Would anyone like to comment on this?

[Nik]

Seems like a good idea for those (like I would like to) that run solid state?

It simulates tube amp sounds without tubes-
http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMUFIX10V3

Thanks
Nik

 

[Dreamer]

Actually they do have tubes in them. The tubes run with a VERY low plate voltage, and so they have a REALLY long life, with regular use. And unlike Lucas electronics (all you Triumph, MG, and Jag fans out there know what I'm talking about), these Brit-made electronics are VERY reliable and are great performers!

Musical Fidelity gear is really nice-sounding, and if your system tends to sound a little cold or analytical, throwing one of these tube buffers between your preamp and amplifier can really help warm up the sound.

I've heard this unit, and it can sound REALLY sweet in some systems.

Personally I think MLs sound VERY nice when there are some tubes in their supporting electronics chain, be it in the preamp, as a buffer, or the amps themselves.

You can get these on EBAY and AUDIOGON all the time, but generally they are not discounted much. I guess the demand for them keeps their resale value high...

Several members here on the forum are using Musical Fidelity gear in their systems, and seem to like the sound. YMMV.

The only way you're going to get "tube sound" using only solid state gear is to run Carver or sunfire gear--that stuff is "tweeked" to sound convincingly tubey. I should know--I've owned a boatload of Carver gear over the years for just that reason.

--Richard

 

[Nik]

So is the $299 price tag worth new or wait for ebay/audiogon?

edit: forgot to mention I am looking at rotel for amp 1090 or 1080

 

[Pcar928fan]

So is the $299 price tag worth new or wait for ebay/audiogon?

edit: forgot to mention I am looking at rotel for amp 1090 or 1080

Like my 1090 and looking to add a 1080 for the MBL's. I would think this MF thing would be AWESOME in conjuction w/ a 1090 as they (mine anyway) tend towards the bright analytical side of things... This unit might add just the right touch of warmth! The 1090's certainly have the POWER for ML's, or just about anything you might want to run with them! 700+wpc at 4 ohms!

 

[lugano]

It seems that only 4800 of them have been produced - that's how many Musical Fidelity was able to get tubes for. It also means that in 10 years from now this thing will become an expensive paperweight.

 

[DTB300]

IMO, it is not worth the money in regards to its effect on the sound. Another person here had tried it and returned it. If you want tubes for your cd player, buy a tubed cd player, not this band-aid.

Also, if you have a player where the clock can be upgraded, take that same amount of money you would have spent, do the clock upgrade, and get a better overall result.

Dan

 

[Nik]

Crap- sry I'm still new to all the audio stuff, we use our setup for mainly HT and then some cd/audio. Mainly streaming mp3 but will eventually place a computer in the HT setup for all mp3. Also we are really into DVD-audio and not so much SACD (have yet to look there for our taste in music).
I understand that an upraded cd player would be better than these but what about HT use? If these last ten years (along with any amp) would not the cost of $299 be well worth it?

Rotel amp- $2000 +
MF Tube Sim- $299

Tube amp- I dont know what they run for similar specs

Please, I dont mean to offend anyone by asking just trying to learn. Is this not the hybrid of both worlds a tube sound with a SS amp?

 

[sleepysurf]

Twas moi that bought one, and returned it. In my system (at the time) it indeed tamed the "digital glare" I was trying to treat, but at the expense of muddied bass, and seeming slight loss of detail. I ended up going with the Modwright SWL9.0SE Pre (tube hybrid), which likewise tamed the higher end, but preserved bass and detail. Fortunately, Music Direct offers a 30 day return policy.

Nik, FYI... the Modwright (and some other Pre's) have home theater bypass, so combined with a multi-channel amp or home theater receiver, you can get the best of both worlds.

 

[Rich]

I own one of these units, and I would say it is very system and use dependant as to whether it is helpful or not. It sounds different depending on the source it is attached to. I haven't done a lot of experimenting with it, but I have noticed the following. When hooked up to my Lansonic Digital music server, it degraded the sound (which already wasn't great because the tracks on there are variable-rate mp3). This component definitely sounds better without the X10v3 in the signal chain. However, when hooked to my cheap XM Satellite radio receiver, it definitely improves the sound. It makes this signal sound cleaner, clearer and smoother in all respects. The satellite radio actually becomes "listenable" on my hi fi system. Thus, this is where the X10v3 resides in my system.

Is it worth the money? Maybe, maybe not. It is a fun gadget to play with and can improve the sound of some components, but it may or may not work wonders in your system. It can make as big or more of a difference than cables for some components, and people spend lots more money on cables. So I guess it just depends on the person and their needs and wants. Unless you are willing to buy and re-sell, I would not buy one without the ability to audition it in my own system.

 

[DTB300]

Twas moi that bought one, and returned it.

Hah! I was going to say it was you, but could not remember, and I was too lazy to do a search :haha1:

Nik, FYI... the Modwright (and some other Pre's) have home theater bypass, so combined with a multi-channel amp or home theater receiver, you can get the best of both worlds.

Great suggestion you beat me to. Keep the Rotel and get a new Pre like the Modwright which I have seen on Audiogon frequently. The Modwright as you noted has the HT passthrough but will also offer good two channel performance.

The question for the OP is what is their main priority??? HT and Movies, or Music??? Each will warrant a different direction in regards to improvments in their setup.

Dan

 

[David Matz]

Does anyone know how these tubes are different from tubes found in regular tube equipment such as BAT, Cary, etc.?

Also, what cables are needed to hook it up?

The Stereophile rates this thing Class A in the latest issue, for whatever that's worth.

 

[Rich]

Does anyone know how these tubes are different from tubes found in regular tube equipment such as BAT, Cary, etc.?

I don't think the tubes are that much different than any other tubes. They just have the electronics configured to run them with very low plate voltage, so they last a lot longer than normal.

Also, what cables are needed to hook it up?

They hook up with regular (unbalanced) rca connectors.

The Stereophile rates this thing Class A in the latest issue, for whatever that's worth.

Not worth anything in my book. (A cynic would say it means MF is a "Class A" advertiser).

Bottom line is: this thing is not going to transform the sound of your system. It is simply a buffer stage. It may make certain components sound better in your system. It may have the opposite effect. You really won't know unless you try it out.

But I would liken the effect to what you get sometimes with a cable change. It may be a minor improvement; it may be a major improvement; or it may be a detriment. If you are curious and have the money to play with, then try it out. If you are on a tighter budget, I would think more improvement could be had in other areas with the same dollars (i.e.: better cables, acoustic treatments, better source gear, etc.).

 

[lugano]

Does anyone know how these tubes are different from tubes found in regular tube equipment such as BAT, Cary, etc.?

From the MF Site:

Due to the limited availability of the super-performance milspec milusage mu-vista (6112) tube, we will only be able to make 4,800 of these beauties.

 

[DTB300]

Not worth anything in my book. (A cynic would say it means MF is a "Class A" advertiser).

:rocker: :haha1:

 

[Diamonds]

I owned and it worked great. It really improved the sound on the Musical Fidelity CDP.

 

[lugano]

Sometimes I wonder how people can bash the mp3 psychoacoustics, bash equalizers and defend the harmonic distortions added by such gimmicks as the subject of this thread. It's like defending wine and criticizing whisky.

 

[risabet]

If you want what tubes bring to your system, buy a tube amp and pre-amp. For about 70% of the tube magic buy the pre-amp only. YMMV