Recently changed the MF A300 for the A5. More drive with the bigger output of the A5. Also have just added the Wadia 170i and Audio Note DAC to the combination and enjoy the flexibility of the iPod interface.
A move of house has changed the sound somewhat, with hard floors and highly reflective surfaces, so may look at damping the room in the future.
System is used for music, tv, movies rather than dedicated audio. I have a couple of other small systems I use for my "get away from it all" music listening (see bedroom systm photo). If synergy is what it's all about, then I'm very pleased with my current set up. The MF front end and amplification blend nicely with the Mordaunt-Short speakers (review posted a few weeks ago).
There is upgrade potential for the future but I'm happy for the moment and just enjoying the music.
Hi Linnie01 - see my review of the Wadia dock here on Audiogon. In short, it is well worth it in my system. With the inclusion of the Monarchy de-jittering device, this ipod/Wadia combo is the match of my MF A5 CD player but with all the convenience I need.
Thanks Timrhu, I really appreciate your kind words. Its been fun putting it together and having clean aestetics, whilst not as important as the sound, is still a major consideration in our household. Checked your system and love the simplicity of it as well. Would love to hear those Thiels in your setup.
Thanks Shadorne! The aesthetics are important to me and very important to my wife. I won't show her the pics of your system as I know she would immediately ask the question why we don't also integrate our system into the room like yours! Looks awesome by the way - love the ATC speakers - closest midrange I've heard to the original Quad 57s but kills the Quads at the top and bottom!
System edited: New Musical Fidelity A5 amp replacing the MF A300. Added the Wadia 170i and Audio Note DAC to provide the iPod convenience in my main listening system. Sounds good and I plan to write a review of the Wadia/Audio Note combo in the near future.
The speakers are about 11 ft apart and 12 ft from the listening position. It was recommended that a listening angle of about 60 degrees from the listener to each speaker was ideal so a wide space between the speakers works well with them in the very large listening room (there is about 24 ft of open space (dining area) behind the listening position.
Thanks, Garry, I'm very pleased with the sound and my wife loves how it looks in the living room. I fell in love with the MS speakers when I first auditioned them and they've impressed me more and more since then (see review posted on A'gon a few weeks ago). Excellent value in Hong Kong as well. Very well matched to the MF gear.
You're right about the bedroom speakers - Rogers Studio 1a. Very smooth, warmish tone with the Cayin tube amp (A-88T) or the class A (H80-A). This is very much a get away from it second system - not truly accurate but highly enjoyable.
I had a look at your posted system as well - looks very cool! I'm sure it must sound a treat. Hens
