TRYING to DECIDE TODAY

[Mantana]

here's a question...i'm trying to decide between a demo (with warranty) Musical Fidelity A1008 (250W) which has tubes in the preamp for $3,000
versus a Simaudio I7 (150W) for about $4300 without warranty.
It seems the Sim is only one box while the A1008 has two boxes.
The Sim is less power hungry but it doesn't appear it's a huge issue
based on your responses. I'm trying to decide today. By the way,
I have Spires and A5 CD player, so the MF 1008 remote will work my
A5 CD as well.

 

[gregadd]

Go with MF

I have heard Simm and MF, but only at Hifi Shows. Go with the MF. I think generally speaking you need a minimum of 200w for solid state. Moreover Unless you can afford the mega buck solid state or tubes I prefer hybrids. Warrantys are good. They only cover defects. Most problems occur early on in my experience. Both are good companies that will stand behind their product.
gregadd:afro:

 

[MOON]

I would go the 1-7 Simaudio. Even though it's 150 watts, the power reserves on the Sim's are huge. My 190 watt w-5 Sim amp smoked my Bryston 250 watt 4BSt by a long shot. MF doesn't even have a North American Distributer anymoe, I thought.

 

[Mantana]

MF still is distributed through KEF here in the states. I like
the idea of the 1 box Sim, but i really like having 1 remote with
the MF. I love the A5 i own but thought the tubed 1008 may take
away some of the edginess through the Logans. Also, not too keen
on paying over 4k for the Sim with no warranty, but
then hate the thought of the extra power supply box of the MF.
I like that the Sim isn't putting any $ into a phono stage and a DAC
even though a DAC would be a good thing to have. Right now
price is swaying me. If they cost the same, i'd go for the Sim
even though i prefer the higher power of the MF. Worst of all
is the indecision. I need to do something.

 

[gregadd]

USA Distrbutor

KEF America
10 Tinber Lane
Marlboro
NJ
07746
USA

Tel: 001 732 683 2356
Don't know if it's current.

gregadd

 

[Mantana]

Thx guys....i bought the MF 1008. Spur of the moment decision
and since i like the A5, probably can't go wrong with the 1008.
Hope like hell the tube preamp section is a touch smoother
to tame the glare on the Spires without sacrificing the liveliness
and dynamics. Now i need to sell the A5 for around $1400-1500
if possible. Damn i hate buying new stuff.

 

[gregadd]

MF specs.
Voltage, RMS 45 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz
Voltage, Peak-to-peak 127.3 Volts
Power 250 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (24dBW)
400 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
Current Peak-to-peak 75 Amps
Damping factor 140
Output devices per channel 4
Pre-out impedance
50 Ohms
That should grab hold of your Spires and control them.
Maybe you could do a reveiw im the recomended amp section.
gregadd:music:

 

[JMAUSGP]

You know it is suppose to be a fun and somewhat pleasurable experience?

At least that should be the plan going in. But as we all know in Love, War and All Things Audiophile, there are no absolutes.

 

[MOON]

Mantana,

I know what you mean about buying new stuff. I have a new pre amp on the way this week. What an additive hobby!. It was between the Asethetix calyspo and the Simaudio P-7 evolution. I stuck to the P-7. I would have been happy with either one. Decisions are very tough sometimes.

Goodluck on your purchase and enjoy!!!

 

[Mantana]

Mantana,

I know what you mean about buying new stuff. I have a new pre amp on the way this week. What an additive hobby!. It was between the Asethetix calyspo and the Simaudio P-7 evolution. I stuck to the P-7. I would have been happy with either one. Decisions are very tough sometimes.

Goodluck on your purchase and enjoy!!!

