Musical Fidelity M8sPRE Fully Balanced Preamplifier

Fully balanced, class-A stereo preamplifier with MM/MC phonostage, eight line-level inputs, home theater bypass, and balanced and single-ended outputs

The Musical Fidelity M8sPRE is a high-performance stereo preamplifier designed to be the control center of a serious audio system. With a genuinely fully balanced signal path, pure class-A circuitry, a substantial dual-mono power supply, and exceptionally low noise and distortion, the M8sPRE is engineered to preserve the integrity of the source signal while providing the drive capability to work with virtually any power amplifier.

Its extensive connectivity accommodates both analog and digital source components, including a built-in moving magnet/moving coil phonostage, two balanced XLR inputs, five single-ended RCA line inputs, and a dedicated tape loop. Home theater bypass is available through both balanced and single-ended connections, allowing the M8sPRE to serve as the foundation of a combined two-channel music and multichannel theater system.

Designed to partner with Musical Fidelity's M8s-700m monoblock or M8s-500s stereo power amplifiers, the M8sPRE is equally capable of driving other high-performance amplifiers. Its high input impedance, low output impedance, and generous overload margins ensure compatibility with a wide range of components, including systems requiring long interconnect runs.

A Genuinely Fully Balanced Design

Unlike preamplifiers that simply provide balanced connections around an otherwise single-ended circuit, the M8sPRE employs a genuinely fully balanced architecture throughout its signal path. This approach helps minimize noise and interference while maintaining excellent channel separation and signal integrity.

The M8sPRE also uses pure class-A circuitry, designed to deliver linear operation with extremely low distortion. Total harmonic distortion plus noise measures less than 0.005% through its single-ended connections and less than 0.004% through its balanced connections. A signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 118 dB (A-weighted) and a frequency response extending from 5 Hz to 100 kHz (+0, -1 dB) demonstrate the preamplifier's exceptionally wide bandwidth and low-noise performance.

Exceptional Power Supply and Drive Capability

At the heart of the M8sPRE is a substantial power supply featuring separate 350 VA mains transformers for the left and right channels. Individual regulation circuits for each stage help isolate sensitive audio circuitry and maintain consistent operating conditions.

The low-impedance power supply works alongside an output stage designed for high current delivery. With an output impedance of just 47 ohms and maximum output voltages of 9.5 V RMS through RCA and 19 V RMS through XLR, the M8sPRE can comfortably drive demanding power amplifier inputs, even through unusually long interconnect cables.

The preamplifier's high input impedance and generous overload margins also allow it to accommodate sources with substantial output levels without easily overloading the input stages. The result is a design intended to reproduce musical transients and dynamic contrasts without introducing unnecessary compression or coloration.

Built-In MM/MC Phonostage

The M8sPRE includes a dedicated low-noise phonostage compatible with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. A rear-panel switch selects the appropriate operating mode, allowing turntables equipped with either cartridge type to connect directly to the preamplifier without requiring an external phonostage.

Designed with accurate RIAA/IEC equalization, low distortion, and a generous 29 dB overload margin, the phono circuit is engineered to reproduce the delicate signals from a phono cartridge with clarity and dynamic headroom. Input sensitivities of 3.5 mV for moving magnet and 440 µV for moving coil provide compatibility with a broad range of cartridges.

Flexible Connectivity and Home Theater Integration

The M8sPRE provides two balanced XLR inputs and five RCA line-level inputs, along with the dedicated MM/MC phono input. Its connections include provisions for CD players, tuners, DACs, streamers, tape decks, and other analog sources.

A complete tape loop provides dedicated recording and playback connections, including a fixed-level recording output. Separate variable-level RCA and balanced XLR outputs allow the M8sPRE to connect to a wide range of power amplifiers.

For systems combining music and home theater, the M8sPRE offers bypass functionality on one balanced XLR input and one single-ended RCA input. This allows a home theater processor or AV receiver to control the volume of the front channels during movie playback while retaining the M8sPRE's dedicated two-channel preamplifier operation for music listening.

Substantial Construction

Weighing 37.5 lb., the M8sPRE reflects Musical Fidelity's emphasis on robust construction and carefully engineered internal circuitry. Its substantial chassis accommodates the large power supply, fully balanced audio architecture, and extensive connection options, while maintaining the restrained appearance of the M8 series.

With its combination of class-A operation, low-noise circuitry, high current drive, and versatile analog connectivity, the M8sPRE is designed to provide long-term flexibility and performance in a high-end separates system.

Features

• Genuinely fully balanced signal architecture throughout the preamplifier
• Pure class-A audio circuitry
• Dual-mono power supply with separate 350 VA transformers for each channel
• Individually regulated power supply stages for improved circuit isolation
• Built-in low-noise MM/MC phonostage with RIAA/IEC equalization
• Two balanced XLR line-level inputs
• Five single-ended RCA line-level inputs
• Dedicated MM/MC phono input with rear-panel cartridge selection
• Home theater bypass available on both balanced and single-ended inputs
• Dedicated tape loop with fixed-level recording output
• Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA variable-level preamplifier outputs
• High input impedance and low output impedance for broad system compatibility
• 47-ohm output impedance for driving long interconnect cables
• Signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 118 dB (A-weighted)
• Extremely low distortion and wide frequency response
• Remote control operation
• 12 V trigger connections for system integration
• Substantial metal chassis construction

Included Accessories

• Musical Fidelity M8sPRE remote control
• Two AAA batteries
• IEC power cord

Specifications

Type: Fully balanced, class-A stereo preamplifier

Circuit Architecture: Fully balanced, dual-mono

Frequency Response: 5 Hz–100 kHz (+0, -1 dB)

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (RCA): <0.005%, 20 Hz–20 kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (XLR): <0.004%, 20 Hz–20 kHz

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >118 dB (A-weighted)

Channel Separation: >96 dB

Line Input Sensitivity: 352 mV (for full output at maximum volume)

Input Impedance (RCA): 75 kΩ

Input Impedance (XLR): 150 kΩ

Line Input Overload Margin: 12 dB

Maximum Output Voltage (RCA): 9.5 V RMS (26 V peak-to-peak)

Maximum Output Voltage (XLR): 19 V RMS (52 V peak-to-peak)

Output Impedance: 47 Ω

Phonostage Type: Moving magnet/moving coil, switchable

Phono Input Sensitivity (MM): 3.5 mV

Phono Input Sensitivity (MC): 440 µV

Phono Input Impedance: 47 kΩ

Phono Equalization: RIAA/IEC

Phono Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 81 dB (A-weighted)

Phono Overload Margin: 29 dB

Balanced Inputs: 2 pairs XLR (1 with home theater bypass)

Single-Ended Inputs: 5 pairs RCA (1 with home theater bypass)

Phono Inputs: 1 pair RCA, switchable MM/MC

Balanced Outputs: 1 pair XLR, variable level

Single-Ended Outputs: 1 pair RCA, variable level

Recording Outputs: 1 pair RCA, fixed level

Control Connections: 12 V trigger input and output

Power Supply: Dual-mono, 350 VA transformer per channel

Power Consumption: 25 W

Power Requirements: 115/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz (factory preset)

Dimensions (W × H × D): 17.32 × 6.38 × 15.75 in. (440 × 162 × 400 mm)

Weight: 37.5 lb. (17 kg)