Back in 2023, Musical Fidelity introduced the Nu-Vista Vinyl 2—a large, reference-grade phono stage built to complement the company’s premium separates. It had all the right tech under the hood, but between its size and price, it wasn’t exactly a perfect match for users running the Nu-Vista 800.2 or 600.2 integrated amps. Now, the new Nu-Vista Vinyl S looks to fix that. It’s smaller, more manageable, and still packed with much of the same circuitry that made the Vinyl 2 a standout.

At a glance, the Vinyl S is basically the Vinyl 2’s more compact sibling. Musical Fidelity shrunk the chassis by about 45% but kept the design fully discrete and fully balanced. It uses eight tiny 7586 nuvistor tubes—vacuum tubes from the 1950s once used in pro studio gear—chosen for their reliability, low noise, and consistency. Instead of being a throwback, this feels more like smart recycling of a proven technology.

This all lives in the newly styled “S” chassis that lines up neatly next to the 800.2 and 600.2 amps. If you're tight on space or just want something that looks cleaner in your rack, this redesign is worth noting.

Whether you’re running a moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridge, the Vinyl S is built to adapt. It offers two sets of RCA and XLR inputs, along with one RCA and one XLR output. That gives you the flexibility to connect multiple turntables or tonearms—and keep each one dialed in with its own gain and loading settings.

You can choose between four MM gain levels (40, 43, 46, and 49 dB) and four MC levels (60, 63, 66, and 69 dB), plus a +6 dB boost if needed. Input impedance and capacitance are fully configurable, so matching with finicky cartridges shouldn’t be a hassle.

Another thoughtful touch: the unit saves settings for each input. If you switch between tables often, this means no reprogramming every time you flip a switch.

Most phono stages stick to the RIAA equalization curve, which works fine for most modern records. But the Vinyl S adds DECCA and COLUMBIA EQ options, implemented using a split-passive design. This setup breaks EQ into two stages to improve accuracy and minimize tonal drift. If you’ve got a collection of older pressings—or you just like to experiment—this opens up more options for proper playback.

Noise is the enemy when you’re dealing with phono signals. Musical Fidelity tackled this by using separate low-noise power supplies for the left and right channels, backed by a toroidal transformer designed to minimize interference. Each amplification stage is carefully regulated and filtered to keep the signal as clean as possible from start to finish.

You’ll also find a three-level subsonic filter (Off, Mild, Standard) to help tame low-frequency rumble—especially handy if your records are a bit warped or your turntable tends to pick up mechanical noise.

While the Vinyl S doesn’t put its nuvistor tubes on display, the chassis still reflects the Nu-Vista design language. It’s made from extruded aluminum for added rigidity and resistance to vibration, and the compact footprint makes it easier to integrate into a typical setup without taking over your rack.

A matching aluminum remote control is included, giving you direct access to gain, load, subsonic, and EQ settings from your seat—no need to fumble with buttons on the front panel.

Here’s a quick look at some of the key numbers:

• Gain Settings: MM (40–49 dB), MC (60–69 dB), plus +6 dB toggle
• Input Impedance: MM fixed at 47kΩ, MC adjustable (5–47kΩ)
• EQ Curves: RIAA, DECCA, COLUMBIA
• THD: <0.005% (MM), <0.008% (MC)
• S/N Ratio: >101 dB (MM), >82 dB (MC)
• Dimensions: 432 x 88 x 330 mm
• Weight: ~4.5 kg (some listings suggest up to 14 kg—possibly with packaging)
• Price: £5,499 (~$7,200 USD)

Let’s be honest, the Vinyl S isn’t entry-level gear. It’s designed for people who already have a solid analog setup and want a dedicated phono stage that won’t hog space or add unnecessary features. If you own one of the Nu-Vista integrated amps and you’ve been looking for a phono preamp that fits the system both visually and sonically, this is Musical Fidelity’s answer.

It’s also a good fit for collectors who spin a wide range of vinyl, from modern pressings to older records that might benefit from alternative EQ curves. And for users who’ve been curious about tube sound but didn’t want to go all-in on a bulky design, the use of compact nuvistors offers a middle ground.