Musical Fidelity A3CR Amplifiers
Musical Fidelity A3CR Amplifiers
[May 04, 2001]
Doug Crocker
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Sweet high end
Weakness:
None 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. Similar Products Used: Marantz MA700 |
[Jan 18, 2002]
Perry Helion
Audiophile
Strength:
Looks.
Weakness:
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? Similar Products Used: Sunfire Signature, Mac MC 1000, Krell KSA-250's, and a Jolida for front Surrounds :)(all with Martin-Logan Requests) |
[Oct 14, 2000]
Henry Tam
Audiophile
Strength:
Tube like but with power. Smooth frequency response. Comparable with much pricey amp.
Weakness:
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. |
[May 25, 2001]
Joe
Audiophile
I meant to give the product 5 stars for overall. Similar Products Used: CJ MF2100 |
[Oct 27, 2000]
Patrick
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
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. Similar Products Used: Bryston B-60R, Musical Fidelity A300 |
[Dec 18, 2000]
Mike Z.
Audiophile
Strength:
Clarity, transparency, very good dynamics, no listener fatigue, best amp I've ever heard.
Weakness:
Not really. Maybe build quality could be better. I need to amend my previous review. I was concerned about this fine amp being underpowered. Similar Products Used: Bryston 4B ST |
[Jul 22, 2000]
Arif Akhtar
Audiophile
Strength:
Excellent sound quality. Very Neutral. Extremely Powerful. Looks great. A true bargain at the price.
Weakness:
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. |
[Apr 04, 2001]
Chuck Reagan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Cost no object sound
Weakness:
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 Similar Products Used: none |
[Apr 25, 2001]
Mark Reynolds
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clear, deep, bright, smooth... it just sounds like music
Weakness:
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 Similar Products Used: Arcam FMJ P25, Classe CA 150 |
[Sep 22, 2000]
Dave
Audiophile
Strength:
Price, Size/Weight, harmonic clarity, stunning dynanamic range
Weakness:
none 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. Similar Products Used: Mark Levinson 336 |