2. amps-preamps
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Accuphase or Musical fidelity for Focal Micro Be

I have a Musical Fidelity A5 combo (cd player and integrated amp) driving a pair of Focal Micro Utopia Be augmented with a REL Stentor 3 subwoofer. The A5 combo is a good match for the Focals, the system is very musical, with good details, and never fatigue.

Recently, a dealer offer me the chance to upgrade my A5 combo to a Musical fidelity Nu Vista combo, i.e. M3 integrated amp and the 3D cd player.

At the same time, I have been offered a very good deal on a Accuphase system, i.e. the E-408 integrated and the DP-67 cd player.

The Accuphase route should be about 1000 euros more expensive (assuming that eventually I will be able to get a decent price for the A5 combo). However, as I am after the best sound this is not really an issue.

Since it is quite difficult to listen these electronics on my speakers I would really appreciate any feedback from people that had experience with these electronics.

I thank you in advance.
nvp

Showing 2 responses by rrsclyde

rrsclyde
84 posts
 
I have the original Micro Utopia's (now in a secondary system) and have powered them with both the E-408 and the E-530. Although I have since moved to tubes, the Accuphase integrated were the best I've owned (including JRDG, BAT, Sim Audio, Plinius)...the E-530 especially. It was a great match with the Micro's.

The only MF integrated I've owned was one of the lower end ones that I used in a bedroom system. I'm sure the Nuvista model is much more refined and more similar to the Accuphase and JRDG Concentra II.
rrsclyde
84 posts
 
Nvp,

In my experience, the E-530 was considerably smoother and more refined than the E-408 (and bear in mind that I thought the E-408 was a great amp). Besides being pure Class A, I think the pre section of the E-530 was quite a bit more transparent. The E-408 obviously with much higher pwr rating might have had a bit more 'slam' and maybe a bit more on the 'foregiving' side (although I don't think I've ever seen any Accuphase products described as too analytical). Unless you listen to heavy metal type rock at really loud volumes, I can't imagine that you would need more pwr than the E-530 provides; it drove my Micro's to insane volume with no sweat (and retained its fabulous smooth resolution even at high volume). IMHO, the E-408 is one of the classic great ss integrateds, but the E-530 is a definite notch above, up there in a much smaller class of truly top of class ss integrated.

I have no experience with any of the new Accuphase amps.

Happy listening and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Randy
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