LAB12 Melto1 Tube Phono Preamplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY

The Melto1 is a fully adjustable full-tube phono preamplifier from LAB12 (Athens, Greece), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY. Supporting both MM and MC cartridges, it offers user-adjustable impedance and capacitance to match a wide range of cartridge designs, with MM gain of 41 dB and MC gain of 66 dB from a circuit built around 6N1P-EV and 6N2P-EV NOS dual triodes. SRSG grounding, Fine Symmetry circuit layout, a toroidal power transformer, and a no-feedback design are applied throughout, delivering a phono stage whose sonic performance and adjustability significantly exceed what its accessible price point might suggest. The Melto1 received the Best Buy 2022 Award from Mono and Stereo.

Full Tube Circuit with NOS Dual Triodes

The Melto1 uses four NOS (new old stock) dual triode tubes, two 6N1P-EV and two 6N2P-EV, throughout its signal path. These Russian military-specification tubes are selected and matched for parameter consistency, providing the gain stages with a stable, uniform operating characteristic that is critical for a phono stage where even minor channel imbalances are audible in the stereo image. The no-feedback topology preserves the natural dynamics and tonal character of the phono cartridge signal without the phase-related artifacts that feedback can introduce, while the toroidal power transformer and SRSG grounding maintain a low noise floor essential for the high-gain phono amplification task. The RIAA equalization curve is implemented passively in the signal path, a topology that is more complex to achieve in a tube design but that preserves the transient accuracy and frequency balance of the final output more faithfully than active EQ implementations.

Adjustable Impedance and Capacitance for Cartridge Matching

Optimizing a phono stage's input loading to match the specific electrical requirements of a cartridge is one of the most effective and least expensive steps an analog listener can take to improve vinyl playback quality. The Melto1 provides user-adjustable input impedance from 32 ohms to 100 kΩ and input capacitance from 0 to 300 pF, covering the full range of MM and MC cartridge loading requirements in current production and vintage design. These adjustments allow the listener to tailor the frequency balance, high-frequency extension, and overall tonal character of the phono stage to the specific cartridge in use, rather than accepting the compromises inherent in a fixed-loading design.

Key Features

• MM and MC Compatibility: Full support for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges with appropriate gain levels for each type.
• NOS Dual Triode Tubes: Four matched NOS dual triodes (2 x 6N1P-EV, 2 x 6N2P-EV) provide the gain stages with stable, low-noise amplification throughout the signal path.
• Adjustable Input Impedance: User-selectable from 32 Ω to 100 kΩ to match the loading requirements of any MM or MC cartridge.
• Adjustable Input Capacitance: User-selectable from 0 to 300 pF for precise MM cartridge capacitive loading.
• RIAA Equalization: Standard RIAA de-emphasis curve for playback of all standard LP pressings.
• Toroidal Power Transformer: A dedicated toroidal transformer provides stable, low-noise power to the tube circuit.
• No-Feedback Design: Zero global negative feedback preserves the natural dynamics and spatial character of the cartridge signal.
• SRSG Grounding: Separate Rails Separate Grounds implementation maintains full isolation between signal and power ground paths.
• Fine Symmetry Layout: Precision circuit geometry ensures matched performance between channels.
• Precision 5mm Aluminum Panel: Available in Matte Black with a glass-blasted anodized finish and a five-year manufacturer guarantee.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Best Buy 2022 – Mono and Stereo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LAB12 Melto1?

The LAB12 Melto1 is a fully adjustable full-tube phono preamplifier from Athens, Greece, supporting MM and MC cartridges with 41 dB and 66 dB gain respectively. It uses four matched NOS dual triode tubes in a no-feedback RIAA circuit with adjustable input impedance from 32 Ω to 100 kΩ and capacitance from 0 to 300 pF, built on a toroidal power transformer with SRSG grounding and Fine Symmetry layout in a Matte Black 5mm aluminum chassis with a five-year guarantee.

How does the Melto1 compare to the Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B?

The LAB12 Melto1 and the Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B are both full-tube phono stages with MM and MC support and adjustable loading, but they represent different philosophies and price positions. The Pro-Ject DS3 B uses ECC83 tubes in a hybrid gain structure, offers Bluetooth output as a distinctive modern feature, and is available in multiple case styles at a lower entry price. The Melto1 uses NOS 6N1P-EV and 6N2P-EV military-spec dual triodes in a pure tube circuit with no-feedback topology, SRSG grounding, and Fine Symmetry layout, targeting a more traditional audiophile priority: maximum signal purity from source to output in a fully analog circuit. For vinyl enthusiasts whose priority is the purest possible tube-based RIAA amplification, the Melto1 represents meaningfully more refined engineering at a competitive price point.

What is the difference between the Melto1 and the Melto2?

The LAB12 Melto1 and Melto2 share the same full-tube, no-feedback design philosophy and SRSG grounding, but differ in several important respects. The Melto2 adds Lundahl step-up transformers for MC cartridges (replacing the Melto1's active MC gain stage), provides three independent phono inputs instead of one, adds support for DECCA and Columbia equalization curves in addition to RIAA, includes a front-panel OLED display, and adds remote control functionality. The Melto1 is the right choice for listeners with a single turntable and RIAA-only requirements who want the LAB12 tube phono sound at a more accessible price point; the Melto2 suits collectors with multiple cartridges, mono setups, or pre-RIAA record collections.

Can the Melto1 be used with a low-output MC cartridge?

Yes, though the approach differs from the Melto2's transformer-coupled MC stage. The Melto1 provides 66 dB of MC gain through an active tube gain stage, which is sufficient for MC cartridges with outputs down to approximately 0.3 mV in most system configurations. Input impedance is adjustable down to 32 ohms for MC loading. For very low-output MC cartridges below 0.2 mV, a separate step-up transformer may be beneficial to ensure sufficient signal level and optimal impedance matching before the Melto1's input stage.

Where can I buy the LAB12 Melto1 in Buffalo, NY?

The LAB12 Melto1 is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, an authorized LAB12 dealer serving Western New York and the USA. Vinyl Sound carries the complete LAB12 phono and amplification lineup and can assist with cartridge matching, loading optimization guidance, and in-store demonstration arrangements.