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Musical Fidelity A3.2pre/power vs 308 intergrated

I would be interested if anyone has had a chance to compare these 2. The A3.2pre/power costs about 10% more then the 308 intergrated and is the companies entry level system while the 308 is supposedly their higher end system. I would prefer an intergrated, and if it costs less and sounds better then the pre/power combo, then it is a win win situation for me. However, if the pre/power sounds significantly better, I would consider that route. I have been listening to the A3.2 intergrated and will get a demo A3.2pre/power soon, but getting the chance to audition a 308 might be difficult.
mikerottaa1b
cdc
1,783 posts
 
NOTE: A 308 also has "full choke regulation". I quote:

"Very clean power supply lines and immunity from mains borne interference"
mikerottaa1b OP
2 posts
 
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.
frmont
16 posts
 
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.
miker
16 posts
 
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. :)
blackie
221 posts
 
After borrowing those MF amps from a store for a weekend home demo, you bought on line?! I bet the people at the store are less than happy about that. And people wonder why some stores are reluctant to do at home evaluations...
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