Muffsy MC Head Amp - Kit

Name: Muffsy MC Head Amp - Kit
SKU: 8029
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.78 (8 reviews)

(8 Reviews)

Use a low output MC cartridge with your existing MM phono stage

Designed by muffsy in Sweden

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$99.00

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Use a low output MC cartridge with your existing MM phono stage

The Muffsy MC Head Amp is a dual mono active step-up preamp for LOMC cartridges. The purpose of a head amp is to allow low output MC cartridges to be used with a standard MM phono stage, such as the …

True Hifi

Optimized for any low output MC cartridge, the Muffsy MC Head Amp offers excellent specifications, ultra-low noise, a wonderful great sound stage and superior detail.

Everything You Need to Build a Complete Phono Stage

There are currently four products in the Muffsy line-up:

This is everything you need to get a fully functional MC head amp, except an enclosure and an AC wall adapter (see here for options). The kits contain all the components, connectors and cables needed to build them.

Use a B0905 aluminum enclosure (easily found on eBay), and you won't even have to drill a single hole or do any modifications.

Specifications

Topology: Dual mono, no input or output capacitors
Gain: 24.6 dB (0.3 mV input = 5 mV output / 0.5 mV input = 8.5 mV output)
Input impedance: 47-100 ohms or 50-300 ohms, in four steps
SNR: 71.8 dB, referenced to 0.5 mV input @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: +0.0 / -0.1 dB (20-20.000 Hz)
IMD (ITU-R): 0.001 %
THD / THD+N: < 0.1 %
DC Offset: < 0.1 mV
Dynamic range: > 110 dB, referenced to 0 dBV output
Power requirements: +/- 15V at < 50 mA
PCB Size: 84.0 x 59.4 mm / 3.3 x 2.3 in

What You Get

The kit comes with all necessary components to build the complete head amp, and you can add both a power supply and a back panel. It uses only through-hole components, and you can build it even if you have never soldered before in your life.

High Quality Components:

1x PCB, White with gold plated solder pads
2x Linear Technology LT1115 Operational amplifiers
2x Analog Devices OP177 Operational amplifiers
4x 8-pin machined DIL sockets
18x Multicomp MF25 resistors, 0.25W metal film, 1% tolerance, ±50ppm/°C
1x 4-way DIP-switch
4x Wima MKS2 Polyester Film, box type capacitors
2x Wima FKP2 Polystyrene Film, box type capacitors
2x 100 uF Electrolytic capacitors
8x 100 nF Multilayer monolithic ceramic capacitors
1x Terminal block, 3 connections (Power connector)
30 cm Two-lead shielded audio cable

Muffsy Hifi Dual Power Supply:

Get the Muffsy Hifi Dual Power Supply kit, save money on shipping.

All components needed to build the power supply are included in the kit.

Muffsy Back Panel:

There's a new back panel available for the Muffsy MC Head Amp, order it as an option to the kit. All components are included.

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.88)

Shipping: (4.38)

Communication: (4.88)

Ulf | April 17, 2021

Great MC step-up amp

Easy build, due to the most excellent instructions I've ever seen. Very good performance too. I have an AT33PTG/II MC cartridge. The MC Head Amp is connected to the MM phono input of a Marantz Pm8006 amplifier. I'm very satisfied. Even considering building the Muffsy Phono Amp.

Thank you,
Ulf

Peter | Jan. 16, 2021

Easy, clean, good neutral sounding build

Used in conjunction with an OC9XSH and Muffsy MM stage built some years ago. Good frequency balance, good output volume and good value for money. Some of the best build instructions on the web. Only had some slight confusion with the AC power routing going through the MC board, but worked out I didn't need it to do that as I was making a custom case and not using the recommended case. Still in the end it was easy enough to work out.

Anthony | Nov. 29, 2018

An amazing product

A truly great little MC head amp punching way above its weight. The package was delivered from Sweden within a couple of days of ordering, well packaged. Beautiful PCBs, well made and labelled. I completed the build within an afternoon thanks to the comprehensive online instructions and it just worked first time. No hum, no interference, just quality sound. I opted to use the recommended enclosure which made installation an absolute breeze.

I am now rediscovering my record collection, hearing things I have never heard before. I have it installed in a system comprising Audio Note amplification and speakers, being driven by a Dynavector 17D3 on a SME M series arm, so I am well able to hear subtle or in this case not so subtle differences. I have used a variety of step up transformers and MC pre amps over the last 30 years and this little box beats them all, it really is stunning.

Thank you Skrodahl.

Chris | March 12, 2018

2nd review, product now built - WOW

So, despite Canada Post, or Canada Customs, being a bit slow with getting the kit to me, all else is six stars (OK I can't do six stars but I can say it).

Håvard's instructions are exceptionally clear. For people like me whose soldering skills can best be described as "rusty", the video links he provides are extremely thorough and useful. The kit goes together very well and generally without fuss, though I struggled a bit to strip the shielded cable. Parts are high quality, the boards are beautiful and fit the (third party) casework snugly. Håvard is very quick to respond to questions and does so in a thorough and pleasant way.

