I'd be interested to know how other people's assessment of this phono stage may have changed over the last couple of months?
Thanks to Greg at Point Audio, the UK Lampizator distributor I've been lucky enough to be able to have an MC1 in my system for the last week and despite my strange collection of cartridges and indeed, in the context of WBF, unusual system I've been really impressed with it.
For the record my analogue system is: Garrard 401 with Stefano Bertoncello bronze platter, FR64fx tonearm, Emia silver and Entre SUT's and upgraded SJS Arcadia amplifiers (Model 1 Pre, Model 2 PSE 2A3 power amp and Simon's original, albeit modified, phono stage.) Speakers are Ocellia Calliope 30's. The cartridges used were a Fidelity Research MC-702, a totally rebuilt/modified Denon DL-103 (only the former and magnets remain), an Ortofon Kontrapunkt A, an Ortofon SPU Synergy and last but not least a Miyajima Zero B. I also have an Audio Note Io Ltd but didn't use that due to the ridiculously low output (0.05mV).
As a "demonstrator" the MC1 I have been using was configured for cartridges with "normal" output levels and sensible impedances. Whilst my cartridges don't particularly comply with that the MC1 did, in the main, work very well with them.
It was outstanding with both the MC-702 and the Synergy throwing an excellent soundstage with good dynamics. Bass was well controlled and no part of the tonal range was over emphasised. The ability to adjust loading "on the fly" with the front control was great and allowed subtle tailoring of the sound to suit individual tastes/systems.
The Miyajima Zero worked equally well though the Miyajima supplied mono/stereo adapters were necessary to prevent an earth hum. With the Zero the MC1 produced one of the best renditions of Louis' and Ella's voices I have heard when listening to Louis Armstrong Plays WC Handy.
The Kontrapunkt A similarly worked as well as I have heard it, I always find the bass on this cartridge to be somewhat "detached" from the rest of the spectrum and that was still the case here, the MC1 is very good but can't work magic!
Where the MC1 struggled was with the modified Denon DL-103 which has around 0.1mV output, perhaps slightly less. When I first started to play it I thought it was pretty good, however on comparison with my own phono stage and the Emia silver SUT the MC1 was lacking air and dynamics, however I am sure that this could be remedied if you were ordering the phono stage with cartridges of this level of output in mind. It was using this cartridge that made me decide not to try the Io Ltd.
Do I have any reservations, yes indeed I do. I would very much like two switchable phono inputs and also the ability to use MM/MI cartridges - I have both a Decca C4E and a Cartridge Man Music Maker III I like to use from time to time and at the moment I would have to copy Shakti's approach and have a second MM1 phono for these. However I do think that the MC1 does what it does really well and gives amazing flexibility for anyone who likes to try different MC cartridges without the need to match each one with a SUT.