MoFi Electronics MasterPhono MM/MC Phonostage Preamplifier
The reference-class phonostage designed by Peter Madnick that brings master-tape clarity to every record in your collection. What the MasterPhono Is, and Why It Matters There are phonostages that amplify a cartridge signal, and then there is the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono. The MasterPhono was designed by Peter Madnick, an engineer whose work spans nearly four decades at the highest levels of American audio design, including his acclaimed time at Constellation Audio and Audio Alchemy. MoFi gave Madnick no hard deadline, no cost ceiling to engineer around, and no constraints beyond one directive: build the best phonostage possible at a price that serious analog enthusiasts could actually justify. The result is a fully discrete, balanced, remote-controlled phonostage that supports up to three tonearms simultaneously, accommodates virtually any cartridge ever made, and does all of it with a noise floor so low that the silence between musical passages becomes its own kind of revelation. At $5,995, the MasterPhono represents one of the most complete packages in its class and, we would argue, a genuine bargain relative to what it competes with sonically. Dual Chassis in One Enclosure: Silence Through Separation The single most important engineering decision inside the MasterPhono is one you cannot see from the front panel. The unit is built around two completely separate chassis contained within one enclosure. The front section houses the power supply and microprocessor. The rear section holds the low-voltage signal processors and all related signal electronics. These two compartments are coupled through three copper conduits that route the necessary connections while maintaining galvanic isolation between the power and signal paths. This arrangement delivers nearly all of the sonic benefit of a two-box design without the added cost of a second chassis, second set of feet, and second shelf in your rack. The result is a component that measures and sounds dramatically quieter than its price would suggest. Signal-to-noise ratio reaches 93dB with a moving-magnet cartridge and 85dB with a moving-coil cartridge, figures that compare favorably to phonostages costing two and three times as much. Three Inputs, Two Input Topologies, and the Current Mode Advantage Most phonostages have one input. A few offer two. The MasterPhono has three, and one of those inputs operates on an entirely different circuit principle than anything else in this price class. Two of the three inputs are standard voltage-mode connections, available in both RCA and XLR balanced configurations, and they cover the vast majority of cartridges on the market. The third input is a current-mode or trans-impedance connection, available in both RCA and XLR. This input is designed specifically for low-output, low-impedance moving-coil cartridges, typically those with an internal impedance of 10 ohms or less. In a current-mode circuit, the cartridge sees a load that approaches a virtual short circuit, which allows it to deliver current rather than voltage into the circuit. The practical effect is that difficult, low-output MC cartridges that typically require a step-up transformer or extreme gain settings can instead be plugged directly into the current input, where they perform with no hum, no added noise, and full amplitude at moderate gain settings. This is not a gimmick. It is a solution to a real problem that has frustrated MC cartridge users for decades, and it is executed here with the precision and transparency that Madnick's circuit designs are known for. Passive RIAA and the Pursuit of Tonal Neutrality The RIAA equalization curve applied to every phonostage is one of the most consequential elements in the entire vinyl playback chain. The MasterPhono uses passive RIAA equalization built with new-old-stock polystyrene and polypropylene film-and-foil capacitors paired with precision resistors. Passive RIAA networks avoid the feedback-dependent active equalization used in many designs, which can introduce phase anomalies and colorations that active feedback inherently injects into the signal. The MasterPhono's RIAA accuracy is measured at plus or minus 0.05dB across the entire audio band, a figure that indicates the equalization curve applied to your record is within a fraction of a decibel of what the mastering engineer intended. This level of accuracy is audible. Records played through the MasterPhono have a tonal balance that is neither bright nor warm by design; they sound like the cartridge and the pressing, which is exactly as it should be. Gain, Loading, and the Flexibility to Optimize Any Cartridge The front panel of the MasterPhono provides switchable gain in four steps: 40dB, 50dB, 60dB, and 70dB. These four settings cover every cartridge type from high-output moving-magnet designs that need 40dB to the most demanding low-output moving-coil cartridges that benefit from 70dB. Loading is handled through 10 discrete positions, including 