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Musical Fidelity A3cr Power Amp ?Break-in Period?

I just purchased an A3cr and have probably 30+ hours on it and I love it!! Only thing is, it seems to be really lacking in bass on certain tracks. I had an aragon 8008bb which admittedly is a low end champ, but I am starting to fear that my speakers are too much for the MF??

Also, certain female vocals are VERY grainy, almost harsh.

I have: Plat solos, classe cp-35, marantz cd63se, just ordered a monarchy audio 18B DAC, ixos digital cable, cardas cross interconnects, kimber 8tc speaker.

Anyone have suggestions? Does amp need to break in more? Or are my speakers too power hungry? Grainy vocals??

Thanks
platsolos
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,262 posts
 
those amps need a lot of break in, wait 3 months and I think the sound will transform to being much smoother. I do not believe bass is the strong point on MF stuff in general.
blackie
221 posts
 
The A3cr does not have the sheer grunt of the 8008BB so a direct comparison would definately show a lack of bass. If your speakers are biampable I would definately recommend adding a second A3cr.
graydmk
20 posts
 
Platsolos,
I own the MF A3CR amp and pre-amp combo. Lots of play is in order to "break-in" the amp. Though longer is better, you'll definetly hear maturity within a month. I started driving Thiel 1.5's with AP silver oval and if that smoothed out, so will your sound. As I upgraded from a Marantz CC65SE CD player to a Sony SCD333SE to a Cary 306 and to the Cary 306/200 now, the A3CR accommodated. I think your CD is probably contributing to the grain?

My speakers are now Merlin VSM-M and all cables are Cardas Golden Cross. The Golden Cross cable will tone down the brightness and grain. Experiment with cables if still not pleased after a month. I realized an incredible improvement with a topline PC too!

The Thiels are rated to go down to 42 and always sounded good to adequate in the low end with A3CR power. Merlin's with BAM go to low/mid 30's. I get some staggeringly low and accurate bass notes into my 10 x 12 listening area now from the Merlin A3CR combo!

This amp is surely not a thunder god, but does almost everything well to excellent considering cost! Though I'm ready to upgrade both MF components to better match the Merlin's incredible abilities, my sound is very smooth and musically satisfying. This amp deserves it's Stereophile class "A" rating.

Hope it works out for you.
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