Фонокорректоры — Vitus Audio MP-P201 MK.III

The MP-P201 Mk.III is the phono stage of the Masterpiece Series from the Danish maker Vitus Audio, a range that also includes the MP-T201 Mk.II CD transport, the MP-D201 Mk.III converter, the MP-L201 Mk.II line stage and the MP-S201 and MP-M201 Mk.II power amplifiers. Its amplifying circuits are built from the discrete gain stage modules first developed for the MP-L201 line stage, reworked here for much lower noise so that low-output cartridges can be used. The third version also received an updated mainboard with regulation matched to the separate power supply.

Key specs that matter

Two balanced inputs on XLR and two single-ended inputs on RCA allow two turntables or two tonearms to stay connected. Moving coil gain runs from 50 to 75 dB and moving magnet gain from 20 to 47 dB, each in 10 steps. Cartridge loading is offered in 21 steps for moving coil and 22 steps for moving magnet, covering 10 ohm up to 47 kohm in total. Mono cartridges are supported as well. Balanced and single-ended outputs, one set of each, present 80 ohm. Vitus lists a frequency response past 800 kHz, a signal-to-noise figure above 110 dB at 1 kHz and THD plus noise under 0.01 percent. The main unit measures 435 mm wide, 470 mm deep and 135 mm high and weighs 22 kg, while the power supply has a 435 by 435 mm footprint and weighs 31 kg on its own. Consumption is under 1 W at idle, 30 W in standby and 110 W in operation.

Engineering and use context

Vitus chooses the gain setting from the output voltage of the cartridge in use, which the company regards as the most effective way to balance cartridge and phono stage. Gain and load settings are selected with the buttons on the fascia or with the remote handset, and no internal or external modules have to be swapped to alter the loading. Moving the power transformer and regulation into a separate chassis, the same supply design used for the MP-L201, keeps mains noise away from the small signals and gives a high level of line regulation. The enclosure is aluminium, finished as standard in white, black or silver, with orange, champagne and grey titanium shades as optional finishes.

Pairing

The balanced output is the natural link to the MP-L201 Mk.II line stage or another preamplifier with XLR inputs. The two input pairs of each type make it practical to leave a moving coil arm and a moving magnet or mono arm connected at the same time. Allow space for two full-width boxes.

Alternatives

The Vitus Audio SP-103 is the phono stage offered in the Signature Series, alongside the SL-103 line stage.