I have this amp. Got it open box for $1299 USD. I’m retired and audio gear is my hobby and where I spend my money…and boats. I live with an amp/speakers for about 6 months before I get the itch to replace or move around. I don’t chase convenience or bells and whistles. I chase sound. I seem to prefer class A monoblocks. That’s ‘my’ sound and it gets expensive. All that being said, this is a phenomenal amp that I do not change out. I simply find it perfect. It’s not big on detail, or separation, or the dissection of instruments. However, it oozes musical enjoyment, soul, emotion, fun. It evokes good memories of music…it takes me back to my life as if I’m the star of my own music video. I sing and I dance when listening to this amp. It hits every sweet-spot that every song can give. Do i sound crazy? Yes. Im a 54 year-old divorced boring white guy. This amp takes me back to 1987 when I was 17 and had no worries, no responsibility and partied every day trying to get laid. Even though I average about $7000 per piece of audio equipment, nothing has brought me audio bliss like this piece in its totality. My only complaint or concern is this- I can’t get my monitor audio speakers to perform on this amp. The pairing just doesn’t work which I can’t figure out because I’ve thrown every speaker at this amp and it makes them sing. Maybe I just don’t prefer the monitor audio sound?? On the flip-side q acoustics sound like the music is just melting your soul. As do the Lintons. And Zu’s… is my journey over? Nope. Will I ever get rid of this amp? Hell no!
Idea for a video: You have a $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 budget. What system would you personally buy if this setup was your only one (mainly used for music, but also for movies/TV, all gear bought brand new, you can choose between both active and passive speakers, big or small). Hope you keep creating content for many years, you're one of my favs! :)
I have one of these and love it. I got it because it doesn't have that hyper treble I can't stand. It sounds like music without all the "revealing" and "neutral" obsessions that took over hi-fi in the 90's and continue apace today. The phono stage is fine with my high output moving coil cartridge. My main gripe is that they kept those stacked speaker connections which are utter hell to get to when changing cables/speaker. That overlip thing makes cable changes difficult enough without stacking them. And yes, reaching around to change cables can have one exclaiming like Jame Brown, "Hot stuff, good god!" I'm still trying to find the speakers I want with it, but haven't had any issues driving the five sets I've tried so far which range from 84 to 87 db. It reminds me that back in the day we used to listen to music and not "systems." I have friends with megabuck systems that can't listen to everything. To my mind, if it can't make Robert Johnson sing, then something is wrong.
The original was my first amp in the 80s. It was powering at that time B&W DM110 speakers. I loved it, it was even heating my basement. Unfortunately, it was not reliable and would die from melted components after a few years. This thing ran hot!
The original A1 was my first amp back in the day. Paired with a Yamaha CD player and Boston Acoustic shelf speakers. It was a great heater in the winter.
I have a Sugden amp. I think as soon as you've heard class A amps it's quite difficult to give them up, they feel alive. You have to warm them up before they'e at there best, but if you accept the limitations the sound is beguiling.
@@classicrock7890what do you prefer. For me, the Sugden does it for me. I have the A1000 which I prefer to the Sugden. Has more power but maybe the tone of the Sugden has the edge
@richcarless7740 they are garbage, didn't like them, very warm soft dead dull lifeless macintosh sound, not good St micro details transparency wide bandwidth, not good at instruments separation,
This is amp is excellent for the price. The sound is inoffensive yet addicting. Yes, you need to switch it off when you go to bed, but otherwise I have zero complaints running it in my simple secondary system. The relatively small form factor is another positive.
John, you captured the unique sound and appeal of the amp really well. I had the A-100x for a while, which was a later version of the original A-1. It was "inherited" from a roommate and was my first, true hi-fi component. I've never heard it's equal in terms of presence and verve. Thanks for the review.
I think we also need to look at this from the other way. While you’re listening to music you’re also keeping warm and snug. In comparison, my gas boiler generates lacks any midrange, the bass is just a clunking thud twice a day and the treble is frankly overemphasised. Worse are my solar panels which despite claiming to be 6000w are not audible at all.
I owned for a season, the US market version, British Fidelity A1. It was a very nice amp. What I remember most was how hot the top surface got. The stylish aluminum top was the heat sink. You could cook breakfast on it.
