Descripción
The M97 is a modern take on an idea that has been evolving for 70 years — a triode amplifier with a variable amplification factor (expressed mathematically as ‘µ’ or ‘mu’), configured to provide dynamic range compression and limiting for high-quality audio.
This project took several years to complete, and involved a huge amount of brainstorming, experimentation, and trial and error, even before the first prototype was built. Many more hours were spent rethinking, redesigning, rebuilding, and refining. The process was grueling yet fascinating, exhausting yet exhilarating. (!!) Best of all, it resulted in what we believe is an outstanding modern variable-mu1 compressor with an excellent set of features and an amazing sound.
The Design Notes below shed some light on the philosophy behind the design, while also pointing out some of the limitations found in traditional vari-mu compressors, and the solutions Electronaut devised in order to achieve a tangible improvement.
