Musical Fidelity M3XVINYL, Phono-Stage MM/MC silver

Musical Fidelity M3XVINYL,  Phono-Stage MM/MC

M3x Vinyl – Overview

The M6 ​​Vinyl excited record lovers worldwide when it was launched. Finally there was a phono preamplifier that allowed you to easily set all parameters during operation, i.e. while the record was playing. The brand new M3x Vinyl also follows this concept. At an extremely fair price, MUSICAL FIDELITY presents the best in class for everyone who is really serious about enjoying analogue records. A phono preamplifier of format - full format, as we say in the industry.

The lovingly designed and extremely solidly manufactured housing houses a fully discrete phono preamplification, which offers the rightly proud owner every conceivable comfort. Be it both the amplification factor and the adaptation to the respective pickup. A subsonic filter can also be switched.

This means that the M3x Vinyl never leaves any doubt as to which company it comes from:

just typical MUSICAL FIDELITY: Powerful, dynamic, musical

M3x Vinyl – Technical background

The MUSICAL FIDELITY portfolio now includes 6 (in words: six) phono preamplifiers. This alone shows that analogue music reproduction is really important to us and that we leave no stone unturned to make an offer for every budget and every equipment requirement.

From our experiences with the incredible NU-VISTA vinyl and the now equally brand new and extremely versatile M6x vinyl, we have now derived the M3x vinyl. Designed and built with the same consistency and love, it dispenses with the possibility of connecting several turntables at the same time, but is otherwise based on the same amplifier circuit. So if you, like most of us, “only” operate a record player with “only” one tonearm, you can practically no longer avoid the M3x Vinyl…

A discrete circuit consists of electronic components. These are "passive" components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as "active" components such as transistors in our case. The opposite of this would be an integrated circuit that uses operational amplifiers in the signal chain. Many manufacturers like to use operational amplifiers because they can be used to implement a wide variety of circuits very cost-effectively. However, countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown us that even the best operational amplifiers do not sound as neutral, natural, dynamic or lively as a neatly designed discrete circuit.

But these are exactly the sonic goals of MUSICAL FIDELITY, which we pursue passionately. Integrated circuits usually require a few dozen components - with a discrete circuit design this can quickly become several hundred. This doesn't really make the development more efficient, but it does lead to the best sonic results.

The result: no signal, no matter how small, remains hidden from the M3x Vinyl.

M3x Vinyl – equipment details

The turntable input on the M3x Vinyl can be connected to both MM and MC cartridges. Individual adjustments can be made on the front during operation, which the M3x Vinyl stores.

6 termination capacities (50, 100, 200, 300, 350 & 400pF) are available for MM pickups. 6 terminating resistors (25, 50, 100, 400, 800, 1200 ohms) can be selected for MC pickups. In practice, the input stage cannot be overloaded by any commercially available pickup.

The IEC button can be used to switch a subsonic filter that reduces the lowest frequencies. A real blessing for many a sub-chassis turntable. To match the output level to other components in the system, an additional gain of 6 dB is available. This means that the ambitious vinyl lover can optimally operate every conceivable pickup and enjoy his beloved record collection without compromise.

The impressive power supply with generous oversizing as well as the intelligent internal structure with targeted shielding guarantee superior amplification without limitations.

M3x Vinyl – The sound

MUSICAL FIDELITY devices have always impressed with their consistency and clear goal of reproducing music as directly and unadulterated as possible.

With the new circuit design, background noise and distortion are kept extremely low - so even the finest details can be heard unhindered. Both the musical content and the artist's intention can come to the fore.

Not only are pickup differences clearly highlighted regardless of their price range, the detailed and lively reproduction allows the listener to get very close to the music. Whether jazz or classical, the Musical Fidelity M3x Vinyl plays wonderfully balanced, powerful and dynamic.

As you would expect from MUSICAL FIDELITY, the M3x Vinyl is the first choice for musicality, power and expression. No matter whether Artur Rubinstein or Nils Frahm, whether Dinah Washington or Rihanna – you will have more famous visitors at home in the future.

Just typical MUSICAL FIDELITY: Powerful, dynamic, musical

Specifications

• MM
• Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC (switchable) ± 0.2 dB
• Input sensitivity: 5 mV In for 500 mV Out (at 1kHz)
• Input impedance: 47 k
• Input capacity: 50 to 400 pF switchable
• Gain: 40 or 46 dB (with +6 dB function)
• THD at 1kHz: <0.028%
• Crosstalk: > 100 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 71 dB (A)
• MC
• Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC (switchable) ± 0.3 dB
• Input sensitivity: 500 μV In for 500 mV Out (at 1kHz)
• Input impedance: 25  to 1k2  switchable
• Gain: 60 or 66 dB (with +6 dB function)
• THD at 1kHz: <0.28%
• Crosstalk: > 90 dB
• S/N ratio: > 59 dB (A)
• Input: MM/MC switchable: 1 pair RCA/Cinch
• Grounding: 1x 4 mm banana/cable lug/bare
• Output: 500mV nominal 10V maximum 1 pair RCA / Cinch unbalanced
• Power supply: 115/230 volts AC 50/60hz (preset)
• Power consumption: < 0.5 watts standby, 20 watts max.
• Dimensions W x H x D (mm): 440 x 105 x 390 (including connections)
• Weight: 5.5 kg (11.0 kg gross)
• Finishes: Silver or Black