to replace any fuses without first disconnecting the unit
from the mains electricity supply.
! IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION !

POWER REQUIREMENTS
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary depending on your geographical
location. Please ensure that your unit meets the power requirements in your area.
The power requirement for your unit is marked on the serial number plate, located on
the rear panel.
If you are in doubt, please contact your dealer before plugging the unit into the mains
supply.
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
This product must not be disposed of as normal household waste. To
prevent possible harm to the environment please separate the product
from other waste to ensure that it can be recycled in an environmentally
safe manner. Please contact your retailer or the appropriate local
government office for collection facilities.
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We declare under our sole responsibility that this product is in conformity
with the following standards or standardized documents:
BS EN 60065 in accordance with the regulations 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC
(from 1 January 1997)
CE 94
Peter Qvortrup,
Director
Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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Thank you for purchasing this Audio Note (UK) product. With the correct care it
should give you many years of pleasure and enjoyment.
Please take the time to read all of the information in this manual before connecting
your new component to an electrical supply or your system, to ensure both your
safety and satisfaction.
Please note that due to our desire to continually improve products, specifications are
subject to change without notice. Therefore it is important to refer to the manual that
is supplied with your product for the most accurate information; manuals downloaded
from our website or obtained from other sources may no longer fully apply to your
product.
If you have any questions regarding the information contained within this document
or your new component, please feel free to contact us: -
Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]o.uk
INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note (UK) M3 Phono Pre Amplifier.
It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical
specification, and fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level 3 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 M3 Phono Pre Amplifier 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 base anomalies, rather than producing
vanishingly small harmonic or low intermodulation distortion measurements. These
non-harmonic amplitude and time base 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
ʻperfect measured responseʼ.
As a result, the M3 Phono was designed for maximum linearity and minimum
transient distortion, and avoids the need for detrimental ʻcorrectiveʼmeasures, such
as inherently error-prone feedback loops.
The M3 Phono Pre Amplifier features an ECC82 and 5687WB line stage, and uses a
6X5 valve rectified power supply based on the M10ʼs Galahad PSU. Audio Note (UK)
copper wiring, a mix of Beyshlag and Audio Note tantalum resistors, SILMIC filter
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)
copper wound output transformers. The M3 Phono also has a correctly designed and
implemented balanced output circuit.
Additionally, it incorporates an exceptionally fine Moving Magnet phonostage which
uses three GE 6072a valves, Audio Note (UK) copper foil signal capacitors and its
own dedicated, valve regulated and rectified power supply.
Rather than using separate controls for volume and balance, the M3 Phono 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.
M3 PHONO PRE AMPLIFIER

Please take care when unpacking your M3 Phono Pre Amplifier. Choose a clean,
clear location to unpack your unit. Be aware that the Pre Amplifier is very heavy;
before attempting to unpack or lift the unit, check the weight and if necessary use
more than one person so that it can be moved safely and easily.
We recommend that you retain and carefully store all of the original packing
materials, in case transportation / shipping is required at a later date.
Select a suitable location for the unit. This should be a dry, dust free and level area,
preferably shielded from direct sunlight and free from vibration. Also ensure that the
location is stable and capable of carrying the weight of the unit.
A suitable mains power outlet must be close to the location; power cords must not be
pulled or stretched tightly in an attempt to reach a wall socket. If the power cord will
not easily reach the socket, choose a closer location!
Please ensure that adequate ventilation for the unit is provided, and that airflow
through any ventilation slots in the unit is not restricted. We recommend a distance of
at least 20cm free space is maintained above the unit. Please also remember that
valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures, so a position that is
inaccessible to children or animals is essential.
UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION

