Musical Fidelity Owners Discussion Thread

[bjs]

26 minutes ago, Silver Audiophile said:

While other brands are jacking up prices like mad, a few thinks comes to mind:

 

1) You're correct, MF prices have fallen and never been cheaper.

2) Absolutely awesome new products out there now with the M-series.

3) Awesome Aussie importer with second to none after sales service (Audio Marketing- Len Wallis Audio owned).

Completely agree. I think the Australian prices and service are excellent. Had fantastic service and support from Len Wallis. 

[Tartara]

Hi B 

what MF did you end up purchasing

[bjs]

M8 500s. Traded in the A5CR.

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, bjs said:

M8 500s. Traded in the A5CR.

thats the way to go

 

exactly what i did... the A5CR is an awesome amp owned some 10 years ...but the m8500S is a good step up  

 

still a lot of respect for the A5CR...

[emesbee]

I have a couple of MF Elektra series integrated amps. I bought an E11 new in 1999 to drive a pair of VAF DC-Xs (the older kit version) as the old Rotel RA-413 I had at the time just didn't pair well with the DC-Xs (sounded very bright and harsh). It was a good decision, they sounded much better with the MF E11 driving them. Some years later I bought a pair of the Gen 4 Mk II DC-Xs when they came out, and the E11 drives those speakers easily, despite its rather modest 60W per/ch rating.

 

In 2010 I bought a MF E100 from another SNA member. I played around with that and the E11 with the DCX speakers in various configurations, but in the end stayed with the E11 for the DCXs, so the E100 gathered some dust for a while.

 

Moving along again, in 2013 I bought a pair of VAF I91 stand mount speakers from an SNA member (kind of an impulse buy, but the offer was too good to let slip, and I am very happy I bought them). I tried the E11 with the i91s and while they sounded ok, I just felt I wasn't getting the best from them. (I put that down to the higher sensitivity of the Gen IV Mk IIs compared to the i91's, although I'm not sure if that is really the right conclusion.)

 

I tried the E100 with the i91's and it was a very happy pairing. These speakers sounded great with this amp. The amp was showing its age though, and I had to take it out of the system for repair (it had developed a stuttering sound through both channels). It turned out to be a simple repair, just had a couple of components replaced and it was back in action. After a while though it started showing signs of another possible impending component failure. While it still works ok, it will suddenly emit a loud but brief and rather disturbing brrrrrrr noise at random (and I must say infrequent) intervals. This was enough for me to take it out of the system again, not wanting to risk the i91s. (I still have the amp sitting in a cupboard, and may still consider get it repaired again at some stage.)

 

And then I bought a MF M5si, also from an SNA member, and am now using it with the i91s. I am very happy with this combination, the i91's really do seem to benefit from the higher power rating of the M5si (and I certainly don't regret buying it).

 

So, having lived with a couple of MF Elektra series amps for a number of years, and more recently with the M5si, my impression is that there is a difference in the character between these different generation of amps (If that makes sense). The Elektra series amps certainly seem to have a fairly smooth warm character, which works well in taming some of the earlier DCX speakers. My subjective impression of the M5si is that it is a more revealing sounding amp, in that it will tend to be more revealing of flaws or harshness in the recording when compared to the Elektra amps, but I don't see that as a bad thing. I listen to a lot of acoustic music, and the combination of M5si and i91s seems very well suited to that.

 

I still have  the E11 driving the DCX Gen 4 Mk IIs as part of a surround system (with the older DCX's as the rear speakers, and a DC6 centre channel driven by a now fairly old Marantz SR 6200), but I only call this setup into action when I want to watch a movie and enjoy the surround soundtrack.

 

For music, and anything stereo, it is always the M5si and the i91s.

 

 

 

 

[Tartara]

Hi at the crossroads...................... on amplifier upgrade   to Musical Fidelity

 

This is with my Dynaudio Contour 3.4,s  & Cambridge CXN V2 used as a pre amplifier & streamer

considering a second  MF A5 CR  as i have spoke  previously ( Peak to peak 200 amps current  ($1500-$2000)

or even  consider an A5 or A 5.5 integrated

 

than i thought should i just bite the bullet & get a brand new MF 6s PRX ($3700) Peak to peak 140 amps current

Is this new  prx going to be any better than the A5 CR

 

any thoughts would be appreciated

 

 

[betty boop]

46 minutes ago, Tartara said:

This is with my Dynaudio Contour 3.4,s  & Cambridge CXN V2 used as a pre amplifier & streamer

considering a second  MF A5 CR  as i have spoke  previously ( Peak to peak 200 amps current  ($1500-$2000)

or even  consider an A5 or A 5.5 integrated

with the budget you have, you could consider the A5 cre pre pwr combo... they do come up.

 

cant saw how the CXn will go as pre. pre pwr matching is important and the A5cr pre pwr are a lovely combo...

 

barring that... id also certainly just consider the A5 or m6 as an integrated option

 

the later m6 were really an incremental refinement on the original A series what makes the As a good bargain and the later models really an option if just wanting something newer. or buying new etc   

[bjs]

When you say another amp, are you considering two A5CR power amps? I don't think you need two.

