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Congratulations! You found a page for the product that did not make it. Despair not. We are working on a much better one that uses the same principles.
In the meantime, here's another way to dramatically improve the quality of your vinyl playback. Get yourself a unique ceramic headshell! The headshells are always in stock and are shipped worldwide!
In the meantime, here's another way to dramatically improve the quality of your vinyl playback. Get yourself a unique ceramic headshell! The headshells are always in stock and are shipped worldwide!
The only phono preamp in the world designed exclusively for MM/MI cartridges
M³ is the preamplifier to really let your Moving Magnet or Moving Iron cartridge sing!
Fixed coil cartridges can sound as good or better than top Moving Coil ones. They often don't, because of poor matching with preamplifier and unwanted interaction between cartridge's inductance, cable capacitance and preamplifier loading.
Korf M³ preamplifier removes all these obstacles.
Korf M³ preamplifier removes all these obstacles.
Built only for MM/MI cartridges
Before Korf Audio, most phono preamplifiers were universal. They were designed to work with all types of cartridges: Moving Coil, Moving Magnet, Strain Gauge, with transformers and head amplifiers. Jacks of all trade, and masters of none.
MM/MI cartridges have specific needs when it comes to amplification. These needs were ignored because most preamps are universal
Korf M³ preamplifier changes all that.
MM/MI cartridges have specific needs when it comes to amplification. These needs were ignored because most preamps are universal
Korf M³ preamplifier changes all that.
Sounds great right out of the box
No need to manually configure anything. No switches to switch, no knobs to turn, no guesswork, no listening 20 times to the same piece of music to decide which setting is just right.
Shall the cartridge be loaded into 47kOhm? 70? 100? 10? 100pF? 200? 400? Doesn't matter. Korf M³ technology ensures that the preamplifier is exactly matched to your cartridge at a press of a button.
Shall the cartridge be loaded into 47kOhm? 70? 100? 10? 100pF? 200? 400? Doesn't matter. Korf M³ technology ensures that the preamplifier is exactly matched to your cartridge at a press of a button.
First to measure
Korf M³ preamplifier measures cartridge's electrical parameters (inductance and resistance), creates an exactly matching preamplifier just for your cartridge.
Everything is done in analogue domain, the sound is never digitized.
How do other phone preamplifiers know what cartridge they are working with? They don't!
Everything is done in analogue domain, the sound is never digitized.
How do other phone preamplifiers know what cartridge they are working with? They don't!
Matches your cartridge exactly
Many new phono stages have an LCD display these days. But having a display doesn't mean that it is a measuring M³ preamplifier. Other companies' preamplifiers use displays to make you choose the arcane settings — just like it used to be with switches and knobs.
Korf M³ preamplifier measures cartridge electrical parameters, using a very small test signal for less that 1 second. Then it creates an exactly matched preamplifier specifically for your cartridge! Your cartridge's data is stored in non-volatile memory and recalled every time M³ preamplifier is switched on.
Simple to operate — just one "M" for "Measure" button, then follow plain text prompts.
Korf M³ preamplifier measures cartridge electrical parameters, using a very small test signal for less that 1 second. Then it creates an exactly matched preamplifier specifically for your cartridge! Your cartridge's data is stored in non-volatile memory and recalled every time M³ preamplifier is switched on.
Simple to operate — just one "M" for "Measure" button, then follow plain text prompts.
A great leap in sound quality
You will be surprised by what your moving magnet cartridge can do. You might be blown away, in fact. Amazed.
Transparency. Air. Shine. Resolution. Bass definition. Most likely, all of these will be improved by upgrading to an M³ preamplifier.
Transparency. Air. Shine. Resolution. Bass definition. Most likely, all of these will be improved by upgrading to an M³ preamplifier.
Made in Europe
M³ preamplifier is designed and built in Europe.
Compact fully shielded enclosure
Size
18 gauge steel
Anti-vibration feet
18 gauge steel
Anti-vibration feet
Advanced low-noise power supply
Custom toroidal transformer minimizes electromagnetic noise.
Long-life oversized filtering capacitors. New generation ultra low noise regulators by Texas Instruments. Numbers!
Long-life oversized filtering capacitors. New generation ultra low noise regulators by Texas Instruments. Numbers!
Modern high-quality components
Audio-grade operational amplifiers by Texas Instruments
Precision digitally controlled potentiometers by Analog Devices
1 high-quality pass-through film capacitor per channel
Precision digitally controlled potentiometers by Analog Devices
1 high-quality pass-through film capacitor per channel
Completely separate analogue and digital boards
Digital part is completely separate, has its own transformer winding and power supply. Everything is done in analogue domain, the sound is never digitized.
Precise measurements
Powerful AVR microcontroller generates test signal, measures cartridge parameters, creates an exactly matching preamplifier.
