Hot Stuff - Why Musical Fidelity's Reborn A1 Integrated Amp is in a Class of Its Own

[@frostycanada6404]

Guys, this amp is a total no brainer at its price point. I’ve gotten mine and just love it. This is definitely not a romantic amp, great midrange, strong bass, and extremely detailed. I have a Sugden ANV50 and a Cayin CS55A, and I would say that my A1 is much closer in performance to my tube amp, and I dare say better (at time) than my Sugden. Well done Musical Fidelity, Brian

[@MrVinylista]

Interesting comments, especially as I'm looking to get an ANV50 in for review. Agree it's great value, am tempted to buy one myself.

[@frostycanada6404]

@@MrVinylista I guess you heard about Patrick Miller. 🙁 I’ve owned my ANV50 since late 2019 and it’s wonderful. I would categorize it as bold, powerful and very insightful. A big plus the A1 has over the Sugden is the direct button which effectively cuts out a gain stage by -10bd (this is something Sugden really needs to add to their products). Ps: I’ll be writing to Musical Fidelity to congratulate them on the A1, + mention some further improvements needed: the motorized volume is quite noisy and the power cable connection is very tight especially if you have aftermarket power cables. The plastic buttons should have been metal , but I’m nitpicking. Brian

[@MrVinylista]

@@frostycanada6404 Yes, very sad. A lovely guy. RIP. With respect Brian, the A1 is £1,500 and some other companies would charge £5,000 for something that looks and sounds as good - assuming they could design and manufacture it in the first place... Maybe Heinz will make an A1 Pro, or similar, with even better components and metal switchgear? I do love the metal remote, very eighties-tastic!

[@paljanister]

Can you please tell me which one would you choose between MF A1 or Cayins CS55A? And why?

[@frostycanada6404]

@@paljanister Both sound wonderfully good and are fun to own and use. If I have to choose then the CS55A wins out as it has an excellent built in DAC, and you can tube roll the preamp tubes which can / does make a huge difference. The only downside is tube reliability especially with new old stock tubes, but I’m used to so it’s not an issue. You can’t go wrong with either. Hope this helps, Brian

[@monzarace]

I still have my A1 since 1985. Great sounding little amp. And may I add, it has never broken down. Naim? No way I would own that. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcse7en]

My 1990 B200 only broke down when I burned out the toroid, in a blasting competition with the neighbours! The repair by MF cost around £100.

[@denno800]

When I heard that there was a new A1, with the same circuit design but with modern components, it was clear that I was going to buy one. Great sound and it also keeps my teapot warm. Terrific!

[@yippie6862]

Thanks for the video guys. One of you is a nite owl posting this at 2am in the morning. I'm guessing it 's David Price with all that Coca-Cola he was drinking in the video 😉

[@MrVinylista]

It was bloody boiling inside Mike's hi-fi hut, and I had that friggin amp on my lap. Hotter than a solar flare!

[@roryyoung6192]

Great to hear your thoughts on the remake of this classic! There is such a market for re-releasing the classic amplifiers that we all fell in love with in the 80's. I'll no doubt be buying this version too. I love the simple designs when amplifiers were completely distinguishable from each other not only by looks but by sound too. I recently bought the new Rega IO to see what a modern take on a simple design could sound like and I really like it. Well worth a Riff on that one too. As always- keep up the great work guys!

[@razisn]

Having listened to this amp in my place for a week I pretty much agree with the review. Tonally and timbrally wise it is very much like a very decent MODERN transformer coupled push-pull tube/valve amp where one would not expect it to sound too tubey / valvey or syrupy (not that one can easily buy such an amp for the A1's asking price..) One small disagreement is that it is not so much high speaker sensitivity that one should look for but good efficiency. This translates to benign impedance loads and not too demanding woofers. It could drive my Proac D2Rs (about 86db sensitivity) to levels one would not expect from 25W per channel. I also tried the A1 in a bi-amp configuration with my MF M6sPRX and in many respects, if one likes the sweet treble of the A1 this can provide the best of both worlds, so to speak, especially with less than stellar recordings. I haven't tried biamping to a 3-way speaker but I assume there more of the A1 colour will be evident due to mids being driven mostly by the A1.