An excellent review! I have a long history with this amp. Bought one in 1987 I believe it was the very first series, with side panels with no holes. Served me well approximately 10 years then gave up. I got it stored in my basement and almost forgot about it until Musical Fidelity announced the latest version for 10 times more money than I paid back in the days. I sent it then to reparation and overhaul where it got fixed and got new capacitors. I am now enjoying my music collection for the second time and feeling young again. Back in the days I used Wharfedale Diamond but it is not a combo that I woild recommend now. I have now Klipsch RP 600 m II and I am often asking myself if that thing only has 20 watts. Anyway careful pairing is required, don’t go below 90 dB sensitivity.
I worked at a Toronto audio shop part-time in 87 and 88. We actually cracked an egg directly on top of the chassis to cook. The owners were a bit nuts, but fun.
Its running too hot ..the mains voltage says 230 volts on the rear panel. I measured my mains voltage at 246 volts . Using a autotransformer to reduce the voltage to 230 volts reduces the heat. Mines runs at 55 degrees idling now.
The Schiit Aegir and Mjolnir 3 are my main speaker and headphone amps, respectively. Despite being relatively low powered, I never find their output wanting. If anything, they've helped me kick my wattage neurosis once and for all. If I were in the market for an integrated amp, I wouldn't be put off in the least by the A1's 25wpc.
I remember when these first launched. The other amps that would regular figure in comparisons were the Mission Cyrus and Audiolab 8000A - I bought an 8000A. I still have it, and will never part with it - it’s still a superb sounding amp.
Glad you finally got around to this review. I was hoping to hear how the A1 fared with the Musical Fidelity LS3/5a’s but realize those may no longer be in house.
I really like the looks of this. But my eye constatntly went for those Cambrige Edge whenever they appeared on the corner of some shot. The A1 would never be my choice at any budget but I'm happy it exists and that old ways still have a place today.
Efficiency is a virtue that must always be respected, and weighed in decisions. Of course wasting the energy of an old 40 watt incandescent bulb is minuscule and compared to your last flight microscopic. Bruno Putzey in his interview on Pearl Acoustics said his quest is for efficiency and I took that to heart.
Thanks for the Dean Wareham recommendation, John. That album is not available on Tidal but I am enjoying “I have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A” (good title!). Always appreciate your videos 👍
I have an original bought in 1985 and still in daily use. It's had a repaired pot and has been recapped and still sounds magic. I'd love one of these new ones but don't have the funds.
Repaired/upgraded a ton of original A1's and have always been impressed with the sound quality of these so if the new one is as good and more reliable then id be in line to purchase one however my current speakers wouldn't be a good match (Duntech Sovereigns). Great video.
I have the Heresy 3 version. Regardless of sensitivity , that speaker will make my 70 watt a/b amp get super warm..even hot and hotter. Interestingly, my Spendors rated at 87 db sensitivity - more like 83ish sensitivity, doesn't get the same amp warm at all.
They say that Class A amps and Klipsch are a particularly good combination. It's strange that it's not even mentioned in the video. It would have been interesting to know more about it.
Thanks for the excellent video. I'd prefer the Marantz I think. I'm trying to tame some digital glare and poor acoustics, so I want somewhat laid back. I'm leaning toward pairing that with the Wharfdale Linton.
My dad has the pre, and twin mono blocs versions. I remember back in the day around 18years old listening to the Smashing Pumpkins amazing “Silverfuck” with a friend. It was a warm summers evening and we were sitting on the floor between the speakers turned up loud. Wow. Wow. The warm trippy sound from about the 3.00 minute mark is pure class A bliss. Try it!
I had an original musical fidelity a100 great bit of kit, when I part exchanged it about 8 years ago for a naim amp, it brought lots of interest of the sales people in the shop, they all had to have a listen, no doubt this new little amp will be sought after.
I had tge original A1 with Castle speakers (stand mounters) plus a Dual turntable.....loved the sound from my very first seperates set up. Thank you, John 👍
I started laughing when I seen the eggs. lol Think per comments that people are missing what this amp is about. Apparently there are many who never experienced good class A sound. It’s a wonderful listening experience and with the right speakers you hear music is more “alive” and liquid sounding in a way that you can’t get with an all in one on in this price range.
I did that and it worked for some time, but I signed up for Darko Patreon and got a Spotify and Tidal playlist a couple days later. Much better. Also got to see the video a day ahead. Offering Darko a cop of coffee once a month is worth it. Would really like to have a coffee with him, in person.