 

I agree with @betty boop, the original is still great value. Also, you lose almost nothing if you want to trade later.

 

Regarding using cxn as a preamp, I've no experience there but I think it would work fine. That said, again in agreement with @betty boop, since the MF sound is pretty similar in the later iterations, you should be able to audition the combination pretty easily. There are quite a few places that stock both.

 

Finally, if you are going to make a big leap, I think the big step is to the M8 series. They've come down significantly in price but are still expensive. But they are on another level. Several on this forum advised me to save my money and make this step, rather than any intermediate ones. The A5CR will do most of what you need.

[Silver Audiophile]

41 minutes ago, bjs said:

Finally, if you are going to make a big leap, I think the big step is to the M8 series. They've come down significantly in price but are still expensive. But they are on another level. Several on this forum advised me to save my money and make this step, rather than any intermediate ones. The A5CR will do most of what you need.

 

Totally agree here. All other brands are pumping up prices as new shipments arrives now. See the forum I started on this below.

 

Musical Fidelity (MF) however, is doing the opposite (most on this forum already know). Thanks to a online grey discount importer in Sydney, the Aussie importer (Audio Marketing Pty Ltd) has been slashing prices again to price match.

This comes after prices of new MF was also being discounted due to the new owners of MF to Audio Tuning, the Austrian company that owns Pro-ject turntables.

 

For example, my MF M8 700m monoblock amps retailed for $17,000 a pair when I bought them 3 years ago. Then, came the first price smash to $12,000 a pair. Now, $10,400 a pair! Discounting occurred throughout the MF line too.

This is all fabulous news if you're a new MF buyer.

 

I did originally own and/or still own the following MF products over the years: MF A5 integrates, A5 CD player, MF 550 super charger pair, MF Nu-Vista M3 integrated, a couple of MF Tri-Vista 21 DACs, a few MF A3-24 DACs, MF M6 500 integrated, MF M6 CD player, M8 700m monos, MF M1 HPA, MF tube buffer (X-series), MF V-link products (USB to SPDIF convertors), etc, etc.

 

Definitely, big jump came with the M-series (sound wise). M-Series: Smoother, richer sound (NOT soft and mushy), while still retaining the classical MF effortless control and transience. To my ears, a more 'audiophile' progression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ronny Schilt]

7 hours ago, Tartara said:

Hi at the crossroads...................... on amplifier upgrade   to Musical Fidelity

 

This is with my Dynaudio Contour 3.4,s  & Cambridge CXN V2 used as a pre amplifier & streamer

considering a second  MF A5 CR  as i have spoke  previously ( Peak to peak 200 amps current  ($1500-$2000)

or even  consider an A5 or A 5.5 integrated

 

than i thought should i just bite the bullet & get a brand new MF 6s PRX ($3700) Peak to peak 140 amps current

Is this new  prx going to be any better than the A5 CR

 

any thoughts would be appreciated

 

 

I have the m8 700m and they are 350 amps peak to peak.  I can get any speaker and not worry about compatibility, I have heard them against McIntosh Monoblocks and was very surprised to see they were just as good part a few things. The soundstage and dynamic headroom you cannot do better for the money 

[Silver Audiophile]

It was 2003. I had no idea about anything to do with audiophile gear or HiFi. One weekend whilst at the Lifestyle store in Parramatta, Sydney. Heard a few rooms away, someone playing what sounded like bongo drums. Very lively and entertaining. Walked into the room where sound was coming from, no live musicians, just the Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300 integrated playing! I thought what a beautiful piece of industrial design, what beautiful sound. I absolutely loved it.

Sales rep told me $$$ for the Tri-Vista 300. Thought, one day, just one day. Separate power box, Tri-Vista mini valves. Boat loads of power.

A few years late, bought the MF A5 integrated and CD new. It was $8k for both. That's how it all began

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by Silver Audiophile

[Silver Audiophile]

Anyone remember listening to the Musical Fidelity KWP system when it came out?  160kg of pure metallic muscle. Separate power supply to pre amp etc. That was a memorable experience indeed.

 

So sad to see it cooking to death inside a tight antique display cabinet, and melting it's caps 

 

1KW into 8 ohms, 2KW into 4 ohms etc.. people can be so silly. The massive heat sinks on those monos are on the sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 17, 2021 by Silver Audiophile

[fourlambs]

As the new owner of the MF M5Si, I am seeking info on the rear connections.

 

I have set it up with my Bluesound Node connecting via RCA to the TUNER line in. Wondering if the is ok or whether I should be using AUX 1 or AUX 2.

 

Are they all the same?

 

 Thanks 

[Silver Audiophile]

8 hours ago, fourlambs said:

As the new owner of the MF M5Si, I am seeking info on the rear connections.

 

I have set it up with my Bluesound Node connecting via RCA to the TUNER line in. Wondering if the is ok or whether I should be using AUX 1 or AUX 2.

 

Are they all the same?

 

 Thanks 

 

Congrats on the Musical Fidelity M5Si purchase Phil.

