£2500 to £4000 when modified

needs modifiying

the E624 IS A MUSICAL FIDELITY A3 ring musical fidelity they do not deny this. they will confirm. one guy said they had diffrent transports sorry mate you must have had the E60 not E624 i have lots of players from musical fielity belive me they are the same transformers as well ,if you want to modify the E624 or the A3 they sound better than any cd player i have heard regardless of price lots of detail bigger sound stage and lots clarity with out sounding bright or brittle

Similar Products Used:

naim meridian

Look

Soundstage, lack of deep bass, agressive

I like a lot its look, piano black. But the sound is so-so. Lack of low bass, confused soundstage, "details" are actually due to distortion. In a more positive note, many CD-players under $1000 don't do better, and the sound is undistinguishable from the M.F. A3CD (I defy anybody to detect a difference in a blind test).

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, NAD, MSB, Muse, CAL, Adcom, Perreaux

ability to make music enjoyable. Dynamics and quite forgiving to 'bad' recordings. On my Wadia, it can be so revealing that I couldn't even sit down to enjoy a good piece of music on some bad recording. With the E624, it's like rediscovering my CD collection again.

Could do with a wider and deeper soundstage. Low floor noise.

Quite an accomplished CD player. I auditioned quite a number of players before deciding on this 2nd hand unit. Given that I am a vinyl guy, the attributes that I am looking for in a digital source is obvious. And the E624 really takes that cake. The amount of passion and emotion from this machine cannot be underestimated. In fact, I used to own a Wadia 301 (which I unwillingly had to let go). I agree in many areas, the E624 cannot be compared to a Wadia (soundstage, pin-point accuracy, low noise, etc...etc). But somehow, the holistic approach of the E624 match the Wadia in terms of making music enjoyable.

everything

none that i've noticed

i'd like to share my experience with the musical fidelity elektra e624 24-bit cd player...here's the rundown of equipment used: cd player: MF Elektra E624 amplifier: circa-1967 lafayette 236 integrated tube amplifer - 17wpc/el84 tubes interconnects: eichmann express 4 cables speaker cables: eichmann express speaker cables - purple color speakers: klipsch sb-2 bookshelf CDs used: eva cassidy, jheena lodwick, carole king carnegie concert, sarah vaughan sings the beatles, minnie ripperton's loving you, sergio mendes albums, keiko lee, michael buble, jodie brooke wilson honestly, when i first played "what a wonderful world" by eva cassidy, i was in awe, tears rolled down my eyes (emotional po ako talaga, huhuhu! )...to my ears, it's near perfection (remember, i'm not audiophile but an audio enthusiast only, my set-up is just "basic") 'twas an absolutely awesome experience...so that's why micob tacastacas doesn't really wanna let go of this "baby" - but thanks to the opera consonance 2.2 - micob declared that his marriage with ms. elektra is null and void here are some considerations: 1) eichmann ICs out-of-the-box, 2) eichmann speaker wires - less than 30-hours used, 3) speakers - less than 50-hours used, 4) amp was warm enough (about 1-hour)... with my old CD player (HD750 and MF X10-D combo - actually this is a good entry level combo!!), i remember noticing the brightness...which sometimes, at high volume, is not anymore ear-friendly...this superb CD player trims down the highs, extends the mids (which i like) and refines the bass (yum-yum!)...nico or architectural audio was right, the eichmann cables (both ICs and speakers) are on the neutral side (which i like! :lol: )...very noticable is the ear-friendly high pitch...the "forwardness" which i also noticed before suddenly disappeared...i can also hear certain instruments/sounds that before were very soft (or even non-existent)...A BEST BUY INDEED! i'm just a newbie in this hobby but i have learned so much - especially in appreciating true music - one that heals the body and the soul...i'm the person who simply wants to listen to jazz and r&b music...that's why i like those high-sensitivity, high-efficient speakers... this is really a superb invention...praise to you, musical fidelity!!! i'm beginning to like this hobby...at least, when i get married and have kids, my wife and children will always say that "my dad's always home"...hehehehe!" gotta go back to my music room...will listen all through the night...will post additional observations, mindbloggers and goose-bumpers...it's indeed orgasmically gratifying (whew!) thanks to all!

Still the only all-round and musical cd-player in its price range.

Not a weakness, but the more expensive A3 brings results even further.

Actually the E624 and A3 obviously sound different from each other. The A3 sounds smoother and more refined, even more analogue, then the E624. Soundstage goes wider and I hear details with the A3 (which I own for 3 months now), that I couldn't notice with the E624 (which I owned for 2 happy listening years). I also had the lids lifted at the same time and there are quite a few differences to notice. The transport in the A3 is of another version, and looks better consctructed, and the tranformer has clearly better windings. The print lay-outs (including the DAC) contain different (e.g. opamps) and even more parts in case of the A3. The innards look better, and certainly in a bigger system the A3 sounds better too. The E624 however is as great as described by everyone here, and easily still the most musical and enjoyable player in its price range. I rated each of the two reviewers that I correct here (the previous one and Paul below), 5 stars, because their other words are right.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz 63SE and KI.