It's all about synergy. I run a 300b SET class A with 12.5 watts per channel and several vintage and modern AB amps from 50 to 215watts.The speakers are Wharfedale Elysian-4 which are 92dB efficient. The tube amp powers the Elysians to high volume without difficulty, but I noticed I was increasingly listening to the solid state amps. I recently picked up Ex dem Icon Audio single driver FRM2 floorstanders, and suddenly the tube amp shone. It was astonishing how much better it was with those speakers. They were, of course, designed for low power Class A amps. With the right synergy I was now seeing what the amp was truly capable of. It will be the same with the A1.
Can I suggest that you try using spring style isolation feet. For your bookshelf speakers, I’d suggest removing three springs each. I found this isolation feet superior to any other form of speaker vibration elimination.
I remember the original, but I am old as dirt. " on knob-feel the volume wheel is reassuringly stiff..." I had to check exactly what you were reviewing, just in case it had changed part way through. Ooh you are naughty, John!!
It was an issue in their earlier designs for sure. This newer model has better components with tolerance for higher heat capabilities. It also slides to class A/B when hitting peaks
It’s like how they used to cook a steak on the exhaust manifold of a car engine and steam engine drivers used to cook their dinners in the firebox of the loco lol
If you like the industrial design or this amplifier, you might be interested to know that Anthony Michaelson commissioned the famous anglo-american design company Pentagram to design the casework, at great expense.
I loved my OG A1 from the 80s. If you really want to see some class A madness, take a look at Musical Fidelity's SA470 from the same period. Heard one of these at a hi-fi show and the way it grabbed the speaker cones and shook them is something I will never forget. 95KG, and a scary amount of reserve power (250W Class A per channel, to be exact!)
I still have the original A1 which paired with Philips CD 473 and Celestion DL speakers back in late 80s.My friends got A100 with Rogers speakers.Well CD player and speakers are long gone and I'm looking to get a Philips cd680 and Paradigm reference studio speakers......I love the old combo sound for classical music.
The first A1 is a pain in the arse to repair and I'm not expecting this to be any better. Its ceiling is also the heat sink for the output transistors. It comes in two pieces that both sit on a π shaped metal base, where the out transistors are mounted on. With thermal paste between those two ceiling pieces and that π shaped base. No need to say more...
I remember when the original A1 showed up here in Toronto, it was still referred to as British Fidelity. Personally, I prefer its upgrade....the A100. I would be curiius to see how an old recapped A100 would perform against this new incarnation.
I had an original A1and MF bookshelf speakers (90dB sensitivitt) the 90s. I think it retailed for £299 not £199 (that was the later model B1). It was a fun amp but the reliability was an issue (I recaped the electrolic capacitors at one point). At the current price it faces a lot of competition from Rega, Atoll, NAD, Marantz etc. The energy waste is also a concern.
Honestly people think wattage and they think too much of it, Class A topology. It's able to output 25W of pure Class A power @ 8 ohms load with 25A of maximum output As you can see here it has more to do with the current capabilities than the actual wattages which will change with different speakers and with the efficiency of them
Comparing this to off-the-shelf receiver that says 50 or 100 watts of channel This is actually still better The wattage output of a receiver depends on several factors, including its design and efficiency, especially when comparing it to a Class A topology. However, with the information provided: 25W at 8 ohms refers to the pure output in Class A mode. 25A maximum output implies it has the potential to deliver significant current. In terms of an equivalent Sony receiver in wattage, many Sony home receivers fall into the Class AB category, which generally provides more efficiency but lower sound purity compared to Class A. To estimate equivalency, Class A designs are typically less efficient than Class AB designs. For instance, a Sony Class AB receiver rated at around 50W to 100W per channel at 8 ohms could produce a similar sound experience in volume and power, considering the purity of the Class A output at 25W. So while the numbers are not directly comparable, a Sony receiver rated between 50W to 100W per channel would roughly match your Class A amp in terms of perceived sound performance
Love my A1 got rid of the Peachtree GaN 400 class D amp as this has much better texture and dynamic drive. The Peachtree was good approaching Class A sound but still not quite there
I Love mine. I am atill debating whether to wait for my Decware Order after nearly 3 years of waiting and sell the A1, or keep it, and cancel my order. Just know if your into the A1 you will Love its Sound, and Quality.