 

I won't think it ought to make a difference, but I suggest try different inputs and see if it makes a difference.

 

Another suggestion. The Bluesound has USB output, and the MF M5Si has Asynchronous USB input. Why not use a USB A-B cable to digitally connect the Bluesound streamer directly to the MF integrated.

This will allow the MF M5Si good quality digital circuitry to do the digital clocking and decode the digital signal to analog (USB digital clocks and DAC). This will likely lead to to a far better sound. Can't hurt to try.

Be sure to use a quality USB cable. Curious cable or Furutech make good cables. Under $100, Via Blue USB A-B cables sound good too (available from M8 Audio). I own all three. Many other great USB cable out there.

 

One other thing, don't forget to cover the remaining unused ports too! The improvement to sound cannot be understated (back of my pre amp for example, all unused ports covered).

Remove them, the music is 'veiled', as if the musicians are singing with their hands in front of their mouths. The sound improvements continues until every unused port is covered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2021 by Silver Audiophile

[Silver Audiophile]

Heads up folks, 15% price rises from January 1st (According to Audio Marketing, Aussie Musical Fidelity importer). Act now, or forever hold your peace.

 

 

 

 

[chefsinc]

If Anyone is Interested I will be putting my MF M3scd up for sale this week. I am going back to My Sony CDP227esd and My Kenwood DP8010. Prefer the more 80's Analogue music they convey. 

[Ronny Schilt]

Wait until January MF is going up 20 percent 

[KRSDarwin]

I have had really great experiences with Musical Fidelity and on 2 occasions MF products have provided a step change in sq and my enjoyment of our stereo system.

The first was the Musical Fidelity M6si in January 2017 with its HT Bypass which I combined with my Denon AVR and really allowed my Paradigm Studio 100s to sing. Not only for anything coming through the AVR but also my ClearAudio Concept TT when I converted to an MC cartridge.

 

The second was the Musical Fidelity 550K Superchargers in 2020. An older and somewhat rarer beast but ones that simply means my speakers always have plenty of power and headroom and appear to sing without restraint.  This has translated to the new Paradigm Persona 7Fs. Clarity, detail, tight bass and authority.  
 

Of course you can’t help but wonder. And while I have five 550K superchargers (3 in use) I am always on the lookout for some 750K Superchargers so I can bi-amp and not just bi-wire. The alternative is to move out of the MF amps into Devialet amplification. 
 

I really believe MF offer genuine quality and performance for reasonable pricing. I believe Paradigm have a similar ethos and performance and in my experience MF amplification and Paradigm speakers have partnered extraordinarily well. 
 

Given my positive views about MF quality and performance I also have purchased secondhand through SNA MF A 3.5 CD player for my work system and a MF Electra E10 for a second system for my son. Despite their age they perform really well. 
 

One issue I do have however is the M6si remote. Good layout and size but plasticky and not doing justice to the quality of the integrated amp. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2021 by KRSDarwin

[Ronny Schilt]

I hope I have the same success  with my new persona 5f with my MF m8 700m monoblocks

[KRSDarwin]

7 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

I hope I have the same success  with my new persona 5f with my MF m8 700m monoblocks

Howdy Ronny,

 

It would be really great to read about your impressions and see some photos. 
 

Cheers

Edited December 29, 2021 by KRSDarwin

[Ronny Schilt]

OK will do it will be awhile as it's to hot at the moment I'm running a valve pre-amp PL evo 400 with the m8 700m,  they drove the SF nova 5 but too much in a small room and the rear firing stealth port was an issue. I think the downward firing port on the 5f will do the trick I preferred them to the sopra 2 which need a much bigger room 

[Ronny Schilt]

6 minutes ago, Ronny Schilt said:

OK will do it will be awhile as it's to hot at the moment I'm running a valve pre-amp PL evo 400 with the m8 700m,  they drove the SF nova 5 but too much in a small room and the rear firing stealth port was an issue. I think the downward firing port on the 5f will do the trick I preferred them to the sopra 2 which need a much bigger room 

Nice pic of the persona 7f but much too big for my small area I hope I got it right this time I didn't want to go with standmounts 

[KRSDarwin]

6 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

OK will do it will be awhile as it's to hot at the moment I'm running a valve pre-amp PL evo 400 with the m8 700m,

My friend George runs his Persona 7Fs with an upper end Prima Luna tube front end and it sounds fantastic. He cleverly integrates it with some subs. He used to run a Musical Fidelity but replaced it with the Prima Luna. Looks like you have the best of both worlds. 

Edited December 31, 2021 by KRSDarwin

[Ronny Schilt]

I'm thinking of getting michi s5 or m8s pending budget, I did tube roll the evo 400 pre with some NOS Jan and genalex gold lion. If my shop had parasound accuphase Lucian denafrips I'd be keen to experiment but I don't have that option. 

[Mark100]

On 22/11/21 at 10:43 AM, Ronny Schilt said:

Wait until January MF is going up 20 percent 

I have just looked at the price of the MF M8xi, it has gone up from around A$9,450 to A$13,000.  That's an increase of more than 30%.