Vinyl-like. Excellent soundstaging and imaging...solid bass. Very natural sounding. Vinyl lovers will love this machine!

Got to be kidding at this price!! Probably the only down-side is that I'm listening more to CD now than ever!

Smooth operator! Owned quite a few CD players in my time and this is probably..oops...not probably...IS the most enjoyable CD player I've ever owned. Before purchase, I actually had the opportunity to A/B with A3 CD and X-Ray. Frankly, I couldn't hear any difference between E624 and A3. And with the X-Ray, it's marginal. Therefore, the increased cost of owning the latter two is not justified (IMHO of course). Moreover, that these 3 CD players share the same DAC! I love the sound of E624 because it's so close to vinyl. Depth and wide soundstaging, excellent imaging, tight bass. Overall music presentation is an holistic approach. Yes...I still heard each individual instruments, but the emphasis here is the 'whole' and not just 'parts'. It is not the most forward-sounding of players, definitely not one which lets the music get in your face. This trait allows me to really sit back and let me concentrate on the music for hours ...more importantly without fatigue! Allows me to play loud without suffering the digital harshness. I've heard CD 10x the price that doesn't allow me to do that! On the downside...I'm beginning to neglect my LPs.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Arcam, Audio Refinement, YBA.

Detail retrieval, musicality

Nil

I freely confess to being a VINYL buff; my Gyrodeck / RB300 / Clearaudio Alpha will see off anything digital, but this is a CD player review, so I'll keep to the point.
I settled on this player by a roundabout route; previously I had a Marantz CD-63SE, which was good at the price.
Then I added a Musical Fidelity X-ACT DAC, which warmed and tamed the ragged edges beautifully - a really cost-effective upgrade.

However, I hankered for a sound closer to my beloved Vinyl, and auditioned several quality players, forming the following opinions:-
CD-17 similar to CD-63, coarse, grainy, expensive
CD-17 KIS smooth, controlled, unruffled
MF X-Ray airy, spacious, slightly brittle-a bit expensive
MF A3 as X-Ray, but not brittle

I bought an ex-dem CD-17 KIS for £699 (rrp = £1100), took it home and fell asleep within an hour.
Well, you might say this showed it to be free from fatiguing glare or harshness. In fact, it was just too smooth - like refined white bread, as distinct from wholemeal. All the music seemed to be there, and well presented. But it was all "over there".
I was gutted! In desperation I called in a small local dealer, who had only the (superseded) E624. When this was set up at home, alongside the KIS, even my wife could tell it was better - our feet started tapping, and even more detail appeared. The dealer left our place at 11pm, and we took the Marantz back the next day.
I had found a player which far more closely matched the Gyro sound, and which can easily be fine-tuned with interconnects. I plumped for the Nordost Solar Wind.

Now the E624, the X-Ray and the A3 all have exactly the same innards; the only difference is the casing. This has an effect on the sound, eg the X-Ray is a tad brighter but to my analog ears a tad brittle too.
The A3 and the E624 sound virtually identical, but the A3 at £800 has now superseded the £500 E624. I wonder why ???

So, if you want detail, air, space, pace and a bargain - find an E624 !!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD-17, CD-17 KI Signature, MF X-Ray, MF A3, Roksan Caspian.

detail, smooth transport

at this price?

First I have to say this is my second E-624. I sold the first one after having it for 2 years and replaced it with a Meridian. After I sold it I decided to upgrade my second system & wound up with a MF X-A1 integrated. At that moment I wished I hadn't sold my E-624. I stumbled upon this deck which I'd rate a 8.75/10 as the only blemish I could find was a little nick on one of the feet.

As for the sound, as soon as I put it in the system I could tell what I liked about this player. Great detail & improved bass response were the first things I noticed. I haven't had much of an opportunity to do any critical listening as I've only had it hooked up for a few hours, but I remember it as having a very good soundstage before & was able to listen for hours without fatigue.

There are very few products that I've owned & would want back in my system , as the process of upgrading is supposed to take you to a higher level of audio quality, so for me to buy this player says something. I also have to add that I practically stole this thing for $290.00, but I bought it from a dealer I've known & dealt with for over 20 years so he cuts me some slack when he's able.

Similar Products Used:

Mission PCM7000, Nakamichi MB2s, MF A3CD

Musicality, Bass, Soundstage, and Imaging.

MF products are not as easily available in the U.S. as I would like.

Purchased used for $400.00 based solely on the reviews at this site. Since it has arrived I have been comparing all my CDs and the 624 takes the cake. I am hearing new elements in some recordings that I never knew existed. The piano, violin, and flute seem to come alive as if I was in the front row at a live performance. I almost feel as if the singers are singing to me. This from a low-mid range cd player? I'm not about to complain.

