MoFi UltraPhono phonostage... Sound quality?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by dogpile, Mar 14, 2017.

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  1. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    I should have the Mofi studio phono in the next few weeks. I will chime in with my thoughts after I connect it and evaluate.
     
  2. Systematic

    Systematic New Member

    Location:
    St. Louis
    Longtime lurker, just signed up.

    I received the studio phono last week from Music Direct. It sounds great with moving coils - substantial upgrade from my previous Cambridge 651p.
    I'm using the Denon 301mkii. Sounds best loaded at 330 ohms w/60db of gain. Only minor negative is the flimsy buttons, but what do you expect for $249 made in USA.
     
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  3. Com4734

    Com4734 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Canonsburg PA
    I thought the same about the buttons. But if I had to choose, I'd rather compromise on the buttons than the sound quality.
     
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  4. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Rookie question:

    For a Moving Magnet cartridge that has an output of 3MV, is there any general rule as far as the gain setting goes? Or is it a trial and error thing? I think most MM cart's call for a 40 db gain setting but I wonder if the 3MV output cart would benefit from 46DB? It is considerably lower in volume compared to my Shure, which had an output of 5mv.

    I took delivery this past weekend of the Studio Phono and should have it up and running soon.
     
  5. 33na3rd

    33na3rd Forum Resident

    Location:
    SW Washington, USA
    46dB with 3mV will give you .597 Volts, which should work just fine.

    Here's a link for a gain calculator.
    dB calculator for amplification gain and damping (loss) factor of an audio amplifier calculation decibel dB ratio - sengpielaudio Sengpiel Berlin

    The three calculators down towards the bottom are very useful.
     
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  6. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Thanks for that information. 46DB is also in line with what the Mofi instruction booklet says:


    Cartridge Output Settings:

    > 3mV / 40dB
    1mv–3mV / 46dB
    0.3mV–1mV / 60dB
     
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  7. 33na3rd

    33na3rd Forum Resident

    Location:
    SW Washington, USA
    How's everything sounding?
     
  8. JustGotPaid

    JustGotPaid Forum Resident

    I would like to see pictures of whats inside the box.
     
    displayname likes this.
  9. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    I wish I could comment! It's not hooked up yet. I am hoping for this weekend or Monday at the latest - I have a day off from work.
     
    33na3rd likes this.
  10. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Ok, finally got the PhonoStudio hooked up.

    I am using an AT Cartridge with Shibata stylus. 46db gain and 47000 input impedance. Silver Serpent cables. Test record is an original U.S. pressing of Robert Plant's Shaken N Stirred - for those in the know, this one is a wonderful "demo disc" sounding LP.

    Hooked everything up and turned the volume all the way up. No buzzing, no humming, no hissing. Yes! And I should mention I have it located near computers and cell phones and other "no no's" and experience no extraneous noise. Put that in your pipe Schiit Mani and smoke it!:winkgrin:

    How does it sound? Just like it did before through the receivers Phono input - but 5X better! Seriously - no coloration's, nothing sucked out, just more of the same goodness - but bigger and better. Overall, the sound is punchier and the whole delivery is just so much more defined, open and "powerful" sounding. With the 3MV AT Cart, I really had to crank the receivers volume to get to my desired listening level. Now, I set the volume the same as if I was listening to a digital source.

    I do have a Schiit Mani in another system and would love to a/b compare, but sadly I cannot give an opinion as these preamps are installed in radically different systems. The only thing I CAN say is, I don't hear buzzing and radio stations like many people report when using the Mani.

    Happy camper over here!!

    JQ
     
  11. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Now can someone explain what exactly this Subsonic button is supposed to do???
     
  12. Davey

    Davey NP: Hania Rani/Dobrawa Czocher ~ Inner Symphonies

    Location:
    SF Bay Area, USA
    Isn't it just a subsonic filter to cut the low frequencies due to warps and footfalls and off-center pressings and the like? Reduces the woofer pumping people get with ported speakers and warped records, or tables that aren't isolated very well. Usually better for sound quality to avoid filters if you can by addressing the mechanical issues, but sometimes it's the only reasonable way.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2017
  13. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Yeah - I do see myself using that switch too often. I will however use the mono switch quite a bit.
     
  14. action pact

    action pact Music Omnivore

    Filter rumble.
     
  15. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Heckto35 and displayname like this.
  16. ggergm

    ggergm another spring another baseball season

    Location:
    Minnesota
    Besides being a good review, I'm glad to see Audio Emporium is still going strong. Their webpage says they are celebrating 40 years in business. I'm happy they survived. As a fellow Wisconsin stereo store owner, one whose store didn't make it, I'm pleased to see this Milwaukee area store did. :)
     
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  17. Slippers-on

    Slippers-on Forum Resident

    Location:
    St.Louis Mo.
    I have the Studio Tracker cart in my family room system. For $200 you get a whole lotta premium sound out that cart! I bet it would sound really great with your Phono Studio!
     
  18. johnny q

    johnny q Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bergen County, NJ
    Regarding the Phonostudio: No on/off switch means this thing is on 24/7........365. Should I be concerned???
     
  19. 33na3rd

    33na3rd Forum Resident

    Location:
    SW Washington, USA
    No reason for concern. That's how they designed it.

    Many here keep their solid state source gear powered up 24/7. Some manufactures recommend this. Some even keep their SS power amps powered up at all times.
     
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  20. displayname

    displayname Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dallas
    Agree, no reason for alarm. My iPhono2 stays on all the time as well. No issues several months in now.
     
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  21. MikeJedi

    MikeJedi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Las Vegas
    so how does the studio phono sound? would anyone characterize the sound as neutral or? just curious.. the reviewer on the music direct website said it sounded "accurate" and clean with a somewhat recessed midrange but gave it 5 stars ! I am contemplating a new stage and so far have been reading a lot of good of the Phonomena II plus but if I can get a cheaper option that sounds really good, I might consider it... moving on from my Vincent Pho 700 tubed stage and will probably go back to my Denon DL110 cart on my SL1200....
     
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  22. MikeJedi

    MikeJedi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Well I guess I will find out myself soon lol ! My StudioPhono is on order at MD should be getting it by Tues and will let you Guys know my findings ! What I have read so far on here is very encouraging ! ;)
     
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  23. MIA2RDU

    MIA2RDU Well-Known Member

    Location:
    North Carolina
    I look forward to hearing what you find! I'm very curious about getting one of these myself.
     
    MikeJedi likes this.
  24. MikeJedi

    MikeJedi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Las Vegas
    It's at my house ! Unpacking it tonite and setting up too! Can't wait !
     
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  25. MikeJedi

    MikeJedi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Just a small tidbit .. I haven't had it on that long tonite so this is not my final impression yet .. But wow this thing has got real deep bass and really nice detail and just a nice rythym if that makes sense ... .. Liking what I am hearing so far peeps but again I haven't had it on long .. I will do another update after listening more ... ;)
     
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