M2

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 M2 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 „perfect measured response‟.

As a result, the M2 was designed for maximum linearity and minimum transient distortion, and avoids the need for detrimental „corrective‟ measures, such as inherently error-prone feedback loops.

 

It fulfils all Audio Note (UK) Level 2 criteria

• Pure Class A operation
• Zero negative feedback
• Materials and component quality

Current models

• M2 Line
• M2 Line Balanced
• M2 Phono
• M2 Phono Balanced
• M2 RIAA

Materials and component quality M2 Line versions

• Features a 6SN7 line stage and a valve rectified power supply incorporating a 6X5 and an ECL82.
• The M2 Line and M2 Phono are phase inverting.

Materials and component quality M2 Phono versions

• All our pre-amps are available as 'Phono' version designed as a proper record collector’s control centre and feature a stereo – mono switch and the most direct and cleanest signal path possible, with no tape input or loop. They are really designed to maximise the quality of all LPs made with the RIAA curve, whether mono or stereo.
• Features a 6SN7 line stage, an ECC83 and 6DJ8 Moving Magnet phono stage, and a valve rectified power supply incorporating a 6X5 and an ECL82.

Materials and component quality M2 RIAA

• The M1 - M8 preamplifiers come as a 'RIAA' only version for those who use integrated amplifiers or have a line only pre-amp. The performance of our RIAA Preamps is already legendary. Being major record collectors, we have always felt the need for a top flight phono-stages, focussed on getting the absolutely best from the LP, whether mono or stereo. They are really designed to maximise the quality of all LPs made with the RIAA curve, whether mono or stereo.
• Features a 6SN7 line stage, an ECC83 and 6DJ8 Moving Magnet phono stage, and a valve rectified power supply incorporating a 6X5 and an ECL82.

Materials and component quality M2 RIAA version

• The Balanced versions have a correctly designed and implemented balanced output circuit, including a pair of copper / copper output transformers.

Engineered with audiophile-grade components — premium drivers, hand-matched crossovers, and a hardwood enclosure tuned for natural decay. Every cabinet is internally braced and damped to suppress resonance below the threshold of audibility.

• Custom 6.5" mid-bass driver with paper-pulp cone for transient accuracy.
• Soft-dome silk tweeter with neodymium motor for airy, fatigue-free highs.
• Point-to-point hand-wired crossover using silver-foil capacitors.
• Bi-wirable terminals plated in pure copper.

Place each speaker on its dedicated stand, toed-in toward the listening position. The hardwood enclosure resonates in concert with the drivers — a deliberate, musical interaction rather than a flaw to be eliminated.

Connect to a quality amplifier using bi-wired speaker cable for the most transparent presentation. Allow 50–100 hours of break-in for the drivers and crossover capacitors to settle into their final voicing.