Предусилители — Vitus Audio MP-L201 MK.II

Vitus Audio in Denmark offers the MP-L201 Mk.II as the preamplifier of its Masterpiece line, the range Vitus calls its greatest work to date, and it is intended to drive the MP-S201 and MP-M201 power amplifiers of the same series. The design uses two boxes, one for the audio circuits and an external chassis holding the supply. The Austrian list price is EUR 64,500.

Key specs that matter

Sources connect through three XLR pairs and two RCA pairs, all presenting 10 kohm to the source. Input sensitivity can be set to 2, 4 or 8 V RMS. Outputs are two XLR pairs and one RCA pair, plus a tape output. Source impedance is 80 ohm on the main outputs and 75 ohm on the tape output. Frequency response reaches past 800 kHz, noise is more than 110 dB below the signal at 1 kHz and THD plus noise is below 0.01 percent at 1 kHz. The audio unit is 103 mm high including feet, 435 mm wide and 428 mm deep.

Engineering and use context

From input to output the MP-L201 Mk.II keeps a fully balanced dual mono path, and any unbalanced signal fed to the RCA inputs is converted to balanced in the first circuit stage. All gain stages are true balanced discrete designs built on shielded modules, and each module is moulded in a special damping material that controls mechanical resonance and keeps temperature stable. Volume is set by a proprietary relay system from Vitus that places only one resistor in series with the signal path at any volume setting. For the Mk.II version the power supply was heavily redesigned with many more regulation steps, and a total of 24 voltage regulators now feed the circuits. The internal modules were also revised for wider bandwidth. The cases are made by precision pressing and forging and then finished by hand. An active sub bass crossover can be ordered as an option, and finishes include silver, black, white and champagne.

Pairing

With two balanced outputs, the line stage can feed a pair of MP-M201 Mk.II monoblocks or an MP-S201 stereo amplifier, and the extra output can drive another amplifier when the loudspeakers are split between two amplifiers. The selectable input sensitivity lets sources with different output levels be matched. The optional sub bass crossover gives an active route to a subwoofer, and the tape output keeps a fixed feed for a recorder.

Alternatives

The Vitus Audio RL-102 is the line stage of the Reference Series, with three XLR and two RCA inputs.