What an outstanding review, DR. Weaver. I can't wait to hear this remarkable product. How Mofi offers so much value and superb build quality at the asking price has me scratching my bald head. Kudos!!!!
Holy chitlins! This is the review I didn't know I needed, but always wanted. As a fellow MasterDeck enthusiast, my goal is to eventually couple it with the MasterPhono. Would have done this already but it was not feasible. In the interim, my MasterDeck is paired with an Audio Research PH8, which is definitely good but doesn't scratch the surface of what I've heard from the MoFi "Master" pairing. Thank you for taking time to articulate what I'd read in multiple different ways in print but had yet to hear first hand in a video testimonial. FYI, you didn't mention price for your viewers. While you did mention it's a significant investment for some, and that others may find ways to incorporate it into their system, I do believe the actual MSRP is going to prohibit many from partaking. It's value is not unreasonable for what you receive, yet it feels like they're going to only capture the attention of veteran HiFi enthusiasts. Cheers, CW
Another clever brand that's seems on an incredible roll.. I incidentally had a quick listen to some MoFi source point 10 a short while ago, a dealer had just started breaking them in and they were alone in a room playing, they sounded big, full and round.... Detailed? Not so much (at the time) .. But I'm certain the best was yet to happen from that set. Much like this Phono stage there is a lot on offer for a great price.👍🏻
Thanks for the review. This has been on my radar as it has a number of features I find useful but missing in my current Pass phono stage. I'm perfectly happy with the sound of my Pass, but aside from the loading options it is pretty sparsely featured. Most notably the mono switch. Plus, who likes to fiddle with dip switches on the rear of the unit.
Fascinating that there are so many fine phono preamps now at mid-fi prices. I am using an EAR 324, similarly priced. Does this MoFi phono pre-amp surpass my unit a little, a lot or not at all, just different if you've heard the EAR 324? Or should I hold out for a Westminster Labs phono preamp or Quest pre-amp with phono board?
The E.A.R. 324 is a fascinating Phono Stage from the mind of the BRIALLIAN Tim de Paravicini... Tim was a friend of mine, and I was fortunate enough to review the E.A.R. 324 shortly after it was released in the spring of 2003 - www.positive-feedback.com/Issue6/ear324.htm That said, what the advances in materials science (the scientific study of the properties and applications of materials of construction or manufacture, materials such as ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites), by way of the quality of the individual components used in the circuit, the circuit board composite, etc., alone may have to offer in a two-decade newer preamplifier may give it a significant advantage. And this MasterPhono CRUSHES most of any of its competitors in terms of convenience and versatility. As much as I LOVE Tim's work, I would think that it may be bested overall by the MasterPhono. I think a head-to-head shoot out makes sense... As to ANY linestage with an internally sourced phono stage, I'd urge caution. Don't get me wrong, what I've heard from Angus Leung, both in conversations with him over the years now, and the many times I've gotten to hear the Quest driving a set of Rei's, is very good...but, my experience has taught me that dedicated external phono stages, certainly ones in this class, almost always outperform any preamplifiers with an included phono RIAA circuit...
@@theaudioanalyst I purchased the 324 in 2006 along with an 864 preamp and later the 912 preamp. Those two units have perfectly matched SUTs for my cartridges but their problems lay in the old designs lacking in proper regulated power supply (none basically). Today, with all the digital noise generated on power lines (cell, computer, etc), they only sounded good past midnight in my system. Plus their linestages just don't compare to my Poseidon. The worst for EAR equipment was during the summer above 100 degrees when all the A/C units were going. The 324 turned out to be amazing now. I also have the Zesto Allesso SUT which sounded excellent into another custom subminiature tube pre-amp I have (better than the EAR pre-amps). Dan Meinwald is also a friend of mine of whom Tim was a best friend of his as well. Dan is the EAR importer dealer who sold me my EAR gear in 2006. I really love the looks and design of the gear but sonically not a fit for me any longer. I'm willing to audition this Mo-Fi Masterphono preamp along with the twice the price Westminster Labs Monologue phono preamp. I've never had a solid state phono stage in 50+ years until I began using the 324 this year. I now prefer the non-tube phono pre-amp stage with a tubed linestage but the Quest could change my mind.
As is my standard practice, pricing and specification are presented in the description section, as are links to purchase. And it is $5995... Thanks for watching!
