Musical Fidelity V-LPS Phono preamp
This phono stage belongs to the new V series, which also includes the V-CAN headphone amplifier, V-DAC and V-Link 24/96 resolution USB/SPDIF converter. All these inexpensive components are made in a single form factor and are very small boxes by hi-fi standards powered by a mains adapter. The idea is clear - to save not on components, but on hardware in the most direct sense.
For example, the V-LPS has the same circuitry as the phono section of the elite kW series amplifiers, but with a lighter design. This made it possible to reduce the price without sacrificing quality. The corrector is built on low-noise operational amplifiers, its frequency response deviates from the RIAA curve by only ±0.3 dB in the range of 20 Hz - 20 kHz, and distortion does not exceed 0.01% when working with both types of heads. It is convenient that each of them has its own pair of input connectors and an MM / MC switch - if the player has a pair of tonearms with different cartridges, you do not have to constantly switch the cable.
The only serious compromise in this case can be considered a power supply system with a simple rectifier. But Musical Fidelity already has an answer to this criticism - a stabilized V-PSU. You can connect several V-series components to it at once. In this case, the combination of V-LPS with the V-Can "ear" amplifier seems to me to be very good.
The sound of the corrector can be called really hi-fi with minimal reservations. It has a very low, tight and well-structured bass and a fairly clean upper range. There are practically no own noises, but an increased background is possible if this box is placed on the amplifier or next to it. I also note a clear separation of channels, which is especially felt on old rock records, when the possibilities of stereophony were used to the fullest. The sound stage is built correctly, but sometimes the spatial picture seems simplified. According to the general impression, the V-LPS can compete with much more expensive phono preamps. And if you supply it with a decent V-PSU power supply, the result will please even a very demanding audio gourmet.