How to preorder
Sign up
Just fill the short form below
There is no deposit
No need to pay anything now
You can cancel at any time
There is no deposit
No need to pay anything now
You can cancel at any time
You'll get a message when your preamp is ready
When your preamp is manufactured, we will send you a link to the payment page
You have 7 days to claim your preamplifier
You have 7 days to claim your preamplifier
Your preamp is shipped
Once your payment clears, we will ship your preamplifier immediately. You will get a confirmation email with a tracking number
Preorder now for € 995.-
Ensure early delivery and lock in today's price. Projected availability November 2018.
Terms and Conditions
ShippingWe will ship your M³ preamplifier in sturdy packaging. If your shipping address in in the EU, postage is on us. Otherwise you will need to pay for tracked shipping. You are responsible for customs fees or any taxes levied in your country.
WarrantyWe promise to replace or repair your M³ preamplifier free of charge if it fails due to manufacturing defects within 1 year from the date of delivery. If you are within the EU, we will pay to have it shipped to us and then back to you.
ReturnsIf you aren't satisfied with your M³ for any reason whatsoever we will gladly take it back within 3 months from the date of delivery. There is no charge for restocking If you return all items in the original packaging. If you reside within the EU we will cover the return shipment costs.
Outside the EUWe welcome overseas customers, and will pack your M³ preamplifier with extra care to withstand international shipping. However, we have no control over import taxes and other fees in your country. We advise you to get an estimate of those before ordering your M³ preamplifier.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Most stereo Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Iron (MI) cartridges—modern as well as classic—work great with the M3 preamplifier. All modern stereo Audio Technica VM, Ortofon OM and 2M, Shure, Goldring G, E, 2X00 and 10XX series, Nagaoka MP and Sumiko Pearl/Oyster cartridges are fully compatible.
All stereo Moving Magnet (MM), Moving Iron (MI) and similar cartridges that have an inductance from 0.1 Henry to 2 Henry and a DC (direct current) resistance between 100 Ohm and 2 kOhm (2000 Ohm) are fully compatible with the M3 preamplifier. The absolute majority of MM and MI cartridges, modern as well as classic, fall within this spectrum.
The following cartridges are not compatible with M3 preamplifier:
Ceramic, strain gauge, capacitance cartridges, including all classic Micro Acoustics cartridges
Moving coil (MC) cartridges, including "high output"
Grado and cartridges that Grado made for other companies (for example, some Pro-Ject cartridges were manufactured by Grado)
Decca and London cartridges, both modern and classic
Soundsmith "low output" series of cartridges (but Soundsmith "high output" cartridges are fully compatible)
Classic Stanton LZS and Pickering XLZ series "low output" cartridges. All other stereo Stanton and Pickering cartridges are compatible.
Most mono cartridges
All stereo Moving Magnet (MM), Moving Iron (MI) and similar cartridges that have an inductance from 0.1 Henry to 2 Henry and a DC (direct current) resistance between 100 Ohm and 2 kOhm (2000 Ohm) are fully compatible with the M3 preamplifier. The absolute majority of MM and MI cartridges, modern as well as classic, fall within this spectrum.
The following cartridges are not compatible with M3 preamplifier:
Ceramic, strain gauge, capacitance cartridges, including all classic Micro Acoustics cartridges
Moving coil (MC) cartridges, including "high output"
Grado and cartridges that Grado made for other companies (for example, some Pro-Ject cartridges were manufactured by Grado)
Decca and London cartridges, both modern and classic
Soundsmith "low output" series of cartridges (but Soundsmith "high output" cartridges are fully compatible)
Classic Stanton LZS and Pickering XLZ series "low output" cartridges. All other stereo Stanton and Pickering cartridges are compatible.
Most mono cartridges
M3 preamplifier needs mains electricity to work. It is switchable between 220-240 and 110-120 Volt operation, 50 or 60 Hz.
We don't want to see you stuck with a product you don't thoroughly enjoy.
If you aren't satisfied with your M3 for any reason whatsoever we will gladly take it back within 3 months from the date of delivery. There is no charge for restocking If you return all items in the original packaging. If you reside within the EU we will cover the return shipment costs.
If you aren't satisfied with your M3 for any reason whatsoever we will gladly take it back within 3 months from the date of delivery. There is no charge for restocking If you return all items in the original packaging. If you reside within the EU we will cover the return shipment costs.
We promise to replace or repair your M3 preamplifier free of charge if it fails due to manufacturing defects within 1 year from the date of delivery. If you are within the EU, we will pay to have it shipped to us and then back to you.
If you do not reside in the EU, you will need to cover the shipping costs. We will ship the repaired or replaced unit for free. You are responsible for customs fees or any taxes levied in your country on the repaired/replacement unit.
This warranty does not affect any rights that you might have as a consumer in your country.
For warranty repairs please write to info@korfaudio.com, describing the nature of the problem. Please mention the country you are in in your email.