Line inputs Four RCA / Single Ended line inputs are available for connection,
labeled ʻTunerʼʻAuxʼʻCD1ʼand ʻCD2ʼ; any standard ʻline levelʼsource
can be connected to these inputs.
All sockets are colour coded; RED is for RIGHT channel connection,
WHITE is for LEFT channel connection.
Phono input The M3 Phono is equipped with a high quality, valve, Moving Magnet
(MM) phonostage. Connect the cables from your tonearm to the
ʻPhonoʼsocket inputs. If your turntable is equipped with a separate
earth wire, connect this to the dedicated grounding / earth post,
located next to the ʻPhonoʼinput sockets.
If you wish to use a low output Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, Audio Note
(UK) manufactures a series of Step Up Transformers for this purpose.
For further information, please contact your Audio Note (UK) Dealer,
or alternatively please contact us direct.
Mains The M3 Phono Pre Amplifier utilizes an IEC 320 mains inlet socket.
Use the supplied mains cable to connect the unit to the local mains
supply. The mains fuses are located in separate fuse holders, situated
on the rear panel.
Special Note –Make sure that all connectionsare tight and clean. For
best results use good quality audio interconnects. Although it is
perfectly acceptable to use cables manufactured by other companies,
for best results and performance, we recommend our own Audio Note
(UK) range of interconnects and loudspeaker cables. For further
information, please consult your nearest Audio Note (UK) dealer, or
alternatively please feel free to contact us directly.
Ground Post A ground post is provided for connection to those source components
that also use a separate ground terminal.
Outputs The M3 Phono provides two unbalanced outputs, consisting of two
pairs of colour coded RCA / Single Ended sockets. RED is for RIGHT
channel connection, WHITE is for LEFT channel connection.
There is also a balanced output, consisting of a pair of ʻmaleʼXLR
sockets (see ʻBalancedʼsection, below).
RCA The two pairs of RCA / Single Ended outputs are for connection to a
power amplifier and are identical, making them suitable for bi-amping.
CONNECTION
RCA SOCKET,
CENTRE = POSITIVE / SEND.
RCA SOCKET,
SHELL = NEGATIVE / RETURN.

CONNECTION continued…
3
XLR MALE
OUTPUT
1
2
3
RCA
OUTPUT
SOCKET
BALANCED /
SINGLE ENDED
SWITCH
Balanced The M3 Phono is equipped with custom designed and manufactured
output transformers, which utilize an improved output and grounding
scheme to provide the best possible connection to the power amplifier.
Below is a description of the various cable and connection options: -
The pin configuration for all Audio Note (UK)
XLR / BALANCED connections is as follows: -
PIN 1 Ground / Shield
PIN 2 Positive / Send
PIN 3 Negative / Return
The balanced and unbalanced outputs cannot be used
simultaneously; select the appropriate output using the toggle switch.
When using an amplifier with a true balanced input, the
ʻBALANCED / SINGLE ENDEDʼswitch may be set in either position.
When set to the ʻBALANCEDʼposition, the centre tap of the output
transformer secondary is connected to the preamplifierʼs ground.
When set in the ʻSINGLE ENDEDʼ(unbalanced) position, the
secondary ʻfloatsʼin relation to the preamplifier ground. This provides
the option of either a low or high common mode impedance to ground
at the preamplifier output. Experiment with both positions to achieve
the lowest background hum from the system.

CONNECTION continued…
CABLE CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
When connecting the XLR / BALANCED outputs to an amplifier with an
RCA / Single Ended input, the switch must be set to the
ʻSINGLE ENDEDʼposition.
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CONVENTIONAL: SCREEN CONNECTED AT BOTH ENDS
XLR FEMALE
XLR MALE
3
1
1
2
2
3
SCREEN
PREAMP OUTPUT
POWER AMP INPUT
SCREEN CONNECTED AT PREAMP END ONLY, TO
ELIMINATE GROUND LOOPS
3
2
1
2
1
3
SCREEN
XLR FEMALE
XLR MALE
PREAMP OUTPUT
POWER AMP INPUT
CABLE CONFIGURATION FOR XLR BALANCED PREAMP
OUTPUT TO RCA UNBALANCED AMPLIFIER INPUT
2
1
3
SCREEN
XLR FEMALE
RCA MALE
PREAMP OUTPUT
POWER AMP INPUT

OPERATION
Once all the connections are completed and checked, ensure that the volume
controlsare at the minimum setting (rotated all the way left).
Ensure that all source components connected to the M3 Pre Amplifier are
switched ON. Source components should always be the FIRST components to be
switched on and the LAST components to be switched off.
Ensure that all power amplifiers connected to the M3 Pre Amplifier are
switched OFF. Any power amplifiers in use should be the LAST components to be
switched on, and the FIRST components to be switched off.
The above procedure minimizes the possibility of loud noises produced by
components at switch on being passed to the loudspeakers and possibly causing
damage.
Turn on the M3 Pre Amplifier by using the rocker switch located on the rear panel,
above the mains inlet IEC socket.
The M3 Pre Amplifier requires approximately 45 seconds to initialize before it is
ready for operation.
Input Selector Turn the selector to the source you wish to listen to.
Volume Controls There are two separate volume controls, one dedicated to
each channel. For a correctly produced Stereo or Mono
recording, adjust both channels to the same level. If it is
necessary to equalize the relative levels for each channel,
adjust the controls separately to achieve the desired balance.

