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Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile
"Highly Recommended," Raves Michael Fremer
A Revelation in Vinyl Playback with Precision All-Analog Engineering
Created in collaboration with the revered audio engineer Peter Madnick, renowned for his exceptional contributions to the high-performance audio industry, the all-analog MasterPhono preamplifier from MoFi Electronics is a testament to Peter's expertise and a revelation for vinyl lovers.
The mission behind the MasterPhono was unequivocal: to replicate the sonic integrity that characterizes the renowned Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) vinyl reissues. Over a year of meticulous research, development, and prototyping was invested to meet this lofty goal.
According to Peter Madnick (of Audio Alchemy and Constellation Audio fame), "Even with 45 years of experience, I'm excited to work with MoFi on a project like this – something unique designed and built in America – that provides high-end performance for people who love music and vinyl. I sincerely hope you get to experience MasterPhono yourself."
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the Master Phono by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.
"Like the tubed PrimaLuna EVO 100, HR found that it took three full days for the MasterPhono to lose the gray flatness it showed out of the box. It then never sounded 'transistory' (hard, shallow, gray), instead walking a narrow line between hard and soft, dry and wet, warm and cool-leaning maybe 10% towards wet and warm on the most atmospheric recordings.
"'It did not attenuate reverberation or diminish atmosphere,' wrote HR, who never consciously wished for tube treats he wasn't getting. Using a Dynavector XX2 moving coil, HR found the current-drive input eliminated a faint haze that he had noticed in the top octaves in voltage mode. 'What was preserved, and perhaps even enhanced,' he decided, 'was the XX2's dynamics.'"
"Among the Most Pleasing Sounding for Its Price and Well Beyond"
"Designer Peter Madnick has designed an uncommonly versatile and fun to use phono preamplifier with a modern, full function, remote controllable feature set," raves Michael Fremer in his review for trackingangle.com, August 17, 2023. "Multiple inputs, voltage and current based MC inputs, a full range of gain and loading adjustments, a subsonic filter and a mono button plus meters there for more than just watching… It’s also among the most pleasing sounding for its price and well beyond. Highly recommended."
Versatile Inputs, Infinite Soundscapes
One of the most remarkable aspects of the MasterPhono is its versatility. With separate inputs and balanced as well as single-ended outputs, this preamplifier offers a multitude of user-configurable settings, all intuitively accessible via the front panel. The analog meters on the front panel embody the true essence of MasterPhono's analog heritage.
Precise Input Flexibility
Choose between standard signal input ("Voltage Input") via single-ended RCA and balanced XLR, or choose the "current input" tailored for low source-impedance phono cartridges, utilizing "trans-impedance dynamic loading." Find the perfect match for your cartridge with ten switchable impedance loading adjustments, including a "custom" via RCA plug on rear panel. Switchable gain settings let you choose 40db, 50db, 60db, and 70db.
The passive RIAA circuit features precise parts, NOS capacitors, and accurate resistors.
A Stereo/Mono switch and a High Pass Filter switch give you additional listening options.
On the output side, you can select RCA or XLR outs.
More Special Features
Dual meters (left and right) can be used for monitoring or for calibration of cartridge azimuth. The meters are large and easy to read and contribute to the attractive design.
A USB input opens doors to future features and software updates, ensuring a forward-looking experience.
The MasterPhono boasts fully discrete balanced, servo-controlled, DC-coupled circuitry. Dual-chassis construction isolates the power supply and audio circuits separately. Cascaded voltage regulation offers ultra-low noise operation.
The included remote control provides input, gain, mute, mono, meter, subsonic filter functions.