The warranty does not cover:
Mechanical damage resulting from mistreatment (falls etc)
Water and moisture damage
Damage that resulted from unauthorised opening of the unit, or from any modifications to the unit
Damage due to incorrectly set mains voltage
Any consequential damage resulting from the use or misuse of M3 preamplifier
If you do not reside in the EU, you will need to cover the shipping costs. We will ship the repaired or replaced unit for free. You are responsible for customs fees or any taxes levied in your country on the repaired/replacement unit.
This warranty does not affect any rights that you might have as a consumer in your country.
For warranty repairs please write to info@korfaudio.com, describing the nature of the problem. Please mention the country you are in in your email.
The warranty does not cover:
Mechanical damage resulting from mistreatment (falls etc)
Water and moisture damage
Damage that resulted from unauthorised opening of the unit, or from any modifications to the unit
Damage due to incorrectly set mains voltage
Any consequential damage resulting from the use or misuse of M3 preamplifier
Many new phono stages have an LCD display. But the screens are only there to make you choose the arcane electrical operating parameters of your cartridge -- just like it used to be with switches and knobs.
M3 preamplifier measures actual electrical parameters of your cartridge. Then the microprocessor uses the data to custom-build a fully analogue preamplifier exactly matched to it. No switches to switch, no knobs to turn, no guesswork, no listening to the same piece of music for 20 times to decide which setting is just right. Korf patented M3 technology ensures that the preamplifier is exactly matched to your cartridge -- at a press of a button!
M3 preamplifier measures actual electrical parameters of your cartridge. Then the microprocessor uses the data to custom-build a fully analogue preamplifier exactly matched to it. No switches to switch, no knobs to turn, no guesswork, no listening to the same piece of music for 20 times to decide which setting is just right. Korf patented M3 technology ensures that the preamplifier is exactly matched to your cartridge -- at a press of a button!
The signal path of an M³ preamplifier is fully analogue. A microcontroller is only used to measure the cartridge parameters once. Then they are stored in non-volatile memory and recalled every time M3 preamplifier is switched on.
M³ is a so-called transimpedance amplifier. While most phono preamplifiers treat the pickup cartridge as a voltage source, M³ uses it as a source of current. This solves all the problems of preamp's input stages interacting with cartridge's inductance and cable capacitance. It also provides for better noise performance and eliminates the electrical resonances in the audible frequency range.
Very few companies used this principle, because the frequency response of a transimpedance stage depends a lot on the source (cartridge's) inductance and resistance. While it is easy to build a custom transimpedance phono preamplifier to match a particular cartridge, it would have to be rebuilt to use a different one.
M³, however, adapts itself to the cartridge. It uses the built-in LR meter to measure inductance and resistance of the actual cartridge attached to it. Then the microcontroller does the necessary calculations, and the parameters of the transimpedance stage are adjusted using high-precision digitally controlled potentiometers. To shorten the signal path even further, M³ uses the cartridge's inductance to form one of the RIAA correction poles.
Very few companies used this principle, because the frequency response of a transimpedance stage depends a lot on the source (cartridge's) inductance and resistance. While it is easy to build a custom transimpedance phono preamplifier to match a particular cartridge, it would have to be rebuilt to use a different one.
M³, however, adapts itself to the cartridge. It uses the built-in LR meter to measure inductance and resistance of the actual cartridge attached to it. Then the microcontroller does the necessary calculations, and the parameters of the transimpedance stage are adjusted using high-precision digitally controlled potentiometers. To shorten the signal path even further, M³ uses the cartridge's inductance to form one of the RIAA correction poles.
We decided against publishing M³'s electrical specifications, like frequency range, signal-to-noise ratio, linearity etc.
The preamplifier and the pickup cartridge work together as a system. The usual published specifications, such as "matches RIAA curve to +/- 0.5dB" or "has a -100dB SNR" are derived from measurements done without the cartridge. Adding the cartridge would change them drastically. What's more -- each type and model of cartridge would change them differently.
M³ is designed in such a way that it cannot be adequately measured without the cartridge. It forms a part of M³'s RIAA correction circuit. The electrical measurements of M³ with a cartridge attached are not directly comparable to those of our competitors.
The preamplifier and the pickup cartridge work together as a system. The usual published specifications, such as "matches RIAA curve to +/- 0.5dB" or "has a -100dB SNR" are derived from measurements done without the cartridge. Adding the cartridge would change them drastically. What's more -- each type and model of cartridge would change them differently.
M³ is designed in such a way that it cannot be adequately measured without the cartridge. It forms a part of M³'s RIAA correction circuit. The electrical measurements of M³ with a cartridge attached are not directly comparable to those of our competitors.
If you can press a button you can use an M³ preamplifier. No specialist knowledge is needed to enjoy it.
Documentation download
