Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Magnum Dynalab MD-208 Amplifier (SS) by jonbee

Model:	MD-208
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2975
Description:	Stereo receiver
Manufacturer URL:	Magnum Dynalab
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee on September 17, 2011 at 10:28:01
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for the MD-208

I'm surprised no one has reviewed this piece here. The MD-208 combines a very fine FM tuner with an amp and preamp sourced from Simaudio.
Power? According to the Stereophile measurements:
"Again at a 1% THD level, the receiver delivered 125W into 8 ohms (21dBW, black trace), 241.6W into 4 ohms (red, 20.8dBW), and 447W into 2 ohms (blue, 20.5dBW). Only into 1 ohm (green trace) did the output power begin to be accompanied by a significant increase in distortion. Even so, 553W (18.4dBW) were available at 1% THD."
Needles to say, tis is a current monster.
Measured distortion is higher than some other amps, as Simaudio eschews feedback.
This receiver has 6 line level inputs, plus pre-outs. It is quite large (19" W by 6" H by 15.5" D) and heavy, reminding me of the classic big receivers of the past, like the Yamaha 1000, for example. The remote is machined from a block of aluminum- very heavy and solid feeling.
Sound- in a nutshell, it blows away any receiver I've ever heard, with an easy, open, unforced soundstage, prodigious bass power. This is one fine performer, at home is high end systems! The only drawbacks compared to the best amps is a very slight reduction in ultimate transparency, and some extra body at the very bottom end.
On the plus side, the "listenability" is off the charts, IMO. It just sounds natural and easy, but packs a wallop as well.
I'm not a tuner guy, but this tuner does sound very good, as you would expect from MD. Tuning is manual only- no presets.
This model was in production for a long time, but has been replaced by the $5500 MD-209, with digital inputs.
Nice used units sell for well under half price, and it is hard to imagine buying new or used separates for this $ that offer the sound of this beast.
This thing is very cool!

Product Weakness:	Largish, not flexible enough for HT use.
Product Strengths:	Powerful, punchy bass, very smooth and natural presentation. Very well built, great remote.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: none
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): cdp. tuner
Speakers: Merlin TSM-MME Volent VL-2
Cables/Interconnects: goertz, zu
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 16 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	none
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	cdp. tuner
Speakers:	Merlin TSM-MME Volent VL-2
Cables/Interconnects:	goertz, zu
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 16 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner