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Musical Fidelity V90-LPS - PHONO STAGE
$449.00
Product Details
Musical Fidelity V90-LPS MM/MC Phono Stage — High-Performance RIAA Preamplifier
Available at Vinyl Sound, Toronto's dedicated hi-fi and vinyl retailer, the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS is a compact, switchable MM/MC phono stage designed in England to deliver technically superior RIAA amplification at a price that challenges far costlier alternatives. With 0.01% total harmonic distortion, a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 80 dB (MM), and RIAA correction accurate to ±0.25 dB extending beyond 60 kHz, the V90-LPS achieves the five benchmarks Musical Fidelity considers essential for a high-performance phono stage — and does so in a chassis smaller than a paperback book, powered by a low-noise external 12V supply that keeps switching interference away from the signal path entirely.
Five performance benchmarks, all met
Musical Fidelity identifies five areas where any serious phono stage must excel: RIAA correction accuracy, correction above 20 kHz, low distortion, low noise, and adequate overload margin. The V90-LPS addresses each one. Its RIAA response extends to at least 60 kHz — well beyond audibility — because high-frequency content above 20 kHz left uncorrected re-enters the audible band as ringing and overshoot, blurring transient clarity. At 0.01% THD, distortion is effectively inaudible. The noise floor exceeds 80 dB A-weighted in MM mode. And an overload margin of 15 dB (MM) and 22 dB (MC) means even the highest-output cartridges will never cause clipping under normal conditions.
Switchable MM and MC inputs
A rear-panel switch selects between the dedicated 47 kΩ MM input (sensitivity 3.0 mV for 300 mV output) and the 100 Ω MC input (sensitivity 400 µV for 300 mV output), each independently optimised for its cartridge type. The fixed RCA inputs and output keep the signal path clean and short. The external 12V DC supply removes mains noise from the chassis entirely — a meaningful advantage over units with internal switch-mode power supplies.
Key features
- Switchable MM / MC input — dedicated inputs individually optimised for each cartridge type
- RIAA accuracy ±0.25 dB, extending to at least 60 kHz for ringing-free transient reproduction
- THD 0.01% at 1 kHz, 300 mV output — effectively below the threshold of audibility
- Signal-to-noise ratio >80 dB (MM), >70 dB (MC) A-weighted
- Overload margin 15 dB (MM), 22 dB (MC) — headroom for high-output cartridges
- Frequency response +0 / −0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz — ruler-flat in-band response
- External 12V DC power supply — isolates mains noise from the signal path
- Compact, low-profile chassis — 170 × 47 × 102 mm, 600 g
- Designed in England by Musical Fidelity
Technical specifications
| Specification | MM | MC |
|---|---|---|
| Input impedance | 47 kΩ | 100 Ω |
| Input sensitivity (for 300 mV out) | 3.0 mV | 400 µV (0.4 mV) |
| Total harmonic distortion | 0.01% @ 1kHz, 300mV out | |
| Frequency response | +0 / −0.1 dB, 20Hz–20kHz | |
| RIAA response accuracy | ±0.25 dB (to 60kHz+) | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (A-wtd) | >80 dB | >70 dB |
| Input overload margin | 15 dB | 22 dB |
| Inputs | 1× pair RCA (MM), 1× pair RCA (MC) | |
| Output | 1× pair RCA | |
| Power supply | External 12V 500mA DC (included) | |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 170 × 47 × 102 mm | |
| Weight (unpacked / packed) | 600 g / 1.1 kg | |
| Origin | Designed in England | |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS?
The Musical Fidelity V90-LPS is a compact, switchable MM/MC phono preamplifier designed in England. It features separate 47 kΩ MM and 100 Ω MC inputs, ±0.25 dB RIAA accuracy extending beyond 60 kHz, 0.01% THD, and a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 80 dB (MM). It is powered by an included external 12V DC supply that isolates mains noise from the signal path.
Does the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS work with moving coil (MC) cartridges?
Yes. The V90-LPS has a dedicated MC input with a 100 Ω load impedance and a sensitivity of 400 µV (0.4 mV) for 300 mV output. This suits most standard-output MC cartridges. It is switched via a rear-panel button between MM and MC operation. Low-output MC cartridges below approximately 0.2–0.3 mV may require a step-up transformer ahead of the V90-LPS for optimal noise performance.
Why does RIAA correction above 20 kHz matter?
Vinyl records contain significant audio content above 20 kHz that requires RIAA de-emphasis to be correctly reproduced. If RIAA correction stops at 20 kHz, the unprocessed high-frequency energy returns to the audible band as ringing and overshoot on transients — a subtle but audible smearing of attack and decay. The V90-LPS applies accurate RIAA correction to at least 60 kHz, eliminating this effect entirely.
What cartridges are compatible with the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS?
In MM mode, the V90-LPS accepts cartridges outputting up to approximately 3.0 mV into a standard 47 kΩ load — covering virtually all MM cartridges from Ortofon, Audio-Technica, Nagaoka, Sumiko, Rega, and others. In MC mode, it accepts cartridges outputting from around 0.4 mV into 100 Ω — suitable for many high-output MC designs. For very low-output MC cartridges (below 0.2 mV), additional gain from a step-up transformer is recommended.
Do I need a phono stage if my amplifier already has a phono input?
An outboard phono stage such as the V90-LPS will typically outperform the built-in phono sections found on most modern integrated amplifiers and receivers. Built-in phono stages are often optimised for low cost rather than low noise or RIAA accuracy. The V90-LPS's >80 dB SNR, 0.01% THD, and ±0.25 dB RIAA accuracy represent a measurable and audible improvement over most onboard solutions — and it enables future upgrades to both cartridge and amplifier independently.
Can the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS be used with a turntable that has no built-in preamp?
Yes — the V90-LPS is an outboard phono stage specifically designed to provide the RIAA amplification that turntables without a built-in phono stage require. Connect the turntable's RCA outputs to the MM or MC input of the V90-LPS, then connect the V90-LPS output to any line-level input (AUX, CD, or similar) on your amplifier or receiver.
Where can I buy the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS in Toronto, Canada?
The Musical Fidelity V90-LPS phono stage is available at Vinyl Sound, Toronto's hi-fi and vinyl specialist (Richmond Hill, ON). Shop online at vinylsound.ca or visit in store for a full demonstration with your existing turntable and cartridge.
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