Audio Note M10 Pre-Amplifier

Dagogo Review — Feature Review Summary

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 M10 preamplifier 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 inter-modulation 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 M10 was designed for maximum linearity and minimum transient distortion, and avoids the need for detrimental „corrective‟ measures, such as inherently error-prone feedback loops.

Rather than using separate controls for volume and balance, the M10 preamplifier 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.

The M10 Line features a pair of correctly engineered balanced / XLR inputs for sources with suitable balanced outputs. Each input is connected directly to an in-house custom designed and produced, silver wired input transformer, which offers the finest possible input for your XLR Line level source outputs.

​The M10 Signature features two pairs of correctly engineered balanced / XLR inputs for sources with suitable balanced outputs. Each input is connected directly to an in-house custom designed and produced, silver wired input transformer, which offers the finest possible input for your XLR Line level source outputs

Each channel is powered by an independent external power supply, housed in a Meishu sized chassis.

As one would expect, the output transformers for the M10 are some of the finest possible examples we can produce. Each transformer is fully silver wound, and feature our own 55% nickel iron C-Cores.