Musical Fidelity A3CD player

My impression of this CD player was that the sound was detailed, clear and light but at the same time lacking in overall dynamics. It was too lean and antiseptic for my taste. Maybe it was my aging ears or my audio equipment but the A3CD did not surpass the sound quality of my old existing CD player. I sent the unit back within the 30 day trial period. Does this mean that this CD player is "awful" as someone else mentioned? Not at all! One cannot argue with the outstanding reviews that the A3CD has received and an in home audition is highly recommended. It cost me about $25.00 in shipping costs for my review and it was money well spent. Maybe your ears and your system will find it to be an outstanding unit.

It's the same thing like the MF x-ray.

It is a very transparant, detailed, and in my system very dynamic. As good as any player in the under $1000 new market. If you are looking for lush, warm player this is not for you. Sam Tellig, Wes Phillips, and British Audio press universally give it high marks. However the best sound now is acheived using outboard DAC and just use CDP as a transport.

Hi MEGASAM, I have noticed that you own many Musical Fidelity products! I wonder if you are a Musical Fidelity salesman ??? Anyway thanks for your comment. I'd like to ask you which DAC do you recommend me to get that warm sound and musicality? How much it is? I listen to classical music, mostly large orchestral music (Mahler, Bruckner, Shostakovich symphonies, etc). I also own a Musical Fidelity A300 integrated amp. Thank you.

Cal, I do have a lot of MF gear, the DAC for you if you can swing the price is the new Bel Canto DAC1 with new power supply and tweaked board, retail is $1295 but you should get some discount with your dealer. Very good for solid state system, slow roll-off filter in BC Dac1 removes much of the digital hardness from CDs, check Wes Phillips review of BC dac1 hooked up to MF A3CD at www.onhifi.com......BTW I own a A3 integrated for back-up system, and often bi-amp it with MF X-AS100 amp.