{"product_id":"musical-fidelity-m8x-vinyl-phono-preamplifier","title":"Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Preamplifier","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMusical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Preamplifier\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM8x Vinyl is the new flagship phono preamplifier in Musical Fidelity's acclaimed M-range. Compared to its smaller sibling, the M6x Vinyl, the M8x goes a step further in almost every aspect: it's fully balanced as well as fully discrete, with each channel's + and - signal getting its own amplifier stage, more than doubling the discrete component count and roughly tripling the PCB size of the phono stage. Its purpose is singular — to be a faithful conduit for music, designed so you cannot overload the input stage or run into practical output limits. As an authorized Musical Fidelity dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you match this phono preamp to your turntable and cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFully balanced and fully discrete design\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3-stage gain design, Class A discrete transistor circuitry, lower noise and distortion than the M6x Vinyl\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e8 gain settings: 40, 43, 46, 49dB (MM) and 60, 63, 66, 69dB (MC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSplit-passive EQ stage, in two separate stages for better impedance matching and accuracy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRIAA, DECCA, and COLUMBIA EQ curves\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTwo-step subsonic filter (off, mild, standard)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiscrete input power filtering and DC blocking circuitry, roughly 3x the size of the M6x Vinyl's power PCB\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEncapsulated Super Silent Power Transformer\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIndependent RCA and XLR output stages — use both simultaneously\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2x RCA inputs, 2x balanced XLR inputs, each independently set for MM\/MC and loading, with settings stored per input\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMassive full-aluminium casework, matched to the M8 amplifier series\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNo display — reduces electromagnetic interference and keeps the design timeless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFully Balanced Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fully balanced design carries a hot (+) and cold (-) signal, both containing the same musical information, letting the amplifier subtract out any noise picked up along the way. Unlike a \"pseudo-balanced\" design that combines the + and - signals before processing, M8x Vinyl treats the + and - sections of each channel independently — doubling the amplifier sections, PCB space, and component count compared to a single-ended design, in exchange for excellent noise, error, and interference suppression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSplit-Passive EQ with RIAA, DECCA, and COLUMBIA\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EQ stage is completely passive and split into two separate stages, a more costly design to implement but one that ensures a more accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve with better impedance matching and lower deviation. Alongside the standard RIAA curve, M8x Vinyl adds the less common DECCA and COLUMBIA curves, useful for period recordings mastered to those standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eExtreme Cartridge Loading Options\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach RCA or XLR input can be individually set for MM or MC and its own loading, with settings remembered per input. Gain ranges from 40dB (100x voltage amplification) up to 69dB (3690x voltage amplification), switched cleanly via signal relays, while input capacitance and impedance are switched using JFET transistors. This lets M8x Vinyl be matched to virtually any cartridge and integrated cleanly into your system, without practical noise, distortion, or overload issues even at the highest gain settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDiscrete Power Supply\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM8x Vinyl uses an encapsulated toroidal transformer purpose-designed for delicate phono signals, with low core saturation and very low electromagnetic radiation, alongside industrial-grade power sockets with EMI filtering and DC blocking to eliminate transformer hum. Each discrete amp stage has its own DC servo, and the preamp is powered by two symmetrical, low-noise power supplies (one per channel), all passively filtered and regulated — critical when working with the few hundred microvolts a phono cartridge produces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReviews\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\"The bass 'n' drums sounded as authentic as we've ever heard them with perfect pace and timing. The drum kit sound was outstandingly good. We could luxuriate in the glorious sound quality afforded by the M8x Vinyl.\" — Ian Frazer, Audio Esoterica, May 2025\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\"Noise levels are low enough to count as nonexistent, tonal balance is spot on and midrange sounds impressively immediate. Prising things open and revealing nuances and details to these shifting, loose tracks.\" — Editors, HiFi+, December 2025\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\"Pure power fills our listening room. It is strictly designed to treat all the information from a good pressing fairly. It really feels like you're there live. It's great how Musical Fidelity reproduces everything, the overtones, the reflections.\" — Andreas Günther, Audio Test, February 2026\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM gain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40dB, 43dB, 46dB, 49dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM input sensitivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5mV in for 500mV out (at 40dB, 1kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM input impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e47kΩ\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM input capacitance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50-400pF selectable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM THD (1kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt;0.005%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM overload margin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMM signal-to-noise\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026gt;102dB A-weighted at 40dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC gain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60dB, 63dB, 66dB, 69dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC input sensitivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500μV in for 500mV out (at 60dB, 1kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC input impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5Ω to 47kΩ selectable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC input capacitance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400pF fixed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC THD (1kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt;0.008%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC overload margin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMC signal-to-noise\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026gt;90dB A-weighted at 60dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrequency response (both)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e±0.2dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEQ curves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRIAA, DECCA, COLUMBIA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubsonic filters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOff, mild (IEC), standard (20Hz, 18dB\/octave)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2x RCA, 2x XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRCA output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnbalanced, L\/R 500mV nominal, 5V max\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXLR output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalanced, L\/R 1V nominal, 10V max\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains voltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115\/230VAC 50\/60Hz (factory pre-set); 100VAC 50\/60Hz alternative\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower consumption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20W maximum; \u0026lt;0.5W standby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions (W x H x D)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e483 x 102 x 381 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10.6 kg net \/ 14 kg shipping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use MM and MC cartridges with this?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, each input can be independently set for MM (40-49dB gain) or MC (60-69dB gain), with settings stored per input, along with adjustable loading for precise cartridge matching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use RCA and XLR outputs at the same time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, the RCA and XLR outputs have independent stages, so you can connect and use both simultaneously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this support anything besides the standard RIAA curve?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, alongside RIAA, M8x Vinyl offers the less common DECCA and COLUMBIA EQ curves for period recordings mastered to those standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Musical Fidelity","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":49991205290236,"sku":"M8XVB","price":5499.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver","offer_id":49991205323004,"sku":"M8XVS","price":5499.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0116\/1773\/0617\/files\/1_m8xvinyl-black-front.png?v=1784091323","url":"https:\/\/vinylsound.ca\/products\/musical-fidelity-m8x-vinyl-phono-preamplifier","provider":"Vinyl Sound Canada Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}