"Warm Sounding" Solid State Amplifiers

"05-03-15: Pontifex
It will still be yet another week or so but I'm very excited to finally introduce myself to the Musical Fidelity brand. If I enjoy their sound signature I could see myself moving up to the M6 series. I want to simplify my rig a bit more and get a CD player with a good DAC rather than use a separate one. So the M6 CD player is also on my radar."

You need to be careful. The piece you bought was from when MF made they're stuff in the UK. The M6 is some of the newer gear made in Taiwan. It doesn't sound anything like what you just bought. Completely different.

Yes, that's right. An excellent point. From what I understand they still manufacture their higher models in the UK still. Anyway that's very distant on my "radar" I shouldn't really entertain that notion until I have had a good amount of time to listen to the A308 and the GX300's.

That must be the A-308 I noticed on CAM just before you announced you found one? Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!

Quite likely! The seller is a gentleman in Southern Ontario. It's like it was waiting there for me! ;)

Sorry for the wait but I have finally picked up the A308 and the GX 300's.

The A308 integrated is a wonderful amp! In a nutshell, it is more on the neutral side of the spectrum but it is very musical. After a 15 to 20 minute warm up it really comes to life.

Compared to the NAD C355BEE it is much more dynamic and unstrained. The sound doesn't come apart at higher intensities and volumes. The bass is also much tighter and controlled. Very solid build quality. Produces a lot more heat than the NAD.

The preamp section is excellent but I still prefer my Bryston BP25 preamp as I find it to be more dynamic, articulated and a lower noise floor. However, I do find the A308's phono stage to be warmer and more musical than the BP25's phono stage. That makes my turntable very happy! :)

The GX 300's are also fantastic speakers. Compared to the Silver RX6's they have more natural sounding highs, very clear mids and deeper bass extension. Superior sound stage as well. Overall more refined sound. Lot's of finesse! Oh... and did I mention how purdy they are? Terrific craftsmanship that makes for some pleasant eye candy for any hi-fi enthusiast!

The only glaring issue is my room size and speaker placement. For the time being I only have a 10 x 12 bedroom to work with. The GX 200's would probably have been a better option. The speakers are off center and approximately 1 foot from the wall. My equipment is somewhat stacked up in between the speakers, my head is right up against the rear wall and there is a queen sized mattress between me and the speakers.

For a bedroom music system it seriously rocks but for a proper hi-fi setup there is much room for improvement. I'm in the process of negotiating some space in the living room but it is plagued with animals and toddlers.

Thanks to everyone who has been following and contributing to the thread! :)