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Phonostages — MoFi Electronics MASTERPHONO
Description, images, technical data and specifications
MoFi Electronics MASTERPHONO
Image source — © MoFi Electronics
The MasterPhono is the top phono preamplifier from MoFi Electronics, the hardware division of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, the company known for its Original Master Recording reissues. It was designed with engineer Peter Madnick over more than a year of development, with the stated aim of reproducing the qualities of MFSL's own vinyl, and production takes place in the USA.
Key specs that matter
Four gain steps of 40, 50, 60 and 70 dB serve both MM and MC types. Loading covers 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1000, 10000 and 47000 ohms, plus a custom setting via an RCA plug on the rear panel. THD is 0.005% for MM inputs and 0.010 to 0.013% for MC inputs (A-weighted). Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 50 kHz. Inputs are available as RCA and XLR, with balanced and single-ended outputs, and the unit supports three tonearms. Weight is 6.8 kg.
Engineering and use context
The MasterPhono offers two input modes. Voltage Input handles conventional cartridges over RCA or XLR, while Current Input uses transimpedance dynamic loading for low-impedance moving-coil cartridges, where the stage responds to current rather than voltage and damps the coil without a fixed load resistor. The circuitry is fully discrete, balanced, servo-controlled and DC-coupled with a high-pass filter. RIAA equalisation is passive, built with precision parts and new-old-stock capacitors, and voltage regulation is cascaded for low noise. A separate power supply chassis isolates the power supply from the audio circuits with separate grounding. Input, gain, mute, mono, meter and subsonic filter are all adjustable from an aluminium remote. Two front-panel VU meters monitor level and help set cartridge azimuth by comparing channel output. A USB port allows firmware updates.
Pairing
The highest gain setting and current input suit low-output MC cartridges, and the balanced XLR output drives long runs to a line preamplifier. With three tonearm inputs, a record player with several arms or two turntables can stay connected. The mono switch helps with mono pressings, including MFSL's own mono releases. The subsonic filter removes warp-induced low-frequency energy before it reaches the power amplifier, and adjustments made from the listening chair via the remote make cartridge matching easier.
Alternatives
MoFi Electronics' UltraPhono is the smaller single-chassis phono stage with MM and MC inputs and a headphone output.
Key specs that matter
Four gain steps of 40, 50, 60 and 70 dB serve both MM and MC types. Loading covers 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1000, 10000 and 47000 ohms, plus a custom setting via an RCA plug on the rear panel. THD is 0.005% for MM inputs and 0.010 to 0.013% for MC inputs (A-weighted). Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 50 kHz. Inputs are available as RCA and XLR, with balanced and single-ended outputs, and the unit supports three tonearms. Weight is 6.8 kg.
Engineering and use context
The MasterPhono offers two input modes. Voltage Input handles conventional cartridges over RCA or XLR, while Current Input uses transimpedance dynamic loading for low-impedance moving-coil cartridges, where the stage responds to current rather than voltage and damps the coil without a fixed load resistor. The circuitry is fully discrete, balanced, servo-controlled and DC-coupled with a high-pass filter. RIAA equalisation is passive, built with precision parts and new-old-stock capacitors, and voltage regulation is cascaded for low noise. A separate power supply chassis isolates the power supply from the audio circuits with separate grounding. Input, gain, mute, mono, meter and subsonic filter are all adjustable from an aluminium remote. Two front-panel VU meters monitor level and help set cartridge azimuth by comparing channel output. A USB port allows firmware updates.
Pairing
The highest gain setting and current input suit low-output MC cartridges, and the balanced XLR output drives long runs to a line preamplifier. With three tonearm inputs, a record player with several arms or two turntables can stay connected. The mono switch helps with mono pressings, including MFSL's own mono releases. The subsonic filter removes warp-induced low-frequency energy before it reaches the power amplifier, and adjustments made from the listening chair via the remote make cartridge matching easier.
Alternatives
MoFi Electronics' UltraPhono is the smaller single-chassis phono stage with MM and MC inputs and a headphone output.
Specifications
Model name
MASTERPHONO
Inputs (balanced)
2
Inputs (single-ended)
2
MC current-sensing input impedance (Ω)
N/A
MM/MC voltage input impedance (Ω)
15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1000, 10 000, 47 000
Output impedance (Ω)
N/A
Gain (dB)
selectable gain for MM or MC 40db, 50db, 60db, 70db
Playback EQ curves accuracy (dB)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
10
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
50 000
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (%)
0.005
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
6.8
Official link
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