Фонокорректоры — Fezz Audio Fezz Gaia Mini MM/MC

The Gaia Mini MM/MC is a compact phono preamplifier from Fezz Audio, part of the Evolution line from the Polish company that grew out of the transformer maker Toroidy.pl. It serves MM and MC pickups alike, and the small square steel housing carried a UK price of GBP 695.

Key specs that matter

A single gain value of 53 dB applies. Input impedance is 47 kOhm for MM cartridges and 100 ohm for MC cartridges. Equalisation follows the RIAA standard. Total harmonic distortion measured over 20 Hz to 20 kHz stays below 0.15 percent in MM mode and below 0.008 percent in MC mode. Channel crosstalk is better than 91 dB, and noise sits 90 dB below the signal. The unit draws 5 W from the mains. It measures 212 x 212 x 95 mm and weighs 3.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

The circuit uses a dual-path RIAA equalisation network built around the OPA2132 operational amplifier, a high-speed op-amp. Mains power passes through a stabilised supply with an EI-type transformer rather than a toroidal one. The steel chassis gives the unit its weight despite the small footprint, and the preamplifier is hand-built. Several colour finishes are offered so that it can match other Evolution components from the brand. Since both the MM and the MC loading are fixed, the Gaia Mini suits owners who want a single setting for each cartridge type instead of switchable loading and capacitance.

Pairing

The single gain setting is intended to handle low-output MC cartridges as well as standard MM cartridges, so one turntable with either cartridge type can connect directly. Its output connects to a line input of an amplifier or preamplifier, which makes the Gaia Mini a way to add vinyl playback to an amplifier that lacks a built-in phono section. The small square footprint also fits in a rack beside compact electronics, and housing the stage in its own steel case keeps it physically apart from the amplifier and its transformer. Because the stage is a separate unit, the same phono preamplifier can stay in the system if the owner later changes amplifiers, and a turntable can be set up next to it with a short interconnect. Fezz offers the Gaia Mini as the smallest box in its phono range, below the Gratia models.

Alternatives

The Fezz Audio Gratia Prestige MK2 is a larger phono stage from the same brand that combines an op-amp with two 12AU7 tubes and adds switchable MC loading.