ML-1 | Preamplifier | 1977 - 1980

Presentation: The ML1 preamplifier with its unique design and performances was one of the best preamplifier of its time and still is despite the difficulty of repair.

Design : Probably John Curl (and also probably Tom Colangelo). Some sources state that it should have been name JC-<something>, but a dispute with Mark Levinson occured and it was renamed ML-1). Look at the JC-2 wich is designed by JC and looks very similar.

Inside view.

The ML-1 is modular. The phono modules can be replaced by the user. It has a 2 phono inputs and the classical CAMAC connectors. The power supply is external (PLS150).



From left to right on the front panel:

1. The input selector:
     Aux, Tuner, Phono1, Phono2, Tape1, Tape2
2. Switch: Input / Monitor
3. Switch: Tape 2 / Tape 1
4. Left channel balance: Balance L OFF /-4db / 0 / +5dB
5. Red led: power.



The balance.

6. Right channel balance: Balance R OFF /-4db / 0 / +5dB
7. Switch: Mono / Stereo
8. Switch: High / Low 
9. Volume: 1 to 10, continuous.

There is no on/off switch as the power supply is external.

Since the preamplifier is stereo, each module exists twice, with the exception of the power supply filter DRF-3 (or DRF-4) :

Module layout

① Phono preamp.
② JC-1-SM pre-pre amp.
③ Line (ULD)
④ Power supply filter (DRF).





Several systems were sold:

1. A3 phono module 50k/100k input impedance and 30dB/40dB gain.
2. A4E phono.820/50k input impedance and 44dB/38dB gain.
3. A5 phono module, input impedance 50 K, gain 30dB, saturation level 200mV
   or 100 K input impedance, 40 dB gain, saturation at 90mV.
4. D5 moving coil phono module with 54 or 60 db gain with or without CRC^*.
5. D6 gain 60 or 66 dB.

The ULD line amplifier has a gain either of 21dB (High switch position) or 11dB (Low switch position).

^*CRC: Cartridge Resonance Compensation. The CRC circuit supplied rolls the high frequencyresponse at 6dB per octave, -6dB at 20kHz. In particular, this curve has been successful in improvingthe performance of the [Fidelity Research cardridge] FR-1Mk3. Other corrective curves are available on request. Basically it's the RIAA equalization filter.

You can click here if you want a more detailed analysis of the design of the ML-1 based on the schematics.

In wooden frame.

Some units comes in a wooden frame.

It's still highly priced, about $1000, price which didn't drop in more than 10 years.

Pro and Cons

Pro	Cons
Four high level inputs that suit nowadays needs (eg. CD, tuner, etc.).	Modules cannot be repaired, only replaced. Replacements are expensive and not easy to find.
Several choices of phono modules to match the cartridge.	Price around $1000.
External power supply.	Specific (non standard) connectors used.

Specifications

See schematics below.
Power ~30W
Dimensions 483mm Width × 51mm Height x 156mm Depth.
Weight ~2.5Kg

Schematics

ML-1 preamplifier schematics [download]

Documents

Glotta AB review [download]
La Nouvelle Revue du Son N°25 Feb. 1979 [download]

Pictures

ML-1 preamplifier circuit analysis

This is not a deep analysis of the circuit, but just enough so you can understand the overall design.

Signal path

Let's start from the "top level" schematics page :

Two paths are shown :

1. the path in green shows the path for phono level inputs (e.g. switch is on either the Phone 1 or Phono 2 position).
2. the path in red in case you've selected a high level input (Aux, Tuner, Tape).

Obviously since the input selector switch works for both channels at the same time this configuration cannot happen, it's shown on the same diagram for simplicity.

The path ① in green shows that the signal from the input connector is directly fed to the box labeled Phono section. The output of this box is then routed to the same path used for the high level signals. First is goes back through the input selector ② and sent to the volume potentiometer ③. From there it traverses the balance switch ④ to reach the output ⑤ through the ULD preamplifier module.

The path in red works in a similar fashion but is more direct since it doesn't go through the phono section, obviously: from the input ① it goes to the volume potentiometer ② traversing the input selector switch (the L shaped red line). Like above it goes through the balance ③ to enter the ULD preamplifier to reach the output ④.

Phono module description

Several phono modules are described in the schematics.

The passive networks labeled ① and ② can respectively change the input impedance and the gain of the the PP module (at ③).

The operational amplifier PP contains a bunch of components, including 17 transistors (JFET's and bipolars). Its circuit diagram can be found in the schematics.

The D5 system is a bit more complex: a pre-preamplifier module named JC-1-SM is inserted before the PP op-amp. It allows the gain to be about twice as much as the above design (from 30 to 60dB).

If you look at a ML-1 with the D6 phono system from the top, here is the phono modules layout:

① is a PP-3 or 4 module.
② is the impedance/gain module, you can see the switches.
③ is the JC-1SM module.

Pictures

JC-1SM solder side.

JC-1SM component side.

D6 modules with JC-1SM

ULD (line drivers) and DRF-3 power supply filter.

ML-6 | Preamplifier | 1979 - 1980

The ML-6 preamplifier is a mono unit : you need two of them. The have an external power supply (ML-6 Power supply or PLS-154), and obviously lack of a balance button :-)

The ML-6 will be upgraded twice by model ML-6A and later the ML-6B.

They are of course modular. You can't imagine a simpler preamp with only two buttons on the facade, the input selector (3 positions, Phone, Off, Line, labeled SOURCE) and the volume (labeled OUTPUT LEVEL from infinity, then -23 to 0).

The ML-6 exists with white or black faceplate..

Specifications

See the brochures.

Brochures

ML-6A Preamplifier [download]
ML-6A Monophonic Preamplifier [download]

Reviews

La Nouvelle Revue du Son [download] (with ML-3)
La Nouvelle Revue du Son [download] (ML-6A alone)

Pictures

JC-2 | Preamplifier | 1974 - 1977

As its name indicates this preamplifier was designed by John Curl.

It's one of the earliest design of MLAS, and the ML-1 can be considered as an upgrade of the JC-2, it retains the modular architecture. You should have a look at both pages to get the complete information.

Module switches

See ML-1 description.

System	Rocker Switch	Function	Open	Closed
A3	1 2	input impedance gain	100K 30dB	50K 40dB
D5	1 2	CRC gain	CRC out 54dB	CRC in 60dB
D6	1 2	CRC gain	CRC out 60dB	CRC in 66dB

Schematics

The ML-1 uses the same design : a phono (pre-preamplifier) is inserted at the beginning of the signal path by the input selector. Then the signal goes directly to the  output amplifier module.
Note that the 2 op amps symbols internal cicuitry is described on the right side.

Specifications

They can be found in this Italian brochure.

Pictures