Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl S Phono Preamplifier

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl S Phono Preamplifier

Nu-Vista Vinyl S brings the same state-of-the-art nuvistor tube phono preamplifier technology originally developed for the acclaimed Nu-Vista Vinyl 2 to a more attainable price point. It uses identical core circuitry and the signature nuvistor Class A topology as its bigger sibling, made more affordable through smart PCB revisions and layout optimizations that reduce the overall mechanical footprint by around 45%. This makes it a natural match for the Nu-Vista 600.2 and Nu-Vista 800.2 integrated amplifiers. As an authorized Musical Fidelity dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you match this phono preamp to your turntable and cartridge.

Key Features

• Same core circuitry and nuvistor Class A topology as the Nu-Vista Vinyl 2
• Fully balanced and fully discrete design
• 3-stage gain design, Class A discrete transistor circuitry
• 8x 7586 nuvistor tubes in a balanced buffer circuit
• MM (40, 43dB) and MC (60, 63dB) gain, each with a +6dB option
• Split-passive EQ stage with RIAA, DECCA, and COLUMBIA curves
• Two-step subsonic filter (off, mild, standard)
• Independent RCA and XLR output stages — use both simultaneously
• 2x RCA inputs, 2x balanced XLR inputs, each independently set for MM/MC and loading, with settings stored per input
• Slim "S" chassis, roughly 45% smaller mechanical footprint than the Vinyl 2
• Colour display with loading settings and selected input, dimmable
• Slim "S" remote control, machined from solid aluminium

Same Circuitry, Smaller Footprint

Vinyl S uses discrete, fully balanced audio circuitry identical in design to the Vinyl 2, with the phono pre-amplification's three gain stages powered by fully Class A discrete transistor circuitry, feeding a fully balanced discrete Class A Nuvistor stage on a separate board per channel. The split-passive EQ stage and JFET-switched cartridge loading options are unchanged from the Vinyl 2. The main difference is a revised phono PCB and nuvistor tube layout that shrinks the mechanical footprint by roughly 45%, in a new slimmer "S" chassis — nuvistor tubes aren't visible from the outside and there's no LED backlighting, but the same luxurious build quality carries through.

Extreme Cartridge Loading Options

Each 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 — letting Vinyl S be matched to virtually any cartridge without practical noise, distortion, or overload issues even at the highest gain settings.

Power Supply

Vinyl S 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.

Reviews

"The Vinyl S's clarity had the hairs on the back of my neck standing to attention. Such is the Nu-Vista Vinyl S's detailed, 'in-the-room' delivery suggesting an authentic and immersive sense of space. Impresses with its low-end delivery." — Adam Smith, Hi-Fi News, May 2026

"The Vinyl S gave me the kind of bold and powerful sound that made me want to crank up the volume – luscious and warm, the detail and color are exquisite. The Vinyl S will extract the best from your chosen cartridge with verve, color, and vividness." — Michael Trei, Stereophile, May 2026

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this compare to the Nu-Vista Vinyl 2?
Nu-Vista Vinyl 2 uses the same core circuitry in a larger chassis with slightly higher signal-to-noise specs (110dB MM / 98dB MC vs. 101dB MM / 82dB MC here) and a higher max output voltage. Vinyl S delivers the same nuvistor sound signature in a chassis roughly 45% smaller, at a more accessible price.

Can I use MM and MC cartridges with this?
Yes, each input can be independently set for MM (40/43dB, +6dB option) or MC (60/63dB, +6dB option), with settings stored per input, along with adjustable loading for precise cartridge matching.

What amplifier does this pair well with?
Vinyl S is sized and priced to match the Nu-Vista 600.2 and Nu-Vista 800.2 integrated amplifiers.