Musical Fidelity A1 Integrated Amplifier Announced

All Image Credit: Musical Fidelity

*UPDATED 6/8/2023 with improvements, features and specifications*

1988 saw the introduction of the Musical Fidelity A1 Stereo Integrated Amplifier, which at that time was considered to be a budget model. A decade later the model was discontinued, being resurrected in 2008 and shortly thereafter discontinued again. Now 2023 sees this new version take a step up from those early days with a number of technical and component upgrades and circuitry improvements to match the new pricing, while still maintaining the original Class A sound.

From the outside the revised design looks very similar to its older sibling(s) but is now just a little larger, uses the top of the case for improved heat dissipation and adds a small volume control only remote.

Offering 25watts at up to 25amps of Class A power into 8 ohms, the improvements include; an updated toroidal transformer for a more efficient dual mono split rail power supply, a high quality ALPS RK series motorized potentiometer volume control, transistors have been replaced with their modern equivalents and polypropylene capacitors are used in the signal path. Improvements to the built in MM/MC phono stage circuit layout are also said to have been made in order to improve its levels of noise and hum.

Improvements Over The Original A1:

• Updated transformer to more efficient “dual mono split rail” windings
• High quality and updated ALPS RK series potentiometer as volume control
• IR remote control added for volume
• Gain block before volume control totally by passable using “direct” switch (-10dB)
• All transistors including output devices are carefully selected modern equivalents
• All capacitors in signal path are polypropylene (PP) type
• Resistors are modern low noise metal film types
• Care and attention made to not change any component specification from original but to update them to modern equivalent with long lifespan
• Layout faithfully follows original within circuit sections on circuit board
• Circuit sections better laid out, in particular the separate supplies and power amplifiers
• Phono stage and preamplifier improved for less noise and hum

Analog connectivity has been slightly expanded but does not include any digital inputs or outputs, with the front panel selector switch providing access to; 4x line inputs, 1x tape monitor and 1x MM/MC phono. Outputs include; 1x record, 1x pre-out and 2 pairs of speaker binding posts. There is a normal/direct mode switch on the front panel while the rear panel provides access to MM/MC switching, that provides automatic input impedance matching and gain management for MM/MC cartridges.

Features At A Glance:

• 25W Pure Class A power @ 8 Ohm
• Discrete symmetrical topology
• Planar Audio transistors with 25A maximum output
• Dynamic class A, slides (NOT switches) smoothly into Class B, allowing more current as needed
• Therefore drives difficult speakers with no problems
• Updated transformer to “dual mono split rail” windings
• Fully independent left and right power supplies
• Each power amplifier now has double supply capacity
• Transformer noise and heat dissipation reduced
• Filtered main supplies
• Gain block before volume control can be totally bypassed using “direct” switch
• High quality and updated ALPS RK series potentiometer
• Low noise TL071 JFET preamplifier circuitry
• Discrete current-mode MM/MC phono input stage
• Low noise current to voltage converter for further amplification and RIAA equalization
• Automatic input impedance matching (1K nominal) for MC along with increased gain
• Original (1988) A1 appearance and circuits with modern improvements
• Modern updated low noise components
• Remote control added for volume only

Technical Specifications:

Availability

• UK August 2023

MSRP:

• US: $1,699.00
• UK: £1,499.00
• EU: €1,599.00

For more details visit the Musical Fidelity web site.

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