The build took me about six hours, and worked the first time, which is a much better testimony to the quality of the kit and the instructions than to my skills at following them. The finished product looks and sounds great.

I highly recommend this to anyone considering it, and I would absolutely by another of Håvard's kits.

Chris | March 8, 2018

A very well done kit

My Muffsy MC Head Amp, Power Supply and Back Panel kits arrived today. I reviewed the bill of materials and package contents and all was in perfect order. The web instructions are very clear and straightforward to follow. I have asked the business owner a few questions; his replies have been prompt, courteous and very detailed. All in all a very fine job; I can't wait to start building (but first I need to brush up on my soldering skills).

The only very slightly negative experience was the delivery time, but I believe this was some kind of problem with Canada Post in our area as a few other mail orders have taken a long time as well.

I would definitely buy from this business owner again, and I would recommend him to others.

Trygve | Nov. 5, 2017

Fantastic MC Head Amp!

Having previously built the preamp, I went on to build the MC Head Amp. Very well documented as always with muffsy.
I had an issue with the power connector and/or power button. Contacted Skrodahl and he sent replacment parts swiftly, what a great customer support!
In conjunction with the preamp, this is great value!

Jacco | April 9, 2017

Great product, very good pcb's an quality of the components.

The quality of the pcb's and components are the best. The HeadAmp has a very nice dc-coupled amplifier with dc compensation. Very good design! Also the power-supply with the LM317/337 are great. Very low noise power supply with extreme ripple-rejection.

However, I have some recommendations:
- MC-elements tends to have different levels of output (0.09..0.5 mv), dependend of type and mark. In order to compensate that to the 5mv needed, the amplification should vary from 10 to 60 times. This is now not provided with switches. At this moment you have to calculate it yourself and change a resistor.
- The noise is very low at this point, but can be enhanced by using 2, 3 or more low-noise opamps tied together with input and output (via 100 ohm resistors) and using the same amplification (0.1% resistors). This can enhance the noice-floor by 2...4 db.

Best regards,

Jacco de Groot
+31 6 4716 2780

Response from muffsy | April 12, 2017

Hi Jacco, and thanks for the great review. The Muffsy MC Head Amp is primarily meant as a companion to the Muffsy Phono Preamp, which has variable gain from 36 to 46 dB and can handle up to 30 mV input at 1 kHz. This will cover all MC outputs from ~0.1 to 1 mV.

I aimed for an SNR of 70 dB or better with a 0.3 mV input, at a certain price point, board size, power requirements and ease of build. I was able to meet these goals.

The more detailed story about the design goals and how I got there can be found here: https://hackaday.io/project/12483-muffsy-mc-head-amp

Rob | March 30, 2017

Easy and fun to build MC Head Amp.

I needed extra amplification for my Muffsy Phono Stage, Muffsy already proved a significant upgrade from my Luxman L430 onboard MM/MC stage, however I wanted to fit my new Paradox Pulse Denon DL103 Maroon MC cartridge. When I ordered the kits, I was smart enough to order Muffsy as well as the MC Head Amp from Skrodahl, so I had everything in stock, waiting to be built.

Building these kits from Skrodahl is so much fun, incredible, but do it only when you feel like it. Do not touch a soldering iron when you feel stressed or after enjoying a fine glass of whisky. I built both the PSU and MC Head Amp in a weekend, relaxed with time to concentrate on what you are doing.
Check and measure before connecting everything and flicking the switch hoping all is well. Make sure all is well and you will be rewarded with a fantastic piece of equipment!!

Yesterday I installed and set up the new cartridge and since I had no means of testing the new MC Head Amp other than to connect an MC cartridge to it, this was kind of exciting. But both the cartridge and MC Amp sang.

The sound was better than I could have imagined, realism in strings and voices, full low but still tight controlled bass. Truckloads full of musical enjoyment!!
If you already own Muffsy and plan to use an MC cartridge in the future, do yourself a big favor and order yourself an MC Head Amp and PSU. I guarantee you will not regret this.

Pro's and con's:

1) Skrodahl is a nice guy he offers relentless Customer Service, which is amazing in this day and age. He even noticed one of the input cables being close to making a short to ground. I sent him the pictures to show the result and he scrutinized them and noticed a possible issue. Fantastic and a big thumbs up to Skrodahl.
2) The kits are easy to build and complete.
3) The website offers step to step instructions and clear pictures, if you follow these steps, nothing can go wrong.
4) The equipment works and performs way above expectation, mine anyway.
5) If you use or plan to use an MC cartridge in the near future, do yourself a big favor, buy Muffsy as well as the MC Head Amp.
6) At the price Skrodahl is asking, buying the equipment is almost mandatory.

Con's
1) None actually.

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$99.00