Musical Fidelity A3.2pre/power vs 308 intergrated

Where did you hear the two M-F's? In the same store?

You could try an audio magic stealth conditioner. They retail for $700-800 but one of the audiogon dealers (Symphony of Sound ???) has the mini for $500. This is one of the best you can buy. Although I have not heard many but most people here will agree.

Power hash usually shows on the highs. So you could be right.

M-F literature describes the 308 as sounding more like a tube amp than a tube amp. Also says top end is smooth and sweet, NOT clear.

Can a fuller sound also be more clear? I don't know.

NOTE: A 308 also has "full choke regulation". I quote:

"Very clean power supply lines and immunity from mains borne interference"

I was able to bring each systems home over a weekend to listen. My base comparisons are with a MF 3.2 intergrated. The 3.2 pre/power sound similar to the 3.2 intergrated only a lot better (surprise!), cleaner, clearer, more detail, better sound stage, bass etc.. but same basic sound. The A308 is more like the 3.2 intergrated in terms of detail and clarity, but with much richer mids, unlike either of the 3.2s.
Does the A308 really have choke regulation? In the MF reference guide it says it does, but not on their web-site, and in a review in Hi-Fi News they make the point of saying it does not have choke regulation. You would think if it did, it what have 'CR' on the front panel. When I bring the demos back on tues, I will ask if I could do a quick comparison between the two amps using their power conditioner and see if that makes a difference.

Mike, you mention that the A308 had less then 100 hours on it. I have a MF A300 and I found that this amp required a minmuim of 100 hours - to sound like it was starting to loosen up. I have heard from other MF owners that this is normal. Anyway, let us know how the demo goes and which system you choose.

To follow up, I wasn't getting the kind of helpful response from the stereo shop that I was hoping for. I am convinced that the A308 would sound better with more hours burn time but they weren't too keen on working with me on that. Instead I was told my speakers (Dynaudio 1.3 mkII) were the problem and I need to upgrade to B&Ws. Hmmm.... Anyways, I ended up buying a used M3 nu-vista off this site for less than a new A3.2pre/power and what a great decision! I am now getting the sound I was looking for and then some. Thanks for all the help, but enough of the computer stuff, I have some listening to do. :)