From the technical point of view, the Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL phono preamplifier is able to satisfy even the most restless experimenters and upgrade enthusiasts. The phono preamplifier is designed to work with various types of heads and allows you to select the optimal mode for each specific instance. To do this, there is a choice of nine load impedance values for MS (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1200, 47000 ohms) and five input capacitance values for MM (50, 100, 200, 3 . It is convenient that the input parameters can be adjusted during playback without removing the top cover or clicking the DIP switches hidden in the case bottom. The settings are made with a large knob that is half recessed into the front panel. If the head response is lower than standard, use the "+6 dB" toggle switch to double the gain. If it is necessary to weaken the infra-low component (the room "starts up", the subwoofer is humming), it is enough to switch from RIAA to IEC correction.
The input switching provides for simultaneous connection of two turntables (or one with a pair of tonearms), one in a balanced circuit via a 5-pin mini-XLR jack, and the other via RCA jacks with screw ground. The input required at the moment is selected with a slide switch on the rear panel. There are also two outputs - a balanced one on standard XLR and a regular RCA. They are not switched and can be used in parallel, for example, for recording (digitisation) and simultaneous process control via a second circuit. The MX-VYNL circuit is fully balanced, and the description states that it uses correction in accordance with the updated RIAA standard, which results in a frequency response of up to 80 kHz. Impressive specifications include a deviation from the standard curve of 0.1 dB, a weighted signal-to-noise ratio of -98 dB in MC mode, and an overload capability of 24 dB. The corrector is powered by an external adapter that provides 12 V DC at 500 mA. Obviously, the device itself has a bipolar voltage converter, because only in this case it is possible to implement a completely symmetrical circuit of the amplifying path.
From the outside, the Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL looks like a solid piece of equipment: it weighs about two kilograms, has well-thought-out ergonomics, impeccable build quality, and high-quality connectors.
