Anthony Michaelson, the founder of Musical Fidelity, believed that music reproduction should be life-size, warm, and powerful while full of detail and color. An idea reflected in his amplifiers and that in 2002, was expanded, with the advice of Heinz Lichtenegger, founder of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, to the field of turntables. The result was the legendary M1, an opulent vinyl player based on the combination of inert mass and metal alloys with a double resonance-free methacrylate chassis released in 2004. Now, the M8xTT updates this exceptional product by harmonizing the same design philosophies with a series of technical contributions that multiply its musical expressiveness.
The first item to consider is a newly developed 10-inch (254 mm) tonearm with ultra-low resonance, equipped with a transparent turn ring and a conical aluminum tube. The vertical support force (VTA) and the azimuth are fully adjustable. Two counterweights with internal TPE cushioning allow pickup capsules weighing between 6 and 20 grams. Regarding the motor, it rests on a special foam located on the lower level of the methacrylate chassis to decouple it from the plate (two-story, made of aluminum, with TPE cushioning and inserts to improve the “flywheel” effect) and the arm, while a silicone strap is responsible for transmitting the rotation (33 and 45 rpm) with absolute stability thanks to a sophisticated electronic speed control.
The four adjustable high-mass feet that support the assembly have also received special attention, combining cushioned aluminum with TPE and magnetic support to connect them to the two methacrylate bases. Finally, let us point out that the M8xTT is entirely designed and built by hand in Europe and includes RCA and XLR connectors so that the user can optimize the connection to their phono preamplifier, as well as a robust record press made of aluminum and an elegant leather mat.
Technical characteristics
- Belt-driven absolute reference turntable.
- The updated version of the T1 model was marketed in 2004.
- Two-story chassis built entirely of methacrylate.
- Massive aluminum plate (10 kg) with enhanced “flywheel” effect.
- Electronic control of rotation speed.
- 10-inch (254 mm) aluminum arm supplied with two counterweights.
- Adjustment of vertical support force (VTA and azimuth.
- Aluminum disc presser and leather mat supplied as standard.
- RCA and XLR output connectors.
- Inverted rotation axis with ceramic bearing.
- Signal-to-noise ratio of 78 dB.
- Designed and built entirely in Europe.
- Dimensions: 533x245x413 mm (WxHxD).
- Weight: 31.5 kg.
