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Conrad johnson amp with Musical Fidelity pre

My amp-preamp combo is:
CJ 2250 (SS, 125wpc) + MF A3.2cr preamp. I'm using a Ah! CD player

I bought this pre-amp pair in my reawakening of audio joy. During my research, I noted that each unit was often referred to as 'musical'. In addition, descriptions of each contained many similarities.

I've since spoken with an audio-invested friend of mine and expressed some, not a lot, of dissatisfaction regarding the quality of the sound. He suggested that while both components are musical, the CJ is tubier despite being SS and the MF is analytical and cold. Whatever the case, he suggested I post for others' to comment.

Any thoughts or experiences out there with these items separately or together?
swimmerone
eldarado
381 posts
 
IMO, MF is not musical. I have heard several MF intergrateds and separates with many different speakers. I feel they are solid and don't have any glaring flaws, just not musical. If it were me I would look at upgrading the pre first. It could be just a bad match with your speakers. What speakers are you running?

No offense to MF owners out there. I am not trying to start a flame MF thread, just voicing my opinion.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
both components are quite good and 'musical'. the cd player and/or the speakers? could be where the dissatisfaction really is.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,804 posts
 
I currently use a Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 (3.2 preamp/cd player/DAC in one package) and pair it with a Prima Luna Prologue 5 tube power amp ... very musical and elegant sounding. I had a MF A3 integrated amp prior to this set-up ... very musical, as well. My experience with MF has been a pretty good one. (But after reading some of these threads, I am beginning to wonder if I know what musical sounding is anymore)

For argument's sake, even if the MF A3.2 preamp were not as musical as you would like, I would think that your Ah Tjoeb tube cd player would warm up the sound somewhat.

So, two questions ... before your buddy offered his take on your system ... just what was your dissatisfaction with your system's sound? Secondly, what speakers are you using, as that's half of the equation?

Regards, Rich
gene888
8 posts
 
I think the C-J amp needs a pre with better soundstaging and fuller sound. The MF stuff I heard sounds very lean. Have you tried the C-J PV-14L pre?
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