Emmeline F-117 "The Nighthawk" Battery Powered MM/MC Phono Stage

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Notes from the manufacturer:

We call the F-117, Nighthawk, THE GIANT KILLER, as there is nothing small about it, beside the size, when it comes to the quality of the sound it produces. Lithium Ion powered, with amazing play back time, around six days of play back @ 8 hours per day from a single charge, with a sound to die for.

The Nighthawk is designed to drive all cartridges from the lowest gain MC to the highest gain MM. Gain range is from 40db-75db in six increments. Six loads are provided to match the cartridge used, load of 30, 50, 100, 500, 1k & 47K. The Nighthawk is absolutely noiseless at the highest gain.

The load switch can be used as a fast tweak on the go. When dialing a higher load, resistance, the top is more extended. Dialing lower load, resistance, the bottom end is more extended.

We assure you that the F-117, Nighthawk, will set a new standard in the phono stage industry when it comes to sound quality/price ratio. We have compared this little Gem to thousands of dollars phono stages using HRX turn table by VPI, with Shelter X90cartridge & the results were amazing.

The Nighthawk comes with 3 years unlimited Warranty, it is transferable to second or third owner no question asked. Parts & labor are included; customer pays the shipping fee only.

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Tonearm Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Tonearm Interconnects - Best

F-117 Nighthawk Phono Stage Specs:
MC (Moving-Coil), MM (Moving-Magnet) phono stage
• Lithium-ion operated.
• 5-6 days of playback at 8 hours per day from single charge.
• Two independent rotary switches, each with six increments of gains, from 40 db-74 db, per channel.
• Two independent rotary switches, each with six loads, from 30, 80, 100, 1K & 47K, per channel.
• Frequency response 5 - 100K
• S/N around 78db
• THD < 0.03%
• Output impedance around 60 ohms
• Active RIAA equalization

Dimensions
Width = 4.4”
Width from the tip of the RCA to the tip of the knobs = 4.25”
Height = 0.8”

Weight
0.8 pounds

Handbuilt in the US

MSRP $795

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected. If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.