Digital Drive: REVIEW: Musical Fidelity A3 24 DAC Processors by E-Static

Model:	A3 24
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	HK$16,000
Description:	24 Bit 96/192K Hz DAC
Manufacturer URL:	Musical Fidelity
Manufacturer URL:	Musical Fidelity

Review by E-Static on December 19, 2002 at 08:05:02
IP Address: 212.157.192.124

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for the A3 24

I puchased the M-F A3/24 DAC in November 2002. I tried a numbr of CD players with the thanks of my local Audio Shop (Hampshire Audio, Winchester UK) including the new Meridian 507, M-F 3.2CD, ARCAM Diva CD92.
I liked the Meridian 507 and M-F 3.2CD and was close to purchase when I read the stereophile and Gramaphone reviews of the CD/24. My dealer got one in and alllowed me to try at home. It was a revelation compared to anything else I had heard at this price bracket and 2 or 3 times above! Every member in the family noticed improvements in ALL areas of music representation. Speed, Tranisient attack, Rythm, Coherence, Recovery of Detail, Bass, Voice articulation. CD after CD was put to the test from Nora Jones to The Doves to Orchestra Baobab to Cold Play to Antonio Forcioni to Flaming Lips to Jack Johnston. A stunning transformation of my stereo system and improvement to our listening pleasure. It is the 1st time ever I have doubted the superiority of my Analog front end to Digital. At £799 in the UK it is an absolute bargin. LONG LIVE CD !!
My system for the techo's:
I am usng my Marantz CD63KI as a transport, Trichord Research Pulse Wire digital interconnect,A3/24 DAC, Chord Chameleon interconnects, Cayin AS-8i valve integrated (running in triode mode), TCI Cobra (biwire) speaker cables into Cadence Amaya hybrid electrostatics. Analog front end is Rega P25/RB600/Exact into HI-FI world PhonoII valve phonostage(built and modified by me with AudioNote/Hoveland caps).
All of this is sitting on a custom (built by me) Equipment stand using 1/2" steel plate, timber, 1" thick marble slab + air suspension.
Next (Final) upgrade (for around £200) is the Tricord Research Digital Output module to convert the CD63 into a Top line CD Transport.

Product Weakness: None. Could sound a little bright perhaps with some transistor amps (only guessing) but a match made in heaven with valves.
Product Strengths: Price, Audio Quality (same design as Nuvistor without Nuvistors), Build Quality (weighs in at 10KG with Choke reg PS).

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cayin AS-8i Valve Integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz CD63 KI as transport
Speakers:	Cadence Amaya II Electrostatic Hybrid
Cables/Interconnects:	Trichord Research Pulse Wire Digital Interconnect
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Nora Jones,The Doves, Orchestra Baobab, Cold Play,Antonio Forcioni, Flaming Lips, Jack Johnston
Room Size (LxWxH):	26 x 15 x 20
Room Comments/Treatments:	Open style Loft apartment - L Shaped total volume 7500cuft
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None. Could sound a little bright perhaps with some transistor amps (only guessing) but a match made in heaven with valves.
Product Strengths:	Price, Audio Quality (same design as Nuvistor without Nuvistors), Build Quality (weighs in at 10KG with Choke reg PS).