John Darko
Musical Fidelity has announced a new flagship phono pre-amplifier – the M8x Vinyl – in the oddest way possible. The press release tells us that it’s built around a fully balanced, dual mono circuit and from nothing but discrete components (no op-amps) — and very little else. Here’s the press release in full:
“Musical Fidelity has always been at the forefront of producing the best phono stages in each category. Even the lowest cost products, such as the V90-LPS, reached highest applause as high-end products.
The M8x Vinyl is a great addition to the tradition of Musical Fidelity vinyl products at the top end. The goal was to reach a product on the highest level of discrete amplification without any chips. Additionally, we wanted to give the product all the necessary features to make it truly universal! The double mono layout and the strictly fully balanced design (2 amps in one box) are standard for Musical Fidelity in this price range of the M8 range.
On top of that, we’ve given the M8x Vinyl the same spectacular mechanical case, with the same size potentiometers, to give it an esthetical mighty look [sic], and a perfect match to the acclaimed M8 amplifier series. For sure, the mechanical construction and rigidity has also sonic advantages, especially due to the perfect electrical isolation against RF distortion and magnetic radiation as well as to be inherent to any vibration.
Simply a state-of-the-art product.”
This leaves news desks like this one to do its own research. Googling around tells us the following:
- The M8x Vinyl replaces the outgoing M6x, which was fully discrete but not fully balanced
- A fully balanced circuit handles the positive and negative sides of an audio signal separately to double the component count for a larger internal PCB than the M6x
- The M8x offers balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs that talk to balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs
- The M8x’s twin sets of each input type will see this phono stage support more than one turntable
- In between input and output, a three-part Class A gain stage does the amplification work with up to 49dB of gain available to MM cartridges and 69dB to MC cartridges
- Powering those gain stages are a ‘Super Silent’ power transformer, discrete input power filtering and DC blocking circuitry
- The unit’s front, side and top plates are made from extruded aluminium for a total weight of 10.6kg
- There is no front-panel display because its EMI would reportedly interfere with the M8x’s sensitive circuitry
Price? €3999. Your choice of silver or black.
Further information: Musical Fidelity