Running a SMSL VMV A1 (not sure if the name is taken from the MS or not) which is a 10 watt class A amp and it has plenty of power for KEF LS50 and I vastly prefer it to the Fosi V3 on the same speakers.
I had a MF 3A pre and P140 power amp in the 90s and they were great. Not the last word in accuracy and control but lush and vibrant (and hot). Don't know why but I traded them in for an Audiolab 8000C/P setup, I think, which was clinical and boring. Oh well.
I had the original one which I bought in 1988 I think. It looked distinctive and sounded wonderful with an Ortofon moving coil cartridge and Heybrook speakers in a small room. I had reliability problems with it though which kind of put me off Musical Fidelity products. Maybe I was just unlucky.
My a100 which I bought roughly about the same time, had to have a couple of repairs, wonderful amp though, I reckon they'll have sorted issues on the new version here.
I wouldn't be leaving the house with something running that hot left on. Presumably they have thermal runaway protection but it wouldn't be my choice. I'll stick with my NAD.
Lovely video. The Roksan Attessa Amp/Streaming Amp is a comparable product. It sounds so lively and musical and well rounded and also has a similar price.
It's somewhat of a hairshirt amplifier and I could take or leave the ''blue'' design. I suppose I could live with that compromise if the sound was truly wonderful and not just a nostalgia piece. If the sound is just OK then I would probably favor the Marantz with its reliability, practicality and features. Hey John, which one would YOU keep if you were a regular apartment dwelling guy that can't afford to own a dozen amps and who prioritizes good sound over features.
I have this amp. Got it open box for $1299 USD. I’m retired and audio gear is my hobby and where I spend my money…and boats. I live with an amp/speakers for about 6 months before I get the itch to replace or move around. I don’t chase convenience or bells and whistles. I chase sound. I seem to prefer class A monoblocks. That’s ‘my’ sound and it gets expensive. All that being said, this is a phenomenal amp that I do not change out. I simply find it perfect. It’s not big on detail, or separation, or the dissection of instruments. However, it oozes musical enjoyment, soul, emotion, fun. It evokes good memories of music…it takes me back to my life as if I’m the star of my own music video. I sing and I dance when listening to this amp. It hits every sweet-spot that every song can give. Do i sound crazy? Yes. Im a 54 year-old divorced boring white guy. This amp takes me back to 1987 when I was 17 and had no worries, no responsibility and partied every day trying to get laid. Even though I average about $7000 per piece of audio equipment, nothing has brought me audio bliss like this piece in its totality. My only complaint or concern is this- I can’t get my monitor audio speakers to perform on this amp. The pairing just doesn’t work which I can’t figure out because I’ve thrown every speaker at this amp and it makes them sing. Maybe I just don’t prefer the monitor audio sound?? On the flip-side q acoustics sound like the music is just melting your soul. As do the Lintons. And Zu’s… is my journey over? Nope. Will I ever get rid of this amp? Hell no!
try Klipsch heritage line speakers... if you haven't already. These and the A1... rock!!
I've got the original A1 paired with Cornwall Is currently. Its an amazing combination. @@medonk12rs
I bought the A1 and a Lint Sondeck in Reading back in 1988, and used Dali 1 I think they are called 2 way speakers. My son still use them.
Idea for a video: You have a $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 budget. What system would you personally buy if this setup was your only one (mainly used for music, but also for movies/TV, all gear bought brand new, you can choose between both active and passive speakers, big or small).
Hope you keep creating content for many years, you're one of my favs! :)
I wonder how those new KEF Q Meta Concertos sound compared to KEF R3 Metas
I have one of these and love it. I got it because it doesn't have that hyper treble I can't stand. It sounds like music without all the "revealing" and "neutral" obsessions that took over hi-fi in the 90's and continue apace today. The phono stage is fine with my high output moving coil cartridge. My main gripe is that they kept those stacked speaker connections which are utter hell to get to when changing cables/speaker. That overlip thing makes cable changes difficult enough without stacking them. And yes, reaching around to change cables can have one exclaiming like Jame Brown, "Hot stuff, good god!" I'm still trying to find the speakers I want with it, but haven't had any issues driving the five sets I've tried so far which range from 84 to 87 db. It reminds me that back in the day we used to listen to music and not "systems." I have friends with megabuck systems that can't listen to everything. To my mind, if it can't make Robert Johnson sing, then something is wrong.
