Edwards Audio (Talk Electronics) MM1 Moving Magnet Phono Stage

"Great looks and generally good build; good detail and reasonable tonal balance" - What Hi-Fi (read the rest of this excellent review by this venerable Brit Hi-Fi mag)

Edwards Audio is an offshoot of Talk Electronics, so while the brand is new, there's much audio experience behind the MM1 phono stage's design. This moving-magnet / high-output moving coil unit looks far classier than its price would suggest, and the MM1 offers exceptional performance and value to the vinyl enthusiast!

It is unique at the price, with its fully RoHs compliant gold plated custom made double sided PCBs, natural anodized extruded aluminum case and high quality internal parts, as used by Talk Electronics. It also benefits form Talk Electronics buying power with its use of 1% metal film resistors plus Wima and Vishay polypropylene film capacitors throughout. The RIAA Equalization accuracy is within 0.5dB across the audio band and signal to noise is very low at -76dB un-weighted -85dB A-weighted. The circuit topology has a totally buffered output section with a very low output impedance to reduce cable effects and improve output drive. Attention to detail also extends to the custom made plug top power supply, the PSU1 which is unique in its use of a split rail design using + and - DC power outputs for maximum rejection of RF noise, maximum dynamic range and overload margin. It also uses a gold plated custom made PCB with high quality diodes and snubber caps. This is no normal off the shelf PSU as used by the competition.

Traditional Talk styling and performance requirements have not been overlooked either with illuminated metal etched badges and opal white front and rear panels as standard. This is the best built and most aesthetic phono stage in its class but it dosen't stop there it also delivers in the sound department as well, with expansive and detailed sound staging, normally associated with more expensive phono stages.

Specifications:

Max Input: 76mV
Nominal Input: 3mV
Gain: 36dB
THD Distortion: <0.02% 1kHz
Signal to noise: -76dB / -85db A - weighted
RIAA: within 0.5dB
Stereo separation better than: 65dB - 20-20kHz
Input Loading: 47K with 120pF
Output impedance: <10 Ohms
Nominal output: 185.5mV
Max output level: 4.7v depending upon input
Dimensions WxHxL: 114.5mm x 47.5mm x 89mm
Weight: 0.5kg
Power consumption (Max): 3.5W

**The MM-1 comes with a manufacturer's warranty of 10 years!**
(serviceable through USA HI-FI)