Sweet high end

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Out of the box this unit looks impressive, photos do not do this amp justice. It took a month of regular listening to break this amp in. Initially there was very little difference between this amp and my Marantz MA700's which I had been using for 2.5 years. The MA700's are a very good value, provide good sound and are rated highly on this site.

Slow but sure this amp really came to life over the first month of use. Lots of air and can crank this amp very loud without any of the harsh high end. I can listen to Rock at high volume levels for extended periods without fatiuge. What a joy, never been able to do this before with my system.

This amp is coasting with my speakers (Infinity Overature 3's which are very high efficency to begin with). These speakers are very revealing, if there is hash on the high end of your audio signal you are going to hear every bit of it. Teamed up with the A3CR the sound is smooth, smooth, smooth with lots of detail.

I highly recommed giving this amp a try if you are looking. Purchased this unit and other items through Audio Advisor over the past couple of years and can not say enough good things about their return policy and great service. Recently purchased an amp stand which was missing four 6mm nuts. I figured they would never be able to replace such a minor item in a reasonable period of time? Called customer service and they sent out the nuts UPS overnight!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz MA700

Looks.

No Dynamics when controlling difficult loads.

Straight to the point. With High efficiency speakers and if your listening biases toward the polite to background this is probably OK. But, If reality (As in dynamic extremes both loud and soft) are more toward your cup of tea then, keep looking. Tonal balance is tilted up from midbass up to about (this is approximate)around 2-5k which gives the sound a forward presentation but does not mask a lack of extension into the extremes. I've seen reviews like this elsewhere (curiously though, not here)and wonder if there is a conspiracy of like minded salespeople. After all most of them CAN type. TESTING. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ONE TWO THREE. I would give this product two stars except that the resolutionless star system only has one rating tracking with customer dissatisfaction. The rest are of the arm twisting, well I'm happy if you don't give me a third alternative between swell and sucks variety. And yes, the pawn shop gave me my money back. I bought a restored Phase Linear 400. Pretty sweet. Amp technology is pretty mature after all isn't it?

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Sunfire Signature, Mac MC 1000, Krell KSA-250's, and a Jolida for front Surrounds :)(all with Martin-Logan Requests)

Tube like but with power. Smooth frequency response. Comparable with much pricey amp.

Stupid binding post. Need to use adaptor with my current speaker with spade termination.

Go and listen to it yourself. It will not disappoint you if you like neutral, powerful and yet affordable amp. You will be amazed at how much more distinct instruments that you will hear from this amp from your existing CDs.

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson. McCormack.

I meant to give the product 5 stars for overall.

sorry

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CJ MF2100

Tube like sound with extented highs and lows, the sound has a clear presence without veils, screaming deal

I really like the A3cr. It has a beautiful tone, is crystal clear, has enough power for excellent dynamics and the soundstage is all the way to the front wall.

I run bi-wired Analysis Plus Oval 9's to Maggie 1.6's with DIY Hovland/Alpha-Core crossovers. My front end is a Lyra Helikon on a Morch DP-6 on a Linn LP-12/Cirkus/Origin Live DC motor/Heavyweight transformer with a Lehmann Black Cube.
I use both MF A3cr pre and power amps and everything is pluged into a PS Audio P600 with multi-wave. IC's are Analysis Plus copper ovals.

What a joy to listen to. The sound is simply stunning. On a good record it sounds like the performance is taking place in my living room.

The binding posts are different but they work well for me. I can bi-wire with 9 gage bare wire, one on each side of the post. The post is made to take banana plugs, just remove the plastic plug in the center.

Someone below said that the A3cr's don't rock. The amp is fast, dynamic with plenty of power and great bass. Belive me, they rock.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston B-60R, Musical Fidelity A300

Clarity, transparency, very good dynamics, no listener fatigue, best amp I've ever heard.

Not really. Maybe build quality could be better.

I need to amend my previous review. I was concerned about this fine amp being underpowered.

Well, after another week of break in, the strain I heard before on orchestral climaxes is gone. It is still not a muscle amp like the 4BST, but if you don't need absolute deafening loudness, this should do it for you. Of course, there is the capablity of biamping with it if your speakers allow it and you must have that extra 3db headroom.

I've been listening to audio components for over 40 years (what a geezer!). This is the best power amp I've ever heard. If this doesn't become a classic and put Musical Fidelty on the map as a high end company, I'll be surprised.

Sorry about overweighting the average. I feel it is important that people get the whole story. Next time, I'll wait a few months before posting. It's that break in period that makes a difference.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 4B ST

Excellent sound quality. Very Neutral. Extremely Powerful. Looks great. A true bargain at the price.

none.

I bought the A3CR to bi-amp my speakers with the excellent A300 integrated amplifier. The A300 on its own sounded excellent but with A3CR handling the mid/bass and A300 on treble I am in hi-fi heaven. I really can't fault the combination in any sense. Someone summed up the A3CR in one review perfectly when they said that it was one of the best (if not the best) power amplifier available at any price.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity A300 Integrated amp. Also tried pre power combinations up to £4000 from a variety of manufacturers at my hi-fi dealers shop.

Cost no object sound

Not bridgeable, Un-called for, out of the ordinary binding posts that makes you reconfigure your cable ends.

I would just like to say, this is a power amp that could satisfy anyone. That is, unless you do not know or want to hear what is accurate of the recording. It plays any music exceptionally well. It mates well with any speaker/electronics. I am not the "Grand Wizard" of audio, but I know when something is special. " this piece is very special piece of gear". This is also the first product I have ever felt strong enough about to post my opinion on. Thanks, Chuck

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none

Clear, deep, bright, smooth... it just sounds like music

must be warmed 20 min to sound its best

This amp is more then anyone has a right to expect for $1400. Great power supply, dead silent, deep sound stage, beautiful mids on up. Keep in mind that it is 120 watts not 1000 and you will be happy with the bass output (when warmed). Thank you Musical Fidelity

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Arcam FMJ P25, Classe CA 150

Price, Size/Weight, harmonic clarity, stunning dynanamic range

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After reading the many great reviews on this power amplifier, I decided to purchase one on a 30 day trial from Audio Advisor. I currently own a Mark Levinson 336 amplifier, which I have been very pleased with during the last 8 months. When I listened to the A3 CR for the first time, I could not believe my ears. Everything seemed clearer and more refined. I heard instruments that I did not hear before. Keep in mind the the ML 336 is a $10,000 amplifier that weighs close to 150 pounds. The presentation and sound coming from the A3 CR is amazingly clear and refined. I continually switched back and forth comparing the two amps and I was amazed that the ML did not clearly beat the A3 CR. If you are looking for a high quality, great sounding amplifier, I would recommend you try the A3 CR. I am still amazed that this amplifier outperformed (to my ears) or at least matched the performance of the highly praised and priced ML 336.

Other components:

-Proceed AVP Pre-amp
-Proceed PMDT CD/DVD Transport
-Thiel CS 2.3
-Cardas Golden Reference Cables

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson 336