I think it's weird how sometimes you read ads about a product that describe a certain design as if it is the "golden goose." Audio Note talks about transformer coupling in this manner (only their best sounding pre-amps are transformer coupled):
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Why??
Quite simple, in the M5 (and all our other transformer coupled pre-amplifiers, the M3, M6 and M8), there are no impedance mismatches, there is more than sufficient gain to maintain the dynamic envelope of the signal intact combined with a natural (meaning not created artificially by feedback or other trickery!) drive impedance so low as to render the load (the power amplifier input) irrelevant.
The disadvantage is cost, you heard for yourself the sonic advantage.
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Why??
Quite simple, in the M5 (and all our other transformer coupled pre-amplifiers, the M3, M6 and M8), there are no impedance mismatches, there is more than sufficient gain to maintain the dynamic envelope of the signal intact combined with a natural (meaning not created artificially by feedback or other trickery!) drive impedance so low as to render the load (the power amplifier input) irrelevant.
The disadvantage is cost, you heard for yourself the sonic advantage.
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