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Classe integrated or Musical Fidelity?

I'll be auditioning (at home) a Classe CAP-101 next week. Is anyone familiar with this piece? I wondered if it would be worth buying one of MF A300's to try at home...they're approximately the same price - in the $1500 range. Are one of these generally recommended over the other? I have a Sony DVP-7700 front end and Vandersteen Model 2 speakers. $1500 is a decent chunk of change for me so I'd like to get it right the first time. Feel free to suggest others in this price range, too. Thanks in advance for your help!
chuke076
frmont
16 posts
 
I recently purchased the A300. After auditioning the Cap 150 I was ready to make it my amp of choice when a freind had me over to listen to his new A300. All I can say is I was blown away! The A300 sound IMHO,was more dynamic, bigger soundstage and very musical. I have since matched this amp up with the A3 CD, running into CDM1NT speaks-great system for a great price!
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,385 posts
 
Frmont: Have you auditioned the less expensive (and less powerful) Musical Fidelity A3? If so, what is your take between it and the A300 in regard to tonal characteristics? I have read that it is a bit drier, but this was just noted in a couple of reviews (that may have been influenced by each other). I have not listened to the A300 myself, just the A3 and I own an X-A1.
frmont
16 posts
 
Dekay: I did not listen to the A3. From the reviews that I have read it seems that the reviewers either love or hate the A3. This is my first experaince with M/f gear and all I can say is I am sorry that I waited so long to give them a try.
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
The design of the A3 and A300 is the same except for the larger power supplies and the A300 has different speaker cable binding posts, BTW I would like to know what reviewer said the A3 was not a good product......I have never seen a review that was anything but positive for the A3
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,385 posts
 
Sam: Hi-Fi Choice gave the A3 a so so review. They also did not try it with a variety of equipment. For example my X-A1 did not work well with Linn Tukans during a home demo but sings with the other speakers that I have thrown at it. I like Hi-Fi Choice, but they do not seem to be putting as much energy as they used to into their reviews. One mis-matched piece of equipment in the line and everything falters IMO.
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