Price Paid:  $799.00 from Sevenoaks Hifi

Summary:
Decided in the summer to upgrade my entire system and after demo-ing several amps from Rotel, Arcam, Nad and Primare, in the £500-£800 price band, I eventually settled on the MF X-150. The first thing I noticed about it was just how tight it made everything sound. The detail is simply superb, instruments sound crisp and clear, and vocals are simply stunning. My main source is a Rega P3 turntable, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the phonostage on the X-150. Overall, its a superb amp, with superb definition and musicality, which has handled everything I've chucked at it, from Baroque classical to bleeding edge Japanese Techno, with aplomb.

Strengths:
Handles just about every style of music going, great phono stage, superb detail and clarity. Vocals sound amazing. Lots of power ensures it can drive just about any speakers.

Weaknesses:
None at this price.

Price Paid:  $1000.00

Summary:
Listen to this seriously. The two best amplifiers that have outstanding value per money are: Solid State = Musical Fidelity X-150 (its a Dual Mono integr.) and Tube = Primaluna Prologue One or Two.

MF will give you such control and detail (out-of-this-category detail when combined with MF's X-RAY and X-10 and a very good interconnect(s), you may think it costs 5000$+) plus represents real-life qualities and air. Slightly bright and smooth (something that makes me very happy) tonaly correct, - I found the balance made in heaven. Also it is so quick and balanced that sometimes Im thinking that someone is playing piano and violin in my room in front of me. Dont forget this amp can carry the name of a high-end product and needs very good speakers to justify the qualities.

Strengths:
Fast, open soundstage, outstanding value for money, detail of much more expensive amps. Add control, look and dynamic gifts. Add smoothness and air presentation. It doesn't sound thin or lean (thats very good!). Very delicate.
Likes all kinds of music.

Weaknesses:
You cannot turn it off. At this price it is by far the best... so where is the fair competition (heh) ?

Similar Products Used:
There are no similar products at this price category. Ask me for products over 2000-2500$-.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from -

Summary:
The best amplifier for the money - by far. Exceptional qualities found in 4x more expencive amps. Right sounding. A killer. Can drive difficult speakers. Not lean. Smooth and very clear, very detailed, top of the class dynamics, huge soundstage. Can satisfy many musical tastes.

Strengths:
Perfect balance , charming, beautiful sound, very fast, dynamic, best of the class. Best buy 2005 by far. Can't get any better.

Weaknesses:
You cannot turn this amp off. Also you will stay longer at home. You wont sleep at nights. Your ears will be tuned to this system and ...anything else at this price point will not give you any joy compared with this system.

Price Paid:  $900.00 from local store

Summary:
First of all we are talking for an entry-level high-end amplifier that sounds like a good high-end amplifier.
I combine it with X-ray v3 CD player and X-10 tube output for the X-ray v3 CD.

This amplifier is capable to produce very large dynamic scales with control, clarity and sound of machines costing at least twice the price. It can compete a very large number of high-end amplifiers until we reach the price point of 2300-2400 Euros.
Its an awesome musical performer and combined with the X-ray v3 and X-10 you may find yourself with the mouth always open and never need to look something else.
Musical Fidelity build up a charismatic combo that surpasses all other combos Ive ever heard including Cyrus. Simply it is more musical and sounds more realistic and natural than anything costing about 3000-4000 Euro as a combo (CD+Amp).
Comparing with A3 machines I found it a little forward. Many reviewers talking for the A3's sound as a very laid-back sound. I found X-combos placing the whole scene slightly forward - what I always wanted if I have to choose between slightly laid-back and forward sounding. Also with the X-10v3 the soundstage became huge and adds the depth of a mamooth for the category.
My suggestion: Dont look any further for the money. Musical Fidelity is at the very top of a high-end , mid-priced production combo.

(As always let the combo run for about 100 hours and then listen to it, plus I found Kimber SilverStreaks the best interconnect for this system, cream sounding)

Strengths:
Dynamics, realistic organ reproduction, details of systems costing a lot more, creamy. It brings so much detail and musical enjoyment that you will listen to all of your cds like you never heared them before. Add the fantastic look and the weighty sound and excellent soundstage. It adds lush to music. Speed and transients from another price category. A king.

Weaknesses:
If I can name any, it will be that you will run very-very soon and buy the X-DAC, the X-Ray v3 (if you dont have it, a fantastic player) , the X-DAC, the X-10 and the X-PSU for sure.

Similar Products Used:
Many. Many of them are for 3 or 4 stars but this one for 5 including the look and the musicality,