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000, and 47,000 ohms plus 150pF for standard moving-magnet cartridges. The tenth position, labeled Custom, routes the loading circuit to a dedicated pair of rear-panel RCA jacks, allowing you to plug in a resistor of your own choosing mounted to a male RCA plug. This means the MasterPhono's loading range is effectively unlimited and will never be obsolete regardless of what cartridges come to market in the future. All of these adjustments are available from the included remote control, which means you can change gain and loading from your listening chair while the stylus is in the groove and hear the effect in real time. VU Meters That Do More Than Look Spectacular The pair of illuminated VU meters on the MasterPhono front panel can be switched between two functions. In standard mode, they display left and right output levels as music plays, providing a visceral confirmation that your analog chain is working exactly as it should. In meter mode, the display switches to a calibration function that can be used to adjust cartridge azimuth and VTA by feeding a test record signal through the meters and observing the balance. This is a capability normally associated with professional recording consoles and mastering equipment, not consumer phonostages. Madnick included it because he understands that cartridge setup is not a one-time activity; it evolves as styli wear, tonearms age, and cartridges are replaced. Having a calibration tool built directly into the phonostage eliminates the need for an external oscilloscope or separate calibration device and puts that capability in the hands of any serious record player who wants it. The MasterPhono vs. the MoFi StudioPhono and UltraPhono MoFi Electronics produces a full range of phonostages at different price points, and understanding where each one fits helps clarify what the MasterPhono is built to accomplish. The MoFi StudioPhono and UltraPhono are excellent phonostages for systems where the turntable and cartridge budget is in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars. They handle MM and MC cartridges with one input topology, offer limited loading options, and lack balanced connections. They are among the best values at their respective price points and represent MoFi's commitment to quality across the entire range. The MasterPhono is a different kind of product. It is designed for the listener who has invested significantly in a tonearm and cartridge, or in multiple tables, and who needs the flexibility to match any cartridge without compromise. Three inputs, balanced connections, passive RIAA, current-mode topology, a built-in calibration function, and remote control place the MasterPhono in a category that the StudioPhono and UltraPhono were never designed to compete in. If your cartridge costs more than a few hundred dollars, or if you run more than one tonearm, the MasterPhono is the phonostage that makes the rest of your investment audible. Discrete Circuitry, Cascaded Regulation, and Build Quality Every stage of the MasterPhono from input to output is built from discrete components. There are no operational amplifiers in the signal path. The fully balanced, all-FET input and output stages provide wide bandwidth and low distortion without the shortcuts that op-amp designs require. Cascaded voltage regulation stages supply the signal circuits with the lowest possible noise floor from the power supply, which is itself housed in the forward chassis and kept physically distant from the signal circuits. The front panel is machined aluminum. The enclosure is available in a black finish or in a combination of black and real walnut wood side panels. The unit ships with a remote, and the firmware is upgradable via USB, which means MoFi can and does push updates that add features and refine performance without requiring the unit to be returned for service. This is a component built to last and to improve over time. Key Specifications Type: MM/MC Phono Preamplifier Inputs: Three total (two voltage-mode RCA/XLR; one current-mode RCA/XLR) Outputs: Single-ended RCA and Balanced XLR Gain Settings: 40dB, 50dB, 60dB, 70dB (switchable) Loading Positions: 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000, 47,000 ohms plus 150pF, and Custom Output Impedance (Balanced): 230 ohms Output Impedance (Unbalanced): 115 ohms Maximum Output: 10V RMS at 1% THD THD (MM, 10mV at 1kHz): 0.005% A-Weighted THD (MC, 1mV at 1kHz): 0.010% to 0.013% A-Weighted RIAA Accuracy: Plus or minus 0.05dB Frequency Response: 10Hz to 50kHz, plus or minus 0.20dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 93dB (MM), 85dB (MC) RIAA Equalization: Passive, NOS polystyrene and polypropylene film/foil capacitors Circuit Topology: Fully discrete, balanced, all-FET input and output stages Power Supply: Fully regulated, shielded, dual-chassis isolation Remote Control: Included (input, gain, mute, mono, meter mode, subsonic filter) Stereo/Mono Switch: Yes Subsonic (High-Pass) Filter: Yes Firmware Updates: Via USB Finishes: Black; Black