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Musical Fidelity A3.2pre/power vs 308 intergrated

I would be interested if anyone has had a chance to compare these 2. The A3.2pre/power costs about 10% more then the 308 intergrated and is the companies entry level system while the 308 is supposedly their higher end system. I would prefer an intergrated, and if it costs less and sounds better then the pre/power combo, then it is a win win situation for me. However, if the pre/power sounds significantly better, I would consider that route. I have been listening to the A3.2 intergrated and will get a demo A3.2pre/power soon, but getting the chance to audition a 308 might be difficult.
mikerottaa1b
underwoodwally
66 posts
 
I have compared them and I clearly prefer the 308 integrated. It is more tubelike in the mids and a little more 3 dimentional in presentation. It has loads of bass slam along with a killer high end. The 308 is $400.00 less than the 3.2 amp and preamp (plus the cost of a quality cable) and has 20 watts per channel more. Into 4 ohms the 308 delivers over 300 watts. I think the 308 Integrated is the best value in their entire line. Wally
cdc
1,668 posts
 
A308 integrated has 48 amp peak to peak current. >100dB S/N ratio. Channel separation >70 dB.

A3.2cr has 72 amp peak to peak current. >120 dB S/N ratio. Channel separation >89 dB.

So measurements for power amp ALONE look better than the 308
mikerottaa1b OP
2 posts
 
Wel, I am going to try and answer my own question. The MF 3.2 pre/power that I listened to had several hundred hours on it whereas the A308 had less then 100 hours. The biggest difference was that the 3.2 combo was very clean, clear and detailed,especially in the highs, but kind of thin sounding. The A308 had a fuller sound, especially in the mids but lacked the clarity and detail of the 3.2 combo. I am a bit surprised by the results. Reviews on the A308 rave about the clean clear highs but I didn't hear this. Could it be that the A308 needs more hours before the sound starts to open up? Alternatively, I am in a older building with not the best wiring and the area where I live suffers from irregular power. Are the differences that I am hearing due to the choke regulators on the 3.2 and could this be improved with a power conditioner? I would really like to get the fullness of the A308 together with the clarity/detail of the 3.2 combo.
kgveteran
377 posts
 
I once owned a B-1. I used it in conjunction with a vandersteen sub(2W) and a pair of Spica TC-50's.The amp(integrated)delivered only 35watts,but the sound was first rate.I know this isn't what you were asking but what the heck.
cdc
1,668 posts
 
Where did you hear the two M-F's? In the same store?

You could try an audio magic stealth conditioner. They retail for $700-800 but one of the audiogon dealers (Symphony of Sound ???) has the mini for $500. This is one of the best you can buy. Although I have not heard many but most people here will agree.

Power hash usually shows on the highs. So you could be right.

M-F literature describes the 308 as sounding more like a tube amp than a tube amp. Also says top end is smooth and sweet, NOT clear.

Can a fuller sound also be more clear? I don't know.
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