Audio Note M-5 Owners manual

M5 Line

Level 3 line pre-amplifier

Owner's Information

Music's Finest Conductor

Introduction to the M5 Line pre-amplifier

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note M5 Line level 3 pre-amplifier.

Audio Note Level System

First, a word about how we classify our products at Audio Note. The world renowned Audio Note Ongaku,
Kegon and Gaku-on amplifiers incorporate six technological design features which give them
unmatched sonic performance and clarity, placing them amongst the best amplifiers in the world. All
Audio Note products are, where applicable, judged by this standard. These features are:

• Single ended output stage

• Zero negative feedback

• Directly heated triode output stage

• Pure Class A operation

• Materials and component technology

• Valve rectification

Qualification for level 3 requires the inclusion of at least three of these features.

The M5 Line

The M5 Line is a 5687 line stage pre-amplifier. It features a novel power supply, which is based on the
M10 power supply design, using 6X5, OB2 and ECL82 valves. The M5 Line also features Audi Note filter
capacitors and proprietary Audio Note copper wired HiB C-core output transformers.

The M5 Line incorporates vacuum tube technology to produce the most accurate sound possible. We
have developed the M5 Line using a "comparison by contrast"* technique of aural evaluation - a system
that is currently unique to Audio Note.

Please read this manual carefully in order to obtain the best possible performance and longevity from
your pre-amplifier.

*An essay dubbed "Audio Hell" which describes this system is available from Audio Note on request.

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Unpacking and installation

Please ensure care is taken when unpacking the pre-amplifier. We recommend that you store the
packing materials in case the unit requires shipping at a later date. Also, check that no transit damage
has occurred before installing the pre-amplifier.

Select a suitable location for the unit, ensuring that adequate ventilation is provided as the pre-amplifier
generates considerable heat during normal operation. Avoid sitting the M5 Line close to any other
equipment, such as a power amplifier, that may be generating a strong magnetic field, or in close
proximity to active mobile telephones.

The M5 Line is capable of driving long interconnects to power amplifiers and so, if you are using mono
block amplifiers, it may be worthwhile to locate them close to the speakers. This will reduce the speaker
cable lengths and provide sonic improvements.

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