Audio System for This Article

Above: Audio system for this article.

Let me go over the components in this audio system for context. 

Audio Note (UK) uses a system approach to performance, where the audio system is assembled around the “performance level” of the amplifier. After choosing an amplifier, as a rule of thumb, the components you would choose to make up your Audio Note (UK) audio system would be those in the same range, or one level above, or two levels below, the amplifier you’ve chosen. 

So for the Level Four Tomei 211 SET integrated amplifier, we started our M3 RIAA to M8 RIAA phono preamplifier survey with the Level Three M3 RIAA phono preamplifier plus the AN-S4/L SUT. Then we proceeded to the Level Four M6 RIAA phono preamplifier plus the AN-S4/L SUT, and for this article we are at the Level Five M8 RIAA phono preamplifier paired with the AN-S8/L SUT. 

Here’s the full components complement for this audio system: 

For the source component I am using my Classic Turntable Company Garrard 301 turntable fitted with an oversize high-mass brass platter, a SPEC AP-UD1 turntable mat, a Garrard 401 motor, a Thomas Schick 12-inch tonearm with graphite headshell, sitting within an Artisan Fidelity plinth. 

Above: CTC Garrard 301.

An Audio Note (UK) Io I moving-coil phonograph cartridge is fitted to the graphite headshell, with Oyaide silver & silk headshell leads making the connections. 

Above: Schick graphite headshell with Io I MC cartridge and Acoustic Revive silver headshell leads.

The interconnects exiting my Schick tonearm connect to the inputs of the AN-S8/L SUT, which connects to the Audio Note (UK) M8 RIAA phono preamplifier.

Above: AN-S8/L step-up transformer.

Above: "Level Five" M8 RIAA phono preamplifier.

For this review, I compared the Level Five M8 RIAA plus AN-S8/L SUT combination to the previously reviewed Level Four M6 RIAA plus AN-S4/L SUT with Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnects combination. 

Above: AN-S4/L SUT

Above: "Level Four" M6 RIAA phono preamplifier.

The M8 RIAA (or M6 RIAA) connects to the Audio Note (UK) Tomei 211 integrated amplifier with Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnects.

Above: "Level Four" Tomei 211 SET integrated amplifier.

The Tomei 211 integrated amplifier connects to my Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers with Audio Note (UK) AN-SPe silver loudspeaker cables.

Above. Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers with Duelund CAST crossovers.

My Westminster loudspeakers are fitted with custom Duelund Coherent Audio crossovers, with Duelund CAST pure silver components in the high-frequency circuits, and Duelund CAST pure copper components in the low-frequency circuits, providing an enormous boost in performance.

Above: Stock Tannoy crossovers are disconnected, and Duelund CAST crossovers connect directly to the Tannoy drivers.

The Tomei 211, the M8 RIAA, the M6 RIAA, the AN-S4/L SUT, the AN-S8/L SUT all rested upon Acoustic Revive isolation platforms. Acoustic Revive “Absolute” power cables connected the Audio Note (UK) components to an Acoustic Revive RPT-6 Absolute NCF Power Distributor, and to wall AC.  The wall AC connection consisted of an Oyaide R-0 AC outlet, Acoustic Revive CB-1DB receptacle base plate, and Acoustic Revive CFRP-1F carbon fiber outlet plate. 

Listening Impressions

Ok, that's all for now. Expect to see the full feature review of the Audio Note (UK) M8 RIAA phono preamplifier and AN-S8/L step-up transformer at Positive Feedback in the next couple of weeks.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!