Conrad-Johnson MF2300A Amplifiers

Conrad-Johnson MF2300A Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

240 watts

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-6 of 6  
[Mar 27, 2012]
sroach22
AudioPhile

I have had many amps and this one just sounds like real music. Extremely balanced. It's an excellent combination with my CJ premier 16 LS2. This amp just lets you forget about your equipment and enjoy the music. Very powerful. If you find one used in good condition I highly recommend it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 13, 2003]
Paul Dunn
AudioPhile

Strength:

Solid tight bass, Smooth tube-like sound with great detail, May be the last amp you will ever need or want.

Weakness:

NONE

This review is on the MF2300A. I have had many amplifiers in the past and this one stands tall amongst them. Very few solid states amps can offer a powerful smooth sound like this one and still sound very transparent and detailed. I put a LS2BMKll pre on it and the sound produced was absolutely gorgious and breathtaking. This amp excels in all areas and listening fatigue never comes into play. I have noticed that the amp sounds far better after an hour warm-up. If you see one of theses for sale, grab it! Conrad Johnson has clear winner on their hands here. Highly recommended component!

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, ARC, McCormacks, PS Audio and many others.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 12, 2002]
kymanor
AudioPhile

Strength:

Clear highs, liquid mids, deep bass

Weakness:

None

I have used many different amps in my musical life. In my 25 years, this is the best amp that i have ever owned.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon, Bryston, Rotel, Krell

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 12, 2000]
Mitch
Audiophile

Strength:

Power, definition, speed, clarity, liquid-smooth sound
Totally non-fatiguing. In short everything I could want.

Weakness:

Absolutely none!!!!!!

I didn't quite know what to expect as I was looking for a
budget-priced used amp. I accidentally came across this
amp on Audio Shopper and had read good reviews on the similar CJ MF2500 so I heard this unit and bought it at an
incredible price. When I finally got it hooked up right, I
couldn't believe my luck and I was finally experiencing
audio nirvana. This amp leaves me awestruck every time and
it is always surprising me and sounds better every time I
listen to it which is every day. I am absolutely in love
with this amp; the sound is everything I could want especially since I got a new YBA Special CD player. This
combination is scintillating. My speakers are B&W 801M S2
and need a lot of power. The CJ does the trick with much
aplomb. It is difficult to describe the characteristics of
this amp because it does everything right; it doesn't add
anything to the music and it doesn't take away anything
either. It just plays it to perfection. I can't imagine
an amp being better. CJ has a reputation for sounding warm
and laid-back, no way with this amp. Drums are fantastic;
very tight, but yet realistic. Bass is quick but deep and
extremely dynamic. Strings are clean and dimensional. Vocals
and other instruments sound so real that I feel like the
musicians are right there with me; all I have to do is close
my eyes and become one with the music. I have been searching for audio nirvana for a long time and now I've found it. Incidentally my preamp is a Transcendence 2 by
Van Alstine. Vintage like fine wine just like the CJ.
Thanks CJ!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Aragon Palladium monoblocks, ARC D400

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2000]
Louis
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Everything.

Weakness:

It could get rather hot. No balanced input.

It is a real steal to have such a great performing amp at this price. If you found an used unit (which is very very rare to come by as most owners keep them), go grab it.

It drives my Newform Research R645 hybrid-ribbin speakers effortless. Demanding passages in many classical music CDs that I played are handled superbly.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 22, 2001]
Santiago
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Power, Overall tonality, Musicality, Build Quality

Weakness:

Audible humming noise in a very quite room.

I got mine from a used equipment market for SG$1400 (about 800+ US$). It was originally the MF2300, modified in 1995 to the MF2300A specs.

The first thing I noticed about this amp is the naturality (albeit slighty warm) and smoothness of the sound. Unlike most other SS amps I've listened, this one have a silky (though very slightly diffused) midrange without the usual SS graininess. The treble is sweet and very fine, not the usual "on-your-face" quality I was accustomed to, yet still delivers very minute details. For the first time I was able to listen to music, CD after CD for long periods without fatigue - in other words, this amp is very musical indeed. It's like having a new set of CDs!

There is a good overall tonality to the sound from bottom up. Although I am only using a standmounter Dynaudio Audience 50, the MF2300A can deliver deep, solid yet controlled bass which wasn't there with my previous Integ. Amp. I didn't think the small Dyn's can deliver this much bass, though the MF2300A doesn't have the agility and crack of a Krell. If there was one negative thing about it, it's the humming noise which could become audible in extremely silent situations (eg. very late night) - perhaps because this unit is 7 years old? Or is just because its high-current??

Still, the MF2300A never fails to please me everytime I fire it up!! The CJ slogan "It just sounds right" is just as authentic!

For anyone looking for a neutral, powerful, smooth-sounding and very musical amp, I would recommend the MF2300A (though difficult to find in the used market).

Used with:
Audio Research LS-3
NAD C 540
Siltech, VDH, AQ Midnight II
Dynaudio Audience 50 on Atacama stands

Similar Products Used:

(have listened to) Krell KSA-200S, McCormack DNA-1, Classe CA-200;
(Have Used) NAD C-319

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-6 of 6  

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