When the original V-series was conceived, the design brief was to minimize costs while maximizing performance. Costs were kept under control by a number of approaches. The casework was minimalist in both size and finish, and there were no “front panels” as such, each case having connections at both ends, usually “in” one end and “out” the other. As a rule, these are items you don’t have to even see once they are installed, so the front panels are not that important. Internally, all PCBs were reduced in size and therefore production cost, but used technologies developed by Musical Fidelity for their high-end products.
At the low resulting prices the V-series have been very popular, and are now going into their MkII or reissue phase. There are improvements in performance wherever possible, and a cosmetic upgrade as well. All the cases will from now on be in silver brushed metal instead of the matte black of the first ones.

The V-DAC MkII ($399) has no price increase despite having the asynchronous link included for the USB input. The V-LINK MkII asynchronous link will continue as a 96kHz model ($199), while a new higher performance version will hit the streets here in March priced at $399 and offering 192kHz performance.

Other models will be released progressively this year.

The pristine digital code is sent via (preferably) balanced AES/EBU digital – what we know as a three-pin XLR connection – as used on the M1 DAC and CLiC. It also has optical and coaxial outputs, so can be used to any other equipment that has digital inputs.

The slot-loading mechanism is taking over on a lot of higher-end players, right up to the super Meridian decks. This new CDT is a worthy addition to the M1 range, which will continue to expand over the coming year.

Musical Fidelity’s V-Series components are finding favour for a number of reasons. Firstly, they offer quality hifi circuitry in a compact chassis at very low prices – and these prices are now even lower than they were last week!
Secondly, the functionality is great:

The V-DAC ($399) has three inputs (coaxial/optical/USB); the V-LPS phono pre-amp ($249) allows you to use either Moving Magnet or Moving Coil cartridges; the V-CANS Headpone Amplifier ($249) gives any headphone a chance to perform to a higher standard, and the V-LINK ($199) is an asynchronous interface you can add to any DAC to improve performance coming from computer-stored music via USB. Lastly, the V-PSU ($249) improves the performance of any V-Series component by improving the power supplied to it!

All these components are well targeted for today’s hifi user, and at the new prices they are such a bargain we expect them to go from strength to strength.

A number of the lovely Musical Fidelity compact HiFi products known as the X-Series are finishing, so there are some very special deals available. Quantities are very limited:

XT100+X-Ray CD+TripleX Power Supply was $5498 now $2999
X-Plora FM Tuner + TripleX Power Supply was $2498 now $999
X-10V3 was $499 now $399
X-80 Integrated Amp was $999 now $699
X-Pre was $1799 now $899.

Some may be ex display but have had minimal use. All have new warranty.

There is also a sensational CD player buy: one-only A1008CD: was $7999 now $2999. This is not the version with the exposed motor and clamp, but an alternately styled version with a mechanism more like the A1 CD Pro – where the lid opens up and the disc sits inside, held securely with a magnetic puck on it (see picture below). This is a great opportunity to acquire a real high-end CD player at a small fraction of regular price.

There has been a bit of a gap since Musical Fidelity last had what for them constitutes an “entry-level” pair of stereo components. The good news is that they are here now, with the new M3i and M3 CD, priced at $1995 each.

The M3i is a 76w/channel integrated amplifier with inputs for CD, Tuner, Tape, Aux1/Home Theatre throughput (switchable), Aux2, and Aux3. There are outputs for one pair of speakers, Pre-out and Tape Rec out. As usual, MF have paid close attention to the pre-amp section and the inclusion of pre-out sockets means that you can do a future upgrade to a bigger power amplifier and use the M3i as the pre-amp. The power section has been made as robust as possible within the price level, with a current capacity of 25amps. The cosmetics are also top class, styled to match in with the M6 series, and having a family resemblance to the rest of the MF lineup.

The M3CD is a slot-loading CD mechanism (increasingly popular among high-end manufacturers) which uses an oversampling 24bit/192khz DAC to ensure that all digital artifacts are moved well beyond the audible spectrum. The build and finish are of the high standard you’d expect from Musical Fidelity, and the styling makes it suitable for use with either the M3 or M6 series amplifiers. As well as the analogue output there are both coaxial and optical digital outputs to assist in connecting to other digitally enabled equipments.

When Antony Michaelson introduced the AMS series (Antony Michaelson Signature) Class A power amplifiers, he did so with his usual well-aimed broadside of technical detail. We all know that class A delivers a more pure sound, having none of the switching artifacts of the more common (and more power efficient) class B designs. They also sound more powerful than their wattage would indicate.

