Digital Drive: REVIEW: Musical Fidelity Nu-vista 3D CD Player/Recorder by RandyB&W

Model:	Nu-vista 3D
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	4500$
Description:	Choke regulated, upsampled Compact Disc Player
Manufacturer URL:	Musical Fidelity
Model Picture:	View

Review by RandyB&W ( A ) on June 20, 2002 at 19:33:03
IP Address: 165.247.42.229

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for the Nu-vista 3D

This is an AMAZING piece of gear. I went through several players before "stumbling" upon the MF ... I had tried Rotel (RCD 961), Electrocompaniet (EC-1), Arcam (FMJ), Meridian (508.24), Wadia (860), BAT (D5SE) and Cary (303/100 and 303/200). All good machines, except for the Cary (loved the sound, hated the quality control, notwithstanding Abe Collins' recent photos of the 306/200).
Since I was very, very pleased with my MF A3cr preamp and A300cr power amp (225 wpc), I thought I'd go with the 3D CD to get that "system synergy" I've heard spoken of so often. WELL, let me tell you, I got that and a whole lot more.
I'm not gonna get into all the trite descriptions about air, soundstage, analogue sound, bass extension, gorgeous mids and highs, low level detail, transparency, etc. It's all there in spades and then some. I will say that the 3D CD has a presence and a sense of rightness about it which is indescribable ... you just know it when you hear it. It's built like a tank, no make that TWO tanks. It did sound marvelous out of the box, but break-in has revealed even better sound. Musical Fidelity says it'll take about 250 hours to really hear everything this baby is capable of.
To paraphrase Michael Fremer, I don't know whether it's the nuvistor tubes, the upsampling, the rock solid power supply, the choke regulation, the dual mono nature of the unit, or all of the above. All I know is that I just LOVE sitting and listening for hours without fatigue and with a smile on my face a mile wide.

Product Weakness: NONE
Product Strengths: See review.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A300cr
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Musical Fidelity A3cr
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Nakamichi DR-8 Cassette Deck
Speakers:	B&W Nautilus 804 on Sound Anchors Stands
Cables/Interconnects:	Coincident CST-1 Speaker/Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Silver ICs (CD to Pre/Pre to Power)/DH Labs Air Matrix (Tape Deck)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio HC Ultimate Outlet/PS Audio Juice Bar/Harmonic Tech Pro AC-11 Power Cords
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner