Musical Fidelity M3x Vinyl Fully Discrete Phono Stage (Black)

Description

The M3x ViNYL is a phono stage, designed to be without any
practical limits. Connectivity is straight forward. You have an input and an
output. Neither of them can be overloaded at the input or limited in the output
driving capacity. It can be set for either MM or MC and exact loading. It
offers state-of-the art technical and sonic performance just like the M6x
ViNYL, but at a cheaper entry level to the epitome of the true spirit of
high-end audio.

Design Philosophy

The M3x ViNYL has been switched, just like in its bigger
brother the M6x ViNYL, to an entirely discrete circuitry, which results in better
technical measurements and better sound. It is equipped with one single-ended
input and output. But the important question is: what is so special about
discrete circuits?

Although it is Musical Fidelity’s lowest price amplifier, it
embodies our hallmark values of uncolored, stress-free sound, outstanding
technical performance and great value for money.

The Advantage of Discrete Circuits

A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components
which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These
can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well
as “active” components, which in our case are transistors. The opposite to this
would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in
the signal chain. In our industry we employ specialized Op-Amps built for audio
applications, which allow us to produce very small and efficient electronics,
as well as saving the time of design engineers. However, countless hours of
listening tests and years of experience have shown us that even the very best
Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid – all of which
are characteristics of the Musical Fidelity “sound”. For that reason, we’re
rediscovering our passion for traditional, discrete designs. Where standard
phono pre-amplifiers with integrated circuits have a few tens or hundreds of
components, discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by
comparison. That makes for an extended design process, but in our opinion
results in the best sound for your money.

Toroidal Power Transformer

The special audio transformer with low core saturation
decreases the level of electromagnetic radiation, which is essential because
otherwise any phono amplifier will never be able to work correctly. Together
with the distance between transformer and amplification section and the
electromagnetic shielding, we are creating an incredibly high signal to noise
ratio. If we are working with the few hundreds of microvolts from a phono
cartridge, everything is playing its role; every decibel of signal to noise ratio
is crucially important. For the first time, we have implemented our new
proprietary power supply solution that has zero standby power consumption.
Absolutely zero! It is a super green product and we are sure, there isn’t any
other product in existence with an ecological standby function like this.

Split Passive EQ

Many other phono stages are using a single equalization
network in a feedback loop. By means of an EQ network, the amplified signal
from the output of the phono preamp is brought back to the input of the phono
preamp. This is the before mentioned feedback loop, and the results, as you can
imagine, are not in accordance with the high standards in Musical Fidelity
design philosophy. The M3x ViNYL uses split passive equalization in separate
amplification stages without feedback loops for both of its RIAA and DECCA
curves. This is more costly to design and implement but ensures the most
accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve. Split passive equalization
allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA or
DECCA curve.

High-Tech Mechanical and Electrical Engineering – Hand
Made in the EU

M3x ViNYL has a steel chassis and a thick, heavy aluminum
frontplate, which brings outstanding rigidity to the entire system and at the
same time splendid isolation against outside interference. Key factor in
keeping signal to noise ratios on the highest possible levels is the huge
distance between power transformer and amplifier section. The quality of the
outside chassis finish, which is beyond beautiful, as well as the electronics
inside – all wired by hand – is maintained by the highest manufacturing
standards which we now achieve by fully switching the production to be entirely
Made in the EU!

M3si In Brief

• MM and
  MC input

• Exact
  loading options for any cartridge

• Fully
  discrete circuit board design

• Special
  low core saturation toroidal transformer custom designed for phono stage
  requirements

• Environmental
  friendly – absolutely zero standby power consumption

• Split
  Passive RIAA and DECCA EQ

• Heavy aluminum
  frontplate with steel chassis

• Minimal
  electromagnetic interference from power supply to phono preamp

• Big
  chassis design enables huge distance between power transformer and
  amplifier section

• Made
  in the EU

M3x Vinyl – Specifications

MM Input

• Frequency
  response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0 .2dB

• Input
  sensitivity: 5mV in for 500mV out (at 1 kHz)

• Input
  impedance: 47KΩ

• Input
  capacitance: 50-400pF selectable

• Gain:
  40 or 46dB with +6dB function

• THD+N:
  <0.028%

• Signal
  to noise ratio: 71dB

• Crosstalk:
  better than 100dB

MC Input

• Frequency
  response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0.3dB

• Input
  sensitivity: 500μV in for 500mV out (at 1 kHz)

• Input
  impedance: 25Ω to 1,2KΩ selectable

• Gain:
  60 or 66dB with +6dB function

• THD+N:
  <0.28%

• Signal
  to noise ratio: 59dB

• Crosstalk:
  better than 90dB

Output

• 1 pair
  RCA: left and right 500mV nom 10V max

Input

• 1 pair
  RCA

Power requirement

• Mains
  voltages: 230V/115V; AC 50/60Hz

• Consumption:
  20 Watts maximum. 0W in standby)

Weight and Dimensions

• Unit
  only, unboxed: 6.59 kg

• In
  shipping carton & inc . accessories: 10.15 kg

• W x
  H(incl. feet) x D(incl. terminals): 440 x 105 x 390mm

Standard accessories

• Mains lead: 10 Amp IEC