[@arieroos9162]

I've recently started up my old MF The Tempest amp , driving my Celestion 100s .... good old 90s sound . Thanks for the review , I'm subscribing to your channel 😊

[@mikeyevs]

I bet that sounds gorgeous. Mike

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Brilliant review guys and something to add to my wish list for certain.

[@m6j159]

Another smashing riff. 'Venty - denoting the presence or otherwise, of ventilation. 'This amplifier is more venty than the other one we tried'. Love it. As for the analogy - I think I got it, but it made me chuckle as I thought of the Fry and Laurie Open University sketch😂😉 I know I enjoy these riffs, 'cause when they land it prompts an 'ah, great' reaction, followed by the powering-up of the kettle (interchangeable with an Al 'hot plate'). Thank you, as ever👍

[@MrVinylista]

Thanks. I'd like to apologise for my crimes against the English language. You can tell this really is live and unscripted!

[@JD-lk7im]

A ten from you both, definitely worth considering then. I thoroughly enjoyed this.Thanks for another captivating Riff.

[@mikeyevs]

❤ Mike

[@andreaswagner565]

My original MA 50s are now running for more than 30 years without any problems and the reason for this is very simple. I have never opened them to get a look inside.

[@grantd7086]

Ok, I'm in the market for an integrated amp, either this one or the Rega Elex-R. I trust the opinions of everyone that views this channel. I want British knowing the A1 is made in Taiwan, but that makes it affordable and am ok with that. Like Rega is UK made though.

[@bjk6994]

My original A1 ran so hot that the plastic selector switch, after 60 minutes of operation, would spin on the metal potentiometer shaft due to it softening its pressure fit from the heat. Selecting a different input would only be possible after it cooled down.

[@MrVinylista]

Quality!

[@mikeyevs]

Brilliant!

[@matldn2697]

I agree with your comparison of the Sugden class A. I still use my class A Sugden from the 1980's. Sounds superb.

[@TheKapeeteeleestPeeg]

I've paired this, your 10 out 10 amp with your 10 out 10 AE500 speakers and... It's been an absolute knockout!. My endgame combination. Thank you for the recommendations!

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing 👍👍 Mike

[@rhwinner]

I plan on getting one, and adding a brushless DC fan to sit on top to cool things down.

[@JordanPhegley]

Very cool! I love Musical Fidelity...going to have to keep an eye out for this.

[@johnshaw359]

New Hi-fi Sound used to have a section called 'budget esoterica'. The switchable class a/ab Marantz's etc... Ah, reminiscing with you two again.

[@RoddyYon-ed5vt]

Thanks again for your very good riff on this very hot amp I love it

[@adrienjf3854]

It's like the rebirth of the Phoenix i bought a Musical Fidelity in 1985 ! And i give to it to my better Friend to start in High fidelity !

[@titntin5178]

Syrupy sound and room to cook your bacon too! Bargain. I lived with a b200 for a while before moving to the A1, so I love to see these designs. I still have my MC 4 speakers in the loft, so I could have a true retrofest if I could get them down and set up... Love your riffs, cheers guys...

[@marcse7en]

I have a £300 1990 B200.

[@MrSidMuff]

I had an original, driving my Epos ES11 speakers. It had a lovely engaging sound, complete with unreliable right channel imbalance as it got hotter...and boy did it get hot!!!!

[@stevehollingbery9744]

Great riff, still chuckling over it. Good to see the A1 back. Are those gloves ESD protected.🎉

[@jimfarrell4635]

For years I was a Musical Fidelity fan boy, though I started in the XA1 and coke can years, missing the A1. I still have a few bits and pieces in my system. So it was with a degree of trepidation I heard Pro-ject had acquired them, but they really seem to be cognizant of the brands history and keeping a lot of the design language intact - literally in this case.

[@razisn]

The current owner has been the first MF distributor in Europe (Austria). His history with the firm goes back to virtually the beginnings of MF back in the early 80's. Strictly speaking Pro-ject have not acquired them. Both them and MF belong to the same private holding company own by Herr Heinz Lichtwhatever.

