Darlington Labs 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 ulti-urpose (MP) - truly optimized for four different scenarios. 1) High Quality MMMI 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

  
  

• Blue LED with user-variable brightness

  
  

• 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, +47dB, +49dB, +52dB, +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 GenerationBSG) for minimum background hum even in difficult or noisy AC line conditions

  Monostrapping possible via an internal jumper (for running a dedicated mono cartridge) - this overrides the position of the 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 source (LOMC mode: +47 to +72dB settings)

  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.