That is an interesting question... Overall, I come down on the side of the Lupe... But do keep in mind, it is $4000 - or 60% - more than the Lupe...so that is almost to be expected...
I was wondering same as jmal...how would it sounds compared to my Pass. The Pass is already so great I'd hate to go backwards---I had an EAT tubed mini Petit (which had gotten gaga reviews in the day too) and the Pass makes it sound like a vastly ingerior device.
Are you even hearing yourself at this point? 😉 The EAT Petite tubed phono stage? A device that sells at retail for a third the cost of the Pass XP-17 (you didn’t specify, so I’m assuming…) and a fourth of the cost of the MasterPhono! Were you REALLY thinking that a $1,500 entry level design from EAT - a turntable specialty house, not a firm know as an electronics powerhouse, by any stretch, let alone as a manufacturer of exceptional budget gear - could hold a candle to a product that cost three times as much from the mind of Nelson Pass? I’ve no idea who would offer an, as you put it, “gaga” review of such an inexpensive, entry-level device from an unproven company’s series of electronic components, but I will wager that it is the result of the fact that the reviewer in question has had, how do I say this respectfully, a rather severely limited degree of exposure in both the number - and quality - of, the phonostages he has heard, especially by comparison. Please keep in mind that I’ve spent five decades in and around this industry, with over 35 years chronicling my travels and experiences. During that time, I have heard - and worked on - untold hundreds - arguably thousands - of specialty phono-related products. I’ve lived with all levels of phonostages, devices selling for under $200, to some that sell for $80,000. Keep in mind, I’ve made it clear that the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono phonostage is not without weakness, especially in contrast to world-class devices like those that I own and have reviewed. But it DOES punch well above its weight - and I dare you to find the versatility, feature set, and specifications that it offers for anywhere near the same price from another manufacturer. Please know that I’ve no doubt that it will afford more versatility and utility than ANY Pass Labs phonostage, and that it will easily best the Pass you currently use, ESPECIALLY if you are able to take advantage of the current-based, transimpedances input… It is a stand-up overachiever…
What an outstanding review, DR. Weaver. I can't wait to hear this remarkable product. How Mofi offers so much value and superb build quality at the asking price has me scratching my bald head. Kudos!!!!
Thank you, my friend... I'll see you next month in Tampa!
Holy chitlins!
This is the review I didn't know I needed, but always wanted. As a fellow MasterDeck enthusiast, my goal is to eventually couple it with the MasterPhono. Would have done this already but it was not feasible. In the interim, my MasterDeck is paired with an Audio Research PH8, which is definitely good but doesn't scratch the surface of what I've heard from the MoFi "Master" pairing.
Thank you for taking time to articulate what I'd read in multiple different ways in print but had yet to hear first hand in a video testimonial.
FYI, you didn't mention price for your viewers. While you did mention it's a significant investment for some, and that others may find ways to incorporate it into their system, I do believe the actual MSRP is going to prohibit many from partaking. It's value is not unreasonable for what you receive, yet it feels like they're going to only capture the attention of veteran HiFi enthusiasts.
Cheers,
CW
Thanks for the review. I am still breaking mine in.
Another clever brand that's seems on an incredible roll..
I incidentally had a quick listen to some MoFi source point 10 a short while ago, a dealer had just started breaking them in and they were alone in a room playing, they sounded big, full and round.... Detailed? Not so much (at the time) .. But I'm certain the best was yet to happen from that set.
Much like this Phono stage there is a lot on offer for a great price.👍🏻
Thanks for the review. This has been on my radar as it has a number of features I find useful but missing in my current Pass phono stage. I'm perfectly happy with the sound of my Pass, but aside from the loading options it is pretty sparsely featured. Most notably the mono switch. Plus, who likes to fiddle with dip switches on the rear of the unit.
Fascinating that there are so many fine phono preamps now at mid-fi prices.
I am using an EAR 324, similarly priced. Does this MoFi phono pre-amp surpass my unit a little, a lot or not at all, just different if you've heard the EAR 324? Or should I hold out for a Westminster Labs phono preamp or Quest pre-amp with phono board?
