2. analog
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How good is phono stage in Musical Fidelity A300?

I am getting my analog setup up and running and was wondering about the phono stage in the MF A300 intergrated amp.

I have read a few different opinions indirectly about it and was wondering if a separate entry level dedicated phono stage would be a step up (Monolithic PS 1, etc).

I have a modded KAB Technics SL-1200 TT with a Dynavector 10 X 5 MC cartridge that is breaking in.

Sound is very good to my ears as it breaks in, but with my limited experience I do not have a lot to compare to.

I also may have somewhat of a cartridge matching issue with the MF A 300 and the Dyna.
I am using the MM setting which allegedly has 37 db gain and 47k ohm impedance and the Dyna is a 2.5 mv high output MC cartridge with suggested impedance of > 1000 ohms.
Seems a bit shy on driving the system and I have to turn up the volume quite a bit more than I am used to for the same sound levels.
Most people have said this is typical in analog versus CD players output and don't worry about it and this does not impact the quality of the sound.

I guess my main question is how good is the MF A 300 phono stage?
lkdog
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Anybody have a thought on this phono stage?

Thanks.
jkaway
93 posts
 
I owned this amp back when I beleived reviews by sam Tellig in S'file.That should tell you something right there.The amp has a lot of nice features, great build quality,lotta power... and sounds dead , lifeless and about as involving as reading the phone book.I went to all tubes and never looked back.The phono section worked but 10% of zero is still zero.
satch
329 posts
 
I feel the MF phono os not as worse as in most integrated amps, but could (and will) be bettered by an external phono-amp. However, having extended experience with the Technics 1200 (standard) I feel a better turntable would be more appropriate. Although I have to admit I don't know what the KAB mod is, so I might be out of line here, I always liked the Technics for it's rugged build and ease of operation, but not really for its sound. Something like a Rega Planar 3 is more of a taste of what analogue can do IMHO.
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