Naim NVC TT MM/MC
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Cambridge Alva Solo MM
Phono stage
Relative price
well below typical
Among the 44 phono stages in the catalogue, this one is well below typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
MM-only entry-level phono stage. Surface-mount PCB layout for noise reduction; built-in subsonic filter is always-on (cannot be defeated) — unusual; eliminates user choice for clean records but protects woofers.
DISQUALIFIED for M/H/Hi tier selection per MC-only constraint for standalone phono stages (added this session). Remains eligible for L and Lo tiers where MM cartridges are common.
RIAA accuracy ±0.65dB is significantly looser than premium rivals — typical for budget tier. Spec capture upgrade in this session moved coverage from 38% to 90%.
Competition record
Assessed against 10 rivals across the sixty systems: it takes the slot in none of its 50 head-to-heads.
Where it gives ground
The dimension the engine names as the weakest link, counted across every head-to-head it lost.
- quietness at rest ×1
Who it comes up against
Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC
12 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Rega Aura Reference MC
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl
6 lost · Anchored, PRaT, Romantic
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII
3 lost · Vocals-First
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Whest Audio 60Se Pro
2 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Cyrus Classic PHONO
2 lost · Vocals-First
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Whest Audio TITAN Pro II
1 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Michell Apollo + Muse PSU
1 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
What the reviewers said
full-bodied, warm PROXY: Cambridge Alva Duo (What Hi-Fi)· Tonal body
smooth, warm PROXY: Cambridge Alva Duo· Harmonic texture
cohesive PROXY: Cambridge Alva Duo· Spatial resolution
RIAA tracking within +/-0.65dB SPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.65dB (manufacturer)· Tonal body
0.0025% THD — vanishingly low distortion SPEC: THD 0.0025% (manufacturer)· Electrical noise floor
0.0025% THD — vanishingly low distortion SPEC: THD 0.0025% (manufacturer)· Harmonic texture
How it scores
Clarity
- Electrical noise floor 73 from listening evidence
- Spatial resolution 70 from listening evidence
Voice
- Tonal body 70 from listening evidence
- Harmonic texture 74 from listening evidence
Specifications
| mm capable | True |
|---|---|
| mc capable | False |
| mm gain db | 39 |
| mm load resistance kohm | 47 |
| mm load capacitance pf | 100 |
| mc load resistance options ohm | 100.0 |
| riaa accuracy db | 0.65 |
| snr db | 90 |
| thd pct | 0.0025 |
| input overload mv | 130.0 |
| rumble filter | True |
| output level mv | 300 |
| output impedance ohm | 200 |
| balanced output | False |
| dimensions mm | 176/48/132 |
| weight kg | 0.68 |
| power consumption w | 10 |
| psu external | True |
| notes |