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Which speaker for Musical Fidelity a3.2 ?

Hi!

I'm a total Rookie...and you can save me from dropping wads of cash that I do not have in my crusade to build a sound sytem that can amaze me. I have just picked up the following,

Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated Amp
Musical Fidelity A3 CD Player
Transparent Music Link Super Interconnects

Now I need a speaker. And I'm completely confused! I can spend as much as $2k and would prefer to buy used cos' I want to get more for my money.

I heard a pair of Aerial 5s and I thought they lacked a warm lower end (not that I know much about the darn lower end, I just knew that it was lacking substance)

I heard B&W 603 S3s and they were a little bright and a little punchy with their low ends. I kind of liked them but I'm trying to look ahead to a time when I'll want more transparency.....perhaps as my tastes evolve.

I heard 602 S3s but they were outclassed...though they did offer a great bang for the buck. Infact I'm still tempted by them.

Any advice you can provide will be very appreciated. People have asked me to go hear the following,

Triangle Celius
Audio Physic Spark
Magnepan Planar (1.6QR??)
and Thiel 1.6s

Please Advise.

Thanks,
Udai
umathoda
skuras
55 posts
 
i owned the MFa300 integrated and used it with audio physic tempos. the tempo is the model up from the spark. i thought the sound was fantastic! i could not have been more happy. controlled bass, fluid midrange and nice clean high end.

i have heard the spark quite a few times, and i think it is a super speaker. audio physic does not get the good press that it richly deserves!!!
idiot9dc4
2 posts
 
what about dynaudio?
mmajoril
21 posts
 
I would pair it up with a pair of Monitor Audios either the new Silver series or the Gold reference series. The Musical Fidelity/Monitor Audio rep was in the Chicago area a few days back and he was showcasing these two products together and wow are they ever nice! I own a pair of the new Silver 8s and in my opinion beat out the two B&W speakers you mentioned. I was actually interested in the 603S3 until I heard the MA. Many people hear MA and think "bright" well that is not true and least in my case. Those people may also be using silver wires too, which can make many speakers sound bright or they are judging them right out of the box. The new series have redesigned drivers and are different from the old silver series. Anyway, I run a pair of biwire Zu Cable Wax into mine and I could not be happier. I am in the process of purchasing either the MF 3.2 or the 308 but I am still waiting to hear the Plinius 8200 MKII before I make my decision. Take the chance and have a listen. Good luck
bad_company79ce61
2 posts
 
I also have the a3.2 integrated amp en cd player and I have chosen for a couple of Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII. They are neutral, uncoloured, dynamic and fast. They don`t sound warm but neither to analytical, they are very accurate and precise. I love them because they produce such a realistic sound. I have also listened to the B&W Nautilus 805, Monitor Audio Golden Reference 10, Linn Katan and some other speakers and they didn`t came close.
pmi_guy
72 posts
 
One reason I chose the MF a3.2 amplifier was for it's versatility. It has "tube-like" smoothness and full sound but with the detail and control of SS. This means that it can match with either thin, detailed speakers or warmer speakers. It's not too bright, either.

MF does have a bit of a "house sound" so that the amps sound similar. You can go to dealers that sell MF and listen to what speakers they are using. Having an integrated is an advantage also because you can easily take it to a friend's house or to a dealer.

For speakers, I've liked the Meadowlark, Totem for acoustic/vocals and KEF, Paradigm for rock. I like Dynaudio also but the reputation is that they like a lot of power. B+W are too forward/bright for me. Go out and listen.
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