Audible Illusions Modulus M3B Full Function Tube Preamplifier with Phono

Description

MY TAKE: Possibly more than any other preamplifier, the Audible Illusions Modulus 3A established itself as a classic in its own time. The new Modulus 3B elevates that level of performance to a whole new realm. Absolutely, wholeheartedly recommended! - Galen Carol
 

NEW MODULUS 3B - "During the past 40 years, our Modulus preamplifiers have evolved through several generations to become one of the best tube preamplifiers available.

"Built on the Company's design philosophy that "Simpler is Better" the Modulus clearly demonstrates the superiority of single-ended, pure class-A no-feedback tube designs that have garnered critical acclaim from audio authorities around the world.
 
"Completely hand-crafted this latest Modulus employs only the finest parts available. The external power supply has been redesigned with a larger toroid transformer with special circuitry to minimize common-mode noise.

The precision-machined faceplate features new control knobs and pushbuttons. The company name is engraved and gold-filled. 
 
"Needless to say "This is the Finest Modulus We Have Ever Made". - Audible Illusions
 

Since the product first entered production in 1983, more than 19,000 Modulus preamplifiers have been sold worldwide! Quite an accomplishment, and certainly worthy of the popularity, the M3A stands on its own as a superb audiophile component of the highest caliber. The M3B continues that tradition, building upon the strengths of the legendary M3A.

The Modulus M3B is a deceptively simple design, employing a single gain stage, class A triode circuit utilizing no cathode followers or buffers to degrade the sound. It is a basic design concept that has remained a focus of the Modulus circuit topology since its inception and is one of the reasons for the sparkling sonic clarity and resolution.

Inside you'll find a host of superb parts and pieces, along with excellent quality workmanship and great attention to detail. The list of parts includes: Teflon solder mask, OFC circuit board traces, custom film capacitors, and custom stepped attenuators using high-quality metal film resistors.

What is it that makes the Modulus M3B such a standout? I'd have to say it is a balance of strengths with few, very few, weaknesses. A strong suit has always been the soundstage, and the M3B competes with most any preamp (almost regardless of price) in this area. It develops an absolutely holographic panorama, that is truly a delight to experience.

In sum, it is difficult to fault the Modulus 3B on any count. Look for yourself, but I doubt you'll find a preamp with this level of performance, build-quality, and reliability at anywhere near the price.

The MM phono input will accept any cartridge with 1mV of output, or greater. For those using low output moving coil cartridges, optional Gold Phono Boards are available for increased gain. Designed by the legendary John Curl, the ultra-quiet pre-pre amp boards give the M3B the ability to handle even very low output MC cartridges with low noise and superb fidelity.

FEATURES:

• Circuit design is Pure Class-A, Single-Ended Triode, Zero Feedback, Dual-Mono
• Audio Circuit has no Cathode Followers or Buffers
• To prevent unwanted AC-induced distortions, the M3B features an External Power Supply housing three separate regulated supplies and a large-shielded custom-wound transformer
• The main chassis has three-separate, fully-regulated FET power supplies driving the audio circuitry in addition to separate filament supplies
• Automatic-timed muting circuit with Dual-Color LED indicator
• Low-light illumination for Selector Switch and Volume Controls
• Standby Mode avoids cold starts and prolongs tube life and circuit components
• Active Tape Output Circuit is FET regulated, set for unity gain
• Circuit boards are OFC copper and hand-soldered with silver solder. Polypropylene and Polystyrene capacitors used are proprietary designs of Audible Illusions.
• Resistors are 1% film Vishay-Dale and Roederstein
• Proprietary gold-plated RCA Jacks with Teflon Insulators
• Volume-Balance controls are precision stepped attenuators

The Modulus M3B adds a host of features and performance enhancements over its predecessor, the M3A.
 

M3B vs M3A

• Relay Switching – the signal does not pass through switches resulting in better clarity and definition
• Upgraded interstage coupling capacitors – All capacitors in the signal path are film and foil for better resolution and lower noise
• Larger, low-noise toroid transformer in the outboard power supply for improved performance in all areas
• Cleaner, more direct signal path resulting in improved performance in all areas
• Revised taper on attenuator for better matching with a wider range of source components
• User-adjustable gain settings

CUSTOMER COMMENTS:
 

"Let me begin at the end, with the bottom line: the Audible Illusions Modulus 3B is the biggest bang/buck preamp on the planet. Yes, it's not inexpensive. But it performs at a world-class level, rivaling the sound quality of pre's in the 5-figure range.
 

"I am a lifelong audiophile, and have had the good fortune over the last three decades of owning and/or directly experiencing preamps from many of the major players in the audio industry, including: Pass, Rowland, Conrad-Johnson, Audio Research, Aesthetix, Sonic Frontiers (back when they existed!), BAT, VAC, and Classe (to name a few). Between my own ownership, that of my best audio-friend in town, and attendance at RMAF, I've been able to sample many, many components. As a consequence, I don't make my "bank/buck" claim lightly.
 

