In 1989, the first MP-1 introduced balanced line technology to the world of high end audio. It was the first balanced, fully-differential preamp ever made, and it included a range of innovations that were breakthroughs at the time, and remain so today. With a history of years of refinement, patents, and awards, the MP-1 is a paragon of the audio world.
The MP-1 Mk. 3.2 is unique in the world of preamplifiers. It easily outperforms any passive or transformer volume control as well
as conventional line stages. This is because of a patented circuit that prevents coloration from interconnect cables. And with
only three stages of gain in the entire preamp (including the phono section), our Balanced Differential Design® not only
assures an elegant signal path, it assure low distortion, wide bandwidth, and dynamic range. No matter what you thought was the best, the MP-1 is an audible improvement.
Our unique, patented circuitry solves a major preamp problem: the output coupling capacitor. This capacitor has to be large to
play bass, but large capacitors can't play the mids and highs properly. Getting rid of it is a transparency and bandwidth
breakthrough. Transistor preamps often use direct-coupling, but they sound like transistors! Thus a lot of audiophiles have
gone to using passive devices, thinking they have found the answer. This is only because they have not heard technology that
works. The MP-1 and the MP-3 stand alone in the world of active preamps that work!
The Balanced Line system was created to eliminate interconnect cable coloration, which is why the recording and broadcast industry has used it for the last 50 years. This is how high fidelity recordings existed before exotic (high end audio) cables existed. The balanced line system is better as it resists RF, hum, noise, cable artifacts (sound changes with different cables) and cable length. This eliminates the need for an exotic cable (and its cost) to achieve state of the art performance.
The MP-1 nicely complements our balanced-line amplifiers, but works well with any amplifier. Phono cartridges are naturally balanced sources; since audio is recorded in the balanced domain, it only stands to reason that you should play it back that way, too. The MP-1 works well with very low output moving coil cartridges (less than 0.2mV), and even doubles as a state of the art headphone power amplifier.
- Balanced Differential Design®
- XLR connectors for phono and aux
- XLR output connections
- Patented direct-coupled Circlotronic® output
- Fully regulated supplies featuring proprietory circuitry
- Zero feedback design
- Dual-mono construction
- Differential passive phono equalization
- Precision 24-position stepped volume control built from a Shallco® custom switch
- Two tape monitors (tape functions use RCA's)
- Precision components used throughout
- Total system phase switch
- Teflon® custom coupling caps
- Low-noise "star" grounding topology
- Power supply isolated in seconds chassis
- headphone compatible with a simple connector
- Three-year general coverage warranty with one year warranty on output tubes
Line stage frequency response
.1 Hz - 400 KHz, +0 dB, -3dB ( -0.5 dB @ 250 KHz )
Line stage gain
14 dB
Line stage input impedance
100 K Ω single-ended / 200 K Ω balanced
Line stage output
32 V into 600 Ω
Output impedance
30 Ω
Phono stage input impedance
47 K Ω, adjustable with rear panel loading strip
Phono stage Input Overload
300 mV
Phono stage Max Output
( at clipping )
120 V peak-to-peak
Phono gain
~66 dB
Phono bandwidth
.5 Hz - 100 KHz, -.5 dB
RIAA accuracy
Within .07 dB
RIAA Phono sensitivity
( for 0.5 V @ 1 KHz )
0.15 mV
Power Supply storage
170 Joules
Tube complement
8 x 12AT7
10 x 6SN7
Dimensions
( per chassis )
13" deep x 17" wide x 5.5" tall ( 33 x 43 x 14 cm )
Faceplate dimensions
( standard 3U rack, sans mounts )
19" wide x 6" tall ( 48 x 15 cm )
Weight
( per chassis )
42 lbs. (19 Kg)
Warranty
Three year, transferable
One year for tubes
For all support requests, or any questions about your Atma-Sphere product, contact us directly at (651) 690-2246 or send us an
email.
Available with both phone and line stage, or line stage only.
Optional Features
Remote Volume Control
V-CAP Copper foil capacitors for line stage
V-CAP Copper foil capacitors throughout
Caddock resistor package
Caddock volume control
Low output Moving-Coil step-up transformers
for cartridges under 0.2 mV
Damping package
Dual outputs
Front Panel finish options
Black
Silver
Brushed Gold (Anodized)
Custom panel finishes available upon request
Accessories
Balanced to Unbalanced adapter: $60.00/pair
For use with single-ended amplifiers or sources. Specify input or output.
Cables
Balanced Interconnects
Balanced phono cables
1 meter, DIN to XLR or RCA with ground post to XLR
Pricing
Contact your local
dealer for pricing information.
Or, call (651) 690-2246 or
email us with any questions.