with Walnut side panels Dimensions (W x H x D): 17" x 3.5" x 15.75" (43.2 x 8.9 x 40 cm) Weight: 15 lb (6.8 kg) Country of Manufacture: USA Warranty: Five years parts and labor Price: $5,995 Why Buy From All Elite Audio All Elite Audio is an authorized MoFi Electronics dealer, which means every MasterPhono we sell comes with the full five-year manufacturer warranty, factory support, and the peace of mind that comes from buying through an official channel. We stock the MasterPhono and are happy to discuss which cartridges and tonearms pair well with it, how to configure the current input for your specific MC cartridge, and how to integrate it into your existing system. Reach out any time. Call: 443-402-5055 Text: 443-402-5064 Visit: 1921 York Rd, Timonium, MD 21093 Frequently Asked Questions Does the MasterPhono include a phono cartridge? The MasterPhono is a standalone phonostage preamplifier only; it does not include a cartridge. It is designed to be paired with a separately purchased moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridge of your choosing. The MasterPhono is one of the most cartridge-agnostic phonostages available at this price, with gain settings from 40dB to 70dB, ten loading positions including a Custom option, and a dedicated current-mode input for demanding low-impedance MC cartridges. If you are unsure which cartridge would pair well with the MasterPhono, contact us at All Elite Audio and we can walk you through the options currently in stock and on the way. Do I need a step-up transformer for my low-output moving-coil cartridge? In most cases, no. The MasterPhono features a dedicated current-mode or trans-impedance input, available in both RCA and XLR configurations, that is specifically engineered for low-output, low-impedance moving-coil cartridges. Cartridges with an internal impedance of approximately 10 ohms or less perform exceptionally well on this input without any step-up transformer between them and the phonostage. The current input presents the cartridge with what amounts to a virtual short-circuit load, which allows it to deliver current rather than voltage and produce full amplitude with no hum and a very low noise floor. MoFi Electronics specifically advises against plugging a step-up transformer into the current input, as the input is not designed to accept the elevated output voltage a transformer would produce. How many tonearms can I connect to the MasterPhono? The MasterPhono has three inputs in total, which means it can accommodate up to three tonearms simultaneously. Two of those inputs are standard voltage-mode connections available in both RCA and XLR, suitable for most MM and MC cartridges. The third input is a current-mode connection in both RCA and XLR for low-impedance MC cartridges. The three tonearms can be attached to a single turntable equipped with multiple arm mounts, or spread across two or three separate turntables. Input selection is available from the front panel and from the included remote control, so switching between sources is effortless. What does the current-mode input actually do, and how is it different from the voltage input? A standard voltage-mode phono input amplifies the small voltage signal generated by a cartridge. For that approach to work well with a low-output MC cartridge, you need significant gain and a carefully matched impedance load, and even then, hum and noise can be challenging. A current-mode or trans-impedance input works differently. Instead of presenting the cartridge with a resistive load, it presents a load that looks like a short circuit, which causes the cartridge to deliver electrical current rather than voltage into the circuit. The circuit then converts that current to a voltage for further amplification. The practical advantages are substantial: low-output MC cartridges produce more usable signal, the signal-to-noise ratio improves dramatically, and the whole setup is quieter and more dynamic than what a voltage input can achieve with the same cartridge. This is a circuit topology more commonly found in professional mastering gear and in phono stages costing significantly more than the MasterPhono. What cartridges does the MasterPhono work best with? The MasterPhono is designed to work well with any cartridge, which is one of its defining characteristics. High-output moving-magnet cartridges connect to either of the two voltage inputs and operate at the 40dB gain setting. Mid-output moving-coil cartridges connect to a voltage input and typically use the 50dB or 60dB setting with the appropriate impedance loading dialed in from the front panel. Low-output moving-coil cartridges with impedances around 10 ohms or lower connect to the current input with the gain set to 60dB or 70dB for full, noise-free amplitude. The Custom loading position, which routes the impedance circuit to a rear-panel RCA jack, means that any future cartridge requiring an unusual load can be accommodated with a simple resistor. There is essentially no cartridge currently available that the MasterPhono cannot drive