Version Description:
Version 1: M7 Stainless Steel Kit (without vacuum tubes)
Version 2: M306 Premium Edition Kit (with vacuum tubes included)
Tube amplifiers possess a unique “tube sound” – warm, pleasant to listen to, with excellent musicality and atmosphere. They are the oldest yet most enduring classic in the audio industry. Their notable advantages are a sweet, smooth, and natural sonic character, offering a dynamic range and linearity that are exceptionally difficult to replace with other components!
In response to numerous requests from audiophiles, we have engaged in deep collaboration with a Bluetooth module manufacturer to jointly develop and specially launch a limited edition M306 Premium Edition Tube Preamplifier with a built-in Bluetooth decoding board (an improved design based on the UK Matisse "Dream" circuit). This decoding board features an independent power supply to eliminate any electrical interference. Utilizing Bluetooth 5.0, it supports lossless audio transmission. In USB/TF card mode, it supports lossless decoding of formats like FLAC and APE. It also supports AUX (direct audio cable input), multiple sound effect adjustments, offers extremely high resolution, outstanding sound quality, and is very convenient to use. Highly recommended!
The first-generation legendary classic, the Marantz 7 tube preamplifier, has attracted thousands of audiophiles in relentless pursuit of its sound, renowned for its rich texture, sweet and natural midrange, and a profoundly captivating tube character! After several rounds of improvements, our store has successfully launched the final version of this Marantz 7-inspired tube preamplifier. Its sound quality is astonishingly good! Friends who appreciate vocals and the tube sound should definitely give it a try. The highs are detailed yet not harsh, the mids are warm and mellow, the bass is tight and elastic – you will achieve unexpectedly wonderful results!
This unit reproduces vocals naturally and with great finesse; string instruments sound fluid and expansive. The more you listen, the more you'll love it. The soundstage is grand and authoritative, with each instrument precisely positioned and imaged. The high frequencies are transparent and delicate, floating ethereally like velvet, while the low frequencies are full of substance. The M7's analytical power and high/low-frequency extension might not be its most outstanding features, especially when compared to contemporary top-tier tube preamplifiers like those from Wadia, Audio Research Reference 1, or Convergent SL-1 – these relative shortcomings may occasionally surface. However, the most captivating aspect of the M7 is its indescribably beautiful midrange tonality. In my opinion, its tonal character leans towards the bright and lively side, capable of fully rendering the brilliance and dynamism within music. When reproducing brass instruments, they shine with ample “brightness”; when playing string instruments, the sound is pliable and textured; vocals are rendered with even greater emotional richness. The coupling capacitor values in the original circuit were somewhat modest; we have judiciously increased their capacity. Due to the limitations of recording technology during the M7's era, audio sources contained less low-frequency information, so the original capacitor values were not a major issue. However, modern music features deeper extension at both frequency extremes, making it necessary to increase the capacitor capacity to fully realize the potential of this circuit. The final result after this modification is highly satisfactory, opening up the soundstage significantly and creating a sense of expansive clarity.
There's a saying in the Hi-Fi world: "The preamplifier shapes the sound, the power amplifier delivers the force." It is not only high-priced full tube amplifiers that can produce the so-called "tube sound." Adding a tube preamplifier can utterly transform your solid-state amplifier, infusing it with abundant tube character. I randomly selected an ordinary solid-state amplifier and speakers. Upon adding this preamplifier, I was immediately astonished. The formerly somewhat "digital"-sounding ordinary solid-state system was completely reborn. Firstly, the bass was no longer muddy and indistinct, becoming solid and gaining a sense of bounce, with noticeably increased density – the drum kit felt as if it were playing right beside you. As for the midrange, it's said the M7's midrange is unique and peerless. I have now truly experienced this. Male voices carry a touch of grit and historical weight; female voices are graceful and lingering, like leaves floating in the wind, drifting ethereally. It instantly created a powerful musical resonance within me, moving me deeply and completely winning me over. The highs are detailed and never harsh, truly floating like goose down, tugging at the heartstrings!
The M7 power transformer uses 76*40 annealed laminations, while the M306 power transformer uses larger 76*50 annealed laminations. Shielding is applied between the primary and secondary windings, and the filament winding is shielded from other windings to achieve an exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratio.
The potentiometer is a high-precision Taiwanese-made 16-type dual-gang potentiometer, the preferred choice for audiophiles!
All vacuum tubes for the M7 are from new old stock. The rectifier tube is a military-grade 6Z4. The three 12AX7 tubes are all upgraded to the latest Shuguang "Red Character" 12AX7s, delivering a sound that is both delicate and mesmerizing! The M306 tube preamplifier uses a military-grade 6Z4 rectifier tube. The two 6N3P (equivalent to 6H3N) tubes are Soviet-made, delivering exceptional performance!
The coupling capacitors are globally renowned audiophile-grade capacitors, including the German WIMA "Red Standard" film capacitors and SPRAGUE capacitors, among others.
The chassis is constructed from high-quality 1mm thick steel plate, polished, chemically treated, and finished with high-temperature baked paint. The chassis feels superb to the touch, with a beautiful, stable, and elegant appearance.
The power supply section utilizes a universal prototyping board for assembly assistance, employing a multi-stage CRC filter circuit to effectively reduce background noise.
This tube amplifier kit includes two point-to-point wiring strips. Using these strips simplifies the wiring process, allows for symmetrical soldering of the left and right channels, is convenient and fast, and results in a neat and aesthetically pleasing build.
Kit Display Images Follow:
Friendly Reminders
Due to the special nature of the kit, components cannot be returned or exchanged once soldered. Upon receiving the goods, please check them immediately. Contact customer service within 48 hours for any incorrectly shipped or missing items. Tube amplifier DIY requires a certain level of foundational knowledge. Our store will also provide circuit diagrams, photos of physical layouts, and comprehensive technical support. However, if you feel that DIY poses some difficulty, you may purchase the finished product from our store.
Our store sells DIY products, which are difficult to make absolutely perfect. It is impossible to achieve extreme perfection. If you have any opinions or suggestions, please contact customer service, and we will strive to resolve them.
We will carefully pack each tube amplifier. When you receive the shipment, please be sure to inspect the packaging thoroughly first. If any damage is found, refuse acceptance and contact our store promptly. Otherwise, we will be unable to assist.
This tube amplifier does not include power cords or audio cables.
The tube amplifier must be connected to speakers before powering it on, because the tube amplifier's output transformer requires a load. Otherwise, it is extremely easy to burn out the output transformer!
Placing an order indicates your agreement to the above terms and conditions.