[@MrVinylista]

​@@razisn Correct, and Heinz rehired Simon Quarry when he took over in 2019, who had previously been audio designer at MF for around 20 years. He oversaw the new A1.

[@NigeSavage]

Brilliant. Comedy gold right there gents!

[@ThomasDoherty-kg2jw]

Seriously considering this amp (but using it’s preouts to biamp with a Schiit Vidar 200watt power amp).Speakers are Von Schweikert VR4jr mrk 3 (4ohm impedance subs,8 ohm impedance hi/mid units)

[@Exgol2005]

😂😂 doubled fun with these hilarious yet informative video/guys

[@klik64]

Brilliant! love the review and the oven glove out take at the end. Funny.

[@MrVinylista]

A good visual gag, but they were actually necessary at the beginning of the Riff as the amp was so bloody hot!

[@mikeyevs]

I thought I was going to pass out! Mike

[@psysword]

Class A is what made me buy Burson Audio monoblocks. Massive quiet power. Punchy and bassy.

[@MrVinylista]

Yes, they are rather good, aren't they?

[@psysword]

@@MrVinylista monstrous

[@ianbolton9882]

Another great episode - thanks guys 🙏

[@markjeroendurr2626]

Very curious how Project is going on with MF new products in the future. Nice chat as always .

[@davidmurphy1735]

I had an A100. Loved the sound but didn’t like how you needed a glove to adjust the hot controls

[@barrybrennan2135]

Thanks guys. Did you test the MM/MC? Add on or enough to forgo separate?

[@pedge66]

Cheers chaps,

[@garethvaughan426]

Great Riff guys, what a wonderful little amp, when on I can turn down the central heating too, need a listen 😊

[@attrktmarketing4582]

The circle is complete. I love that Michael wouldn’t be able to choose between this and the Naim. We know which way he’d really go if it came to it 😊 Great Riff guys. Really loving this ‘new retro’ review slew. Also loving how you enjoy this and bounce off each other. Keep it going. Ps have you looked at the NAD 3050 yet?

[@MrVinylista]

Yes, it would of course be the Naim, but he was genuinely impressed by this. I knew this because he didn't say a word during the audition period.

[@attrktmarketing4582]

@@MrVinylista is that the litmus test?

[@stevehollingbery9744]

Still smiling guys, very nice riff, must admit I am still chuckling over this one. Where those gloves ESD protected. Cheers Chaps.

[@MrVinylista]

@@stevehollingbery9744 Thanks. Those gloves were covered in grease and super stinky! I should sue Mike for infringing health & safety.

[@mikeyevs]

David is right, I really liked it and was surprised as to how much. I really wasn't a massive fan of the original, so took some convincing. Mike

[@arte2arquiteto]

Very impressive, indeed!

[@gdwlaw5549]

Brilliant show......carwow for audiophiles

[@mikeyevs]

Star baker award for best comment. Mike

[@dyardley68]

Great review as always, would the A1 pair well with the Proac tab 10 sig?

[@garth56]

I remember the A1 fondly I had one for a while when my Audio Innovations was getting fixed. Move forward 2 years I heard a square box that weighed a tonne it was so heavy and also was class A it however was in another league and was the Aleph by Malcolm Pass who we know know. His class A amp took 1 hour to heat up but once it did it sounded just as good as any pp valve amp. So I want to ask you guys a question and I'd be interested if either of you could answer it. Way back when one manufacture wanted to show that valve and solid state were no different so he produced two amps to show that it was possible that producing a valve and solid sate amp that sounded the same was possible??? They almost did 🙂

[@mookie2637]

Ah, the famous "Malcolm" Pass. I have an Aleph 3, and a Sugden A21SE, having moved to Class A and away from Naim.

