Home
AudioAsylum Trader
General Asylum: REVIEW: Musical Fidelity A3.2CR Amplifier (SS) by Stale

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: Musical Fidelity A3.2CR Amplifier (SS)

76.223.110.240


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ General Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: A3.2CR
Category: Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $2000
Description: 125 WPC Power Amp
Manufacturer URL: Musical Fidelity
Model Picture: View

Review by stale on November 10, 2007 at 09:16:59
IP Address: 76.223.110.240
Add Your Review
for the A3.2CR


It seems that there is number of people who dismiss MF products just due to the fact that they have been recommended so many times in Sterephile. Most of them never did serious listening of the actual components recommended.

Why I bothered to listen to it and bought it? It started long time ago, my friend had one, A2 model, while I had Nytech CA252 (both are still in operation). Although I preferred my Nytech due to PRAT, MF had better control and was slightly smoother. Then I listened few years back MF3.2 integrated with Monitor Audio speakers and liked presentation equipment offered. When I needed to make changes to my system, MF PreCD and power amp were attractively priced (read were on significant reduction due to being replaced with newer models), I decided to listen to them. After listening the combo in Saturday Audio Exchange in Chicago several times I jumped in.

So what I like about A3.2.CR power amp:

It is dead quiet, have ample power for most applications, it is neutral if associated with like, bass is tight, top extended, midrange does not jumps out or gets recessed. Although not Naim in respect to PRAT, it is not boring amplifier, i.e. it can boogie and pass essence of the music quite right.

In comparison, Plinius 8100/8200 were the most boring lifeless emotion stripped amps I ever had any of my systems. (do not flame please, it is IMHO). Naim Nait 3 had somewhat more PRAT, but lacked detail and refinement and..., well read review to the end.

Also, in comparison, Rogue 90 does not possess such bass control. Sound of A3.2CR and Monarchy Audio 70Pro pair was close (single ended mode) with MF being slightly smother, and 70Pro slightly punchier bass, but differences were very small.
Than, Cary Sixpacs (stock tubes) lacked balance overall, while Rocket R was more on the pleasant and slightly slower side but great imaging.

So, what really differentiated MF3.2CR from the rest, than. Well, none of the amps I had chance to get my hands on presented depth, width, and height of the soundstage as MF3.2 did. Even Plinius mentioned or Rogue 90 that I use now (review will follow, I hope) were lagging behind. With right associated components, soundstage could get enormous, but still location of each instrument would be well defined.

What I think it lacks?

I wish that it has clean but silky top end of the good tube amps and good (and more expensive) SS gear, i.e. Pass.
I wish that it has that liquid quality of the midrange provided by tube gear.
I wish that it has PRAT as Naim.
I wish that it has bass slam of better Krells.
Unfortunately it was available in silver only, I like black amps.

There is one thing that all SS amps (I had chance to hear) had that tube amps don't, and it isn’t good one. They all sound `grey`. I became aware of that "quality" of SS amps after spending few moths with tube amps.

So overall conclusion is that it is very good, well balanced, amp that does lot of things right, does not do anything obviously wrong, and excels in couple of things.

If you look at the "shortcomings" I noted and if you find one amp in its price range that does all A3.2CR does plus improves to any of the shortcomings listed, please let me know, I want it.

On the used market they go relatively cheap probably due to bad stigma, and influx of new models.


Product Weakness: see above
Product Strengths: see above


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: see above
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): MF CD24Pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable): VPI HW19MKIII
Speakers: Eminent Technology LFT-VIIIA
Cables/Interconnects: Straightwire Maestro/Harmonic Technology Truth Link/Analysis Plus Oval 9...
Music Used (Genre/Selections): See my Eminent Technology LFT-VIIIA review
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 15 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2+ years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): n/a
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): see above




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Sonic Craft  



Topic - REVIEW: Musical Fidelity A3.2CR Amplifier (SS) - Stale 09:16:59 11/10/07 ( 2)