hi Dev

certainly compared to something like a Kondo Pre, the MF is a lot cheaper.

At £2,000-£3,000 (approx) the MF isn't cheap though, and you can get a wide variety of (what I would call) expensive active pre-amps for the price.

In terms of 'VFM' - a look inside the box of a passive pre-amp makes me question the value of an MF passive pre - as Lee said, an active pre in the £2,000-£3,000 will often come with a phono stage, headphono amp, tone controls, remote control etc.