FS: Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated

markmarc

Time to sell the "beast", the 250wpc Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated amp with remote, main box, and outer shipping box. This unit drives my Magnepan 1.6's without getting hot even when dropping into 2 Ohm territory. Inputs include: CD, SACD, Tuner, Tape Monitor, HT Direct, Tape, and a first rate Phono. It is in absolutely mint condition. Selling because I have found myself using the preamp section of my head/DAC, so I'm shooting for buying a Pass Labs amp.
When new, sold for $2500. Audiogon has one for $1350. Asking just $1,000 + shipping/Insurance for Polkies, with payment via Paypal. Shipping via FedEx ground from 97874. Outer Box measures 23x22x12 , weight 47 pounds.

deronb1

Wow! End game integrated for sure. Super price too! Won't last long

agfrost

Tasty! Love my A5cr power amp unreservedly. This is a nice opportunity for someone!

rooftop59

@kevhed72

msg

PM incoming

pitdogg2

you go Scott

Darn nice piece of gear WOW!!!

kevhed72

Put me in line!

tonyb

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

stangman67

Jeeeeez. I’ve wanted one of these for a long time

pitdogg2

tonyb wrote: »

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

Man you are all out of kidney's and Livers Brah back it off man

treitz3

NM...not compatible with my system.

Tom

Gerres26

Very nice integrated here folks, I used one for a good while with my 1.2tls and it never broke a sweat. Hard to find something better at this price point.

tonyb

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

Man you are all out of kidney's and Livers Brah back it off man

Who said anything about MY kidneys or liver ? I was thinking....of just....um....borrowing someone else's.

pitdogg2

tonyb wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

Man you are all out of kidney's and Livers Brah back it off man

Who said anything about MY kidneys or liver ? I was thinking....of just....um....borrowing someone else's.

How'd I know ... good thing I'm a minute or two away

LMAO

markmarc

Thanks for all the interest everyone. The A5 is SOLD

marvda1

tonyb wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

Man you are all out of kidney's and Livers Brah back it off man

Who said anything about MY kidneys or liver ? I was thinking....of just....um....borrowing someone else's.

give russ a few drinks and he won't feel a thing.

lightman1

marvda1 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Wow, nice....I'd buy this but I'd have to sell some stuff first.

Man you are all out of kidney's and Livers Brah back it off man

Who said anything about MY kidneys or liver ? I was thinking....of just....um....borrowing someone else's.

give russ a few drinks and he won't feel a thing.

Shut up Marvin

tonyb

Nah, I like Russ. The sum total is worth way more than the parts.

msg

la2vegas wrote: »

who's the lucky fellow?

Mark was being discreet, which I appreciate, but I have to cop to this move. I'm a kidney lighter, but scars are cool, and I think it's gonna be worth it.

Hopefully I'll be able to do this piece justice. I almost feel like I need to live up to it as an owner, and not the other way around.

Thanks very much to Mark for his generosity, and, I'm truly sorry fellas. If it doesn't work out for me, I'll be sure to keep this piece in the Polk family, and offer it back up here.

Years back, June 2015, there was an M6i available here for a crazy good price. I was very early on in my journey here, and I didn't move on it. Couldn't have appreciated it at the time, anyway, but I've always wondered what it would have been like. I only loosely kept an eye out over the years for other Musical Fidelity pieces.

A few weeks back, I noticed @erniejade was starting to look into the Musical Fidelity integrateds, which got me curious again, and we got to talking a bit about the different models, sharing reading on models, availability, pricing, etc. Seemed the A308 was the sweet spot, and I sort of left off it there, since I wasn't planning to look for one until later this year, but that's the one I'd look for, as well. The A5 was a close second for me after reading Tony's take on the differences as the line progressed. When I got home last night and saw Mark's listing, I couldn't believe it. Tremendously generous, and got me thinking back to the brief taste I had of the Forum Classifieds when this place was really hoppin', and everyone was offering up amazing deals to members, gear flying all over the place. I was trying to get in touch with EJ to draw his attention to the listing, but when I didn't hear back, I had to get in line so I could maybe see for myself what Musical Fidelity is about. Couldn't believe it when the first guy passed. I'm feeling a bit humbled at this opportunity, and hope I can do it justice.

verb

Congrats Scott! That thing is a beauty!

erniejade

I am glad you got jt! Awesome!

msg

Thanks fellas, and thanks Mark!

Mark! It's not here yet!
Dub. Yahtee. Effmate.

markmarc

"Patience Grasshopper!" Those over 50 will understand the quote.

halo

markmarc wrote: »

"Patience Grasshopper!" Those over 50 will understand the quote.

I'm under 50 and I remember David Carradine on Kung Fu as Kwai Chang

indyhawg

Congrats Scott.

tonyb

Scott's a putz. I was eyeballin' this piece the second it was posted, even called in a bomb threat to Scotts house to delay his response. Dude still clicked on the forum.

Congrats man.

mrbiron

tonyb wrote: »

Scott's a putz.

I’m in the process of creating another 50 accounts because just one agree isn’t enough!

msg

The eagle has landed. Quick setup in the test space.

Haven't had much time, so will still be evaluating, but I'm blown away. I've never heard anything like this before. It replaced a B&K Reference 5 S2 with B&K 200.2 S2 amp. That system is no slouch, but there's an undeniable improvement across the board, even without much warm up time. Just extremely pleasing all around, and full sounding.

First Impressions

• Airy. For me, this is one of those audio terms I've heard used, but just didn't quite understand. One of those experiences where you go, "Ohh, so that's what that is..."
• Improved separation, even less congestion in busy passages. I'm getting a sense of layering with instruments and vocals. The term "players" keeps coming to mind.
• The channel separation is great. Lively and engaging. Adds to realism. Another term I never even thought to use before.
• Control. This one was glaringly obvious. I was just relaying to Mark, it's as if there's a little dude in there at a sound board or something, busily controlling "the players", turning things on and off, fades, etc.
• The bass. Holy... the bass. Almost overpowers the space, even just at 9 o'clock, but it's a small room, and has the 705s in it currently. It's also square which I think is a big part of the standing bass? Very authoritative with the bass. Higher output, more impactful. Tight and controlled. With the other obvious improvements in clarity, I suspect I'll probably hear a bit of definition in the bass, something I'm not sure I've thought much on before.

That's all I got for now.
I plan to move it out to the main space on Friday for a proper run and use.

A huuuge thanks to Mark for offering the unit up here at such a great deal, as well as an offer to Brian to come hang out whenever. I'll make you a key. Don't drink all the beer, and any change in the couch is mine. Chip crumbs are all yours.

Gerres26

I'm glad you got a chance to experience the A5 for yourself Scott. Sounds like you are experiencing a lot of the same improvements that I was telling you about when I moved up from my B&K gear. I look forward to hearing more of your impressions as you get used to the new sound a little.

Danny

erniejade

Great review! I am so glad you pulled the trigger on this and its working out for you! That's awesome

lightman1

I bet you can do some sweet jumps with it.....