Bedding in The new amplifier requires about 200 hours of initial use (called
“bedding in”) before the circuitry becomes stable and optimum
performance is realized.
As the amplifier “beds in” the sound will become increasingly
smoother, detailed and open.
Once the amplifier has “bedded in” a warm up time of
approximately 30 to 45 minutes is required each time the
amplifier is switched on before optimum sonic performance is
reached.
Cleaning No special maintenance is required for the amplifier. Use a
soft, clean lint free cloth to remove any surface marks from the
casework. For finger marks / grease, use a soft, clean lint free
cloth, lightly moistened with a solution of warm water and mild
detergent. Do not use any alcohol or solvent based cleaning
products, as they may damage the finish of the amplifier.
ENSURE THAT THE AMPLIFIER IS SWITCHED OFF AND
DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS ELECTRICITY
SUPPLY BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY CLEANING.
Valve Life The valves supplied with your M3 Pre Amplifier should provide
approximately 5 years of operation. They are specially selected
by us, and should only be replaced with valves of the same
type and specification. Please consult your Audio Note (UK)
dealer should your valves need replacing. Alternatively, feel
free to contact us directly.
OPERATION continued…

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INPUT IMPEDANCE
100 KOhm Line Level
47KOhm, phono
INPUT SENSITIVITY
126mV for 1V Output, Line Level
GAIN @ 1KHz
15dB Line Level
63dB Phono
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
<10 Ohms
OUTPUT NOISE (RMS)
<0.1mV unweighted, Line Level
<15mV unweighted, Phono
TUBE COMPLIMENT
1 x ECC82
1 x 5687WB
2 x 6X5
2 x ECL82
2 x OB2
3 x 6072a
FUSE RATINGS
1.6A anti-surge (110 / 120V supply)
800mA anti-surge (220 / 240V supply)
MAX. POWER CONSUMPTION
81 Watts
UNIT WEIGHT
16 KG
SHIPPING WEIGHT
(ORIGINAL PACKAGING)
19 KG
UNIT DIMENSIONS
135mm (h) x 440mm (w) x 410mm (d)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
(ORIGINAL PACKAGING)
235mm (h) x 540mm (w) x 510mm (d)
NOTE
Due to Audio Note (UK)ʼs ongoing research and
development program, specifications are subject
to change without notice.

Audio Note (UK) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for two yearsfrom the original date of purchase from an appointed
Audio Note (UK) dealer, and agrees to cover the cost of parts and associated labour
required to correct such defects, subject to terms & conditions.
This Warranty is offered to the first purchaser only.
Any valves supplied with the unit are warranted for three months from the original
date of purchase.
If the product fails in normal domestic use and during the Warranty period due to the
above described faults or defects, Audio Note (UK) will,at its discretion, repair or
replace the item free of charge within a reasonable time once it has been returned to
Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or service engineer.
Audio Note (UK) is not liable for any shipping charges incurred whilst transporting the
product to or from Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or
service engineer, should the item require service or repair during or after the
Warranty period.
If the product must be shipped, please use the original packaging materials and
include a copy of the original sales receipt along with a note explaining, in as much
detail as possible, the problems you are experiencing with the unit.
Only use a reputable Courier Service or Shipping Agent, and ensure that your
product is insured during transit.
Any servicing, repairs or modificationsnot authorized by Audio Note (UK), or
carried out by persons other than appointed Audio Note (UK) service
engineers will invalidate any warranty.
This Warranty does NOT cover: -
Damage sustained whilst in the possession of a shipping agent, retailer or consumer
and not caused as a direct result of defects in materials or workmanship.
Damage caused by normal wear and tear.
Damage or defects caused by abnormal or unreasonable use.
Damage caused by accident, acts of nature, misuse or neglect.
Damage caused by a failure to follow the operating and installation instructions
supplied with the product.
Damage caused by improper or careless cleaning.
Audio Note (UK) reserves the right to refuse warranty for any component of which
the serial number has been removed, defaced or tampered with.
WARRANTY INFORMATION

Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]o.uk
CONTACT INFORMATION
If in the future your Audio Note (UK) product
requires servicing, or if you require technical support
or have any questions regarding this or any of our
other products, please contact your local Audio Note
(UK) dealer.
Alternatively, please feel free to contact us directly: -!