Michell Apollo Phono Stage with MUSE Power Supply

Product Description

The Michell Apollo is a reference-grade phono preamplifier engineered to reveal the detail, dynamics and musical character captured in vinyl recordings. Paired with the dedicated MUSE external power supply, the Apollo combines Class A amplification, precision passive RIAA equalization and carefully regulated power delivery in a two-chassis design.

Developed by Michell Audio, the Apollo draws on amplification techniques used in professional microphone preamplifiers to handle the delicate electrical signals generated by a phono cartridge. Its hand-matched components, multiple stages of power regulation and solid aluminum enclosures are designed to preserve signal integrity from the turntable to the rest of the audio system.

The result is a sophisticated phono stage for serious vinyl enthusiasts building a high-resolution analog playback system.

Class A Amplification for Vinyl Playback

The Apollo uses Class A preamplifier circuitry derived from techniques employed in professional microphone amplification, where accurately amplifying very small signals is essential.

The initial amplification stage is designed to handle the delicate signal arriving from a phono cartridge. Subsequent Class A gain stages provide further amplification while maintaining the precision and natural presentation required for critical listening.

Each stage incorporates carefully controlled regulation and feedback circuitry to maintain consistent operation. This approach helps preserve the subtle information contained in a recording, from the texture of acoustic instruments to the spatial characteristics of the original performance.

Precision Passive RIAA Equalization

Vinyl records are manufactured using RIAA equalization, which reduces bass and increases treble during the cutting process. A phono stage must reverse this equalization accurately during playback to restore the recording's intended tonal balance.

The Michell Apollo uses a precision passive RIAA circuit between its amplification stages. This arrangement is designed to maintain accurate equalization while preserving the integrity of the analog signal.

Michell also measures and matches individual capacitors by hand to meet strict tolerances. This attention to component matching helps maintain consistent performance and precise balance between the left and right channels.

Dedicated MUSE External Power Supply

The MUSE power supply is an integral part of the Apollo's two-chassis architecture. By placing the mains transformer in a separate enclosure, Michell physically isolates a potential source of electrical interference from the phono stage's sensitive amplification circuits.

MUSE incorporates a low-noise toroidal transformer, advanced capacitance multiplier technology and high-quality voltage regulators. It delivers two highly filtered and regulated DC outputs to the Apollo.

Inside the phono stage, additional power supply circuitry further refines and regulates the incoming DC power. The two units therefore work together to provide a clean, stable electrical supply for the amplification stages.

This separation is especially relevant in a phono preamplifier, where even small amounts of unwanted electrical noise can become audible after substantial amplification.

Custom-Engineered DC Connection

Michell developed a dedicated DC cable to connect the Apollo and MUSE units.

Manufactured in the United Kingdom, the cable uses silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, FEP insulation and a cotton-fiber wrap. Aluminum-foil Mylar separators and high-density tinned-copper shielding help protect the connection from high-frequency interference.

ChorAlloy-plated XLR-style connectors provide secure multipin connections between the two chassis.

Rather than treating the power cable as an afterthought, Michell designed it as part of the complete power delivery system.

Precision-Machined Aluminum Enclosures

Both the Apollo phono stage and MUSE power supply feature substantial aluminum enclosures machined from solid material.

Each chassis is constructed from two solid aluminum billets and a solid aluminum rear panel. The resulting enclosure forms a conductive barrier against radio-frequency interference, helping protect the internal electronics from external noise.

The mass and rigidity of the chassis also help reduce the influence of mechanical vibration on the sensitive circuitry.

Together, these construction details reflect Michell's approach to analog audio engineering: careful mechanical design, precise electronic implementation and close attention to every stage of signal amplification.