[@garth56]

@@mookie2637 Thank gawd for that. I will say Naim make fantastic door stops..Yes they actually stop a door from closing I was amazed 🙂

[@michaeldalton8342]

Thanks guys,, alaways love your banter, experience and synergy, Just a question. I have Spendor A7s fed buy a roksan Caspian mk 2 amplfier, from a chord Qutest through Moon Mind 2 streamer. Is there a weak link there, might an amplifier upgrade be the thing. ps I'm . 60 and proud of it, and I know my hearing will inevitaably be deteriotating Any advice from 2 hifi guys who cut it for me.....? MIck,

[@mikeyevs]

David moans at me for streaming, and his advice would be to buy a reel to reel or something 😂... personally I bet your system sounds great, and my advice would be to make sure it's situated properly, well isolated, speakers on stands with decent cable and interconnects. The Qutest in particular is a great dac and would be very expensive to upgrade significantly. Best value upgrade is definitely a decent bottle of wine! Mike

[@papschmoo]

I loved my A200. Bought new for £700 from Radlett Hi-Fi when they were in Radlett. Sadly it only lasted about six years before literally burning itself out. I regret throwing it out in the trash. But I didn't want to spend the £500 Musical Fidelity wanted for fixing it. I've heard elsewhere that MF are great until you want them to fix their products: then they really scorch you.

[@reddingwildcat9582]

Loved my synthesis too… Then one channel went up in smoke! Rang MF and spoke to this guy Michaelson. He says, Nah, not worth repairing, throw it away and buy another..

[@medonk12rs]

Yesterday I visited a HiFi show - there are two rooms featuring this new A1. ... and boy - I could not put my hand on this amp - both running for hours already, too hot to touch. Now I got the grill gloves pun...

[@yatko9667]

Quad should bring back their classic amps too.

[@tomwebb7091]

I heard their latest Platina kit driving the incoming Revela 2 at the NW audio show and they should definately not bri g back their old kit when the new stuff sounds incredible. For the price the new Revela sound a bonafide bargain and i preferred them to many far costlier setups at the show!

[@mikeyevs]

This might happen, and we might be the first to review! Mike

[@tomwebb7091]

@@mikeyevs make it so!

[@007soedal]

Yes. I have the 34/306 and I just love them. I also have the new A1.

[@Nina_20xx]

Hi Dave and Mike, great review. Thank you! One off topic question regarding Exposure 3510. Could you describe the difference of the sound between the integrated Amp and the Pre/Power combo? I could test the integrated already. But I cannot get the Pre/Power for a test. Thank you in advance.

[@MrVinylista]

The pre/power is a 3510 integrated "that goes up to eleven", to use the Spinal Tap phrase. It's basically 90% the same, with a little more speaker driving ability and detail. Definitely better in my view, but not totally night and day.

[@Nina_20xx]

@@MrVinylista Thank you so much!! This confirms my „suspicions“.

[@mikeyevs]

It's really a budget question. The integrated is lovely, but if you can easily afford the pre- power then go for it. If you can't justify the expense then you should definitely not be dissatisfied with the integrated as it is a superb amp.

[@Nina_20xx]

@@mikeyevs thank you very much Mike. Greetings from Germany

[@doifeellucky]

If you could only have one the A1 or the 3510 integrated? Thanks.

[@69leehammond]

Perfect man cave amp, with built in heater 😃

[@gerihifi]

Love to listen you both, fun to watch (even for a German 😅😅 ), thanks a lot! Still have an original (bit modified) A1 and dont wanna miss it ! Keep going!

[@MrVinylista]

Thank you. "Fun to watch, even for a German" is our best testimonial yet! Not that we've had many good ones. Most people compare us to the old guys on the The Muppet Show...

[@razisn]

@@MrVinylista Oh c'mon! Whom are you trying to fool? If Germans like your sense of humour you must be doing something very wrong! They used to really dig Benny Hill after all.. (Just joking, of course, tongue in cheek and all the rest politically correct anti-stereotyping disclaimers).

[@MrVinylista]

@@razisn LOL. Glad to hear you're just as politically correct as I am... "Don't mention the war! I did but I think I got away with it."

[@gerihifi]

Originally from Austria... now it's getting even worst ... peace 😀

[@xstensl8823]

very happy with my new Rega Elex but this looks interesting and worth a listen next time i am in Bangkok. do all solid state class A amps get this hot?

[@Hi-FiRiff]

The A1 is in a class of it's own when it comes to frying an egg. The A100 certainly didn't get close. Mike

[@razisn]

Actually Mike, the harder you drive a Class A amp the less hot it gets. Reason is that since it always consumes about the same power, the more of this energy is directed to its output to drive the speakers the less heat is dissipated. Worse case scenario for heat in such an amp is when idling.

