Price Paid:  $1400.00 from Used at Audiogon

Summary:
Its incredible that a solid state player like this has such a lush warm and detailed analog sound. Bass, Midrange, and Treble are to die for. I personally like this player overall better than the new A5.

I bought an A5 and compared it at home to this A308CR player but took it back. No improvement in sound at all that I could see. The Rotel 1072 sounded harsh and grainy in comparison.

Strengths:
Out of this world Bass, Midrange, and Treble.

Very lush in the midrange with analog like sound. The treble is very detailed without a hint of harshness. Bass is accurate and authoratative. The Soundstage is wide and almost 3 dimensional. This player is basically a Nu-Vista 3D CD Player without the tubes. Not all that much difference compared to what most audiophiles say is one of the best CD players ever made.

Build Quality. Choke regulated circuitry and jammed full of expensive electronics left out of the newer Musical Fidelity Units.

Heavy and built like a tank.

Designed and made in England only a few years ago but iin a way thats not done much anymore.

Expensive but a great bargain for what you are getting, extreme fideltiy and high quality.

Weaknesses:
I found the drawer mechanism reliable and solid. Never a problem.

It is a little large and has that austere British look to it. Nothing austere about the sound or what is inside though.

Similar Products Used:
Musical Fidelity A5, Rotel 1072.

Price Paid:  $2000.00 from Upscale Audio

Summary:
I will make "no bones" about this CD player. It is fantastic! I use it with other Musical Fidelity equipment; A308 Integrated Amp, Tube Buffer between them. My first high end CD player was the original Rega Planet and I adored it for it's musicallity and pitch definition. Tried to upgrade, but was always let down, because the CD players didn't get the music right. The A308 not only get's the music right, but adds so much more low level resolution. If your source material is Red Book CD only this player is a must!

Strengths:
Build Quality

Low Level Resolution

Dynamics in "spades"

Weaknesses:
CD drawer and remote.

Similar Products Used:
Rega Planet
Rega Planet 2000
Auditioned many high end brands before choosing the A308.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 from www.Audigon.com

Summary:
I have been searching for quite a while for a good Redbook Cd Player and the search has ended here with the Musical Fidelity A308Cr.I have owned very good Cd players in the past for example,Denon DCD-1650 AR Rotel RCD-991AE Audiophile Edition, Rotel RCD-1070,1072 , Kavent CD931 Sony SCD-XA9000ES, Sony SCD-XA 777ES and many others with good results but I felt there was still something missing. Then I read about the Musical Fidelity line.I decided to purchase a unit (solid state) without having to go into tubes. That's when I decided to give this unit a try. Musical Fidelity A308Cr Cd Player is an Outstanding piece of equipment. I have to agree with the prevoius reviews on this unit. When you go back and start listening to your Cds you will hear things you never thought they were there. The sound coming out of this unit is Clear, Transparent, Detailed with a Terrific Sounstage.The bass is extended yet not boomy. It has one of the best Low level Resolution I have ever heard in a Cd Player in a while.When this Cd Player is Connected to a High End System with a High level pair of Interconnects( I used Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference ll) and you play your Cds you will hear sounds you never knew were there regardless how many times you have listened to your Cds before.It will take me a while to listened again to my whole Cd collection but it will be worth it. I know I will enjoy it very much.This Cd Player is that Good!! Better said this Cd Player is Outstanding!! If you can put aside the not so high end drawer mechanism you have an Audiphole Quality Cd player that will be in your system for quiet some time. It will be in mine for sure.If you are looking for a wonderful redbook Cd player give this player a try.I am pretty sure you will not be disappointed
It's really that Excellent!!

Strengths:
Beautiful Built Unit,Excellent Clear, Transparent and very detailed Sound. Oustanding Soundstage.It will take your Redbook cd Collection to a Higher level.

Weaknesses:
MF could have invested in a more high end Disc Drawer mechanism but this does not affect the sound in any way!!