"Knob feel is stiff"
My wife will love this for Christmas.
The original was my first amp in the 80s. It was powering at that time B&W DM110 speakers. I loved it, it was even heating my basement. Unfortunately, it was not reliable and would die from melted components after a few years. This thing ran hot!
The original A1 was my first amp back in the day. Paired with a Yamaha CD player and Boston Acoustic shelf speakers. It was a great heater in the winter.
I have a Sugden amp. I think as soon as you've heard class A amps it's quite difficult to give them up, they feel alive. You have to warm them up before they'e at there best, but if you accept the limitations the sound is beguiling.
I have the A21. It’s my end-game.
Actually the Sugden A21 sounds quite different to the A1.
@@classicrock7890what do you prefer. For me, the Sugden does it for me. I have the A1000 which I prefer to the Sugden. Has more power but maybe the tone of the Sugden has the edge
@richcarless7740 they are garbage, didn't like them, very warm soft dead dull lifeless macintosh sound, not good St micro details transparency wide bandwidth, not good at instruments separation,
@abdulmokta6585 which amp and speaker combination did you try?? That sounds to me like the speakers didn't match the amp
This is amp is excellent for the price. The sound is inoffensive yet addicting. Yes, you need to switch it off when you go to bed, but otherwise I have zero complaints running it in my simple secondary system. The relatively small form factor is another positive.
Please explain: what is rhythmic drive?? Sometimes I need a glossary for your descriptions. Is this an impossible request?
Running the new A1 for some months now, driving Klipsch heritage speakers. IMHO your remark at 15:44 is spot-on. Very much enjoying this combo 🙂
John, you captured the unique sound and appeal of the amp really well. I had the A-100x for a while, which was a later version of the original A-1. It was "inherited" from a roommate and was my first, true hi-fi component. I've never heard it's equal in terms of presence and verve. Thanks for the review.
I think we also need to look at this from the other way. While you’re listening to music you’re also keeping warm and snug. In comparison, my gas boiler generates lacks any midrange, the bass is just a clunking thud twice a day and the treble is frankly overemphasised. Worse are my solar panels which despite claiming to be 6000w are not audible at all.
Thank you DARKO for the review, great stuff as always! 🌟
I owned for a season, the US market version, British Fidelity A1. It was a very nice amp. What I remember most was how hot the top surface got. The stylish aluminum top was the heat sink. You could cook breakfast on it.
An excellent review! I have a long history with this amp. Bought one in 1987 I believe it was the very first series, with side panels with no holes. Served me well approximately 10 years then gave up. I got it stored in my basement and almost forgot about it until Musical Fidelity announced the latest version for 10 times more money than I paid back in the days. I sent it then to reparation and overhaul where it got fixed and got new capacitors. I am now enjoying my music collection for the second time and feeling young again.
Back in the days I used Wharfedale Diamond but it is not a combo that I woild recommend now. I have now Klipsch RP 600 m II and I am often asking myself if that thing only has 20 watts. Anyway careful pairing is required, don’t go below 90 dB sensitivity.
I worked at a Toronto audio shop part-time in 87 and 88. We actually cracked an egg directly on top of the chassis to cook. The owners were a bit nuts, but fun.
Its running too hot ..the mains voltage says 230 volts on the rear panel. I measured my mains voltage at 246 volts . Using a autotransformer to reduce the voltage to 230 volts reduces the heat. Mines runs at 55 degrees idling now.
The Schiit Aegir and Mjolnir 3 are my main speaker and headphone amps, respectively. Despite being relatively low powered, I never find their output wanting. If anything, they've helped me kick my wattage neurosis once and for all. If I were in the market for an integrated amp, I wouldn't be put off in the least by the A1's 25wpc.
I remember the days of the original version of this amp because it was notorious for its design and heat but also for its liquid sound.
love my A1 ... clone 😋
There must be a bit of a virus running around because this is like the fifth one I’ve seen this week about the A1 clone.
I love the design.
Never mind the amp, nice P8.
Love mine more and more. It tops amps I have had into the 2-3k price range.
