My M-2b arrived today! Its been a long 8 years wanting one of the Millennia's. Ever since a dealer described Millennia pre's as boring and clinical sounding, it made me want one more. Clinical spelled the truth, plus, I always thought that this opinion was partially due to the razer sound digital audio had in the early 90's. ITB has come miles further in sound quality but I still think it will always be missing a personally appealing distortion and headroom unique to high end analog. DAW's lack personality so I think we need to use tubes to help it get there.. As digital gets better, I also feel a relationship between the two worlds will always continue.

So, I opted for the M-2b instead of the HV-3 because I find digital too clean for my ears and and current tastes. I want the optimal truth that the Millennia HV-3 is renowned for, but kept coming back to the M-2b for that slight color and warmth. Adding this to my hybrid DAW has got to be one wicked system now. Acoustic string instruments/ nylon, piano and vocals... ya!

Joel Silverman, owner if Millennia Media described to me

the M-2b is like using a black silk filter on HD video to get the film-like
beauty. The HV-3 is the truth, Like with HD, every pore on the skin is
visible.

I'm sure I will still want an HV-3 after I get over the honeymoon. However, I'm so excited to have this glorious beast in my rack! Its so beautiful and built like a tank. I can't wait to turn it on.

What projects are you using these with and what mics have been exceptional? One quote I read was

the combination of Schoeps m222b tube mic and M-2b preamp was the greatest front end they had ever heard

I would love to hear from other M-2b owners.

Cheers!