REVIEW

It was a similarly pleasing story listening to Avicii’s Stories record; a presentation that was softer, but, by turn, also insightful and thoroughly enjoyable. The pace and dynamic changes on this record weren’t lost with this phonostage. This is an odd one to describe as I usually like a presentation that is harder-edged than this, but I found this pairing to be a joy to listen to for long periods and, as I said, I don’t actually think there was anything missing in the frequency range, it was just more gently spoken, if that makes sense. I assume that this softening of the presentation is a factor of the valves in the circuit and I actually think it will appeal to many people who are searching for a non-fatiguing and less “in your face” presentation from their records. With that said, the MU-2 is also softer (I’ve used this word a few times as I think it fits very well, but I don’t really want to attach negative connotations to it) than our valve-based LAB 12 melto II.

Lin and I were sat listening to the system with the MU-2 and UMAMI in it and discussing its sound. Both of us agreed on its qualities and as I stood up to grab our Original Masters copy of Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue, she said (without prompting) “It will suit some jazz!”. And it does! This phonostage could have been made for listening to this kind of music and my guess is that the folk behind its design and voicing are into their jazz. Horns sound wonderful and there is a relaxed and soothing feel to the music whilst still maintaining the detail. Double bass is deep and easy to follow in the recording and piano sounds natural and clear. The horn I mentioned is superbly reproduced and the barely perceptible hats on Blue in Green are there…just. As I said before, this is a lovely, organic, and relaxed sound that does conjure images of a smoky jazz club vibe that I kind of really like.

With The Vertere Sabre

The Robotiks’ My Computer is Acting Strange is a record I’ve played a great deal going back to the days I had a radio show on Wear FM back in the early and mid-90s and I reckon I know it pretty much inside out. Reaching around the back of the MU-2 to click the switch to the MM position was a bit of a faff and I would prefer to have this available on the front of the unit – the top of it also gets quite warm and I’d suggest it needs good ventilation.

Now, the first thing that grabbed me was that this was somewhat different in presentation to the presentation of the UMAMI, despite both being set up perfectly correctly and dialed in properly. The difference is not night and day and likely has much to do with the cartridges, but overall I found this to be a little brasher in the bass department and less of a feeling of things being slightly “muted” (I can’t think of a better word).

Soundstaging with this and other records I used whilst taking my notes was excellent and stable and I thought the data retrieval and detail was very good. The top end of The Robotiks record was still not as incisive as our reference (much more expensive) phonostage but it was still an enjoyable and satisfying listen. Reverbs and effects are presented very naturally and I want use the word organically, which I think is an effect of the laidback character of this phonostage.

Niggles

The chromed top is a bit of a finger magnet but then you don’t really see it on a rack unless it’s on the top and it does need space to dissipate heat.

The button for the illuminated logo is a bit difficult to get at.

Would have liked the MM/MC loading knob to have been on the front of the unit, but then that would have spoiled the aesthetic.

The power cable needs care in ensuring it is properly engaged.

There is a softness to the sound overall which some may enjoy and others not so much.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this phonostage, but some may find it a little soft-sounding overall. On the flip side, others will really love how it sounds in a system, and with the jazz (particularly horns) I listened to with it, I really enjoyed it. This is the beauty of the audio world having so many options available to folk and all I can do is try to explain my experiences with the product and what I thought about it in this system and with the music I have experience of. One man’s softer sound is another’s organic and natural sound.

Certainly, I’d give it shelf space and people listening predominantly to acoustic music should seriously consider it.

This is a well-featured product for the money. It has a cool and different look and a sonic character that many will really enjoy…others, perhaps, less so. This is definitely a “you need to try it” kind of product.

Build Quality and Features:

Nice finish overall and a different aesthetic

Well featured and will accommodate MM and pretty much all MC cartridges

Sound Quality:

Overall this is a laidback and relaxed phonostage that still manages to present detail from top to bottom

Soundstaging is natural and not over-emphasised

Bass is softer than I’m used to with our reference stages and is best suited to less bass-heavy music

Value For Money:

It’s about right for this kind of product and you could certainly spend more and get a less pleasant sounding product

We Loved:

Cool aesthetics that dares to be a little different from the norm

A relaxed and easy-to-get-on listen and yet didn’t lose the dynamics and detail – an odd one to describe

Certainly capable of pairing with pretty expensive cartridges without being embarrassed

We Didn’t Love So Much:

The loading switch being around the back

The softer sound may be an issue for some, but others will love it

Elevator Pitch Review: The Muarah MU-2 phonostage comes from Poland and has a shoebox aesthetic that is all of its own. It will accommodate moving magnet and most moving coil cartridges. Sonically speaking, the MU-2 is a pleasant and non-fatiguing stage to listen to but, in my opinion, it is best suited to acoustic music. There is detail and there is nuance to instruments and recordings and this is presented in a somewhat unique manner that you need to hear to find out if you love it or not. Personally, I actually really enjoyed my time with it.

Price: €1920