{"product_id":"moonriver-505-hybrid-phono-vorverstarker","title":"Moonriver 505 Hybrid Phono Preamplifier","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Moonriver 505 is a standalone hybrid phono preamplifier with four inputs for MM and MC cartridges, handmade in Sweden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Hybrid” means here: IC operational amplifiers for low noise combined with a discrete circuit for dynamic drive – a deliberate choice against dogmatic purism and for whatever ultimately comes out of the speakers. The focus lies especially on the midrange between 200 and 4000 Hz, where voices and most instruments live.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Moonriver 505?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it gives you room for up to four cartridges at once, each one individually stored via the memory function. Twelve gain stages (six each for MM and MC), MC loading impedances from 10 to 1000 Ω plus a freely configurable option, five MM capacitance values from 100 to 680 pF – there's hardly a cartridge that can't be matched exactly with this. Plus XLR and RCA inputs and outputs, and three EQ curves: RIAA, Decca and Columbia for old 78 rpm shellac records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA phono preamplifier that can serve several turntables or cartridges at once, without you having to swap cables or reset values every time you switch – the memory function remembers the setting per input. Stereo\/mono switching for mono pressings and automatic muting on source changes round out everyday use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the 505 suited for – and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStraight talk:\u003c\/strong\u003e for anyone with several cartridges or turntables who wants maximum flexibility in matching and gain, and for anyone who also wants to hear old 78 rpm shellac records with the correct EQ curve. If you only run a single MM cartridge and will never switch, a simpler phono stage – or a Moonriver phono module in the 404 – already gives you everything you need, and you don't have to pay for the 505's extra flexibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most flexible phono preamplifiers in its price class – and according to Chris Kelly of The Ear (22 August 2024) “a masterpiece of audio engineering”. For anyone with a demanding record collection and several cartridges, one of the most consistent choices on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data – Moonriver 505\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e standalone hybrid phono preamplifier (IC operational amplifiers + discrete circuit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4× phono, MM and MC, each individually configurable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInputs\/outputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e XLR and RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGain:\u003c\/strong\u003e 34–72 dB, 12 stages (6× MM, 6× MC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMC loading impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10, 47, 100, 470, 1000 Ω plus freely configurable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMM loading impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22, 47, 75 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMM capacitance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100, 220, 330, 470, 680 pF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEqualization curves:\u003c\/strong\u003e RIAA, Decca, Columbia (78 rpm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e stereo\/mono switching, automatic muting, memory function per input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W×H×D):\u003c\/strong\u003e 43 × 13.5 × 39 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e handmade in Malmö, Sweden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 years (manufacturer)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I run several cartridges on the 505 at the same time?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the 505 has four phono inputs for MM and MC, each individually adjustable in gain, impedance and capacitance. The memory function remembers the setting per input, so you don't have to readjust anything when switching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do the Decca and Columbia curves do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlder shellac records (78 rpm) were often not cut to today's standard RIAA curve. With the additional Decca and Columbia equalization curves, you hear such pressings with the historically correct equalization instead of tonally distorted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need XLR cables, or is RCA enough?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth work – the 505 offers balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs in parallel. XLR is especially worthwhile for longer cable runs or if your amplifier has a balanced input.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does “hybrid” mean in the 505?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt refers to the combination of low-noise IC operational amplifiers and an additional discrete circuit stage. Moonriver combines low noise with dynamic drive this way, rather than dogmatically committing to a single design approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Moonriver 505 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause we show you how to set gain, impedance and capacitance exactly for your cartridges – and take care of the initial setup for you if needed. Call us or write on WhatsApp – we advise you in Wädenswil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntable\u003c\/a\u003e with a matching \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridge\u003c\/a\u003e and a high-quality \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/kabel\"\u003ephono cable\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moonriver","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":53541837144400,"sku":null,"price":4990.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/moonriver-505-phono-vorverstaerker-frontansicht.jpg?v=1788515431","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en-ch\/products\/moonriver-505-hybrid-phono-vorverstarker","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}