Moonriver Audio 505 Hybrid Phono Stage
High-End Hybrid Phono Preamplifier With Four Inputs, Extensive Cartridge Loading And Multiple Eq Curves
The Moonriver Audio 505 Hybrid Phono Stage is a high-performance phono preamplifier designed for serious vinyl enthusiasts, record collectors and demanding analogue systems. With four independent inputs and comprehensive on-the-fly cartridge adjustment, the 505 is designed to accommodate a wide range of MM and MC cartridges, tonearms and turntable combinations.
Its hybrid solid-state architecture combines ultra-low-noise integrated circuits with discrete analogue gain stages. This approach is designed to combine extremely low noise with the dynamic drive, openness and musical expression associated with carefully engineered discrete circuitry.
With four independent inputs, extensive gain and loading adjustments, support for RIAA, Decca and Columbia equalization curves, and automatic memory for each input, the Moonriver 505 is designed as a long-term reference phono stage for serious analogue systems.
Key Features
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Four Independent Phono Inputs – Connect multiple turntables, tonearms or cartridges simultaneously, with individual settings stored for each input.
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Wide MM and MC Compatibility – Provides dedicated adjustment ranges for both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges.
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12 Gain Settings – Six gain settings for MM cartridges and six for MC cartridges, providing precise system matching.
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Extensive Cartridge Loading Adjustment – Includes five MM capacitance settings, three MM load settings and five MC load settings plus a custom MC load option.
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Multiple Equalization Curves – Supports RIAA and selectable Decca or Columbia curves for compatible 78 rpm records.
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Hybrid Low-Noise Circuit Architecture – Combines IC-based ultra-low-noise gain stages with discrete solid-state circuitry for dynamic and transparent performance.
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Dual-Mono Power Supply Design – Six separate power supplies and a total of 70,000 µF of capacitance support the different circuit stages.
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Balanced and Unbalanced Connectivity – Provides both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs for flexible system integration.
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Automatic Setting Memory – Each input remembers its individual cartridge settings and recalls them automatically when selected.
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Made in Sweden – Designed, hand-assembled and tested in Sweden.
Extensive Cartridge Matching
The Moonriver 505 is designed to accommodate a wide variety of phono cartridges without requiring complicated internal adjustments or repeated power cycling.
Dedicated controls provide direct access to gain, loading and capacitance settings, allowing cartridge matching to be adjusted while listening. This makes it possible to fine-tune the phono stage to the electrical requirements of different MM and MC cartridges and compare settings quickly within a familiar listening environment.
With four independent inputs, the 505 can support multiple combinations of MM and MC cartridges, with individual settings stored for each input.
Hybrid Low-Noise Circuit Architecture
The 505 combines ultra-low-noise integrated circuits with discrete solid-state gain and output stages.
The IC-based circuitry is used where extremely low noise is important, while discrete analogue stages provide high-current drive and dynamic performance. This hybrid approach is designed to deliver a combination of low noise, transparency, musicality and strong dynamic expression.
The active gain stages provide up to 72 dB of gain in the MC setting, allowing the 505 to accommodate very low-output moving-coil cartridges.
Six Separate Power Supplies
The Moonriver 505 uses six separated power supplies operating in a dual-mono configuration. Each major circuit stage is provided with carefully controlled power delivery, including discrete linear regulation and dedicated noise-rejection circuitry.
A total of 70,000 µF of power-supply capacitance supports the design's high-current requirements and helps maintain stable operation across the analogue signal path.
Isolated And Shielded Internal Layout
The internal layout of the 505 is designed around the separation of sensitive audio circuitry from potential noise sources.
The transformer and active gain circuits use separate shielding, while the signal path is kept as short as possible. This approach is intended to reduce unwanted interference and protect the low-level phono signal from noise generated elsewhere within the unit.
Multiple Equalization Curves
In addition to the standard RIAA curve, the 505 includes selectable Decca or Columbia equalization for compatible 78 rpm records.
The de-emphasis circuits use a passive design with carefully selected, low-tolerance components. This approach is intended to provide accurate equalization while minimizing unnecessary interference with the rest of the phono signal path.
Features
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High-end hybrid phono preamplifier.
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Four independent phono inputs.
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MM and MC cartridge compatibility.
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Six MM gain settings and six MC gain settings.
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Five MM capacitance settings.
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Three MM load impedance settings.
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Five MC load impedance settings plus custom MC loading.
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RIAA and selectable Decca or Columbia equalization curves.
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Stereo and mono function.
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XLR and RCA inputs and outputs.
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Six separated power supplies.
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Dual-mono power supply operation.
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70,000 µF total power-supply capacitance.
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Separate transformer and gain-stage shielding.
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Automatic mute function.
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Microcontroller-controlled operation.
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Automatic memory for individual input settings.
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Designed and hand-assembled in Sweden.
Specifications
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Model: 505 Hybrid Phono Stage
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Type: Hybrid Solid-State Phono Preamplifier
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Inputs: 4
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Minimum Gain: 34 dB
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Maximum Gain: 72 dB
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MM Capacitance: 100 / 220 / 330 / 470 / 680 pF
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MC Load Impedance: 10 / 47 / 100 / 470 / 1 kΩ and Custom
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MM Load Impedance: 22 kΩ / 47 kΩ / 75 kΩ
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De-Emphasis Curves: RIAA and Decca or Columbia
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Functions: Stereo / Mono
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Inputs and Outputs: XLR and RCA
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Power Supply Architecture: Six separated power supplies with dual-mono operation
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Total Power-Supply Capacitance: 70,000 µF
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Dimensions: 430 W × 390 D × 135 H mm
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Weight: 12 kg
In The Box
Why Buy From Soundtrails
A high-end phono stage is one of the most important components in a serious vinyl playback system. Cartridge loading, gain, capacitance, equalization and system integration all influence the final performance of the analogue chain.
At SoundTrails, our Audio Video Architects help you design carefully matched vinyl and two-channel audio systems around your cartridge, turntable, tonearm, amplifier and listening environment. From cartridge matching and phono-stage configuration to complete analogue system design and professional installation, we help ensure that every component works together as part of a balanced and carefully optimized system.
