MP8B: 70V Discrete J-FET RIAA MM+LOMC Phono Preamplifier w/EQ Trim and Dual-Mono Regulation (+35dB to +72dB)

MP8B: Fully-Discrete, Zero Negative Feedback, Single-Ended Class-A High-Voltage Pure J-FET (Junction Field Effect Transistor) Phono Preamplifier +35dB to +72dB

Get truly high end, truly musical sound with hand-built USA quality, from an engineering team with 50+ years experience.

• Optimized Multi-Purpose (MP) - truly optimized for four different scenarios. 1) High Quality MM, MI and HOMC cartridges via the main +40dB stage, 2) Low-Output Moving Coils via our unit’s own internal active LOMC step-up stage, 3) Outboard Step-Up-Transformers (SUTs), or 4) Separate external active Head Amps (like our SU series).

• Zero Feedback, Single-Ended Class-A Gain Stages - No Op-Amps (Integrated Circuits) and no Differential FET operation - for more natural sound, cleaner crescendos and minimal listening fatigue

• Dual Mono Regulation - The most elegant and technically sophisticated power supply ever utilized in a DLabs product. It allows a higher rail voltage than earlier products, provides increased resilience against poor AC power, and generates superior clarity of sound, superb ‘punch', glorious soundstaging, power and involving dynamics.

• High Headroom Passive RIAA equalization

• High-Voltage J-FETs -Hand-matched with hand-tuned operating points deployed in a maximum-inherent-linearity configuration

• Extensive local decoupling networks provide incredibly deep, wide and immersive soundstaging

• Mono Switch is included - no extra cost

• Black or Silver Front Panel - your choice - no extra cost

• User-selected LED Color (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow or White) - no extra cost - and you can adjust the brightness with an internal setting!

• Upgraded jacks included - no extra cost - provide enhanced appearance together with increased reliability across multiple connection/disconnection cycles.

• Hand-soldered, assembled and calibrated by experienced US-paid craftsmen

• Through-hole construction for electrolytic capacitors and other critical parts, conservatively rated, long life audiophile quality components

• Listen 5 to 7dB louder without strain or fatigue than competitive products for greater perceived dynamics and musical immersion

• Invites comparison to products up to $5000 or more. Appropriate for systems rated A to A+ by a large subjective review magazine.

DETAILED FEATURES LIST:

Gain is variable between +35dB, +37dB, +40dB, +49dB, +51dB, +54dB, +61dB, +63dB, +66dB, +67dB, +69dB, +72dB (LOMC stage is built-in)

Usable with most any cartridge of 0.1mV to 10mV nominal output i.e., nearly all and also optimized for your SUT - see below.

LF EQ Trim (+0.75dB and +1.5dB at 20Hz, shelving response)

HF EQ Trim (-4dB to +4dB at 20kHz in shelving response, with many intermediate steps)

Subsonic Filter (switchable): Flat, or 16Hz HPF at 6dB/octave or 12dB/octave.

Variable Resistive loading for MM-level: 38K, 44K, 47K, 62K, 92K, 150K, 240K or 1Meg including special settings optimized for use with external third-party SUTs (Step-Up Transformers).

Variable Resistive loading for LOMC-level (gains of +49dB or greater): 60 ohm, 69 ohm, 82 ohm, 100 ohm, 150 ohm, 220 ohm, 470 ohm, or 62K.

Variable capacitance MM: 0pF, 50pF, 100pF, 150pF, 200pF, 250pF, 300pF, 350pF

Balanced output capability (with user-supplied custom connecting cable)

Balanced Power Supply Generation (BSG) for minimum background hum even in difficult or noisy AC line conditions

Mono strapping possible via an internal jumper (for running a dedicated mono cartridge or TT without having purchased the external Mono switch)

Black or Silver front panel available at no extra cost (and later you can change the color by purchasing a new front panel and installing it yourself!)

Upgraded Jacks already included - no extra cost

Mono Switch already included - no extra cost.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Distortion:  0.06% THD at 1kHz, 0.5V into 10K load; 0.006% 3HD and higher at 1kHz, 0.5V into 10K load

S/N: >79dB A-Wtd re: 5mV input with simulated inductive standard MM type cartridge as a source (40dB gain); >71dB A-Wtd re: 0.5mV input with 10 ohm load for LOMC input.

Maximum Output: 19.5V RMS (28dBu or 55V pk-pk) at 1kHz into 10K load.

Frequency Response: RIAA: +/-0.2dB from 20Hz to 20kHz

Bandwidth: -1dB at 5Hz and 70kHz.

Input Overload: 150mV at 1kHz input. 

Size: 7” D x 5 1/8” W x 1 9/16” H. Weight: 2.5 lbs. Packed weight: 3.5 lbs.

External Power Supply Cube: 24VAC 500mA, available in US 120V, EU 230V, UK 230V or AUS/NZ 230V.