Rega or Musical Fidelity ?

After having both the Rega 2000 and the MF A3 on loan for simultaneous listening, the Rega won hands down! The difference was quite pronounced with the MF being flat out boring compared to the Rega. There was no toe-tappin with the MF. With regard to the other follow-up, any "harshness" with the Rega I feel is a by-product of the degree of rhythm and pace that the Rega most definitely has. The lively rhythm and pace required me to switch from my Silver Streaks to the Cardas Cross leaving me with a system that is anything but harsh. The MF may be slightly more detailed than the Rega, but if you don't enjoy listening to your music, what good is that small amount of extra detail?

My system includes:

Rega Planet CD 2000
Creek 5350SE Int. Amp
Cardas Cross Interconnect
Kimber 4TC speaker cables
Dynaco A-50 speakers (old, but Great)

You made a good choice.

Thanks everyone for all your input!! I ordered the MF (a demo). Happy listening.

I have the x-ray and love it. I'm told it's very similar to the A3. Also remember you get 30 days to try it at home through Audio Advisor. I'm lucky enough to have an understanding dealer so when I got the X-ray I took it to my favorite dealer for comparisons. Good luck. From what I've read you can't go wrong either way. Like Creeper said the MF should go well with your other MF gear.

I have the A3 integrated,a Pioneer Elite PD 65,and Alon II speakers.For the money,I prefer the PD 65.I have owned a NAD and a Denon 1650,and run it in this system.You will save $500,if you shop carefully,over the price of the A3CD.

I run a Planet in my system and love it. Rega has it's own "sound" though, I can only describe as dithered. Sam Tellig sure seems to like the MF gear in his Sam's Space column. I know MF is similar to Rega in that they have there own "sound". If you like your A3 integrated, chances are you'll be pleased with the A3 CD. I would think they were designed to have a certain synergy together. Smashing fit and finish as well.

Thanks Creeper, Ive been leaning toward the A3 CD. I do like that "Smashing fit and finish" as well.

I don't know the MF player, but I have heard the Rega a couple times in a couple of decent setups, and talked about it with a few dealers, and it didn't impress me or them. We all pretty much agree with Creepers assessment, though the word I heard used was "digitized" - no soul escapes from the Rega. I couldn't call it harsh, exactly, but there was an unpleasant sharpness to it. I'd almost call it flat in that there was no depth to the sound at all. Maybe all the notes were there, but they lacked life. If the MF has the same musicality as the rest of their gear (and all I've seen suggests it does), it would suit my ears better, I'm sure.

chas

I run a Planet in my system and love it. Rega has it's own "sound" though, I can only describe as dithered. Sam Tellig sure seems to like the MF gear in his Sam's Space column. I know MF is similar to Rega in that they have there own "sound". If you like your A3 integrated, chances are you'll be pleased with the A3 CD. I would think they were designed to have a certain synergy together. Smashing fit and finish as well.

Limited exposure, for what it's worth. I was more impressed by the Rotel, on rock & blues. Caveat: I am better at rating on classical...(which was not on the agenda). Also, pls note that I did NOT listen to these players side-by-side.
The system in both cases was S-Line pre/stereo power, Gen V speakers.
Good luck!