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Musical Fidelity amp on the way

davidro

davidro

Lunatic Member
Normally I wouldn't consider pre-2000 gear to be modern by any means but this one was released 1999 in UK so let's give it a break.

X-A100R. Not released in the States it seems. 75wpc at 8 ohms. I'd imagine perhaps about 100wpc at 4 ohms then? (for my AR-3a)

MSRP was about 1k pounds so if it was released at the time in Australia it would've been around A$2.5k-3k.

Always wanted some MF gear. I know MF don't get talked a lot on this forum (or even in the States in general?) but they often get rave reviews elsewhere.

Some pics of the same model on this Italian website.
 
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davidro said:
Normally I wouldn't consider pre-2000 gear to be modern by any means but this one was released 1999 in UK so let's give it a break.

X-A100R. Not released in the States it seems. 75wpc at 8 ohms. I'd imagine perhaps about 100wpc at 4 ohms then? (for my AR-3a)

MSRP was about 1k pounds so if it was released at the time in Australia it would've been around A$2.5k-3k.

Always wanted some MF gear. I know MF don't get talked a lot on this forum (or even in the States in general?) but they often get rave reviews elsewhere.

Some pics of the same model on this Italian website.
Click to expand...

I like MF, and own one of their CDP's from the XRAYv8 series. I've never heard that amp, but as in MF, im sure it wont be to bright or laid back.....there is no edge to my CDP and its slightly tube sounding. The noc on MF in general is they change designs to soon for some. Congrats...hope you like it.
 
davidro said:
Normally I wouldn't consider pre-2000 gear to be modern by any means but this one was released 1999 in UK so let's give it a break.

X-A100R. Not released in the States it seems. 75wpc at 8 ohms. I'd imagine perhaps about 100wpc at 4 ohms then? (for my AR-3a)

MSRP was about 1k pounds so if it was released at the time in Australia it would've been around A$2.5k-3k.

Always wanted some MF gear. I know MF don't get talked a lot on this forum (or even in the States in general?) but they often get rave reviews elsewhere.

Some pics of the same model on this Italian website.
Click to expand...

Musical Fidelity gets my vote! Bought a new M6i and am crazy about it. Lots of headroom, gutsy but precise and quiet too. It should make your AR's sing if its anything like mine. I can not say enough good things about it.
 
That's some young beast of amp you have there. Hopefully mine will resemble yours even in its distant tonal quality :D
 
I tried some X-A200 mono blocks years ago and I loved the dark velvety sound. I would have bought them if it wasn't for the quirky styling as they had effortless amounts of power, real power houses. The presentation was not what I was used to either but I'm sure I could have gotten used to it, Musical Fidelity definitely have their own sound.
 
Yeah the XRAYv8 series is the same way....all small components that pack an unbelievable punch....I have the CDP and External power supply.
 
The X-A100R comes with an external PSU too. 'the dark velvety sound' sounds like a winner. Should be a nice comparison to my Marantz gear. I'm looking forward to its arrival!
 
I only have a phone camera but here we go...

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These are just initial impressions.

The sound overall reminds me somewhat of the upgraded/modified Yaqin tube amp I once had. Just a lot of air into it & seamless. Wide-dispersing sound is naturally achieved. The bass is not thundering but, again, natural, plentiful and encompassing, akin to what you hear in a concert hall with fabulous acoustics.

Karajan/BPO's live recording of Schoenberg and Brahms CD (Testament), the performance of which is magnificent with regretfully drowning sonics, sounded a lot less boxy than before revealing a tad more of concert hall ambiance.

Beatles vinyl reissue of 'Help!' recording sounded livelier and fuller. Probably not exactly richer, but my AR speakers have perhaps too much of that anyway.

This morning I'm listening to string arrangement of Bach Goldberg Variations (Nonesuch). I used to find the string sound of this recording a little too brittle and, well, 'digital'. Now it sounds more relaxed and less like a studio recording.
 
Well happy you are enjoying it. I like Musical Fidelity gear and only wish their more modern tube gear was affordable for me. You have a nice looking system.
 
Spektre said:
It looks and sounds as if this will be a sweet little amp, your making me want to try another MF amp.
Click to expand...

I've heard many good things about MF and am pleased to verify the claim. I would love to try their other amps in future.

Art K. said:
That's a cute amp. I have a soft spot for little amps...just in case ya didn't know!
Click to expand...

Hard not to know that! :D

I also love the simplicity of it all. No tone controls. No balance control. Just one pair of speaker cable posts. Plus PSU is separate.

The downside is that I can't turn it on/off with the remote....but I can live with that.
 
Thanks man. I should also add this amp seems to match real good with my Nano phono preamp. The noise level is hugely decreased and the sound is so much sweeter. I played Jeff Buckley reissue vinyl and drank a few litres of beer!
 
davidro said:
Thanks man. I should also add this amp seems to match real good with my Nano phono preamp. The noise level is hugely decreased and the sound is so much sweeter. I played Jeff Buckley reissue vinyl and drank a few litres of beer!
Click to expand...

I've found a much lower noise floor with my Musical Fidelity as well. Even without the beer (too many in my youth), I find I'm listening a LOT more and for extended periods. Sounds like you're already a Musical Fidelity fan.....it doesn't take long. :music:
 
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