Предусилители — Matrix Audio MP-1

The MP-1 is a line-level preamplifier built by Matrix Audio of China, a firm best known for DACs and streamers, and the maker presents it as its first Class A preamplifier. It was announced on 23 May 2024 and sells for USD 6,999 in North America. The circuit is dual mono and fully balanced from input to output, built from four independent balanced amplification units, two per channel.

Key specs that matter

Connections comprise three pairs of XLR and three pairs of RCA inputs, with two pairs of XLR outputs and one pair of RCA outputs. Balanced inputs present 40 kohm and single-ended inputs 20 kohm, while output impedance is 40 ohm on XLR and 20 ohm on RCA. The inputs accept up to 9 V RMS balanced or 4.5 V RMS unbalanced, and the outputs can swing up to 36 V RMS and 18 V RMS respectively. Gain is +12 dB. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB. Matrix quotes THD+N below 0.00015% A-weighted on XLR and below 0.00040% on RCA, dynamic range of 129 dB and 125 dB, and crosstalk of -140 dB and -130 dB for the two connection types. The case is 430 mm wide, 349 mm deep and 106 mm high, and it weighs 15.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

A fully differential transistor input stage feeds a pure Class A output stage running high bias current, with no coupling capacitors anywhere in the signal path. A DC servo holds output offset within 1 mV. Signals arriving on RCA are converted to balanced form so that common-mode noise can be rejected downstream. Level is set by a resistor-array voltage divider with 100 steps - four units, each carrying 64 precision resistors and 32 sealed reed relays. Every input can have its own level offset, so sources of different output settle at a similar volume. Two 60 W toroidal transformers wound with square copper wire feed the per-channel volume sections and the main amplification separately, and the rails reach up to 60 V with Mundorf M-Lytic AG filter capacitors. The H-shaped chassis rests on a 20 mm CNC-machined aluminium core plate, and the top is cut with an array of circular holes of varying sizes and depths. Power draw stays below 70 W in use and under 1 W in standby, and the unit leaves the factory configured for either 100-120 V or 220-240 V mains.

Pairing

The two XLR outputs allow one MP-1 to feed two balanced amplifiers at once, for example a stereo amp plus an active sub or a bi-amped setup, without splitters. Its 12 V trigger output and trigger input can switch amplifiers on and off with the preamp, and the RM4C remote is included. Balanced DACs and streamers from the same maker connect over XLR.

Alternatives

Matrix Audio has no other dedicated preamplifier, which leaves the MP-1 without a sibling in its category.