Affordable, No Compromise Phono Preamp
Musical Fidelity’s M3x ViNYL is a no-compromise phono stage at an affordable price. Connectivity is straightforward, consisting of an input and an output. These connections cannot be overloaded at the input or limited in the output driving capacity. The M3x ViNYL 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 an entry level price for high-end audio gear.
Although it is Musical Fidelity’s lowest price amplifier, the M3x ViNYL embodies the company’s hallmark values of uncolored, stress-free sound, outstanding technical performance, and exceptional value.
Discrete Circuity
Like its bigger brother the M6x ViNYL, the M3x ViNYL uses entirely discrete circuitry, which results in better technical measurements and better sound. You may be wondering, what is so special about 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. They can also be active components, like transistors. The opposite approach is an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain.
In the hi-fi industry, manufacturers employ specialized Op-Amps built for audio applications, which allow them 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 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.
While 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 it can result in the best sound for your money.
Toroidal Power Transformer
When 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. Musical Fidelity’s special audiophile toroidal transformer with low core saturation decreases the level of electromagnetic radiation, which is essential because otherwise any phono amplifier would never be able to work correctly. A key factor in keeping signal to noise ratios on the highest possible levels is the huge distance between power transformer and amplifier section. Together with the physical distance that’s maintained between the M3x ViNYL’s transformer and the amplification section, plus the electromagnetic shielding, Musical Fidelity has created an incredibly high signal to noise ratio.
For the first time, in the M3x ViNYL Musical Fidelity is using its new proprietary power supply solution that has zero standby power consumption. Absolutely zero! It is a super green product, and there probably isn’t another product in existence with an ecological standby function like this.
Split Passive EQ
Many phono stages use 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. The results 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 it 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 - Handmade in the EU
The 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 offers splendid isolation from outside interference. 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 Musical Fidelity now achieves by fully switching the production to be entirely made in the EU.
