Musical Fidelity’s New Nu-Vista Vinyl S: A No-Compromise Phono Stage for the True Analog Obsessive

Inspired by a £10,000 flagship, engineered with nuvistor tubes, and built to be “a phono stage without limitation.”

A New Heavyweight Joins the Nu-Vista Line

Musical Fidelity has expanded its reference-grade Nu-Vista range with the launch of the Nu-Vista Vinyl S, a high-end phono stage priced at £5499. Positioned as the more accessible counterpart to the £9999 Nu-Vista Vinyl 2, it brings the same nuvistor tube DNA into a smaller, more streamlined chassis—without diluting the engineering ambition behind the series.

For vinyl enthusiasts building a no-compromise analog chain, this is Musical Fidelity’s “price-appropriate” gateway into one of the most prestigious product families in modern hi-fi.

High-End Nuvistor Tube Technology—At Half the Flagship Price

Like its big brother, the Vinyl S uses nuvistor tube phono technology, the company’s hallmark approach to combining ultra-low noise with a tube-like musicality.But unlike the massive Vinyl 2, the Vinyl S arrives in a compact 48 × 13 × 40 cm chassis with a redesigned front panel and more practical footprint for real-world systems.

Despite the smaller size, Musical Fidelity insists the core performance philosophy remains intact.

Key Highlights

• Nuvistor-based phono stage

• Compact, vibration-resistant aluminum chassis

• Half the price of the flagship Vinyl 2

• Designed to complement the Nu-Vista 600.2 and 800.2 amplifiers

  
  

Engineered for Every Cartridge, Every System, Every Listener

Musical Fidelity positions the Vinyl S as a phono stage that adapts to any record collection or cartridge type—moving magnet or moving coil—with extensive EQ and loading options.

Multiple EQ Curves

• RIAA (standard)

• Decca

• Columbia

  
  

This allows collectors to properly match EQ characteristics to different eras of vinyl mastering.

Cartridge Loading Options

• Adjustable capacitance

• Adjustable impedance

• Two-step subsonic filter

• Full control via front-panel dials and a new slim remote

  
  

This level of adjustability places the Vinyl S firmly in high-end territory, where fine-tuning is not a luxury—it’s expected.

Connectivity for True High-End Integration

The Vinyl S is equipped to slot into both traditional and modern audiophile systems:

• 2 × RCA inputs

• 2 × XLR balanced inputs

• RCA output

• XLR balanced output

  
  

Balanced connections throughout help maintain signal purity, reduce noise, and ensure compatibility with the Nu-Vista integrated amplifiers and other flagship components.

Built Like a Reference Component

Musical Fidelity emphasizes that the Vinyl S is not just feature-rich—it’s meticulously built.

Design & Construction

• Extruded aluminum front and side panels

• Structure intended to be “immune to vibration”

• A fully balanced internal architecture

• Class A discrete transistor circuitry

• Three-stage gain design for ultra-clean signal reproduction

  
  

The company states these engineering decisions result in minimal noise, minimal distortion, and maximum fidelity to the original recording—qualities essential in high-end vinyl playback.

Musical Fidelity’s Verdict: “A Phono Stage Without Limitation”

The brand describes the Vinyl S as the most accessible entry into the Nu-Vista universe, yet still a demonstration of what the line represents:absolute, uncompromising analog performance.

According to Musical Fidelity:

“The Nu-Vista Vinyl S is a phono stage without limitation… capable of delivering a truly engaging musical experience that perfectly complements a high-end audio system.”

Pricing & Availability

• Price: £5499

• Finishes: Black or Silver

• Availability: On sale now in the UK

  
  

With nuvistor tubes, full EQ flexibility, balanced architecture, and flagship-inspired engineering, the Nu-Vista Vinyl S arrives as one of the most ambitious high-end phono stages launched in 2025.