[@MrVinylista]

Thank you for your polite correction. Mike, please take note...

[@razisn]

@@MrVinylista For Class A/B amps people more knowledgable than me calculate that max heat dissipation happens when an amp operates at about 2/3 or 60% of its max power. Of course the actual number would depend on the level of Class A bias the amp operates with and, of course, on how max power is defined (which is another huge can of worms..).

[@JD-lk7im]

My old A1 runs cooler when played loud too.

[@razisn]

@@JD-lk7imyes, you can’t beat physics

[@mikeyevs]

Cap duly doffed to your wisdom. 👍

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

My Audiolab CDQ 8200 runs a tad hot too!😉

[@Temmple]

Ordered one today at a nice discount. Very excited to see how it pairs with my 1TDX speakers.

[@Hi-FiRiff]

... looking forward to a follow up!

[@Temmple]

@@Hi-FiRiff A little concerned as my speakers are rated at 87db but might be just enough power for my medium sized room. Great review by the way.

[@jackfalco5351]

@@Temmple it couldn’t power. My Buchard is 400 Mark two speakers.

[@marcse7en]

I have a 1990 Musical Fidelity B200, which cost £300 back then! ... Made in Wembley, London. £300 was a lot of money to me 34 years ago, but now I'm older and rich(er)! 🤣 My B200 barely breaks a sweat, even when the volume is cranked up!

[@paulmastermann2200]

So A1 vs the cyrus amp vs exposure 2510?? Which wins? Thanks!

[@basementfortyfive]

Just subscribed. Very good video. thank you.

[@MrVinylista]

Welcome!

[@mikeyevs]

No, thank you. Mike

[@bluesman666uk]

You both gave it 10, yet the end card overall score was 9.75? Did you use the score from the Nait 50?

[@MrVinylista]

I'd sack our producer, but he's also 50% of the presenting team...

[@mikeyevs]

Bollocks... Sorry about that! I was so keen to get the Easter egg at the end that I forgot to change it! Mike

[@MrVinylista]

@@mikeyevs I don't know, you just can't get the staff, these days...

[@milesdufourny4813]

The original was a combination amplifier and hot plate. You could heat up a pot of soup while listening to music.

[@razisn]

This one will certainly keep your cup warm but will not in any circumstance prepare your tea..

[@mikeyevs]

Student bedsit heaven. Mike

[@tomwebb7091]

I bet this amp is wonderful.... my 2nd system uses the MF M2SI and it is super musical, ballsy without being rigid and pure of purpose and i LOVE IT. At £699 it is also a bargain

[@007soedal]

Any thoughts about the A1 driving the JBL L82 mk2?

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Not heard them personally, Mike @mrvinylista ?

[@007soedal]

@@Hi-FiRiff Ok. Thanx for answering anyway :-)

[@georgeheatherley3548]

Love the gloves 😅

[@Reinh4]

I ask myself: Will it drive a DYNAUDIO compact speaker with 85dB, 4 Ohms?

[@chicowasp]

Would the A1 work well with Harbeth p3esr ?

[@paulomontero12]

Runs very hot!🔥🔥

[@MrVinylista]

Hotter than July!

[@mikeyevs]

How does Bob Marley like his doughnuts?

[@jdekong3945]

With Jam in I believe 😸

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

Only the blue LED's let it down.

[@JD-lk7im]

What is it with these blue LEDs?!

[@nelsono4315]

if I didn't already own the Jeff Rowland 125 power amp I might very well be interested in the A1. The JR is a keeper.

[@sunilm3181]

What would b the score for Sugden 21a?

[@MrVinylista]

I haven't reviewed one for around 10 years, but if they're still the same, then the A21 is going to be close to 10. It too is excellent but a little more clinical sounding than the new MF A1.

[@sunilm3181]

Thank you David

[@rafagincas]

How does it compare to the Schiit Aegir? Both are class-A amplifiers at an affordable price, so the comparison seems inevitable...

