What it is
Michael Fidler / Classic Audio Ltd — Kent, UK. The SPARTAN 20 is the current mid-tier combination phono stage in the SPARTAN range, covering both MM and LOMC. **Shipping worldwide** (unlike the LO PRO's UK-only limited run) — making it the practical Fidler choice for international LOMC users.
Topology: expansion of previous SPARTAN double-stage MM designs to add MC capability. Same MM signal path as the discontinued SPARTAN 15 (Fidler's reference mid-tier MM stage), plus a dedicated MC head amplifier achieving 77dB SNR ref 500µV cartridge. Selectable inputs for MM and MC make two-turntable setups easy. Parallel line outputs make archiving easy during listening.
Features: MM/MC input selector switch + RIAA ±0.1dB accuracy + 3rd-order subsonic filter + variable low-frequency crossfeed (LFC) + mono switching + parallel RCA outputs (no XLR — for balanced output use MM PRO MkII or LO PRO).
Power supply: external linear transformer (per Fidler's strict rejection of switching PSUs), ±17V split-rail regulation, ground-path-clean low-frequency design. "Old-fashioned low frequency transformer based design, that takes the transformer and its troublesome magnetic field out of the enclosure."
User testimonial (Chad, Connecticut USA, April 2025): "Just started listening, and it sounds great! So happy to get into my new records that have been waiting to get some play (this Rhino High Fidelity Black Sabbath Paranoid sounds incredible)!" International shipping confirmed in 2025 release wave.
Build: same aluminium 2-part extrusion family as MM PRO MkII and SPARTAN 15. Sandblasted aluminium body + black anodised front and rear panels + 6mm solid front + raised lettering + hex bolts. Hand-built by Michael Fidler in Kent UK personally.
Who it comes up against
16 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the way it sits with the rest of this system under the Twin Arms weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
neutral, uncoloured and quiet, oh so quietAudio Appraisal (Cox) 2025
RIAA tracking within +/-0.1dBSPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.1dB (manufacturer)
16 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path, Twin Arms
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the Rega Aura Reference MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Crimson, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
neutral, uncoloured and quiet, oh so quietAudio Appraisal (Cox) 2025
neutral, uncoloured and quiet, oh so quietAudio Appraisal (Cox) 2025
4 lost · Artisan, Reference, Twin Arms
Against the Artisan brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Colibri, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Colibri gives up quietness at rest under the Artisan weighting.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII keeps the slot decisively.
With the Etsuro Urushi Gold MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
tone particularly well resolvedThe Ear (Kennedy) 2025 (Mk3)
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio 60Se Pro keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
2 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Cyrus Classic PHONO keeps the slot decisively.
With the Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
not a warm or cosseting sounding deviceAVForums (Selley), 2024
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio TITAN Pro II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Michell Apollo + Muse PSU keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Michael Fidler SPARTAN 20 is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review
quietAudio Appraisal — Spartan 20 review