The Musical Fidelity AMS 35i thread

[Ben K.]

Have you heard the sugden HA4 master class and if so how does it compare to your 35i?

 

[Macspur]

Hi Ben,

I think the HA-4 is actually a headphone amp... the Sugden IA-4 Masterclass is a Class A integrated, one of which I used to own and imo it's not a million miles away from the AMS35I.

Mac

 

[Ben K.]

My mistake sorry

I did mean the integrated. Would you say pure class A benefits all genres or is it specific of certain ones?

thanks

 

[DocG]

Good to see a thread devoted to a pure Class A amp thriving so well. Certainly not in a place financially to afford the AMS35i so my question is out of curiosity / planning for that lottery win. But has anyone any experience of the MF amp with MartinLogan speakers, the Ethos say? I imagine they might make an excellent combination. And secondly, has anyone heard the 35i with Vivid loudspeakers, the V1.5 for example, which I again could well imagine being a sympathetic match.

I heard the Ethos, driven by an Accuphase integrated (not sure it was a class A design), and the trebble was harsh at higher volumes. Not to my liking...

 

[CnoEvil]

Have you heard the sugden HA4 master class and if so how does it compare to your 35i?

Do you mean the IA-4?

It is really quite similar, but the 35i gives a bit more of everything ie. the 35i has (imo) a slightly more glorious midrange, better bass (with my speakers, I have to check the Sub isn't on), and has more power on tap (doubling its power into 4 Ohms vs 45W @ 4 Ohms of the Sugden).

One can often get a good discount on the MF (much more difficult on the Sugden), in which case it is the one to go for. At the full list price, the Sugden is probably better vfm, and would be my choice if I didn't have the MF.

 

[Macspur]

My mistake sorry

I did mean the integrated. Would you say pure class A benefits all genres or is it specific of certain ones?

thanks

A good question... a lot can depend on what speakers are being used. For instance, for a while I had some ATC SCM40's hooked up to my Sugden and with that combo electronic music sounded amazing, but with my favoured acoustic music, I found it too dry to my taste.

However, once I changed to the Harbeths,

that pairing sounded pretty good with most genres, but imo excelled with vocals, whether it be Country, Folk, or Jazz.

Now with the Accuphase, this really does sound great with any type of music! whether it be Faithless, The Cult, Coldplay, Holst, Melody Gardot, or Joni Mitchell.

Mac

 

[James7]

Matt49 If you are looking for a compact floorstander that should work well with the AMS, try the Kudos Super20

 

[plastic penguin]

My mistake sorry

I did mean the integrated. Would you say pure class A benefits all genres or is it specific of certain ones?

thanks

My only experience I've had with MF amps was somewhat of a disaster. I borrowed a A300 from Unilet some years ago (before acquainted with the Leema) and was hugely disappointed by the £1300 amp: It was so woolley sounding I almost expected it to Bah. Loads of power but sadly lacked interms of quality. Apart from the Naim Nait 5i, this was probably the worst experience I've had in hi-fi terms.

I'm certainly not naive enough to tar all MF products with the same brush, but as the old saying goes: "First impressions..."

 

[CnoEvil]

My mistake sorry

I did mean the integrated. Would you say pure class A benefits all genres or is it specific of certain ones?

thanks

A good question... a lot can depend on what speakers are being used. For instance, for a while I had some ATC SCM40's hooked up to my Sugden and with that combo electronic music sounded amazing, but with my favoured acoustic music, I found it too dry to my taste.

However, once I changed to the Harbeths,

that pairing sounded pretty good with most genres, but imo excelled with vocals, whether it be Country, Folk, or Jazz.

Now with the Accuphase, this really does sound great with any type of music! whether it be Faithless, The Cult, Coldplay, Holst, Melody Gardot, or Joni Mitchell.

Mac

I agree with Mac on this question.

......because I listen to a very eclectic mix, I use the Kef Refs, which combined with Class A, do everything well (including AV). I find them a little easier on the ear than Focal.

If I only listened to Jazz / Acoustic / Opera / Orchestral, I would have Spendor SP100 R2 or SF Guaneri / Cremona or Harbeth Super HL5

 

[Ben K.]

Thanks for the replies. I listen to a mixture of genres including pop, reggae, rock, electronic/dance and hip hop. My present system plays these all pretty well but sometimes rock develops a hard edge. Dance and hip hop which are probably my most listened too genres sound the best due to the bass weight and detail my system provides.

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks for the replies. I listen to a mixture of genres including pop, reggae, rock, electronic/dance and hip hop. My present system plays these all pretty well but sometimes rock develops a hard edge. Dance and hip hop which are probably my most listened too genres sound the best due to the bass weight and detail my system provides.

In that case (and given your choice of MA), I suspect you would enjoy the likes of PMC Twenty / Fact 8, Focal, Usher, Tannoy, Kudos, GamuT and Kef Ref along with a Class A amp.

 

[matt49]

Matt49 If you are looking for a compact floorstander that should work well with the AMS, try the Kudos Super20

Cheers, James.

I've found a couple of dealers in the area who stock Kudos.

Matt

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks for the replies. I listen to a mixture of genres including pop, reggae, rock, electronic/dance and hip hop. My present system plays these all pretty well but sometimes rock develops a hard edge. Dance and hip hop which are probably my most listened too genres sound the best due to the bass weight and detail my system provides.

In that case (and given your choice of MA), I suspect you would enjoy the likes of PMC Twenty / Fact 8, Focal, Usher, Tannoy, Kudos, GamuT and Kef Ref along with a Class A amp.