The E.A.R. 324 is a fascinating Phono Stage from the mind of the BRIALLIAN Tim de Paravicini... Tim was a friend of mine, and I was fortunate enough to review the E.A.R. 324 shortly after it was released in the spring of 2003 - www.positive-feedback.com/Issue6/ear324.htm That said, what the advances in materials science (the scientific study of the properties and applications of materials of construction or manufacture, materials such as ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites), by way of the quality of the individual components used in the circuit, the circuit board composite, etc., alone may have to offer in a two-decade newer preamplifier may give it a significant advantage. And this MasterPhono CRUSHES most of any of its competitors in terms of convenience and versatility. As much as I LOVE Tim's work, I would think that it may be bested overall by the MasterPhono. I think a head-to-head shoot out makes sense...
As to ANY linestage with an internally sourced phono stage, I'd urge caution. Don't get me wrong, what I've heard from Angus Leung, both in conversations with him over the years now, and the many times I've gotten to hear the Quest driving a set of Rei's, is very good...but, my experience has taught me that dedicated external phono stages, certainly ones in this class, almost always outperform any preamplifiers with an included phono RIAA circuit...
@@theaudioanalyst I purchased the 324 in 2006 along with an 864 preamp and later the 912 preamp. Those two units have perfectly matched SUTs for my cartridges but their problems lay in the old designs lacking in proper regulated power supply (none basically). Today, with all the digital noise generated on power lines (cell, computer, etc), they only sounded good past midnight in my system. Plus their linestages just don't compare to my Poseidon. The worst for EAR equipment was during the summer above 100 degrees when all the A/C units were going. The 324 turned out to be amazing now. I also have the Zesto Allesso SUT which sounded excellent into another custom subminiature tube pre-amp I have (better than the EAR pre-amps).
Dan Meinwald is also a friend of mine of whom Tim was a best friend of his as well. Dan is the EAR importer dealer who sold me my EAR gear in 2006. I really love the looks and design of the gear but sonically not a fit for me any longer. I'm willing to audition this Mo-Fi Masterphono preamp along with the twice the price Westminster Labs Monologue phono preamp. I've never had a solid state phono stage in 50+ years until I began using the 324 this year. I now prefer the non-tube phono pre-amp stage with a tubed linestage but the Quest could change my mind.
Great review! I don’t believe you mentioned the price?
5995
As is my standard practice, pricing and specification are presented in the description section, as are links to purchase. And it is $5995... Thanks for watching!
How does this compare to the Mola Mola Lupe?
That is an interesting question... Overall, I come down on the side of the Lupe... But do keep in mind, it is $4000 - or 60% - more than the Lupe...so that is almost to be expected...
I was wondering same as jmal...how would it sounds compared to my Pass. The Pass is already so great I'd hate to go backwards---I had an EAT tubed mini Petit (which had gotten gaga reviews in the day too) and the Pass makes it sound like a vastly ingerior device.
Are you even hearing yourself at this point? 😉 The EAT Petite tubed phono stage? A device that sells at retail for a third the cost of the Pass XP-17 (you didn’t specify, so I’m assuming…) and a fourth of the cost of the MasterPhono! Were you REALLY thinking that a $1,500 entry level design from EAT - a turntable specialty house, not a firm know as an electronics powerhouse, by any stretch, let alone as a manufacturer of exceptional budget gear - could hold a candle to a product that cost three times as much from the mind of Nelson Pass?
I’ve no idea who would offer an, as you put it, “gaga” review of such an inexpensive, entry-level device from an unproven company’s series of electronic components, but I will wager that it is the result of the fact that the reviewer in question has had, how do I say this respectfully, a rather severely limited degree of exposure in both the number - and quality - of, the phonostages he has heard, especially by comparison.
Please keep in mind that I’ve spent five decades in and around this industry, with over 35 years chronicling my travels and experiences. During that time, I have heard - and worked on - untold hundreds - arguably thousands - of specialty phono-related products. I’ve lived with all levels of phonostages, devices selling for under $200, to some that sell for $80,000.
Keep in mind, I’ve made it clear that the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono phonostage is not without weakness, especially in contrast to world-class devices like those that I own and have reviewed. But it DOES punch well above its weight - and I dare you to find the versatility, feature set, and specifications that it offers for anywhere near the same price from another manufacturer. Please know that I’ve no doubt that it will afford more versatility and utility than ANY Pass Labs phonostage, and that it will easily best the Pass you currently use, ESPECIALLY if you are able to take advantage of the current-based, transimpedances input… It is a stand-up overachiever…