I remember when these first launched. The other amps that would regular figure in comparisons were the Mission Cyrus and Audiolab 8000A - I bought an 8000A. I still have it, and will never part with it - it’s still a superb sounding amp.
I auditioned the 8000a and bought a Nait 1. Different strokes for different folks.
Glad you finally got around to this review. I was hoping to hear how the A1 fared with the Musical Fidelity LS3/5a’s but realize those may no longer be in house.
hey! great video, thank you. Are you reviewing the KEF Q Concerto Meta anytime soon?
I'm glad there's no DAC, streamer and so on built in to this.
I really like the looks of this. But my eye constatntly went for those Cambrige Edge whenever they appeared on the corner of some shot. The A1 would never be my choice at any budget but I'm happy it exists and that old ways still have a place today.
Back in the 80's I worked in a factory that assembled the A1 but sadly never got to own one.
...I knew you were going to cook that egg from the moment I saw the box! 😁
Efficiency is a virtue that must always be respected, and weighed in decisions. Of course wasting the energy of an old 40 watt incandescent bulb is minuscule and compared to your last flight microscopic. Bruno Putzey in his interview on Pearl Acoustics said his quest is for efficiency and I took that to heart.
Thanks for the Dean Wareham recommendation, John. That album is not available on Tidal but I am enjoying “I have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A” (good title!). Always appreciate your videos 👍
I have an original bought in 1985 and still in daily use. It's had a repaired pot and has been recapped and still sounds magic. I'd love one of these new ones but don't have the funds.
Don't you have the connection problem with the selection knob? It's a common problem .....
Repaired/upgraded a ton of original A1's and have always been impressed with the sound quality of these so if the new one is as good and more reliable then id be in line to purchase one however my current speakers wouldn't be a good match (Duntech Sovereigns). Great video.
Credit should have been given to Kenneth Grange/Pentagram for the industrial design.
When do we hear about Kef Concertos? :)
I agree, no DAC here is the right decision. But I wouldn't mind an extra streamer DAC box in the same design.
I’m surprised not to see your Klipsch Heresy’s in this video. Assuming you still own them that is.
Great video. Thank you.
I have the Heresy 3 version. Regardless of sensitivity , that speaker will make my 70 watt a/b amp get super warm..even hot and hotter. Interestingly, my Spendors rated at 87 db sensitivity - more like 83ish sensitivity, doesn't get the same amp warm at all.
They say that Class A amps and Klipsch are a particularly good combination. It's strange that it's not even mentioned in the video. It would have been interesting to know more about it.
Thanks for the excellent video. I'd prefer the Marantz I think. I'm trying to tame some digital glare and poor acoustics, so I want somewhat laid back. I'm leaning toward pairing that with the Wharfdale Linton.
My dad has the pre, and twin mono blocs versions. I remember back in the day around 18years old listening to the Smashing Pumpkins amazing “Silverfuck” with a friend. It was a warm summers evening and we were sitting on the floor between the speakers turned up loud. Wow. Wow. The warm trippy sound from about the 3.00 minute mark is pure class A bliss.
Try it!
Love the look - the top reminds me of the old ADS car amplifiers.
Love those speakers started with mini monitors.❤
I had an original musical fidelity a100 great bit of kit, when I part exchanged it about 8 years ago for a naim amp, it brought lots of interest of the sales people in the shop, they all had to have a listen, no doubt this new little amp will be sought after.
I had tge original A1 with Castle speakers (stand mounters) plus a Dual turntable.....loved the sound from my very first seperates set up. Thank you, John 👍
I started laughing when I seen the eggs. lol
Think per comments that people are missing what this amp is about.
Apparently there are many who never experienced good class A sound.
It’s a wonderful listening experience and with the right speakers you hear music is more “alive” and liquid sounding in a way that you can’t get with an all in one on in this price range.
Great Video John. Surprised you did not try this amp with the Heresy's ? Too much dynamic drive ?
Because - as per my last video - a shortage of time.
One day, I will learn to have Shazam ready BEFORE I click on your videos! Great selection of music as always! Thank you!
I did that and it worked for some time, but I signed up for Darko Patreon and got a Spotify and Tidal playlist a couple days later. Much better. Also got to see the video a day ahead. Offering Darko a cop of coffee once a month is worth it. Would really like to have a coffee with him, in person.
Are those the new KEF´s? look forward to it...
I just wanna hear about the P8 and why you're not running it with MC!
