Musical Fidelity A1 & LS3/5a system

£3,848.00

The Musical Fidelity LS3/5A and A1 are a match made in heaven. The result is an astonishingly clear, detailed and warm sound stage.

Musical Fidelity A1 & LS3/5a system

The Musical Fidelity A1 is a piece of hi-fi history.

Musical Fidelity A1

First produced in the 1980s, its pure Class A electrical design was famous not just for its ability to work with a wide variety of equipment of the day, but for its ability to deliver a sound performance like nothing else.

The new generation of Musical Fidelity A1, released in 2023, stays true to the original design in almost every way, only making changes to improve certain technical characteristics and suit modern requirements.

The electrical layout of the A1 features completely discrete, fully symmetrical pure Class A technology.

Delivering 25W of power (to an 8Ω load), it can also handle 25A of maximum current output.

Though these numbers may seem low compared to some modern amplifiers, the A1 is still able to drive more complex speakers thanks to its ability to slide (not “switch”) into Class B operation when further current draw is temporarily needed.

Specifications Musical Fidelity A1

Specifications: Musical Fidelity A1 & LS3/5a system

Amplifier

Power: 25 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
Voltage: 42.5 Volts peak to peak
Current: 25 Amps peak to peak
Damping Factor: 150
Gain (volume max): 32dB (Direct Mode), 42dB (Normal Mode)
Output devices: 2 per channel
Signal / noise ratio: 82dB
Channel separation: 85dB
Frequency response: + 0, –1dB, 10Hz to 40 kHz
Line level sensitivity: 300mV rms nominal, 8V rms max
Line level inputs impedance: 25k Ohms
Tape Out impedance: 220 Ohms
Pre Out impedance: 100 Ohms
Phono Preamp

Phono RIAA response: +/- 1dB
MM sensitivity: 5mV nominal
MM capacitance / impedance / gain: 100pF / 50k Ohms / 40dB
MM signal / noise ratio: 75dB
MC sensitivity: 450μV nominal
MC impedance / gain: 1k Ohm / 60dB
MC signal / noise ratio: 70dB
Inputs

1x phono RCA MM/MC, 5x line RCA

Outputs

1 x line level RCA fix TAPE OUT
1 x line level RCA var PRE OUT
1 x 4mm banana/binding posts SPEAKER OUT
General Information

Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 68.3 x 283.3 mm
Main voltages: 230V/115V Internally set or 100V optional
Max. Consumption: 130W, 0W in standby (=Power Switch OFF)
Weight: 10.5kg

Musical Fidelity LS3/5a

LS3/5A Audio Venue

The LS3/5A was originally designed for listening places where space was limited, like mobile control rooms for television.

The goal here was a linear frequency response down to 100Hz with an excellent sound quality.

Due to the closed type cabinet, the LS3/5A impresses with its clear and fast playback.

As the speaker was designed to be used for studio applications, the midrange is extremely detailed and realistic, and the sound stage and imaging of vocals and instruments is truly extraordinary.

The Musical Fidelity LS3/5A works best in a near/mid-field listening distance between two and four meters away from the listener.

Over the years, the LS3/5A became an industry standard for music studios, especially for classical recordings.

It also quickly gained interest in the audiophile sector.

Due to the small size, the LS3/5A is the perfect fit for small living rooms.

Do not get fooled by the size.

The speaker surprises with a lot of low end information.

Due to the closed type design, the bass is quick and perfectly defined, compared to a bass reflex speaker.

The LS3/5A was produced by several speaker manufacturers over many decades already.

The Musical Fidelity A1 was always the perfect partner with its Class A amplification.Along with other brands of tube amplifier’s.

The result is an astonishing clear, detailed and warm sound stage.

The Musical Fidelity LS3/5A was manufactured according to the BBC R&D design 1976/29.

Specifications - Musical Fidelity LS3/5A 

Musical Fidelity LS3/5a Technical Specifications

Type: Two way, closed type
Frequency response: 80Hz-20KHz +/-3dB
Nominal Impedance: 15 Ohms
Sensitivity: 82.5dB/W/M
Woofer: 110mm Cone
Tweeter: 19mm Dome
Recommended amplifier: 20-150W
Cabinet: 12mm birch plywood
Finish: Palisander veneer
Dimensions: 305 x 190 x 165mm (HxWxD)
Weight: 4.9Kg (each speaker)

 

