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Musical Fidelity A300 mod by Tube Research Labs

Just a few comments on my MF A300 integrated amp which I had recently modded by Tube Research Labs (TRL).

I had just decided to upgrade my source and was searching around for a possible replacement or mod upgrade to my MF A300 integrated which I have had for a couple years.

The MF A300 is very nice unit which has given me much enjoyment. I had already had Tube Research Labs mod two digital units for me, and inquired with them about modding the MF A300. TRL is well known for their very high end SOTA custom preamps and amps and they agreed to see what enhancements might be possible for my modest little amp.

The fee for this is their standard $550 which they charge for modding digital units, transports, DACs, etc.

When I got the unit back after some initial break in, I made some notes and then asked Paul and Brian at TRL what changes they thought were made from their mod.

Both said almost the same thing that I now heard and had written in my notes-
Brian felt that the amp "had a very high noise floor and some glare".
Paul stated they attempted to remove "transistor artifacts" which creates an edginess to the sound and removing the noise allows a more 3D like soundstage.

Anyway, my notes started out with "Amp is much quieter now and sound is much smoother"... "Soundstage is much better now front to back".

With the lowered noise floor I am able to hear more information on familiar recordings and the instrument and player spacing and placement was much improved.
Much of the previous harshness I would get on some overly hot digital recordings was gone.

Anyway, after about 200 hours of break in, I would state that this amp is quite a performer now. Another benefit for me is that I use a dedicated tube phono stage (Hagerman Cornet) which uses one of the line in inputs on the MF A300. My Turntable front end is now also improved quite a bit.

Just wanted folks to know about how this worked out for me and it might be worth looking into if you like your present amp, but would like more performance out of it for what I feel is a decent price.

It is very difficult in my opinion to figure out an upgrade path (and matching) with an amp and preamp setup so improving an already decent integrated amp that I liked has worked out well for me.

TRL was quite impressed with the performance gains with the MF A300. Not quite in the class of their new ST-225 225 watt integrated amp, but that of course is a $5500 amp. Maybe someday on that one for me.. :)

Regards--
lkdog
clio09
3,375 posts
 
I just purchased a TRL modded Alesis ML9600 (using as a transport only per Paul) from a third-party (recommended by Paul) and I'm amazed at how the sound improves daily. After some email conversations with Paul I'm convinced that they will mod my DAC (although what they can do with a simple non-up/oversampling DAC remains a mystery to me). Your post on the modded amp makes me wonder if that is an option as well for me, although I'm enjoying my Cary V12i as it is. The price is certainly right and if it takes the performance up a few levels it would be worth it versus buying a new amp.

Thanks for the information.
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Clio09-

You might ask Paul about your Cary V12i and see what he thinks. CAry makes very fine audio gear, but as I am finding out, even very good units can be improved.
You probably recall Sam Tellig going gaga over the MF A300 when it came out and it is still snapped up on the used market as an in demand piece of gear.
Well, it is a much better integrated amp now.

As you know-TRL made its' reputation for the last several years doing SOTA tube amps and preamps costing major bucks.
I think they have a year waiting list on these big buck units.

I was kind of like you-wondering if I should buy a different preamp/amp or integrated or see what TRL can do?

This has turned out to be every bit as much of a positive change as one gets with a major component upgrade.
The noise floor element still sort of amazes me as it was so apparent right when I turned it on after getting it back.

If anything, they could maybe evaluate it to tell you if they thought it would be worth it.
clio09
3,375 posts
 
Lkdog,

When talking to Paul about the Alesis he explained that major improvements could only be made on the digital side and that they could not do the things that they would normally like on the analogue side as the board in the Alesis prevented it. He did say that they made the analogue outputs at the very least listenable. However, Michael Framer raves about this unit in stereophile and he uses the stock unit. Go figure.

One of the things I like about TRL is that they are in the very high end market. So when Paul says my Alesis used as a transport could stack up against the big MBL and CEC transports I believe him. Take into account that these guys also do work for companies like Intel and some of the R&D from that work can be used in their audio line.

If they can take $550 of mine and make the sound quality of my Cary one quarter of that which is exhibited by their top of the line amp ($125k) I'd be thrilled.
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Clio09-

Well, they certainly have an incredibly wide range of experience to bring to bear to their work. It is also good to deal with folks that are very ethical and nice people.

I am guessing that Paul or Brian has mentioned their new ST-225 (225 wattx2) integrated amp they are coming out with.

I have a friend who is going to try it out with his Soundlabs. I may have the ST 225 visit my house for a day or two :)
TRL is quite excited about this venture into pure solid state.

Yes, they know pretty much everything that is out there and voice their units and mods to their own very high end reference units.
I am pretty confident that my MF A300 is now getting every ounce of performance out of it.
saisunil
22 posts
 
I am considering going your route MF a300 TRL modded unit. I currently have TAD-150 Tube Pre and TAD-60 Power - sound is amazing, rich, detailed, extended on top and bottom, musical. I have a baby and family who would like to use the unit provided it is simple.

My question and concerns is how much of tube richness would I miss going TRL modded MF a300? Would I gain anything musically?

I have TRL modded Sony 2000 ES SACD, it is quite a performer - I think it out performed Arcam 192 and Belcando DAC2 for me in my truly humble system. Currently using Von Schweikert VR1 monitors with sub, planning to upgrade to super revealing Tyler Acoustics.

Thanks
Sunil.
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