I hear you....i'm tired of spending more money on stereo. I've
got a pair of Montana EPS2s and a new pair of Spires. I like
to be lean and mean. My intentions were to sell my fabulous
but HEAVY Montanas and groove on the lighter, portable
Spires, but the Spires exhibited some glare and harshness
on the solid state MF A5. I felt if the Spires were partnered with
the right amp (they need some warmth), they could excel. I
really have no desire to have separates...i want as few boxes
as possible, but i like the idea of at least 250w in case i
change speakers down the road. So, i was very attracted to
the Sim I7 but was deterred by the price (new and used).
But i really didn't want to scale back to 150w, although that
works fine in my room. So, it came to price, plus with the MF
i only need one remote. I would have snapped up the Sim if
they cost the same but they don't. I also think the Logans
are happier with tubes, so the hybrid MF looks like a good
bet. But as always, i experience buyers remorse until i
can hear the equipment and justify the extra cost.

 

[Mantana]

MF specs.
Voltage, RMS 45 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz
Voltage, Peak-to-peak 127.3 Volts
Power 250 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (24dBW)
400 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
Current Peak-to-peak 75 Amps
Damping factor 140
Output devices per channel 4
Pre-out impedance
50 Ohms
That should grab hold of your Spires and control them.
Maybe you could do a reveiw im the recomended amp section.
gregadd:music:

I'll give a full update and comparison to the A5 once it
breaks in. It was a demo model at some audio shows
with about 48 hours on it according to MF...

 

[Mantana]

I would go the 1-7 Simaudio. Even though it's 150 watts, the power reserves on the Sim's are huge. My 190 watt w-5 Sim amp smoked my Bryston 250 watt 4BSt by a long shot. MF doesn't even have a North American Distributer anymoe, I thought.

Yo Moon,

I see the Sim I7 manual says you should keep the amp on at all
times. Do you do this with your own equipment or power down
when not listening?

 

[Bernard]

But as we all know in Love, War and All Things Audiophile, there are no absolutes.

That shoots down the thread on absolutes

 

[Mantana]

"I'll give a full update and comparison to the A5 once it
breaks in. It was a demo model at some audio shows
with about 48 hours on it according to MF..."

I changed my mind and cancelled my order before he shipped....
I just couldn't go for the two boxes on the MF. Plus i figured i won't
get what i want for my A5. Who wants duplicates of the same brand
amp?

Now i'm back to debating whether to fork over the jack for the Sim
or bide my time.

 

[TomDac]

That shoots down the thread on absolutes

:ROFL:my thoughts exactly~!

 

[MOON]

Hi Mantana,

The amp stays on 24-7. The P-7 pre amp and Supernova cdp have a stand by mode while not usuing them.

Cheers

 

[tonepub]

I've had excellent results with the i-7 on all of the ML's I've got here. It's an amp I'd highly suggest at least trying to get a demo on.

It even drives Magnepans...

 

[gregadd]

If only

"...I changed my mind and cancelled my order before he shipped....
I just couldn't go for the two boxes on the MF. Plus i figured i won't
get what i want for my A5. Who wants duplicates of the same brand
amp?..."

Sorry to hear that. I think the important thing is to make a decision. Never look back.:meditate:

 

[the-chauffeur]

Sorry to barge in fellas, but can I hijack? Normally I'd start another thread, but I've got a quick decision to make, and it involves MF stuff, so it's kinda related . . .

. . . I've got a predominantly MF system running through a pair of Ascents and have just had my Nu Vista Pre upgraded by an ex-MF technician. He's done a great job (most of the work is in upgrading the power supply) and as luck would have it, I've stumbled upon someone who's selling the matching NV power amp (the limited edition one with the bloody great power supply in a matching chassis to the amp). It comes with all the boxes and bits, including a spare set of tubes.

But this is where things get complicated. There's another interested party, and so I'm basically going to have to make a blind offer in excess of £1,000. Now, I've wanted one of these things for a good long time (bear in mind that they're ten years old), and they're not all that easy to come by 'cos MF only made 500 of 'em. Trouble is, I can't work out how much to bid - or whether to maybe save my money and look for something more modern. If it's any help, I'm using a pair of X-A200s for power right now, so it's not like I'm short of it, but I need to decide what to do in the next 24 hours or so.

Thoughts or suggestions gratefully received . . .

Neil

 

[MOON]

That's still a great peice of equipment, even if it is 10 years old. Since you have wanted one for so long, I say go for it!!!