Naim NVC TT MM/MC
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Michael Fidler MM Pro MkII
Phono stage
Relative price
below typical
Among the 44 phono stages in the catalogue, this one is 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
Topology: triple-stage architecture — active head amplifier loading (below conventional passive 47kΩ noise floor) → low-distortion gain stage → precision RIAA passive EQ → robust balanced output driver. Active loading is Fidler's key innovation — reduces input noise below conventional passive cartridge loading.
Features: variable defeatable low-frequency crossfeed (LFC) dial monos bass below ~200Hz (records master bass to mono — LFC restores this); mono switch (mono records / damaged stereo records); 4 toggle switches on front (power, LFC, gain, stereo/mono). NOT cartridge-loading switches — Fidler explicitly argues fixed 47kΩ with active loading outperforms variable passive loading.
Build: sandblasted aluminium 2-part extrusion body + black anodised front and rear panels + 6mm solid front panel + raised lettering + hex bolts. Hand-built by Michael Fidler in Kent UK — no SMD components, no microcontrollers, no "audiophile" cryogenics or fairy-dust marketing.
Cartridge compatibility: ideal for all MM cartridges (Ortofon 2M series, Goldring 1042, AT-VM540ML, Rega Carbon/Bias 2/Elys 2, Sumiko Pearwood, Grado). High-output MC compatible if HOMC output >2mV (Hana EH, Sumiko Blue Point, Denon DL-110). LOMC users buy MC Pro instead.
Competition record
Assessed against 10 rivals across the sixty systems: 1 head-to-head won, 54 lost.
Who it comes up against
Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC
13 lost· 1 won · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
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.
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
noise performance Analog Planet — MM PRO review· Low-level noise floor
precise Audio Appraisal — MM PRO review· Tonal consistency
transparent Analog Planet / Audio Appraisal — MM PRO· Spatial resolution
noise below conventional passive cartridge loads Analog Planet (Micallef) 2024· Electrical noise floor
lower noise than any phono using passive 47k load Analog Planet (Micallef) 2024· Low-level noise floor
clear images... air around instruments Analog Planet (Micallef) 2024· Spatial resolution
top-end and low-end rather soft Analog Planet (Micallef) 2024· Presence & articulation
RIAA tracking within +/-0.1dB SPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.1dB (manufacturer)· Tonal body
0.001% THD — vanishingly low distortion SPEC: THD 0.001% (manufacturer)· Electrical noise floor
0.001% THD — vanishingly low distortion SPEC: THD 0.001% (manufacturer)· Harmonic texture
How it scores
Clarity
- Electrical noise floor 81 from listening evidence
- Spatial resolution 76 from listening evidence
Voice
- Tonal body 72 from listening evidence
- Presence & articulation 70 from listening evidence
- Harmonic texture 72 from listening evidence
LowerVolume
- Low-level noise floor 82 from listening evidence
- Tonal consistency 76 from listening evidence
Specifications
| mm capable | True |
|---|---|
| mc capable | False |
| mm gain db | 43 |
| mm load resistance kohm | 47 |
| mm load capacitance pf | 120 |
| riaa accuracy db | 0.1 |
| thd pct | 0.001 |
| input overload mv | 82 |
| rumble filter | True |
| output impedance ohm | 75.0 |
| balanced output | True |
| psu external | True |
| notes |