It's all about synergy. I run a 300b SET class A with 12.5 watts per channel and several vintage and modern AB amps from 50 to 215watts.The speakers are Wharfedale Elysian-4 which are 92dB efficient. The tube amp powers the Elysians to high volume without difficulty, but I noticed I was increasingly listening to the solid state amps.
I recently picked up Ex dem Icon Audio single driver FRM2 floorstanders, and suddenly the tube amp shone. It was astonishing how much better it was with those speakers. They were, of course, designed for low power Class A amps.
With the right synergy I was now seeing what the amp was truly capable of.
It will be the same with the A1.
Can I suggest that you try using spring style isolation feet. For your bookshelf speakers, I’d suggest removing three springs each.
I found this isolation feet superior to any other form of speaker vibration elimination.
So beautiful. I’ve lusted for this since it was released
I remember the original, but I am old as dirt. " on knob-feel the volume wheel is reassuringly stiff..." I had to check exactly what you were reviewing, just in case it had changed part way through. Ooh you are naughty, John!!
Brought back fond memories of my original A1. Didn't need central heating when that was powered up!
I had an A2, although it says A class amp, in the user manual it says "highly biased to A class", so it is neither A nor AB class
Neat amp! Thanks for the review.
Good shout on the Dean Wareham @ St Pancras Old Church album, and the Carl Craig Transport remix - great taste sir
All of that heat can't be healthy for the electronics inside, right? One has to wonder about the longevity of this piece...
It was an issue in their earlier designs for sure. This newer model has better components with tolerance for higher heat capabilities. It also slides to class A/B when hitting peaks
It’s like how they used to cook a steak on the exhaust manifold of a car engine and steam engine drivers used to cook their dinners in the firebox of the loco lol
What is the brand of the cabinet or audiorack?
If you like the industrial design or this amplifier, you might be interested to know that Anthony Michaelson commissioned the famous anglo-american design company Pentagram to design the casework, at great expense.
I loved my OG A1 from the 80s. If you really want to see some class A madness, take a look at Musical Fidelity's SA470 from the same period. Heard one of these at a hi-fi show and the way it grabbed the speaker cones and shook them is something I will never forget. 95KG, and a scary amount of reserve power (250W Class A per channel, to be exact!)
Love the "could fry an egg on it" wink shots
I still have the original A1 which paired with Philips CD 473 and Celestion DL speakers back in late 80s.My friends got A100 with Rogers speakers.Well CD player and speakers are long gone and I'm looking to get a Philips cd680 and Paradigm reference studio speakers......I love the old combo sound for classical music.
Very surprised they drive the new Kef Q’s sufficiently with only 25wpc….
400v transformer and 4x 10000uf 65v capacitors
High current class an amps will drive the most inefficient speakers despite low power rating. They can go loud!
sounds like it offers good value for the money if your speakers are pretty easy to drive
Jon,
You need to review a Sugden A21 - any version.
The first A1 is a pain in the arse to repair and I'm not expecting this to be any better. Its ceiling is also the heat sink for the output transistors. It comes in two pieces that both sit on a π shaped metal base, where the out transistors are mounted on. With thermal paste between those two ceiling pieces and that π shaped base. No need to say more...
It reaches 150+ degrees in Farenheit for us in the states.
I remember when the original A1 showed up here in Toronto, it was still referred to as British Fidelity.
Personally, I prefer its upgrade....the A100. I would be curiius to see how an old recapped A100 would perform against this new incarnation.
Oh, new old vintage gear. 😍 Revox B77 MK III review incoming. 😅
Nope. Quad 33/303 review incoming. 😉
@@DarkoAudio ...have you ever heard about sansui ;) ?
I had an original A1and MF bookshelf speakers (90dB sensitivitt) the 90s. I think it retailed for £299 not £199 (that was the later model B1). It was a fun amp but the reliability was an issue (I recaped the electrolic capacitors at one point). At the current price it faces a lot of competition from Rega, Atoll, NAD, Marantz etc. The energy waste is also a concern.
... I honestly don't feel too guilty... in my region half of the year is "heating season" anyway. ;-)
Honestly people think wattage and they think too much of it, Class A topology. It's able to output 25W of pure Class A power @ 8 ohms load with 25A of maximum output
As you can see here it has more to do with the current capabilities than the actual wattages which will change with different speakers and with the efficiency of them
How about comparing to Arcam Class G? I think that is a really solid compromise to class A.
