2. amps-preamps
  3. 1058508847

AI L1 sound better than AI M3?

I just replaced my Audible Illusions L1 with a used Audible Illusions M3 cause I bought a Scout. Don't know if my ears are deceiving me, but I think the L1 sounds much better playing my CD player. Might be that I have 6H23 tubes in the L1 but 6922s in the M3. Does anyone have any experience with both of these preamps and have an opinion on which sounds better?

Thanks,
Winston
wcheng
wcheng OP
33 posts
 
Thanks to all for the responses. I actually called AI and they said that my ears were not deceiving me; the L1 sounds better than the M3 and the M3A sounds even better than the L1. Now I have to decide whether to upgrade to the M3A. I'm also thinking about just buying a Conrad Johnson EV1 and running it through the L1. Any opinions on whether that would be better sound than the M3 or M3A? BTW, those dual volume knobs are driving me CRAZY!

thanks,
winston
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Wouldnt know about the sound of the M3A but I replaced my L1 with a Art Audio MK2 Preamp and it was much better sounding and very flexable compared to the L1 ,JK
kool39
53 posts
 
Just curious Johnk, what was the price of your Art Audio preamp? Thanks.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Koll39 $1200 used on audiogon ,still miss it sold it on the gon ,went with a transformer preamp sounds a bit better but not as easy to use also no phono stage or active mode.JK
More to discover