Moderate in every range. No emphasize in specific end.

same as strongness. Sometimes I wish it can be a little bit more like "tube amplifier".

ML 331 does not like tube amplifer that give you a more "romantic" sound. But I think it is much better in tonal control. If you would like to get a little bit "tube like" sound, try ARC preamp. You can not complain for the price ML 331 is asking for. I purchased it when US$ exchange rate is low. The new one (334~336) seems to have worse construction quality and to own them you will have to pay top dollars (especially in Asia region like Taiwan).

Some ML users in Taiwan mentioned Philips capacitors in 33X series are no good that amplifier pull out a big surge to speakers. It never happens to me but I do have friend faced this situation. If Madrigal's willing to correct this problem for free (I think they should), I will recommend this series to everybody without any reserve.

My system:

SONY CDP XA 50ES
ARC LS 15
ML 331
Thiel CS3.6 (excellent speakers)

NBS Stingher (RCA), Audioquest Ruby (XLR), MIT Terminator 2.

But let me remind you that if you are using a pair of hard-to-drive speakers or you have a very large listening room, try it before you decide. I do not think its driving force can be compared to ML 20.

Similar Products Used:

Pass aleph3, Copland 401 (integrated amplifier)

BASS. SOUNDSTAGING.SMOOOOOOTH

TOP END AIR AND A LITTLE DRY

NICE AMP LIKE I PUT. AIR & A LITTLE DRY.

Similar Products Used:

CARY SLM100 ARC VT100 MARK 1 & A MARK 2 KRELLSS

nice amps

no only the music from this

but this amp sux big times in music

Similar Products Used:

BAT VK-200,BAT vk-500,Treshold SA/2 monoblokke,ML23,5,ML2,5

This amp has the power and the finesse. Musical without being warm. Delightful and lively without being bright. It's everything an amp should be.

Great timbral accuracy, soundstage, and bass reproduction.

Best amp I've ever heard when it comes to reproducing concern hall timbral sounds, bass, soundstaging, 3D effects in a sense, and overall natural sound reproduction. I used it exclusively for large orchestral classical music, with both electrostatic and traditional speakers. And Audible Allusions 3A preamp. Real power for mid-sensitive type speakers like Vandersteen and Quad speakers in particular.

Similar Products Used:

Quicksilver, OCM, and Conrad Johnson

the 331 is one of the best amps i ever heard! the whole 300 series is awesome give a listen and you will see what i mean

Wonderful transparency. Great bottom end. Match made in heaven when mated with Thiel speakers.

None so far. Maybe retail price.

Although this amp is now discontinued and replaced by the ML 334 (with slightly improved bottom end and soundstaging), the 331 can be purchased for very reasonable prices on the used market, making it a superb deal. Try to find one of the late (1997/1998) manufactured units with some time left on the warranty. While I auditioned several ML331s on a variety of speakers, I must admit that the synergy between the amp and individual speakers varies greatly. Certain combinations (I won't go into detail on the speakers to avoid cries of "dissing") just did not work well. Given how well the amp sounded with Thiel speakers (and a couple of others), I have to point the finger at speaker/amp synergy. Since I own Thiel CS3.6s, and had an opportunity to audition a 331 hooked to Thiel CS2.3s, I knew that I had found my amplifier. With my all Meridian front end and pre/pro, the ML 331 has found a long term home. Overall tremendous soundstaging and transparency, although, to be honest, some older CDs, while displaying that now familiar great mid range and bottom end, can sound a bit on the "edgy" side. This could also be attributed to the tendency of Meridian equipment to add that "digital sheen" to some source material and possibly, to the high end AQ cabling with silver conductors. As my system is a home theater, this edgy high end can sometimes be noticed on lesser quality DVD or LD Dolby Digital soundtracks. Overall, the ML331 has found a long-term home in my system. I can honestly say that this amp has been the single best upgrade that I have ever made to my system. Given the prices on the used market, you should at least audition one with your speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Carver, Mcinstosh

heavy, look solid & powerful

power, tonality is artificial,

I got this amp. used hoping to save money. I ended up spending more. After using it for a month, I kept trying to justify that this should sound good or at least worth the money of $2,500 used, just keeps on getting disappointed everytime I turned it on. I shoved it aside for more than 6 months until I have enough money to buy a new amp. I listened to the new 3-series, I also listened to the Krell FPB's, they all sounded heaven and hell compared to the 331 & 332, using the same set-up.
Take my advise friends, don't buy this amp. & 332. their a piece of junk!!! I lied to myself at first when I said they are good. Sell them while you still have the chance. Mine was repaired after storing it for 3 months, a friends 332 got the same problem. Should have gotten a used Krell KSA for that price!!!

Similar Products Used:

maybe the newer series is a better amp 334,335,336

too beautiful

no weakness

the best amplifier at its price range

Similar Products Used:

n/a