"Probably the finest-sounding pre's I've ever heard are the top of the line offerings by BAT and VAC, which I spent some time with at last year's RMAF. But - and here's the but - the Audible Illusions gives up little to them. In terms of every sonic parameter - tone, texture, dimensionality, breadth and depth of soundstage, rhythm and pacing, frequency range - it is simply superlative. Most surprisingly, it SERIOUSLY cranks some bass. That is, it sounds equally exquisite playing Tchaikovsky as it does Soundgarden. The Modulus ROCKS. I recently did a shootout between it and a custom-built ARC unit (with Great Northern Sound Company upgrades), and it was no contest. Mind you, I love my GNSC-modded unit, and Steve Huntley (back in the days of GNSC) did fantastic work. But the AI kicked its ass (in fairness, it is an SP14, so it wasn't ever top-of-the-line to begin with).
 

"Side notes: (1) I have the latest iteration, with all of Art Ferris's latest tweaks (circa 2015), and (2) it has the Gold Card phono, as I primarily listen to vinyl.
 

"So yeah, I have heard DIFFERENT preamps - that is, compared to the finest I have heard, you'll hear slightly different renderings. Have I heard something that sounds BETTER, and that I've found more SATISFYING? No.
 

"Now for the "bad" parts (or at least, other parts) of my commentary. First, I would seriously recommend tube-rolling, although Art advises strongly against this (given how hard the circuit pushes the tubes). I ran it with the stock Russian tubes he provides, and then with some Tungsrams I got from Upscale Audio. No comparison. But with no-holds-barred Telefunkens (premium grade, cryo'ed)? OOOoo la la, absolute heaven. And I haven't had ANY problems with durability.
 

"Second, be sure to follow Art's recommendation regarding the switches in the interior, to take the bypass caps out of the circuit.
 

"Third, I echo the previous poster's comments about time-lag. My audio buddy (previously alluded to) was so smitten with my pre that he ordered one for himself, and it took 4 months AFTER payment to get it - with near-weekly excuses from Art himself regarding the delay. But he DID (finally) get it, and it's fantastic - so he's very satisfied. We both suspect that Art - having done this continuously for 40 years, and with just a couple of employees - may be winding down his operation. Regardless, be prepared for a LONG wait, should you order one - and LOTS of additional delays, with stories. But - and here's the REALLY important part - there isn't ANY duplicity that I can discern. That is, you WILL get your preamp - eventually - and it WILL be worth the wait: a truly hand-built, custom-designed, incredible-sounding preamp from arguably THE greatest preamp designer ever." - Dr. Steven M.
 

"I have a Modulus 3A with Gold phono board. The gold phono board is all fet designed by John Curl and is very similar to the sound of the Vendetta phono preamp. The Gold phono board adds about 20db of gain to the signal, then it passes through the M3B tube phono preamp. I use it with a ZU/Denon DL103. The sound is to die for. I also have a Modulus 3B in my main system and the sound of the 3B is light years ahead of the 3A. It is much quieter, has greater bandwidth and the sound is much more relaxed and analog sounding. I am using a Dynavector 20xl low output mc cartridge on this preamp with a Denon AU320 step-up transformer. I must say that the gold phono board on my Modulus3A sounds better than using the Denon SUT. The tube phono preamp on both units are very satisfactory. Both phono preamps are very quiet using the Ultra-low noise 6h23neb tubes from Audible Illusions. I have to put the preamp volume 3/4 of the way up before I hear even the slightest amount of hiss with my 89db efficient speakers. The L3 is just the line portion of the M3B preamp, it only uses 2 tubes instead of 4. Everything else is the same. If you do not have a turntable, get the L3 instead." - Stereo5, AG Member

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Overall Gain: 58dB at 1kHz
• Tube Compliment: 4-6922 or 6H23EB twin-triodes, graded & matched
• Weight: 20.5 lbs, 24 lbs (shipping weight)
• Dimensions: 19″W x 3.5″H standard rack
• Chassis is 17″W x 11″D x 3″H
• Power Supply, 6″W x 10″D x 5″H
• Muting:45 second warm-up and automatic brown-out protection
• Power Requirements: 115-125VAC, 60Hz
• Optional 100, 220, 230, 240 50-60Hz transformers.

PHONO SECTION:

• Gain: 28dB at 1kHz
• Frequency Response: +/- .25dB of RIAA from 20hz to 20kHz
• Signal Phase: Non-Inverting
• Signal to Noise: 74dB below a 5mV input wideband
• Distortion: Less than .015% at 20 kHz
• Input Impedance: 47 kOhms
• Phono Overload: 1.2v RMS at 1 kHz (100k load)
• 750mv RMS at 1 kHz (IHF load)

HIGH-LEVEL SECTION:

• Gain: 30dB, Tape & S/S Processor 0dB
• Frequency Response: Within +/-1 dB
• 2Hz to 100kHz measured w 1-1 probe
• (50 kOhms, 100pf load)
• Signal to Noise: 90dB below 1.5V RMS output wideband
• Input Impedance: 50kOhm – all
• Output Impedance: Main-1.2 kOhms, Tape-150 Ohms
• Distortion: .10% at 1.5V RMS, 20-50 kHz, into 50kOhm load. Less than .12% THD at 1v out into IHF load
• Signal Phase: Main Outputs – Inverting
• Tape Outputs – Non-Inverting
• Maximum Input: 9v RMS

Audible Illusions Trade-In Program

Did you know you can trade-in your vintage Audible Illusions preamp toward the latest version? You can, and your old preamp is worth a lot more than you might think (and possibly more than you paid for it!).

The fine print: Your preamp must be in excellent cosmetic condition and in good working order.