Comparing this to off-the-shelf receiver that says 50 or 100 watts of channel This is actually still better
The wattage output of a receiver depends on several factors, including its design and efficiency, especially when comparing it to a Class A topology. However, with the information provided:
25W at 8 ohms refers to the pure output in Class A mode.
25A maximum output implies it has the potential to deliver significant current.
In terms of an equivalent Sony receiver in wattage, many Sony home receivers fall into the Class AB category, which generally provides more efficiency but lower sound purity compared to Class A.
To estimate equivalency, Class A designs are typically less efficient than Class AB designs. For instance, a Sony Class AB receiver rated at around 50W to 100W per channel at 8 ohms could produce a similar sound experience in volume and power, considering the purity of the Class A output at 25W. So while the numbers are not directly comparable, a Sony receiver rated between 50W to 100W per channel would roughly match your Class A amp in terms of perceived sound performance
It’s a nice thing that A1.however it would be nicer at 80w per channel to drive those Dynaudio fans amongst us.
Interesting review John.........oh and thanks for the intro to White Bones. Like their stuff. Cheers From West Aust.
Love my A1 got rid of the Peachtree GaN 400 class D amp as this has much better texture and dynamic drive. The Peachtree was good approaching Class A sound but still not quite there
Can’t wait for the A100 50 watt class A version. I had one way back when, unfortunately it went Icarus! 🔥
I bought it back when it was released and I’m pretty sure it was more like £239
Slick intro 👌🏻
Are your downstream components comparable to the Grimm mu2 ?
I Love mine. I am atill debating whether to wait for my Decware Order after nearly 3 years of waiting and sell the A1, or keep it, and cancel my order. Just know if your into the A1 you will Love its Sound, and Quality.
I sold my Decware after purchasing the A1.
At that price point the A1 is equivalent to 1 Aegir running in stereo plus a Freya+ preamplifier and a mani 2 phono preamp. Not a bad deal.
I haven't really heard if any of these remakes are failing in the steller way of the original. I like it's looks and I've read good reviews so far.
A very intriguing product ❤
Running a SMSL VMV A1 (not sure if the name is taken from the MS or not) which is a 10 watt class A amp and it has plenty of power for KEF LS50 and I vastly prefer it to the Fosi V3 on the same speakers.
I have these kind of eggs, so I guess I am on the right path to a good stereo hifi system 🤔
Musical Fidelity need to bring back the matching Frog Eye CD Player
They don‘t. I want to have one, that I can place under the A1.
Ah, the A1, making the Arcam A32 FMJ look glorious everyday.
Yes, I'm waiting for this amp
I had a MF 3A pre and P140 power amp in the 90s and they were great. Not the last word in accuracy and control but lush and vibrant (and hot). Don't know why but I traded them in for an Audiolab 8000C/P setup, I think, which was clinical and boring. Oh well.
I had the original one which I bought in 1988 I think. It looked distinctive and sounded wonderful with an Ortofon moving coil cartridge and Heybrook speakers in a small room. I had reliability problems with it though which kind of put me off Musical Fidelity products. Maybe I was just unlucky.
My a100 which I bought roughly about the same time, had to have a couple of repairs, wonderful amp though, I reckon they'll have sorted issues on the new version here.
why do your eggs have serial numbers?
I have two original MF A1s they're also hot products..
Change out the four 0.22 ohm emitter resistors to 0.47 ohms 3 watt . It'll reduce the heat significantly.
I wouldn't be leaving the house with something running that hot left on. Presumably they have thermal runaway protection but it wouldn't be my choice.
I'll stick with my NAD.
Lovely video. The Roksan Attessa Amp/Streaming Amp is a comparable product. It sounds so lively and musical and well rounded and also has a similar price.
Oh...Is a MU2 review in the making? I'm very excited.
It's somewhat of a hairshirt amplifier and I could take or leave the ''blue'' design. I suppose I could live with that compromise if the sound was truly wonderful and not just a nostalgia piece. If the sound is just OK then I would probably favor the Marantz with its reliability, practicality and features.
Hey John, which one would YOU keep if you were a regular apartment dwelling guy that can't afford to own a dozen amps and who prioritizes good sound over features.