Similar Products Used:
Rotel RCD-991Ae Audiophile Edition
Rotel RCD-1070
Rotel RCD-1072
Marantz 8260 SACD/CD Player
Denon DCD-1650AR
Sony SCD-XA9000ES
Sony SCD-XA777ES

My System Consists Of:

Parasound Halo C2 Processor
Parasound Halo A21 Stereo Amplifier
Parasound Halo A51 5 Channel Amplifier
Sony SCD-XA777ES SA/Cd Player
Musical Fidelity A308CR CD Player
Definitive Technology BP2000TL Mains
Definitive Technology CLR3000 Center
Definitive Technology BPBX (4) Surrounds
Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference ll Interconnects
Harmonic Technology ProSilway ll Interconects
Harmonic Technology Truth-Link Interconnects
Acoustic Zen Hologram ll Speaker Cables.
PS Audio Prelude Power cables
Monster HTS 5100 Power Conditioner

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Paradyme Audio

Summary:
I think I am an audiophile on an enthusiast's budget. This is as close as I will probably get to esoteric gear. The A308CR is built like high end gear but with some compromises to maximize cost benefits. The first place where I noticed trade offs was the CD tray; It feels a little flimsy relative to some of the other highend CDPs. Money was spent on the internal circuits and the case work. The chasis is ridiculously heavy for a CDP. The A308CR weighs in just shy of 40lbs. That's power-amp territory. In comparison, the A3.2CDP weighs roughly a third of the A308CR at 13lbs. Tray aside, the unit is very substantial. The bulk suggests its a serious piece of audio gear.
Sonically, the A308CR leans towards the the rich and warm side. It produces a full bodied sound with good weight in the lower octaves. Sounstaging is rather impressive; Imaging is what you would expect from gear in this category. I would characterize its pace and timing as being more laid back. Its very smooth and refine. At times, it can be too refine leaving me wanting a tad more edge on some music. The plus side is that it's very forgiving of bad recordings. Overall the sound is addictive and that's what matters most for me.

Setup:
Electrocompaniet ECI-3 Integrated
Rotel RCD1070 CDP
and now the MF A308CR CDP
Triangle Celius 202
Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling interconnects

Strengths:
Excellent build quality. Smooth and refine. Soundstages with the best of them. Truly high end gear without breaking the bank.

Weaknesses:
CD tray on the budget side.

Similar Products Used:
Electrocompaniet EMC-1

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I’m not going to give one of those ridiculous high falutin reviews, full of pompous and pretentious rubbish, about how ‘one can almost sense the romantic intentions of the violin player for the flutist opposite him’ – And I’m not giving an in depth technical break down of each and every electronic measurement. What I’ll tell you is my experience owning and using this CD player.

From the very first time you see it you are mesmerised by it’s sheer size, probably twice the size of most normal budget to mid priced players. And the weight, oh the weight – 18kg. Well that will see off any unwanted vibrations. Build quality is super with the exception of the CD draw, which in my opinion is no way near a high enough standard to be used in a player of this class or price. In fact the Sony transport may well be very good technically, but when you press the ‘open’ button one is greeted with a wobbly thin plastic tray, identical to any cheap and cheerful machine – strange choice.

Sound quality is what counts and in this department it just knocks you off your chair from the start! I’m hearing so many new sounds on CDs I’ve owned for years, and played hundreds of times before. The sound is so clean and focused, you can forget after a while that the machine is between you and the artist, it really is that good.

Is it worth the money? Well that is an impossible question to answer, I for one can never see a time (at least not in the next twenty years) for me to upgrade it. My system is now as good as I need, and really enjoy listening to it. So for me it was worth every penny. For years I’ve been chopping and changing, never quite getting the right sound. Of course there are better players out there, but I doubt they are much better.

Strengths:
Build: Looks: Sound, Sound and sound quality - did I mention the sound quality?

Weaknesses:
Cheap & nasty cd draw mech. Dispaly a little bright.

Similar Products Used:
Arcam
Sony
Denon
cambridge audio
Quad