Musical Fidelity A3.2

Airplay355
Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
edited August 2005 in Electronics
My integrated amp arrived today and its a beast :D It's alot bigger then I had anticipated. I'm hooking it up right now :)

Does anyone know if vibrapods will leave marks on cheapy furniture like Ikea stuff? I think its just painted woodgrain on veneer but I'm not sure.

Reviews to come :) and lots of pics too :)
Post edited by Airplay355 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    Well I got lazy and decided to try it out with my Rti70's first. It made a huge difference in the way they sounded. The harshness at loud volumes is completely gone. It sounds like a totally different speaker. The tweeter is much more laid back. This is a good thing, but the lack of detail from that tweeter becomes more apparent once their brightness is tamed. Their soundstage is still the same, which isn't a bad thing at all. The bass is much more pronounced and hard hitting. It sounds like there is a subwoofer in my room. It's much easier to feel the music with this then my receiver. Overall the speakers sound much truer to the recording. Distorted head banging music sounds like distorted head banging music, and trance sounds like you are in a club. Had I only bought the integrated amp I still think I would have wanted to upgrade my speakers. The Rti's just aren't doing it for me when it comes to music. TIme to hook up the Lsi's :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    Put wax paper under the vibrapods or have a piece of glass cut to go under the Integrated. A local glass shop charged me a whopping $8 bucks to cut a piece for me, 17" x 15" 1/8" thick. Place the vibrapods on the glass.

    Vibrapods are hit and miss with damage to finishes. They did nothing to my cheap vinyl wrapped shelves, but seriously f'ed up my oak cabinet.

    Congrats on the 3.2, I bet it's a beauty!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,907
    edited July 2005
    I think they can leave marks. You an use pieces of cork or coasters (or whatever) under them though.

    EDIT: Sorry....got hung up on the phone while posting and didn't see Steve's post :o What he said!
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    That glass idea is amazing. I think I'll try that, I like it much better then wash clothes or wax paper. Seems like they aren't sticking so far, but with the weight of the amp, I'm not sure how time will effect things. I think my shelf should survive until this weekend when I can get some glass cut.

    Right now I'm cutting wire so I can bi-wire my Lsi7's. I have the extra wire, so why not right? I won't be able to tell where the improvement is coming from but maybe one day when I'm bored I'll have a little shoot out.

    Stay tuned for pics :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,907
    edited July 2005
    Hey...no multi-tweaking allowed! Do one tweak at a time and then write a 500 word essay on the improvement (or lack thereof), then you can continue to the next tweak. Sheesh! :rolleyes:
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited July 2005
    Happy listening!!!!!!! Post back on how it improved your rig.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    This isn't how they are actually setup. Just where they are right now. I need to get speaker stands :D Anybody have some?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,794
    edited July 2005
    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=240-744&DID=7&raid=45&rak=240-744

    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-742

    Fill em with sand!!

    Congrats on the integrated!

    "but the lack of detail from that tweeter becomes more apparent once their brightness is tamed."
    :p:p:p:p:p

    JK! Congrats on moving up! Glad everything is working out as you planned!

    What happened to the TV?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited July 2005
    Cool.

    My A3 benefited nicely with an upgraded powercord.
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    awesome dude!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    How can I watch TV when I have such a nice stereo? Plus the amp has a 19" faceplate so it doesn't fit into my EC. Surprise surprise, so I'm going to leave the tV on the floor until I can get stands for the Lsi.

    BTW: Lsi's sound like crap if you don't have good placement :)

    PS:Sid you crazy ****. I just emptied my wallet on gear and you think I;m gonna drop another $100 on some ugly **** stands? I'm goin with some straight up black MDF stands :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2005
    Neat.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    I must say, with my speakers on stands they sure do sound perfect :) I noticed it's harder for me to really tell how loud it is. Things don't distort when I turn it up really loud anymore, and I guess I used that as a guage before. Now it doesn't seem very loud but when I turn it down my ears are ringing.

    I have a question about biwiring. I biwired by twisting the two strands together and sticking them in the back of the amp, then running both wires to the speakers with the the jumpers taken out. I remember someone saying that the reason for biwiring was to avoid a voltage drop across the cable when a high treble or low bass sound was sent. But if I have the wires hooked up to the same place, then the same signal is going through the same wire and I'm still getting a voltage drop, so really all I've done is increased the amount of wire going to the speakers and taken the jumpers out of the circuit?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    Bi-wiring is a useless expense in 99 out of 100 systems. Your sound may improve a bit because you're by-passing the dreaded "brass" shorting bar however.

    I experimented with bi-wiring for years, always with the same results---no perceived change. Some of the best speakers on the planet are not biwireable.

    IMO you'll get way more bang for your buck buying an upgraded "standard" set of speaker cables, then you could ever get by biwiring 2 sets of lesser wire.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    I just did it because I have tons of extra wire. I don't know if it made a difference and to be honest I don't care. It doesn't really make any sense to me. My speakers sound great though :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    I bet they do off that MF 3.2, awesome combo brotha.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2005
    Finally heard the Music Fidelity product the other day. Very impressive, definitely a new favorite.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited July 2005
    Nice. Congrats on the MF. Those ebony LSi sure look pretty.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    It took me forever to find the firhg placement for them. I finally have them in a place where they sound great though.

    In my excitement I assumed the MF amp had a 19" faceplate. After things calmed down alittle bit I realized that it would infact fit in my entertainment center haahaa. I guess I just couldn't wait to plug it in :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    The problem some people run into is how deep MF equipment is. In my old entertainment center, I had the front feet of my A3CR only contacting 1/2 way to allow enough room in the back.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited July 2005
    I could easily just stick it in my cabinet, but I'm bein lazy and just letting it hang out on top for now lol. Plus I'm not sue how much heat will build up in there. I don't want to burn my furniture.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited August 2005
    SOme more pics :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter