Audible Illusions M3B or L3

I own an L3. It has a single-knob master volume potentiometer that is unstepped, motor driven and can be positioned with the remote. The L3 also has "right" and "left" separate stepped attenuators that are not controlled by the remote, but are "set and forget" controls for overall gain (or, more accurately, attenuation) and channel balance. The steps sound to me to be about 2dB apart. The master volume is a stereo 50k Alps pot of very high laser trimmed quality.

The raw gain of the unit is about 30dB, as in earlier units, but by using the stepped attenuators to set overall level and balance, control of volume with the master volume pot is very smooth and refined. I estimate my attenuation is set to about -15dB with the stepped attenuators and another 20dB with the master volume control. I am running a moving magnet cartridge (4mV output at 5cm/sec) into an ARC PH3 phono stage(54 dB gain) which is really hot. Still, with the L3, no problem. I have very fine control of volume.

This is an extremely refined preamplifier, and the problem with too much gain with the AI mod 3 and 3a units has been solved with this AI line stage arrangement

I am waiting 4+ months for my L3 line stage... I hope it's worth the wait! I purchased it under the factory exchange program, giving up my excellent and trouble free 16 year old Mod 3A. If the 3A had a remote volume, I would have kept it at least another 16 years. Has anyone else had similar delivery delays recently?

Now I'm worried. I sent my m3a and a check in early February. I'm still waiting to hear from them. I'll be patient.

I like some audible IIIlusion's product's, to tell you the truth here, I am surprised they are still in bussiness after all these years!, I will also say, they do have a bad turn around on anything, however, they do last for years, a small outfit such as this has comprimises, some may believe it is worth it, if you have the patience, it is!

AI's turn around time is terrible. I purchased an L3 from them last year and waited about 4+ months for delivery and I am only 60 miles from the factory (not that it matters)

however the L3 is a great pre and worth the wait. It is very adjustable wrt gain as mentioned earlier. Just make sure you use the recommended tubes as it will eat lesser ones.