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Would love to do the comparison. Mike

[@RennieAsh]

I have a low power class A amp that's still quite a good cooktop . At least all the knobs are metal, so they won't melt. The downside is, that all the knobs are metal, so after an hour you'd better have decided on your settings unless you want crispy fingers :)

[@razisn]

No such issue with this new amp though the buttons and knobs feel metal. They get warm but never hot.

[@tengkukamil3951]

Hi David,how do you compare this with the A1 version 2008?

[@MrVinylista]

It's a long time ago, but I did (I think) review it for Hi-Fi World and found myself a bit disappointed. I think the 2008 has little in common with either the original or this - indeed I seem to remember it sounding more like the old B1. It wasn't bad, just not what I'd hoped it to be - which was, in fact, the 2023 version!

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Strange ..............i was always waiting for an A1 in new clothing doing everything better than the original..

[@razisn]

I can see 1500 pounds/ 1600 euro or whatever burning a hole through your pocket

[@DaleWhitlam-ni5wp]

Thanks Eric and Ern. Great review, I give it a 9, would've been a 10 if you'd have mentioned the power and if it had a remote. Keep up the good work.

[@mikeyevs]

It actually has a gorgeous remote, but David forgot to bring it with him 😂

[@issadad]

Does Class A HOT also mean higher utility bills?

[@azman.s]

Btw is still Made in England?!

[@razisn]

no in Taiwan as every amp MF has made for the past 20 years or so, apart from their new HT amps which appear to be made in (mainland) China.

[@azman.s]

A pity sad not made in England. The price is high but still not England made. I have one.

[@razisn]

@@azman.s The price is high? You must not be in touch with hifi prices..

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

Definitely not like any other channel on YT.

[@MrVinylista]

Well that's a very polite way to put it!

[@mikeyevs]

Not too sure what to say... We will watch out for future comments :-) Mike

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

Check your electricity cost now.

[@georgescookie]

My 2023 A1 uses 5p worth of electricity every hour at today's day rate

[@razisn]

@@nvcxznbcxz Just another guy throwing around random numbers about its class A power.. All these years I heard any number of weird speculations for its output but this 8 is the lowest I've seen...

[@Shanachie707]

Of course he is, he’s the devil in the sky

[@JamesH1973]

You really need to get a Sugden A21SE in for review

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Agree completely.

[@paulomontero12]

He’s better off drink 100% alcohol then that coke.

[@MrVinylista]

The thought had occurred to me. The room we were in was almost as hot as the amp, and the Coke was my cooling system!

[@mikeyevs]

He did that too!

[@REX4340]

The original A1 was bang average😅

[@mikeyevs]

At best... Mike

[@jackfalco5351]

I have one I give it a five. The Billie Heaven 11 destroys this. Also, it can’t drive my Bart as 400 speakers.

[@tracyevans7886]

😆 Promo>SM

[@aljo54]

I must say I'm curious about how a company can market a product that 'wastes' so much energy, and runs so hot as to present a potential fire hazard, and danger to small children. With EU laws tight and getting tighter all the time. Do you have any insights into how they get round the regs? Genuine question, I'm not anti EU or energy saving...

[@razisn]

It consumes between 80W and 130W and gets much less hot than a tungsten bulb or indeed your kettle, not to mention your cooker.. Maybe even your hairdryer.. Certainly less than any tube power amp. Relax.. They do not need to get 'round' any regulations. Amps biased into Class A are not, yet, illegal. Maybe you would like to make such a proposal to the Commission?

[@MrVinylista]

@@razisn So true, and you could also argue that in winter it negates the need for an electric heater - so actually saves money!

[@lawrencemassey7190]

Terrible reviewing

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Ha ha, agree completely, but we had lots of fun and listened to a really cool (hot) amp. Mike

[@007soedal]

Loved the review. It is so refreshing to see your enthusiasm. I bought one. Listening to it now with Gyrodec SE and KEF ls50 Meta.@@Hi-FiRiff

[@jdekong3945]

Not a very fair statement

[@jackfalco5351]

I returned mine

[@moktaabdul6310]

Why not replace the capistors damping factors off bass which they use 20hz and replace with 10hz.

[@MrVinylista]

Capistors?

[@moktaabdul6310]

@@MrVinylista 33.000uf or 28.000uf or 22.000uf all 59v