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EAR vs Audio Note preamp

Friends,
I am contemplating getting a preamp with in-built high quality phono stage. I have shortlisted EAR 868/912 or Audio Note M3/M5 phono. I plan to buy pre-owned so I am flexible about the models. The power amp that will be driven will be a Nelson Pass First Watt F6 initially and slowly I may get into the SET domain. Can someone tell me about the sonic difference between EAR and Audio Note preamps ? I value speed, dynamics and purity of tone. I am neither for artificial warmth or artificial clarity. 



pani
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
No one has heard either EAR or Audio Note or both ? Both of them are suppose to have a cult following. I have heard AN and really like it but it is an expensive brand to get into so I am also looking at EAR products (especially the preamp) but I have not heard any of their products.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
Im very familiar with EAR but not Audio-Note. 

You might want to also consider Atma-Sphere Pre-Amps. These respond to tube rolling very well and the stock Chinese tubes provided have outclassed alot of the Solid state pre-amps i have compared them too. They are musical and very transparent at the same time.
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