Anyone heard the Audible Illusions L2?

I couldn't agree with CSpence more. If there is one word that I will describe the L2, it's AWESOME.

I ordered my L2 from Elliot of Acoustic Image, Studio City, California (a great audiophile who provides customer service second to none) last Jan 2002. I finally got my L2 last week, April 12, to be exact. During this long waiting time, I've been tempted to buy another brand but Elliot convinced me that for the money I'm willing to spend, I couldn't find another pre-amp that would even come close to an Audible Illusions' product. And I'm glad I listened to him. The waiting of more than one year is definitely worth it. Now here's a Dealer whose main purpose in life is not just to make a living, but more importantly to be able to share the joy of enjoying music without getting a second mortgage on your house. He could just have as easily sold me another product brand.

I've just recently purchased a BAT VK75 Power Amp and as soon as I hooked up the L2, I know I've got something really special. However, the greatest surprise came when I hooked it up to my Mesa Baron Power Amp which I've owned since 1996. I've driven my Baron with the Sonic Frontiers Line 3, VTL 5.5 and even with the AI M3A Pre-amps. But let me tell you, I've never heard my Baron sing and boogie the way it did until the L2 came along. Yes, the detail, bass slam and soundstage are definitely AWESOME. I listen to a lot of guitars (Peter White, Govi, Armik, Chris Spheeris, Robert Michaels, Benedetti & Svoboda, Shahin & Sepehr, etc...) and vocals (like Diana Krall, Nora Jones, James Taylor, Jennifer Warnes, Eagles, etc.....). Listening to their music via the L2 is like having them in your listening room.

And yes, I agree with CSpence, with a line level input, the L2 will outplay the M3A. Maybe it's the power supply. If I'm not mistaken the M3A and the L2 share the same power supply. So perhaps in the case of the L2, the power supply doesn't have the extra load that it has to suppply the phono section of the M3A.

If the L2 doesn't make it to Stereophile's and Absolute Sound's "A" list, I would be totally shocked.

With a list price of $2495.00, you can't go wrong......

Happy Listening

A.I. regrets that we were unable to release this product sooner. Problems with the remote control circuitry required a complete redesign. Your patience and kind remarks are deeply appreciated.
Regards, Jerry Cusmano, service tech.

To: Jimmymac

In answer to you question regarding the remote. To be honest I programmed the functions into my Marantz RC2000. What little time I spent with the AI remote was positive. It seems to work from quite far away and from extreme angles. It's a very basic unit volume an mute which is all I need.

As for sound comparisons, I haven't heard the Rogue, but I have compared it to AR, Conrad Johnson, Krell and Levinson and I wouldn't trade it for any of them. I bought my first AI in around 85. It was an affordable entry in to tubes. A this point in my life price is less an object. Frankly I would have paid 3 times the $2495. It's that good. I have very reveling system, AR VT-100 MKIII, Martin Logan SL3s and Meridian 508/28. None of the other pre-amps I tried could bring the music to life like the AI L2 does. If by some miracle you can find a dealer that will loan you one I promise you'll never bring it back.

I have had my L-2 in my system for a few months, I previously owned an L-1. My system consists of the L-2, an Adcom GFP-750, and a Legacy Hi Current (slimline) preamp. A Pass Labs Aleph 5, A C-J MV-60 And an Eagle 4 power amps. Speakers are Triangle Lyrr 222's. Well recorded vocals, strings and woodwinds are so lifelike that it's startling. the bass (to 40hz or so) is tight detailed and powerful. A plucked string bass has a good woody thunk and you can hear the strings if the recording allows! Cymbals and vibes are also very good. I haven't heard every preamp out there, but I've owned or auditioned quite a few and I doubt that there is a better one out there period. ggrimes7@attbi.com

The L2 is a great sounding line level, I bought mine from Galen Carol expecting it to sound better than my last M3A but it really shocked me off, great detail, bass and soundstage (all in a very sweet abience). It was worth the wait (four months). A frien of mine has a BAT VK-5i wich costs three times the l2 and liked mine better.
I would also like to thank Mr. Art Ferris who took care himself of a little problem my unit had, showing concern of great service also.
I hope this can help you decide in choosing one of the best preamps regarding of price.