My set-up:

Proceed AVP
Rotel-1095
Paradigm Ref Studio
Analysis Plus Oval 9 Bi-wire
Audio Quest Interconnects
Black Mamba AC all around

And I started out buying a HT setup, even with my new TV and DVD I am listening to music more than anything else.
If you have the opportunity to listen to one of these, let alone buy one, DON'T pass it up. You WILL be pleasantly surprised.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 971, Rotel 991, Cal Audio

Musical Fidelity E624 CD Player (X-Ray in a different box)
I stumbled upon this CDP somewhat by accident because I had originally intended to purchase the Rotel RCD 971 (which impressed me when I auditioned it earlier in the year). Yet, my Rotel dealer (being arrogant)refused to sell the RCD 971 to me with a 30-day return guarantee (in case the CDP did did not work out in my system). Since Audio Advisor (www.audioadvisor.com) did offer the Musical Fidelity E624 with a 30-day return guarantee, I decided to try the E624 instead of the Rotel RCD 971.

Five minutes after switching on the MF E624 (for the first time), I realized that I would never be returning it.

The MF E624 is a very, very, very, very sophisticated machine. It's build quality is just a bit better than the Rotel RCD 971 (which has a flimsy, hyperactive transport mechanism), but (in home-spun British tradition) still not the best, and not comparable to the build quality of an American audiophile CDP such as those by Krell for instance, or Conrad Johnson, or Resolution Audio. No excuses need be made for the way the MF E624 makes music. The player's exterior design and build after all are unimportant in comparison to its sound.

The E624 is an incredibly subtle sounding player. It lacks show-off or dramatic tendencies. At first switch on, it sounded...understated, but I recognized its excellence right away, by choosing as my first test disc, a disc of piano works by Robert Schumann that had previously sounded blurred and undistinguished when played over my B&W P4 speakers. Well...this time...the piano sounded well defined...the best it had ever sounded on the P4s. This was very promising.

I continued to explore classical works, and it became clear that the MF E624 was designed by a classically trained artist (Anthony Michaelson, the genius behind MF, plays the clarinet). Even though I was very tired, I just had to continue listening. I could not bring myself to switch off a disc, in order to try another one.

I really do not know how the MF E624 manages to sound so consistently involving. The player does not sound as loud as any of my other CDPs. At first, I kept wanting to turn the volume up. Yet, the E624 compensates for a lack of relative volume with greater absolute volume i.e. it picks up subtle details, low level details, and ambience extremely well. The MF E624 will not gloss over or obscure a single musical detail, but the musical whole does not fall apart as a result, due to the player's extraordinary musical coherence.

The E624 sounds super (I mean super) detailed and extended in the treble, BUT WITHOUT ANY HARSHNESS!

I usually cringe at certain points in certain classical works, when the massed strings hit those upper registers, because the B&W P4s usually sound harsh in those sections. While auditioning the MF E624, I heard the orchestra building up to one of those crescendos...I got ready to cover my ears...I knew it was coming...and then...yes...I heard the crescendo...but no harshness...I heard the same tremendous treble energy in the high strings...but no harshness. Previously, even my Jolida tube amp could not disguise this glare.

It is difficult to describe the sound of the E624, because it has no "sound." It lacks coloration of any kind, but it also lacks glare and harshness. The E624 "sounds" profoundly neutral. "Neutral" does not sound as exciting or glamorous as "euphonic" or "sweet." If you are searching for a "sweet" sounding player (as I was), the neutrality of the MF E624 may at first be off-putting, but that same "neutrality" results in fabulous transparency. Instead of placing itself between the source and the listener by "coloring" the sound, the E624 takes itself out of the way, so that you hear what is on the disc, nothing less and nothing more.

This transparency results in spectacular spatial coherence. Images are placed with pin-point accuracy within a super-wide, deep, believable soundstage. In fact, the MF E624 images so powerfully, that for the first time, I can honestly describe the imaging of my system as "holographic." I am amazed.

The MF E624 is the kind of CDP that is difficult to switch off (even to change the disc). When I finally got around to listening to a jazz disc, it dawned on me...what it was that I was hearing...the MF E624 sounded so "right"...so fantastically musical...so fantastically coherent...that it was as if the player (or rather, its designers) knew some fundamental secret to music reproduction (a secret shared with few other pieces of equipment, I might add).

To try and make this long story short, my system has never sounded so good. The MF E624 performs far beyond my wildest expectations. I was expecting subtle improvements at best. The MF E624 has taken my B&W P4 speakers, which had previously sounded intermittantly involving (with sharply defined likes and dislikes with regard to musical genre), and transformed them into consistently involving, musical all-rounders. This is far more of an improvement than I had dared wish for. Musical Fidelity deserves much praise for offering this fabulously musical CDP (an X-Ray in a different box) at such a reasonable price. It is as if the designers, in the twillight of the CD era, wanted CD to go out with a bang! I cannot tell you how they do it or what special technologies (if any) that Musical Fidelity employ in the E624, but I can verify that the Musical Fidelity E624 is one hell of a competitive CD player!

Build Quality ***1/2

Treble Finesse *****

Bass Weight, Rhythm, & Slam *****

Mid-range Accuracy *****

Timing *****

Imaging *****

Soundstaging *****

Fidelity *****

Value *****