alexs

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I was looking for a preamp with a built in phono stage. I am starting to believe that the simpler the system the better the sound. I decided that my EAR 834P and my Cary 98L can be replaced with a full function preamp with far better results, eliminating complexity, potential electrical anomalies and a set of cables. As we all know there are not too many full function preamps available today. I ran across a factory reconditioned M3A for a good price and I decided to go for it singt/sound unseen based on the many positive reviews.

When it finally arrived, I removed the EAR and the Cary from the system and plugged in the AI. I let it warm up for 15 minutes and played some Diana Krall Live in Paris. I can only say that I was shocked at the improvement of the AI over the Cary. Every aspect of audio performance was vastly improved. Detail, soundstage, dynamics (macro and micro), smothness, lack of irritants etc. is orders of magnitude better. How can this be? After all the Cary is also a Stereophile Class A recommended component. Hmmm...

Over the coming days I listened to many different CD's and yes, everything sounded much, much better. My reservation came when I played vinyl for the first time that first evening. Overall the phono stage sounded flat, boring and lacking in any sort of life. I ended up keeping my outboard shono stage just in case. However over the next two weeks of suffering through boring, lifeless vinly, things started to change. Slowly but surely things started to improve. After about 30-40 hours, I can honestly say that the phono stage of the AI is now sounding much better than the EAR and is every bit as good as the line stage. I have since sold the EAR and the AI phono stage is continuing to improve.

The AI is very suceptible to vibrations. I have mine on Vibracones along with tube dampers on all the tubes. These two tweaks make a signifcant difference as does a good power cord.

At the current price point, I really believe that this is a revolutionalry product. I have owned Krell, BAT, Threshold, CJ preamps and I will say that the AI is by far the best I have personally owned. I do not believe that the AI can be significantly bettered by anything under $20K. Highly recommended!

My system consists of

Reference 3A MM DeCapo i speakers
Cary 2A3 SE mono power amps
Esoteric SA60 digital player
Transrotor Atlante turntable
SME IV tonearm with Furutech cable
Benz Ebony H cartridge
JPS labs Superconductor 3 interconnects
JPS Labs Superconductor 2 speaker cables
JPS labs power cords on everything

Mc240

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The Audible Illusions Modulus 3a is an excellent musical performer, with a sound that is transparent and neutral from top to bottom. The phono stage is excellent, possessing a more open, detailed, yet sweet sound than the Rogue Metis that it replaced. Dollars spent for musical enjoyment would place the Modulus 3a at the very top of the value curve. Also the construction quality is first rate, with an all aluminum chassis. But that said, this preamp is not for everyone, for various reasons, including tubes, no remote, a phono stage, an external power supply, and dual volume controls.

The Audible Illusions Modulus 3a can be purchased for $900 up to $1600 on the used market!

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from audiogon

Summary:
This is a great pre-amp.Simplicity along with a very well built circuit lends itself to a very open nutral quality.

Weaknesses:
must add small o-ring to scews in power supply housing to reduce hum.

Andres

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from nd

Summary:
Quite good for the price (new or used). I have owned some preamps, line stages and pasives like the Classe Six, Pass Aleph P, Pass X2.5, Placette pasive preamp. In this moment I am using the Modulus 3 with my old but almost new Aleph 3 amp, my upgraded Esoteric DV-50, and my Audiophysic Virgo III loudspeakers. when I try the Modulus the first time I have noted a weak and soft bass but when I turn off the capacitor switches inside the M3 the bass performance go from weak and soft to tight and powerfull, this preamp is as transparent as my Pass X2.5, but may be the Pass have a little better bass, but the modulus 3 is more warm and less analitacal than the X2.5. Both amps are very very good. By definition this preamp is very transparent, the sound is not all tubey, I think have the best of both worlds, solid state and tube. Systems: Esoteric DV-50 upgraded (audio section) Audible Illusiones Mudulus 3A preamp Pass Labs Aleph 3 amp Audio Physic Virgo III loudspeakers Interconnects Alpha Core TQ-2 and Kimber KAGC Loudspeakers cables AQ Dragons System 2 Rotel CD as transport Wavelenght Cosine tube DAC Pass Labs X2.5 preamp VAC Auricle stereo amp Totem M-1 loudspeakers Same interconnects Speaker cables AQ Argent Table Clearaudio Solution Two Rega RB-600 arms Krell KPE phono preamp Red Rose Rosette (well is made in china but is quite good) phono preamp. Clearaudio Victory H cartridge Benz Micro L2 cartridge.

Strengths:
Transparent, transparent, transparent, deep and wide soundstage, as an used item is a real bergain,

Weaknesses:
I am not sure if this happend frequently, but in my case the power supply is noisy.

Similar Products Used:
Classe Six Pass aleph P Pass X2.5 Placette pasive linestage

Price Paid:  $1599.00 from audio waves

Summary:
I heard the 2A at a freinds house. I new I had finally found "it". Bought a model 3 the next week. I can't believe it's not a 5/5. Somebody had a head cold.

Strengths:
Smooth AND detailed. Also very sensitive to what tubes are installed allowing for personalized tuning. Dual mono design, clean interior design, and built like a tank.

Weaknesses:
Not as good as Hovland but at a third the cost, I ave No compliants at all.

Similar Products Used:
Audio Research, BAT, Sonic Frontiers