Well, guess what guys? I can now say that both brands are first rate, here's why. The KCT/400cx/Thiel CS6 combo just keeps getting year after year and the key is feeding it a quality source. Recently we reconfigured our second listening room with the Vandersteen 2Ces that I was driving with either Rogue Cronus or CJ CAV50 integrateds. This new configuration now means the system fires down the long axis with a vaulted ceiling into a large open kitchen area, all of which translates into a need for more watts. So...
Home demoed a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated last weekend and man, what a difference! Very detailed and sweet like a tube amp, but also dynamic and really woke those Vandy's up. I had no idea how good and rockworthy those Vandys were. For a while I was afraid I might have to upgrade those speakers but now, no way. The A5 I ordered from my local dealer (Bradford Audio in Eugene, OR) arrived yesterday and is now providing excellent music, even after no break in period to speak of. I am not giving up anything by going from the tube integrateds here and in fact feel I am gaining so much more sonically. My wife agrees.
Musical Fidelity and Krell
Vandersteen and Thiel
Among the finest around and in my systems simply by choice because they sound so freaking fantastic.
