Since its formation Musical Fidelity has wanted to emulate the real-life dynamic reproduction of music. Thanks to the professional musical talents of the company founder, Antony Michaelson, there was also always a particular eye on delivering the full scale and emotion of big orchestras.
Now, under the stewardship of Heinz Lichtenegger and Audio Tuning, a three-year, million Euro investment results today in a product range that fully delivers on this founding aim. The brand new, completely re-engineered Nu-Vista by Musical Fidelity range features separate pre- and power-amplifier solutions that, when combined, deliver a performance that sounds like a dream.
Nu-Vista PRE in detail
The Nu-Vista PRE is a fully balanced, Class A pre-amplifier that combines, for the first time, fully discrete circuitry with Musical Fidelity’s iconic nuvistor valve stage and a separate power supply in a matching chassis. When combined with other Nu-Vista by Musical Fidelity products, the result is a system without compromise, capable of truly breath-taking performance.
To achieve its unique sound signature, the Nu-Vista PRE features eight (four per-channel) 6S51N nuvistor valves in a discrete, Class A amplifier buffer stage; but there is so much more going on inside this stylish chassis to ensure it delivers reference-grade sound. The Nu-Vista PRE features fully balanced circuitry and a precision-matched stepped attenuator for volume control. This means even when listening at low or very high volume, the stereo imaging will always remain detailed and precise.
For strength in drive, the Nu-Vista PRE even features a pair of mini (circa 50W) power amplifiers, running in Class A for pre-amp purposes, giving the best in line-driving capability and dynamic range, as well as achieving very low noise and distortion.
Additionally, the power supply capacitance is generous, and chokes are added for further-improved supply ripple. Pulse current spike is also significantly reduced thanks to the clever design. But the secret behind the overall performance is found in the large external power supply unit that accompanies the Nu-Vista PRE.
The Nu-Vista PRE PSU allowed Musical Fidelity’s engineers to remove the AC mains power supply from the main unit and place it in a separate, spacious chassis dedicated to delivering perfect power. Featuring inbuilt mains and output filtering, it functions as a very quiet, clean power supply that allows the sensitive audio circuitry in the Nu-Vista PRE to perform without mains-borne interference, far away from the optimised power transformers. For total convenience in use, the Nu-Vista PRE PSU is switched on and off via the Nu-Vista PRE’s front-panel.
In typical Musical Fidelity style, the overall construction of the Nu-Vista PRE and Nu-Vista PRE PSU is uncompromisingly solid. The front and side panels are milled from extruded aluminium profiles, contributing to a chassis that effectively acts as a Faraday cage, protecting the internal circuitry from external electromagnetic fields. Because of the overall weight, the chassis is also resistant to other mechanical vibrations and airborne interference.
The Nu-Vista PRE features 12 independent inputs, six RCA pairs and six fully balanced XLR pairs. For better system matching there is also a +6dB Gain boost button, which remembers which inputs need the feature applied. Complete control is available via the front panel, or using the dedicated remote control, which is itself machined from a block of aluminium for the same feel as the main unit. The Nu-Vista PRE PSU is then supplied with the required power cables for easy connection to the main unit.
The Nu-Vista PRE represents a first for Musical Fidelity. Its technical performance and measurements are astonishing and truly class leading. But more importantly this all results in a sound that is like nothing else. It is silky smooth with enormous transients and an effortless feel that is at once relaxing and involving. When combined with the matching power amplifier, they project an image between the loudspeakers that is so real, you could almost touch it.
Nu-Vista PAS in detail
The Nu-Vista PAS is a fully balanced, Class A stereo power amplifier that combines, for the first time, fully discrete circuitry with Musical Fidelity’s iconic nuvistor valve stage and a separate power supply in a matching chassis. When matched with the Nu-Vista PRE, the sound performance is unrivalled and can comfortably match any luxury high-end system.
To achieve its unique sound signature, the Nu-Vista PAS features eight (four per-channel) 6S51N nuvistor valves in a discrete, Class A amplifier buffer stage; but there is so much more going on inside this stylish chassis to ensure it delivers reference-grade sound. The Nu-Vista PAS features fully balanced circuitry and a high power, low distortion output amplifier stage. The amplifier power stage features five (5) high-power, thermally compensated output devices per-channel for reliable and stable operation. Inspired by the iconic Musical Fidelity Titan amplifier, it has separate capacitors for bulk supply, and one each for the output devices, considerably reducing output impedance and improving dynamics.
Elsewhere in the circuitry, chokes are added for further-improved supply ripple. Pulse current spike reduction bias is set for over 5W of initial Class A operation that slides into Class B operation at the point where the lower discontinuity is easier dealt with than “standard” crossover distortion. But the extra secret behind the overall performance is found in the large external power supply unit that accompanies the Nu-Vista PAS.
The Nu-Vista PAS PSU allowed Musical Fidelity’s engineers to remove the AC mains power supply from the main unit and place it in a separate, spacious chassis dedicated to delivering perfect power. Featuring inbuilt mains and output filtering, it functions as a very quiet, clean power supply that allows the sensitive audio circuitry in the Nu-Vista PAS to perform without mains-borne interference, far away from the optimised power transformers. For total convenience in use, the Nu-Vista PAS PSU is switched on and off via the Nu-Vista PAS’s front-panel.
In typical Musical Fidelity style, the overall construction of the Nu-Vista PAS and Nu-Vista PAS PSU is uncompromisingly solid. The front and side panels are milled from extruded aluminium profiles, contributing to a chassis that effectively acts as a Faraday cage, protecting the internal circuitry from external electromagnetic fields. Because of the overall weight, the chassis is also resistant to other mechanical vibrations and airborne interference.
The Nu-Vista PAS represents a first for Musical Fidelity. Its technical performance and measurements are astonishing and truly class leading. But more importantly this all results in a sound that is like nothing else. It is silky smooth with enormous transients and an effortless feel that is at once relaxing and involving. When combined with the matching pre-amplifier, they project an image between the loudspeakers that is so real, you could almost touch it.
Nu-Vista PAM
The Nu-Vista by Musical Fidelity range also features the Nu-Vista PAM, which takes the PAS design and separates it into fully separated monoblock amplifiers. The added space allows for a slightly modified internal design, featuring a bridged output amplifier stage utilising the power of 2 x 5 pairs of high power thermally compensated output devices. The end-result is even more power and greater drive ability per-speaker for further improved audio imaging.
Price and availability
The Nu-Vista PRE pre-amplifier SRP £20,499.00
PAS stereo power amplifier SRP £21,999.00
PAM mono power amplifiers SRP £20,499.00 each will begin shipping during early 2023 from specially-selected retail partners, capable of exhibiting the true high-end performance these devices have to offer.