I would also add MA PL200 or 300 speakers. Although I would assume the MF M6i would be a better match wit the PL200 and PMC Twenty series, as opposed to a 6k amp.

 

[CnoEvil]

I would also add MA PL200 or 300 speakers. Although I would assume the MF M6i would be a better match wit the PL200 and PMC Twenty series, as opposed to a 6k amp.

Not necessarily. A better amp will lift the performance of these speakers to another level.......but I take your point.

 

[plastic penguin]

I would also add MA PL200 or 300 speakers. Although I would assume the MF M6i would be a better match wit the PL200 and PMC Twenty series, as opposed to a 6k amp.

Not necessarily. A better amp will lift the performance of these speakers to another level.......but I take your point.

Understand what you're saying. My modest little set-up improves the RS6s, but by the same token, it also shows the speakers deficiencies (as always with hi-fis it's swings and roundabouts), when compare a price compatible speaker such as Totem and PMC 'i' range.

Given Ben loves the MA sound I would suggest the PL300 with the 35i and 200 with M6i. If I had that sort of money that'd be my benchmark.

 

[Ben K.]

I would also add MA PL200 or 300 speakers. Although I would assume the MF M6i would be a better match wit the PL200 and PMC Twenty series, as opposed to a 6k amp.

[/quote]

I don't think I could actually get the 6k amp because I think that this would justify spending 6k (+- 1k) on speakers and source meaning 16-20k system price without cabling. It's more likely that I will be looking at about 4k so maybe 10-14k system price. More realistic for my personal circumstances. I will definitely be demoing PL200 when the time comes as well as many of the other suggestions. It's a long term plan at the moment so just asking questions and searching the net window shopping for now.

 

[CnoEvil]

I don't think I could actually get the 6k amp.....

It can often be bought for a lot less :shifty: : http://www.kronosav.com/sale/amplifiers/musical-fidelity-ams35i-integrated-amplifier-prices-reviews.html

 

[Ben K.]

I don't think I could actually get the 6k amp.....

It can often be bought for a lot less :shifty: : http://www.kronosav.com/sale/amplifiers/musical-fidelity-ams35i-integrated-amplifier-prices-reviews.html

Well in that instance it falls into my 4k estimate and would definitely get an audition

So if I was to listen at my average of around 10 hours a week would my electric bill go through the roof or are we talking a small increase?

 

[CnoEvil]

Well in that instance it falls into my 4k estimate and would definitely get an audition

So if I was to listen at my average of around 10 hours a week would my electric bill go through the roof or are we talking a small increase?

Here is how I worked it out some time back (hopefully correct), but you need to know your own tariff.

1000W = 1 Unit @ 20p / hr (?)

414*W (35i) = 8.28p / hr (* this was measured in an Australian mag as opposed to MF's 330W spec)

10 Hrs use every week = 82.8p / wk

52 Wks = £43 / year.

Nb. Prices may have gone up, but if you plumb in your unit price, you can work it out.

 

[plastic penguin]

I would also add MA PL200 or 300 speakers. Although I would assume the MF M6i would be a better match wit the PL200 and PMC Twenty series, as opposed to a 6k amp.

Not necessarily. A better amp will lift the performance of these speakers to another level.......but I take your point.

Just remembered. Don't why I haven't mentioned these before (stupid PP).

Another speaker that rock the MF boat: Mordaunt Short Performance 6. Heard them at The Towers, in a surround sound, connected to Arcam (think your one) AVR600. Staggering. Also heard them at Richer Sounds...

Could be wrong, but if memory serves me well Clare Newsome used to own these speakers when she had the Leema Tucana and Antila.

The only thing about the MS 6 is the design: They look like a giant air freshner.

 

[matt49]

It can often be bought for a lot less :shifty: : http://www.kronosav.com/sale/amplifiers/musical-fidelity-ams35i-integrated-amplifier-prices-reviews.html

And thanks to Mac's superb sleuthing, I have an 8-month-old unit arriving this week (with the option to return) which is £3.5K.



Matt

 

[CnoEvil]

It can often be bought for a lot less :shifty: : http://www.kronosav.com/sale/amplifiers/musical-fidelity-ams35i-integrated-amplifier-prices-reviews.html

And thanks to Mac's superb sleuthing, I have an 8-month-old unit arriving this week (with the option to return) which is £3.5K.



Matt

At that money it will be very hard to beat...imo. It's a giant killer at full price.

 

[matt49]

At that money it will be very hard to beat...imo. It's a giant killer at full price.

TBH I can't see myself sending it back unless there's something wrong with the unit. If I decided after a year or so that I wasn't happy with it, I'm sure I could sell it on without much of a hit.

So it looks like I'll be joining the AMS35i club.

:cheers:

Matt

 

[CnoEvil]

TBH I can't see myself sending it back unless there's something wrong with the unit. If I decided after a year or so that I wasn't happy with it, I'm sure I could sell it on without much of a hit.

So it looks like I'll be joining the AMS35i club.

:cheers:

Matt

You know that you will be made most welcome......can they lend you a good mains cable as well to try as well? :shifty:

Next......speaker hunt. :dance:

 

[matt49]

You know that you will be made most welcome......

Harumph, I was hoping for an executive position. Treasurer? I hear there's some commission sloshing about.

Next......speaker hunt. :dance:

I'm looking forward to it. The amp hunt has been great fun, thanks in no small part to advice and encouragement from yourself, Mac, and several others on this forum. [Makes embarrassingly tearful speech thanking friends, family, dog, and some pot plants. Falls off stage.]

Matt