Strictly for fans of Audio Note UK (all things Audio Note UK)

Few questions for the experts:

1. Are those new AN stepped attenuators make-before-break or break-before-make type?
2. How it could be possible that one attenuator is harder to rotate than the other?
3. What can cause audible phono buzz (especially audible in the tweeters) in the M5 preamp when my old M2 is much quieter in this regard?

Thanks.

 

1. I would say make-before-break, but only way to be sure is to shoot Audio Note a message. They reply very quickly ie. on Facebook.
2. No idea
3. Gain of the M2 RIAA is 38dB and M5 RIAA is 44.5dB. So that gain increase might be the cultprit, but still you shouldn't get phono buzz to listening position with Audio Note pre-amps? They are regarded as one of the most silent tube based units around. Give a shout to Audio Note about this as well?

 

while i’m no expert ...

i just listened to my M5 Phono ... turned the attenuators all the way up and switcher to the phono input and it’s dead quite. i have to stick my ear up to the speaker to hear anything. if possible, check your valves ...

 

Was the turntable cable connected to the preamp? Because when I pull out the cable from the phono input, then it's quiet.

 

What does this mean? And what are the implications?

 

yeah ... i can hear the some phono noise but maybe i’m just use to it or it doesn’t bother me. but i have to be near the speaker to hear it. i hope that makes sense.

the phono stage in the M5 is superior to the one in the M2. how does it sound?

that is strange on the attenuators. on mine one might be a little easier to turn but nothing that bothers me. in fact, i didn’t notice it until you mentioned it. i suppose because these things are all hand made (and the parts inside) there might be some variances?

 

Glossary Definition for Break-Before-Make

Glossary Definition for Make-Before-Break

I guess make before break attenuators do not pop when in use.

 

is it breaking in still? i know mine took several hundred hours to really shine. perhaps even longer.

 

This is what I'm hearing when volume is at about 1 o'clock:

 

It sounds superb. Different league when comparing to M2.

 

Is yours still popping?

 

how far away from the speaker do you hear that?

 

Close enough. But you can hear it from the sitting position.

 

Yes, it's popping. Strangely enough only when I change the volume during vinyl playback. When needle is not in the groove, no popping at all.

 

this is a great photo.

 

Strange. Seems like a clue of sorts but I’m not knowledgeable enough to decipher it ...

 

OK, guys, an update! Thanks to mighty slcaudiophile, my phono buzz went away. Suggestion was to attach ground cable from the tonearm to one of the unused RCA inputs instead of ground post of the preamp. Not sure really what was the reason but it worked like a miracle. Thanks slcaudiophile!

 

anytime ... enjoy!

 

And this is my humble system

 

Good to hear. Did the popping of the attenuators go away also?

 

Nop. I guess they need some time.

 

I had some popping with my M5 sig at first but it's gone now after one year or so. The popping was only with the first and second step. Regarding the gain phono stage and sut 5 I use have a lot more then with DAC 3.1/II. Though no hum what so ever with phono or dig.

 

How loud was it?

 

Small and happened only when the amp was cold.