Convincing, involving, musical sound

Bass a bit lacking

I bought the Musical Fidelity B1 almost by accident (early days on eBay!) while shopping for my daughter's first hifi amp. I tried it in place of my Mission Cyrus Two and was astounded how much more musical the B1 was - a really pleasant shock!

I know it sounds corny, but it's what we're all after - suddenly I wasn't listening to a CD, I was listening to music - at the concert. Singers convey real emotion, instruments sound like instruments (not just musical noises). I sold the Cyrus Two (to someone with a PSX which is meant to improve them considerably) and he seemed happy.

Perhaps it's system matching - I was using a Sony XB930QS as source, and listening on Castle Severn 2SE speakers. Typical material is female vocal (Sarah McLauchlin, Alisha's Attic), prog rock, some pop, some classical.

It doesn't go very loud, the bass is probably a bit lacking, but it's just so realistic. It's currently in my second system having been displaced by a Luminous Audio passive preamp and 2 xRotel RB951 power amps costing 4 times as much, also from eBay, but I'm beginning to wonder if I was right... bass is better, but the whole thing is less involving.

Similar Products Used:

Mission Cyrus Two, Luminous Audio Axiom pre-amp, Rotel RB951 power amps (bridged), Sony amps

imaging, depth, great allrounder, built to last, and all to the MF ideals, all about the sound

High level listening is not its forte

This was a replacement for my Audiolab/ biamplified quad setup. I had at the same time a rotel Ra971 mrk 2 (for monitoring in a studio). The B1 could Match the sonic presence of the rotel, which was no poorer cousin, in the sound department of the Audiolab/quad setup.

Due to health reasons i had to get rid of all my expensive equipment, and this B1 Amp, certainly fullfilled a hole for me with very decent sound quality, after the Audio/quad setup was sold. Very transparent and sweet, with plenty of weight, and for the time, 1987 excellent depth and detail. I heard so much of the A1 Amplifier, from Musical fidelity, but this was released around the same time and was largely forgotten. A shame as It really is a true audiophile on a budget amp. The only time it ever sounds its price is when you turn it up loud, and i mean loud.

This baby can do joe satriani, system of a down, Prodigy, but its just best suited to Classical and Jazz, soft rock. Its using this type of music you will hear exactly what it can do, vocals and instrument placement are dispersed wisely in a nice big soundstage. I bought a Cyrus 1 amplifier at the same time for not much less money, compared to the MF B1 it sounded flat, and lifeless. Stereo imaging was not as defined, and I personally, apart from the superb build of the Cyrus, didnt like it. that was used for a part time monitor amp for synths, as it was a handy size.

Now as it is getting to the point i need some realworld power again im going towards the nonpretentious Pro audio route. I have been using a Rotel RC960BX pre amp and a SAMSON servo 260 power amp (used in studios, for reference monitoring), and this sounds much tighter and in control at high levels, (levels the average person would run out of the room). Its 85 watts rms @ 8ohms.

and although great I still would like more control, so Im trying out the crittically acclaimed Behringer A500, 160 watts, rms @ 8ohms. Not many people like the sound of nightclubs in their bedrooms, But living in a soundproofed detached house, its nice on the odd occasion to crank the volume up and not worry.

So all in all for what it is, the B1 is a very excellent amp, the great plus also is that it was built at the height of vinyl, and the phono stage sounds beautiful too, i used a Rega planar 3 with goldring cartridge G1024GX , and it sounded excellent.

I dont see or hear nothing about the B1, But if i didnt want the power i needed It would certainly still be in there. Its very rare to hear anything about this Amp, as i found out , taking the gamble and riding purely on the sonic intentions of a company like Musical fidelity. their equipment, rarely lacks passion or quality, this epitomises both, a great unknown, unsung Amp that sounds as good as anything of any note in the last 20 years!

Customer Service

wouldnt know

Similar Products Used:

Cyrus 1 Qmplifier
rotel RA 971 Mrk 2
Audiolab 8000C/ 8000SX, times 3
Quad 405 2/quad 405