What it is
Audio Note (UK) M2 Phono — single-ended zero-feedback Class A valve preamp with on-board MM phono stage. 6SN7 line stage + ECC83 + 6DJ8 phono + 6X5 + ECL82 valve-rectified PSU. Hand-built Hove, East Sussex. "Level 2" in Audio Note hierarchy: Pure Class A + Zero negative feedback + Single Ended circuit topology + Valve rectification + Materials/component quality criteria met.
Audio Note: "the most linear design possible, demanding pure Class A valve operation and removing the need for a phase splitter, which introduces unnecessary crossover distortion."
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FIT: ~2kΩ output impedance + zero-feedback design. Power amp pairing: minimum 47kΩ input impedance (most modern power amps meet this); cable length ≤2m for optimal HF response. SE topology phase-inverts vs typical preamps — note for system polarity matching.
Pre-amp pairing partner: any moderate-to-high-input-Z power amp. Native partners: AN UK's own P2 SE / Conqueror / Paladin / Vindicator power amps. Cross-brand: EAR 509/890, Sugden Masterclass, Living Voice. Output Z ~2kΩ may not drive Naim NAP-series ideally (38kΩ input).
Spec_completeness=partial — Audio Note publishes very few numerical specs by design philosophy. Most fields inferred from typical valve preamp practice. Honest acknowledgement: AN UK is the lowest-spec-transparency manufacturer in the catalog.
Who it comes up against
10 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Whest Audio 60Se Pro, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Audiolab 9000Q keeps the slot decisively.
With the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on depth of bass.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
S/N exceeding 112dB A-weighted, THD <0.002%Audiolab 9000P/Q HomeTheaterReview specs + Audio Tailor review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50 MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audiolab 9000P gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
clear and quick in the critical registersStereophile (Dudley) 2004 (M2 Balanced)
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50SA MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Neutron keeps the slot clearly.
With the Leema Hydra II, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Leema Hydra II gives up vocal presence under the Cavity-Native weighting.
clear and quick in the critical registersStereophile (Dudley) 2004 (M2 Balanced)
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line) keeps the slot decisively.
With the EAR Yoshino 890, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
Audio Note pre with onboard phono, classic SET-friendly voicingAudio Note M2 Phono + Stereophile heritage
2 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier keeps the slot clearly.
With the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note M2 Phono is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) gives up vocal presence under the Artisan weighting.
clear and quick in the critical registersStereophile (Dudley) 2004 (M2 Balanced)