Фонокорректоры — Musical Fidelity M3X VINYL

The M3x Vinyl is the entry-level phono stage in the M range from Musical Fidelity, and is manufactured in the EU. It was derived from the M6x Vinyl, the brand's first fully discrete phono stage, as a one input and one output version without the M6x's multiple connections and balanced XLR sockets. The circuit is built from individual components rather than integrated circuits, and the electronics are hand-wired. A steel chassis with a thick aluminium front plate is used for rigidity and electromagnetic shielding. The price was about EUR 1,300 or GBP 1,200.

Key specs that matter

In MM mode the input impedance is 47 kohm, with capacitance selectable from 50 to 400 pF, and gain is 40 dB or 46 dB using a plus 6 dB function. Sensitivity is 5 mV for 500 mV out at 1 kHz, THD plus noise stays below 0.028 percent, signal to noise is 95 dB and crosstalk exceeds 100 dB. In MC mode the impedance is selectable from 25 ohm to 1.2 kohm, gain is 60 dB or 66 dB, sensitivity is 500 microvolts, THD plus noise is below 0.28 percent, signal to noise is 80 dB and crosstalk is better than 90 dB. The unit measures 440 x 105 x 390 mm and weighs 6.59 kg unboxed.

Engineering and use context

Equalisation is split and semi-passive, spread over separate amplification stages without global negative feedback loops, which the maker states gives accurate RIAA curve representation and better impedance matching. Either RIAA or RIAA/IEC curves can be chosen, held within plus or minus 0.2 dB for MM and 0.3 dB for MC. Front panel buttons cover power and mute, MM or MC selection, MM loading, the IEC filter for subsonic output from warped records, the 6 dB gain step and MC loading, with LEDs showing each setting. MM loading steps are 50, 100, 200, 300, 350 and 400 pF, and MC loading steps are 25, 50, 100, 400, 800 and 1,200 ohm. A custom toroidal transformer with low core saturation reduces electromagnetic radiation. The unit runs on 230 V or 115 V AC at 50 or 60 Hz, comes with a 10 A IEC mains lead, draws 20 W at most and uses zero power in standby.

Pairing

Connection is by a single RCA input and one RCA output pair, delivering 500 mV nominal and up to 10 V maximum for the line stage of an amplifier. These loading options allow matching to many cartridge types without an external step-up transformer.

Alternatives

The Musical Fidelity M6x Vinyl is the higher-priced phono stage in the same M range.