Antony pointed out that proper class A amplifiers generate a lot of excess heat, and that this has to be dissipated by a lot of heatsink surface area. Beware those who say their design is pure class A but have no evident means of dealing with that. Either it is not a class A design, or it is going to overheat.

We have just seen the new AMS100 power amplifier ($29,995). Now the AMS50, which we’ve had for a while, is no diminutive lightweight, coming in at 60kg and measuring 325x483x460mm (hwd). Next to the AMS100 it looks small. This new beast is 152kg, and measures 325x483x880mm (hwd). Being twice as powerful as the AMS50 it stands to reason that it is going to have to shed twice as much excess heat, needing the extra size.

With that preamble out of the way, here’s an excerpt from Antony’s words on this new amplifier:

“The AMS100 is the most advanced pure Class A amplifier ever made. I know that this is a sweeping and powerful statement, but it is true. As far as I know the AMS50 was the first ever 50 watt pure Class A bridged amplifier. There are many advantages to a bridged amplifier; lower distortion and huge power supply noise rejection. These advantages are even more significant in a pure Class A configuration. The AMS100 has the same basic circuit as the AMS50 but even more of it. In fact the AMS100 has precisely the same circuitry and number of output transistors as our monster Titan.

The AMS100 circuit configuration is unique and delivers excellent technical performance and a beautiful sound. Power supply configuration is usually the “poor relation” in amplifier design. Normally huge effort is put into the circuit and layout but the PSU configuration is taken for granted. Not so for the AMS100!

Pure Class A amplifiers draw enormous current. This exposes any deficiencies in power supply design. The AMS100 has a unique, never done before in the history of hi-fi, power supply design.

The AMS100 has extraordinary technical performance. Ultra low distortion from 20Hz to 20kHz. At normal listening levels the ultra-low distortion is consistent right up to 50kHz. The AMS100 is the technological tour de force. More important is its sound. The AMS100 has a clean sweet open sound. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease. Bottom end extension seems limitless. And yet the whole sound is tight and cohesive.”

It seems that headphone amplifiers are all the rage, along with a renewed interest in headphones, as the release of the stunning Sennheiser HD800s and the surprising B&W P5’s attests.

Given that they were one of the pioneers of the category it is no surprise that Musical Fidelity is still considered to be the market leader. They are also about to consolidate this position with the re-release of the X-CANv8p.

This is a high quality, single ended, Class A triode headphone amplifier with ultra-low output impedance, capable of effortlessly driving any headphone. It has two headphone sockets, a normal line input plus a USB input. It also features a line-output so it can also be used as a single-ended Class A triode pre-amp.

Always considered to offer great value at $999 – the X-CANv8p has been re-released at $699.

Stock is available now, but quantities are limited.

The one due to create the most interest is the special we have on the Sennheiser HD650 Headphones. These are a fabulous headphone, with a retail of $899. We have purchased a quantity which we are selling for $499.

The other reduction of significance is the JVC DLA-HD550 projector. JVC projectors are something of an enigma, regarded by most people in the know as the best projectors in their relative price points, but still undiscovered by most retailers. The HD550 is an excellent unit, and something of a bargain at its normal price of $6,495. We are now offering these at $4,995. Drop in and have a look, we are confident that you will be more than impressed.

One of our very favourite amplifiers, the Musical Fidelity AMS35i Pure Class A integrated amplifier has been reduced from $13,995 to $11,995. Still a considerable investment for an amplifier, but worth every cent. Musical Fidelity have also reduced the price of their X-Cans V8P Class A Valve headphone amplifier to $799. This is a great match for the Sennheiser HD650 headphones mentioned above.

One of our most popular loudspeakers, the Orpheus Aurora 3.3, is being discontinued, and there will be an extended period before the replacement arrives. In the meantime the old models are being cleared at $2,399, down from $2,999 a pair.

Finally, it is that time of year when the TV manufacturers roll out their new models, and we have some existing stock to clear. Stock is very limited:
Panasonic TH-P42S10a 42” plasma. $999
Panasonic TH-P46G10a 46” plasma. $1,499
Sony KDL-46Z5500 46” LCD. $1,999
Sony KDL-46W5500 46” LCD. $1,699
Sony KDL-40Z4500 40” LCD. $1,499.