Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Magnum Dynalab MD-308 Integrated Amplifier (SS) by mitsu4321@yahoo.com

Model:	MD-308
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2350.
Description:	Integrated high definition amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Magnum Dynalab
Model Picture:	View

Review by mitsu4321@yahoo.com ( A ) on April 07, 2004 at 21:03:23
IP Address: 66.156.226.183

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for the MD-308

The MD-308 integrated amplifier is a I5 LE (SimAudio) Moon based integrated amplifier. I have had it for a number of months. MagnumDyanlab has modified and upgraded this model, renamed it the MD-308, and restyled the face to mate to their design theme.
What is intriguing about this integrated amplifier is that it offers more in the Magnum configuration than the I5 LE Moon configuration and with more power. Yet, it costs considerably less than the deluxe LE. Once in a while, the market presents a real solid buy with a free bonus.
The 308 offers full features but no phono stage. It is totally intuitive in operation, and fully matches the Magnum classic appearance. The LED window shows the input channel selected and then defaults to show volume setting. The remote is made from milled aluminum stock and weighs a ton. It is indicative of the quality and manufacturer's integrity. You see a remote like this only with $15,000. plus equipment.
The MD-308 amp produces 100 watts per channel @ 8 ohms and is a high current design. It will drive most speakers very well.
The 308 is very quiet, almost black. The sound is highly detailed, rich, and vey musical. It provides a palpable sense of musical reality. Instruments sound correct and voices sound alive. This amp does not strain. It provides immediacy, excellent attack, and almost tactile sense of texture to the presentation. The preamp/amp really does deliver a liquid, silky smooth almost tube like presentation. This is an amp to listen to music with, and just forget about the equipment. It easily matches the sound of amps costing three times as much. I love it.

Product Weakness: None that I have found.
Product Strengths: High sonic quality, solid construction, convenience, size, great value, attractive packaging, great remote.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	MD-308
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	MD-308
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon 2900
Speakers:	Ambience 1700
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost Red Dawn
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, rock, classic rock, pop
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	standard room with carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None that I have found.
Product Strengths:	High sonic quality, solid construction, convenience, size, great value, attractive packaging, great remote.