Фонокорректоры — Fezz Audio Gratia Prestige MK2

The Gratia Prestige MK2 is a hybrid MM and MC phono preamplifier by Fezz Audio, built in Poland by a company tied to the transformer producer Toroidy.pl. It combines an operational amplifier and vacuum tubes in a two-step gain section. The MK2 version adds adjustable input capacitance for MM cartridges and selectable load impedance for MC cartridges.

Key specs that matter

Gain is 42 dB for MM and 60 dB for MC. The stage accepts MM, high-output MC and MC cartridges. MC load can be set to 1 kOhm, 470 ohm, 220 ohm or 100 ohm, and MM capacitance to 0 pF, 47 pF, 100 pF or 220 pF. Two inputs feed a single output, with prices of USD 2,695 in the US and GBP 1,995 in the UK. Total harmonic distortion is below 0.1 percent. Noise is more than 90 dB below the signal for MM and more than 86 dB for MC, and crosstalk is better than 88 dB for MM and 82 dB for MC. Power consumption is 20 W.

Engineering and use context

The first gain step uses the Burson Supreme Sound Opamp V5i, and the second uses two 12AU7 (ECC82) double triodes. The power supply is stabilised and built around a toroidal Supreme Audio Grade transformer from Toroidy.pl. The tubes sit under a sliding glass panel on the top, so they are easy to reach and can be swapped for other 12AU7 types. The front panel logo is illuminated, and the chassis measures 355 x 380 x 95 mm with a weight of 8 kg. Seven finishes are listed, including Big Calm, Burning Red and EverGreen. Because loading and capacitance can be changed, the owner can follow the values that a cartridge maker recommends instead of using one fixed setting. The separate gain figures for each cartridge type mean the MC position does not rely on an external step-up transformer.

Pairing

The two inputs allow one turntable carrying an MM cartridge and another with an MC cartridge to stay connected together. The output connects to a line-level amplifier input. Fezz tube amplifiers from the Evolution series share the same design language, and the tubes under the glass panel echo the exposed tubes of those amplifiers. A built-in subsonic filter keeps very low frequencies from warped records away from the amplifier, and a stereo or mono switch handles mono pressings.

Alternatives

Fezz Audio also builds the Gaia Mini MM/MC, a compact solid-state phono stage offering 53 dB of gain with fixed MM and MC loading.