Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Musical Fidelity X-LP2 Phono Preamp by egay

Model:	X-LP2
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$800
Description:	MM/MC Dual Mono Phono Stage (w/ X-PSU)
Manufacturer URL:	Musical Fidelity
Model Picture:	View

Review by egay ( A ) on May 07, 2003 at 23:30:00
IP Address: 193.134.170.35

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I've had this phono stage for 2 years now and am very happy I bought them when I did. Actually, this was more of a 'natural choice' initially because of the PSU that comes with it...my turntable has a motor drive that calls for 12v supply, and the PSU was a definite improvement ticket from the supplied wallwart;-).
This is not really a review but a personal experience based on my listening biases, so please bear with me.
My choices during that time were: X-ono, Phonomena, and the X-LP2. The cartridge used during the tests was either a Grado Reference Platinum or a Shure M97xe.
The X-ono was a very well-made unit, authoritative-looking and very handsome as well. The sound was solid but rather 'cold' and hard, and just too closed-in for my taste. I would have bought it anyway because the Pass-series was in my future, but the price was too much, even for a used unit.
The Phonomena's looks did not grab me at all like how the X-ono did...it was too 'classic' I thought. The dealer was quite enthusiastic so we setup the Grado RP, tune, then went on for the spin. TOO THIN! where's the low end? I was almost afraid that my cart got thrashed, it did not. The 'excuse'was that this needed break-in, yada-yada-yada, but that can't be because the unit was already on the rack and running his SME/TT/Arm. Some more tuning and the low-freq came in but not the one I am expecting - it sounded dead, flat-as-a-cardboard... excuses, excuses. The review I read just went down the drain...this was a disappointment to me. The Phonomena 'looked' promising and I was told at that time that an external PSU (battery) was on its way. I'm not on the waiting list.
The X-LP2 was not as handsome as the X-ono, but it did have that certain character that grabbed me and gave a certain feeling like what I felt when I first saw the Wadia 6 way back in the 90s at its intro here in the Philippines. The other thing that grabbed me was its price, almost 1/3 that of the X-ono, and this unit was new, out-of-the-box! So we straped my grado, and after 10min, on with the show. WOW. The sound was as solid as the X-ono, but much larger; the mids were silky, but the highs did seem too sharp, shallow, and in-my-face (I didn't like it, tiring). But hey, this is a NEW unit, and knowing MFs, this needs long break-in ;-) Not knowing that I was almost 2 hours in the shop just listening and almost falling asleep on occassions as the music just flowed and soothed me. The X-LP2 just disappeared in the equation and all I can hear is the music (and the pops of some of the records we played)...
I bought them.
Then I read a review comparing it with the Lehmann Blackbox, being in the same price-range. Man, I compared it with the X-ono, and lately, I listened also to a Counterpoint SA-9 which I was lusting many years ago and this I will say: you can't be wrong with this unit...and you won't need to break your piggy-bank or invent excuses with the wife - you get more than your money's worth.
Suppose someone offers me the X-ono at a price I can't refuse? I'll get them, use them as my main phono stage BUT keep the X-LP2 and use it either as a back-up or use it for my other turntable. It will be very difficult to part with this unit. That simple.
In all, if you're looking either for an upgrade to your built-in phono stage or simply wanting to go vinyl now, do yoursef a favor and give this unit a listen. Your ears will be the judge. Compare it with the over-priced units you know so you know where you stand...vs AR PH-1? WHY NOT??? I don't feel out-of-place. Really.
You be the judge.
It's your ears, your music, your money.
Enjoy & good hunting!
Egay

Product Weakness: .style maybe too radical for some
.could post some system integration challenge, but be patient
Product Strengths: .can thrash some of those expensive, over-priced units
.PSU can power your other 12v/AC units, with plenty more to spare
.no marketing hype (did you see any ads?)

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	X-a200 + X-a50, bi-amped
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	X-P100
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	LothX-Aida + DV507 + Grado/Shure M97xe
Speakers:	Magneplanar MGLR1; DefTech BP8, bi-wired.
Cables/Interconnects:	Wireworld Atlantis/atlantis/DIY silver ICs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, jazz
Room Comments/Treatments:	furnitures & rugs
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	2kva Avr, 2kva UPS, Powerwedge 2
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	.style maybe too radical for some .could post some system integration challenge, but be patient
Product Strengths:	.can thrash some of those expensive, over-priced units .PSU can power your other 12v/AC units, with plenty more to spare .no marketing hype (did you see any ads?)