Audio Note M-8-RIAA Owners manual

M8 RIAA

Level 5 phono pre-amplifier

Owner's Information

Music's Finest Conductor

Introduction to the M8 RIAA pre-amplifier

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note M8 RIAA level 5 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 5 requires the inclusion of all of these features with the materials and component
technology pushed beyond that of level 4; only the best available components are used in level 5
products.

The M8 RIAA

The M8 RIAA is a stand-alone moving magnet phono stage based on the M8 Phono, but with a
dedicated in-built power supply unit, which features valve rectification.

The M8 RIAA incorporates vacuum tube technology to produce the most accurate sound possible. We
have developed the M8 RIAA 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 M8 RIAA 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 M8 RIAA 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.

Connections

Phono input

The phono input is suitable for connection to a turntable with a moving magnet (MM) cartridge installed.
Audio Note is able to provide a range of step-up transformers for use with moving coil (MC) cartridges.
These transformers are able to provide the best possible match for the M8 RIAA. The phono input consists
of a pair of RCA connectors.

NOTE: Some turntables are equipped with a separate ground wire for connection to the ground

terminal next to the phono input sockets. We recommend that this terminal is used, however, in
some systems this may cause a ground loop. This will be identifiable by excessive background
hum. It is therefore worthwhile to experiment a little to find the connection method that yields the
lowest background noise levels.

Line output

Each line output is provided for connection to the input of a line level pre-amplifier or integrated
amplifier. Each line output consists of a pair of RCA connectors, marked white for left channel and red for
right channel.The M8 RIAA has 3 line outputs available.

Mains power connection

Use the supplied cable to connect the IEC inlet socket on the pre-amplifier to the mains supply. Ensure
the power is switched off when you do this.

NOTE: It is important that all connections are firm, secure and airtight. any oxidisation of the

interconnects will result in loss of performance. Always use high quality interconnects - Audio
Note interconnects are recommended, as they are manufactured to the same exacting
standards as all of our products.

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