Musical Fidelity M8sPRE Fully-Balanced Preamplifier (Black)

Description

M8sPRE

The M8s is a pre-amplifier without limits. From its
performance to its connectivity, via quality fit and finish, the M8s makes a
superlative centerpiece for almost any system.

The M8s has a wide array of inputs including a low noise
MM/MC phono stage, 2 balanced inputs (1 with home theatre bypass option), 3
line inputs (one with home theatre bypass option) and a fully configured tape
in/out loop.

The M8s Pre-amp has very high input overload margins. This
means that it has a completely stress free sound. The outputs are very low
impedance and high current so that it can drive virtually any power amp in
existence through any length cable (balanced or single ended).

Technical measurements are testament to the M8s’s
exceptional engineering: from ultra-low distortion to virtually perfect
frequency response, and ultra low noise.

The M8s’s will drive any power amplifier over any length of
cable. Although, obviously, it’s perfect partner is a pair of M8s-700m monobloc
amplifiers.

Listening to the M8s Pre with the M8s-700m monobloc is quite
an experience. The music is reproduced with no stress, no coloration and sense
of relaxation and transparency that are music to the ears and balm to the soul.

M8s Pre-amplifier In Brief

• Genuinely
  fully balanced preamp

• Eight
  versatile inputs – 1 XLR Balanced, switchable MM/MC Phono, CD, Tuner, Aux
  1, Aux 2, Tape

• Single
  ended and balanced outputs as well as a fixed output for tape record

• Home
  theatre bypass available in both single ended and balanced inputs

• Outstanding
  cutting edge performance

• Amazing
  load driving ability, will easily drive any power amplifier with any cable
  of almost any length

• Excellent
  design, he-man build quality

 

Design + Build

The first exceptional element of the M8s pre-amplifier is
its truly fully balanced design. Most rival pre-amps making similar claims are
actually single-ended models with a balanced input and output; this is not the
same as being fully balanced throughout, which the M8s offers.

The quality continues with the M8s pre-amplifier’s pure
Class A circuitry, implemented in subtle and refined configurations.

The M8s is designed with very high input overload margins. High input impedance
plus low output impedance puts the M8s in the position of itself being easy to
drive, while having the capability to drive any power amp.

Let’s run through those input options in more detail. The
phono stage is a low-noise MM/MC design, with very accurate RIAA, low
distortion and wide overload margin – all making the M8s a great turntable
partner.

Two fully balanced inputs, three line-level inputs and a
fully configured tape loop (input and output) provide plenty of flexibility for
further sources, both traditional and modern.

Home theatre bypass options are available on one set of both
balanced and line-level inputs, making it easy to integrate the M8s into a
one-stop music and movie system.

The M8s’s high-tech design translates into an exceptional
performance that can be scientifically measured. Technical analysis shows the
M8s has miniscule distortion levels  (less than 0.003%), extremely low
noise (-117dbA), wide bandwidth (-3dB 75kHz) and remarkable frequency response
– ruler-flat within the audio band. Stereo separation is 96dB at 1KHz.

Finally, the M8s pre-amp also features an exceptional power
supply. Each channel has a 350VA, silent-drive mains transformer, with each
stage of each channel featuring its own regulation circuitry for optimized
performance and isolation. Current delivery is maximized due to the power
supply’s ultra-low impedance design.

Pre-Amplifier

• THD(+
  noise) – single ended: <0.005%

• THD(+
  noise) – XLR Balanced: <0.004%

• Signal
  to Noise Ratio: >118dB ‘A’-weighted

• Frequency
  Response: +0, –1dB, 5Hz to 100 kHz

Inputs

• Inputs
  2 x XLR balanced line level (1 with home theatre bypass)

• 5 x
  RCA / phono line level (1 with home theatre bypass)

• Trigger
  in

Outputs

• 1 x
  RCA pre out

• 1 x
  XLR balanced pre out

• 1 x
  RCA fixed out

• Trigger
  out

General

• Dimensions
  – WxHxD (mm): 440 x 162 x 400

• Weight (unpacked / packed): 17 kg / 23 kg