2026 Awards – Phono Stage Under £5k

Such is its high performance, the M8x Vinyl should appeal to vinyl fans with ‘only’ one turntable. But its multi-input indulgence and accompanying flexibility mean it will also very likely attract those with a couple of decks on the go.

The M8x Vinyl has four individually configurable inputs – two standard RCAs, and two XLRs that are balanced front to back, with this balancing process extending to doubling the relevant components throughout and avoiding using integrated circuits at any point. The EQ stage they all make use of is a split-passive design, supposedly offering an accurate representation of the EQ curve in use (RIAA, Decca or Columbia) with better impedance matching. Meanwhile, the power transformer and a liberal inclusion of EMI filters and DC blockers have been implemented with minimal noise as the goal.

Nails the basics, and then some

Even running the M8x Vinyl with a comparatively affordable moving-magnet cartridge demonstrates its talents. All the basics are covered nicely; noise levels are low enough to count as non-existent, tonal balance is spot on and midrange sounds impressively immediate. The phono stage is just as adept with the more complex aspects of music replay. “The way that the Musical Fidelity sets about the dense and challenging ‘Rogues Gospel’ by Duke Garwood is an impressive balance of the M8x prising things open and revealing nuances and details to these shifting, loose tracks without making the result sound like forensic reconstruction,” praises Ed Selley.

Whether connected to a Vertere MG-1 MkII, Michell GyroDec or an AVID Ingenium Twin, the M8x Vinyl effectively transmits the character of the turntable, too. Ultimately, for all of that inviting flexibility, it is thankfully never at the expense of how good this phono stage sounds.

Reviewed in Issue 243

Musical Fidelity • musicalfidelity.com

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Built upon the final blueprint of the currently inactive Worcestershire-based Trichord, with its single-input, single-ended and external power supply design, are Michell’s Apollo phono stage and Muse power supply. The duo is sold exclusively as a set, and are logical additions to the brand’s range.

The Apollo operates in Class A at both the preamp and gain stages, with rectification achieved via a passive RIAA circuit, and each stage is controlled using feedback circuits for consistent performance. Both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges are supported, with a maximum available gain of 73dB ensuring compatibility with most designs. Meanwhile, a minimalist supply in the Apollo is powered by the Muse’s low-noise toroidal transformer. The two robustly built boxes are connected via an ornate, custom cable made in collaboration with Chord Company.

Effortless insight

“There’s almost nothing in the performance you can point to and confidently say is the Michell,” says Ed Selley, who can rarely impart such praise upon products this affordable. That effortless transparency spans a wide bandwidth, too – bass and treble extension is admirable, as is the seamless way those frequencies integrate with the midrange. “The balance the duo strikes between energy and refinement is very well judged,” Ed also finds.

What’s more, even with a Vertere MG-1 turntable/Dark Sabre MM cartridge, the core sonic qualities of the Apollo and Muse are preserved when using lower gain settings. With a replacement to its evergreen Gyrodec coming soon, this is a time of great change for Michell. But, needless to say, Michell has done it again with Apollo/Muse – this combo is truly excellent. 

Reviewed in Issue 248

Michell Audio • michellaudio.com

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