Used Musical Fidelity A5 question

[blek99]

Hi,

I am currently looking for an integrated amp to power recently bought MA GS20 speakers. A guy that I know has a spare MF A5 integrated amp, and having heard it I think this is a piece that would complement the speakers nicely. The amp itself is from late 2006, it's in a great condition and the asking price is ok (£700). The only problem is the guy is not the original buyer and he has no papers for the kit. My question is whether it is a big problem to get factory upgrades or repairs at MF without the original proof of purchase? After all, A5 is a limited edition, so all pieces should theoretically be recorded by the producer... I would appreciate your thoughts.

[DSJR]

Ask MF and gauge their response is my recommendation. They *used to be* good on service as long as parts were available.

[blek99]

Good idea, I will send them a quick email. Thanks

[John]

They now have a Mod service so should not be a major isssue but my advice before going down this route is hear a few more amps and get a sense of the direction you wish to go This will take time but save you loads if you not happy latter on

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Dom

Sorry but I would not put an MFA5 with Monitor Audio speakers unless you like an in your face bright sound. Earlier MF such as a 308 would be a better match as the amplifier has a slightly sweeter sound than a later A5....just my opinion of course and we all like different sound and presentation.

I would look at a Myryad of the same vintage....can't remember the model number :doh: but it sold for about £1500 to £1800 around about the same time 2005 ish. Imho it will be a much better match for your speakers.


Regards D S D L

[blek99]

Hi Dom

Sorry but I would not put an MFA5 with Monitor Audio speakers unless you like an in your face bright sound. Earlier MF such as a 308 would be a better match as the amplifier has a slightly sweeter sound than a later A5....just my opinion of course and we all like different sound and presentation.

I would look at a Myriad of the same vintage....can't remember the model number :doh: but it sold for about £1500 to £1800 around about the same time 2005 ish. Imho it will be a much better match for your speakers.


Regards D S D L

Thanks for the tip, haven't heard Myriad amp before so will try to check out one. I also have another concern regarding A5 with my MA GR20 - these are 150 watt speakers, but the amp hits at about 330 watts at speakers' reference impedance. Given that my music is quite bassy, I'm worried I will overload the speakers :(

[Reid Malenfant]

Thanks for the tip, haven't heard Myriad amp before so will try to check out one. I also have another concern regarding A5 with my MA GR20 - these are 150 watt speakers, but the amp hits at about 330 watts at speakers' reference impedance. Given that my music is quite bassy, I'm worried I will overload the speakers :(
Dom, you are far better off with an overpowered amp driving your speakers than an underpowered one ;) If the amp can produce more power than the speaker can handle at least it'll be "clean" power & the speaker will live even if it doesn't like it too much.

But if you clip an underpowered amplifier you'll all of a sudden be feeding DC at high power to the speaker :eek: Take it from me that the speaker won't last very long at all..

[The Grand Wazoo]

..................and an amp will only produce more power than a speaker can handle if you ask it to do so, by turning the volume knob too far in a clockwise direction.

[Spectral Morn]

Thanks for the tip, haven't heard Myriad amp before so will try to check out one. I also have another concern regarding A5 with my MA GR20 - these are 150 watt speakers, but the amp hits at about 330 watts at speakers' reference impedance. Given that my music is quite bassy, I'm worried I will overload the speakers :(

Powers not the issue, no compatibility issues there just sound quality compatibility. A5 + MA imho will produce a somewhat forward bright sound.

Of course you might like that.


Regards D S D L

[blek99]

Cool, thanks a lot for your help. I would appreciate further recommendations for amps that would work well with my speakers.

[Effem]

Copland and Electrocompaniet amps have a nice smooth sound which should offset the inherent forwardness of the GS20's.

[blek99]

What about Naim Nait XS or Creek Destiny?

[jandl100]

Hi Dom

Sorry but I would not put an MFA5 with Monitor Audio speakers unless you like an in your face bright sound. Earlier MF such as a 308 would be a better match as the amplifier has a slightly sweeter sound than a later A5....just my opinion of course and we all like different sound and presentation.
Regards D S D L

Yup, tastes differ!

I owned an MF A308 pre-amp - really quite a bland and boring sound, imo.

Tomorrow I collect an MF A5 power amp - I can't wait!! :carrot:

[blek99]

A5 is a great piece of equipment in my opinion, but after listening to it paired with MA RX6 speakers I have to say imo it was leaning towards the bright side. Tested a lot of different amps over the last couple of days: MF, Arcam, Naim, Creek, Adv Acoust, Marantz, and I have to say I was impressed with Marantz Pearl, I didn't hear it on Monitor Audio tho. Anyone has direct experience with that pairing?

[jandl100]

A5 is a great piece of equipment in my opinion, but after listening to it paired with MA RX6 speakers I have to say imo it was leaning towards the bright side.

I have an MF A5 power amp now.
Very bright to start with. No way I could live with it. It needs minimum of 6-8 hours of warm up before it loses its sting, thereafter it starts to sound very nice indeed.

Def one of those beasties where a 1 hour shop dem will not show its true capabilities unless it has been left on for a goodly while beforehand.

[Clive]

Does the A5 have to be left on 24/7, does it have a standby mode?

[jandl100]

Yes, in my view my MF A5 power amp does need to be on 24/7. :(

I turned it off for about 10-15 minutes a couple of days back to re-arrange mains wiring. The dang thing got its steely bite back, and it took at least 4 hours to go away again. :doh:

No, it doesn't have a standby mode.
So it's not very green, I'm afraid .... more a nice silvery colour. ;)