Brand

Musical Fidelity

Musical Fidelity has been designing and manufacturing Hi-Fi electronics for over thirty years and  are proud to have become one of the best-known brands in the Hi-Fi industry. They are driven by a passion for wonderful music and the challenge of world-class engineering. They approached each new design by looking for the absolute best solution to a given challenge and embrace new technologies in our designs as well as developing more traditional methods for even greater performance. 1982 Their first product - The Preamp – launched to rave reviews. Followed by shoebox-style Dr Thomas power amp. 1984 Launch of A1 integrated amp, ‘the most important development so far in the renaissance of the UK hi-fi scene’ (Hi-Fi Answers). 1986 New A370 Power Amp proclaimed ‘the best power amp I’ve ever heard’ (Hi-Fi Answers). 1987 World’s first high-end DAC- Digilog – makes debut 1988 Another world first: MVX preamp, combining tube circuit topology with transistors. SA470 launched: 86Kg power amp running 99% in Class A 1992 A1000 integrated released, featuring pure Class A power amp section 1993 Classic valve-driven Tubalog DAC goes on sale 1995 X Series launches with X-10D Class A triode line stage: ‘the most dramatic sonic enhancement you’re likely to hear!’ (F1). 1997 Nu-Vista Preamp launched, using miniature, metal-cased nuvistor tubes. All 500 units sold within three months. X Series expands with X-ACT DAC, praised for 'smooth, easy-going sound' (What Hi-Fi?) 1998 X-24K upsampling DAC released: ‘capable of getting sound to die for’ (Stereophile). X-Ray CD player launched. Described as ‘the sort of object you just want to fondle’ (Hi-Fi News) ‘a thrilling, substantial and satisfying listen’ (What Hi-Fi?) and ‘Hi-Fi meets nuclear warhead’ (T3). 2000 Futuristic CD-PRE 24 arrives, combining a high-quality CD transport, DAC and preamp. On Hi-Fi says it ‘represents a combination of features, functional performance and affordability that seems an audiophile dream come true’. Debut of Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 pre/power amp, including discrete Nu-Vista power amp modules with choke regulation. ‘This is what hi-fi should be all about’ (Gramophone). X-DAC V3 released, offering ‘stunningly good measured performance’ (Stereophile). 2002 World’s first audio application of trivistor tubes in new Tri-Vista series, including legendary Tri-Vista 21 ‘Super DAC’. 2003 Flagship kW pre-amp and kW power amp launched: ‘the very finest amps you can buy...the MFs redefine audio standards’ (What Hi-Fi?) Next up: kW 500 super integrated amp with twin-triode tubes. Hi-Fi News said, ‘For one rare reviewing occasion I could not find a thing to fault about the musical presentation of an amp’. Limited-edition M1 turntable released. Considered one of the best-engineered decks ever, it’s now a collector’s item, fetching above its original price. 2004 Supercharged X-DAC V8 introduced, with switchable tube buffer and extra-heavy-duty power supply. ‘For its superb performance as a detailed, sweet-sounding DAC, the X-DAC V8 stands on its own’ (Stereophile). X-150 wins European Stereo Amplifier of the Year, EISA Awards 2004-2005. 2006 Debut of kW250S one-box wonder, packing in dual 250-watt monobloc amps, tube hybrid preamp, phono stage, 24-bit 192K upsampling CD player, FM/DAB tuner and iPod input. 2009 Meet the mighty TITAN: 1kW per channel dual monobloc design with external power supply. Hi-Fi News was ‘Smitten… The Titan is the best power amplifier I’ve used’. Reference-standard Primo pre-amplifier released; pure Class A with 14 hand-picked ECC81 2011 New M1 CLiC unites analogue and digital sources under universal control. Wins European Network Music Player, EISA Awards 2011-2012. 2012 Line-up expands to meet every hi-fi need and budget. Highlights include the AMS CD/DAC – our finest digital product yet - and AMS100, the world’s most advanced pure Class A amp
Now owned and operated by Audio Tuning, an independent audio specialist company based in Austria, Musical Fidelity still retains its proud British heritage, with every product we design continuing to boast the natural, authentic sound that has made our name so respected across the world. Our unique ranges embrace both traditional and modern requirements. So whether you need a high-quality phono stage to improve your vinyl listening experience, require bit-perfect playback of your beloved CDs, or have chosen to embrace the increasingly popular world of wireless music streaming, we have something to offer. And for every source, we’re still proud to boast a wide range of powerful, state-of-the-art amplifiers that sound at home anywhere. Whatever type of music you enjoy and however you want to hear it, we have something for you at Musical Fidelity.

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