properly. What is RIAA equalization, and why does the MasterPhono use a passive network? When a record is cut, the bass frequencies are reduced in level and the treble frequencies are boosted, a process governed by a standard called the RIAA equalization curve. A phonostage must reverse this curve during playback to restore flat frequency response. Most phonostages implement this correction using active circuitry with feedback. The MasterPhono uses a passive RIAA network, which means the equalization is applied without any active feedback in the correction stage itself. Passive RIAA networks built with precision capacitors and resistors, as the MasterPhono uses, track the RIAA curve extremely closely; MoFi rates the MasterPhono at plus or minus 0.05dB accuracy across the audio band. This level of precision means the tonal balance you hear is what was cut into the record, not a coloration introduced by the phonostage. Can I control the gain and loading remotely while listening? Yes. The MasterPhono includes a dedicated remote control that allows you to adjust gain, change loading, switch inputs, mute the output, toggle between stereo and mono, switch the subsonic filter in or out, and control the VU meter mode. The ability to change gain and loading while the stylus is in the groove is genuinely useful for cartridge experimentation, system optimization, and simply for comparing the effect of different loading values on the sound of a specific pressing. The remote also allows you to power the unit on and off and to control the brightness of the front panel display. What does the dual-chassis construction do for sound quality? The MasterPhono places the power supply and microprocessor in a forward compartment and the signal circuitry in a rear compartment, with the two sections mechanically separated but housed within a single external enclosure. Power supplies generate noise and electromagnetic interference that, if allowed to share a physical space with sensitive signal circuits, can degrade the noise floor and introduce coloration into the music. By keeping the power section in its own compartment, connected to the signal section only through carefully routed copper conduits, the MasterPhono achieves a degree of isolation comparable to a two-box design. The measured result is a signal-to-noise ratio of 93dB with moving-magnet cartridges, which means the noise floor is far below the threshold of audibility under real listening conditions. How does the MasterPhono compare to MoFi's more affordable phonostages? MoFi Electronics also produces phonostages at substantially lower price points, including the StudioPhono and the UltraPhono, and both are excellent for their respective categories. The StudioPhono and UltraPhono are designed for systems where the turntable and cartridge investment is in the hundreds of dollars, and they deliver outstanding performance at those price points with a single input topology, fixed loading, and no balanced connections. The MasterPhono is designed for a fundamentally different use case. It offers three inputs with two distinct input topologies, ten loading positions plus a Custom setting, full balanced operation, a built-in cartridge calibration function via the VU meters, remote control, and the current-mode input that eliminates the need for step-up transformers with demanding MC cartridges. If you have spent more than a few hundred dollars on a cartridge, or if you own or plan to own more than one tonearm, the MasterPhono is the appropriate tool for that investment. What do I need in addition to the MasterPhono to use it in my system? The MasterPhono requires a turntable and tonearm with a mounted cartridge, a set of interconnects to connect the tonearm output to the phonostage input, and a separate preamplifier or integrated amplifier with a line-level input to receive the phonostage output. The MasterPhono does not include a volume control and is not designed to connect directly to a power amplifier. If your integrated amplifier or preamplifier has a phono input, you can bypass the MasterPhono's function entirely, but most serious analog listeners find that a dedicated outboard phonostage of this caliber produces a meaningful improvement over any built-in phono circuit. The MasterPhono includes both RCA and XLR outputs, so it is compatible with any preamplifier or integrated amplifier that accepts either connection type. Where can I buy the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono and get support after the purchase? All Elite Audio is an authorized MoFi Electronics dealer located at 1921 York Rd, Timonium, MD 21093. Purchasing from an authorized dealer like All Elite Audio ensures your MasterPhono carries the full five-year parts and labor warranty from MoFi Electronics, full eligibility for firmware updates, and direct access to factory service if ever needed. We are happy to answer questions about setup, cartridge matching, and system integration before and after the sale. Call us at 443-402-5055, text us at 443-402-5064, or stop by the store.