Musical FidelityA-308cr ampusedMusical Fidelity A308cr Dual Mono Amplifier with Mods by The Upgrade Company**Please click here to check out our newly launched SkyFi Audio website with additional items for sale** Powerful and carefully designed amplifier from Musical Fidelity that is an exact fit for the...2150.00

Musical Fidelity A308cr Dual Mono Amplifier with Mods by The Upgrade Company

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Condition
8/10
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Contact seller after sale to pay viaCertified check, Personal check, Wire Transfer or Express Checkout

Ships fromGlen Rock, NJ, 07452
Ships toUnited States
Package dimensions?" × ?" × ?" (60.0 lbs.)
Shipping carrierUPS
Shipping cost$99.00
AverageResearch Pricing

**Please click here to check out our newly launched SkyFi Audio website with additional items for sale**

Powerful and carefully designed amplifier from Musical Fidelity that is an exact fit for the matching A308cr upsampling 24-Bit CD player that we also have available for purchase, along with the matching DAC.  

Click here to view all three matching pieces.

Here's an excellent synopsis of this high-end amplifier from The Absolute Sound (Robert Harley, Issue 139):

"The A308 power amplifier is rated at 250Wpc into 8 ohms. It, too, is a true dual-mono design, with separate torroidal transformers for each channel, choke regulation, and 40,000 microfarads of filter capacitance in the power supply.  The audio circuit is all discrete, and the output stage comprises three pairs of bipolar output devices per channel.  
    
The A308 power amplifier offered the dynamically effortless presentation that such high power tends to confer. It shared many of the preamplifier’s qualities, particularly the dynamic effortlessness, natural rendering of timbre, and quiet background.  The amplifier’s soundstaging was wonderful, with a natural sense of air between the performers, fine gradations of depth, and a transparency that let me see deep into the soundstage rear."

This amp was upgraded to the Signature Edition by The Upgrade Company with more specifics than we can describe here, so please click on this link to head to their site for specific details.

We also have the matching Musical Fidelity 24-bit upsampling CD player available for purchase.

Tested and working without issue to manufacturer original specifications.  Shows some signs of use around the front panel logo, but nothing major, and is not something you really notice while sitting back enjoying this amp from your listening chair.

This listing includes the amplifier, a power cord, and the upgrade documentation as shown in the last listing photo.

Specifications:
Output Voltage, RMS Peak:  45 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz 127 Volts
Power Output, Single or Both Channels Driven:  250 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (24dBW), 450 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
Peak-to-Peak Output Current:  72 Amps 
Damping Factor:  180
Output Devices Per Channel:  6
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise:  0.003% at 1kHz up to 90% power, into 4 or 8 Ohms, < 0.007% 10Hz to 40kHz at 12.5 Watts into 8 Ohms
Intermodular Distortion: 0.002% at 12.5 Watts into 8 Ohms 
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz ±0dB, 10Hz to 100kHz +0 / -1.5dB > 
Channel Separation: 100dB 20Hz to 20kHz 
Audio Gain: 30dB (31.5 times) nominal 31K Ohm
Input Sensitivity for Full Power Output into 8 Ohms: 1.42 Volts > 124dB “A”- weighted
Inputs: "A": 1 pair RCA connectors, selectable from the front panel "B": 1 pair RCA connectors, selectable from the front panel
Outputs: 2 amplifier channels via 2 pairs of speaker binding posts per channel, 1 pair RCA loop output sockets
Dimensions: 440 mm, 17.3 inches wide, 143 mm, 5.6 inches high including feet, 394 mm, 15.5 inches deep including terminals
Weight: 23.5 kg, 51.7 lbs. unit only, unboxed 26 kg, 57.2 lbs. in shipping carton

Click here for a PDF copy of the Owner's Manual

-Hi-Fi Choice PRODUCT OF THE YEAR - Stereo Pre/Power Amp
Musical Fidelity’s A308CR is a big shiny amplifier which offers bags of power and a good selection of features.  Our original reviewer claimed it is one of the least “sounding” amplifier combinations you can get.  In other words, it has very little character that you can identify - a real talent for a hi-fi amp - and you’ll hear the source, the cables, and the speakers’ character before you can get a handle on the amp’s sonic signature.  It seems to work with just about everything you throw at it - hip-hop, classical, rock, whatever, it all gets the same non-treatment.  Its accurate, honest, spacious nature brings you closer to the music - excellent value in a sector dominated by larger and more expensive alternatives.  

-The Absolute Sound (Robert Harley, Issue 139)
The A308 power amplifier is rated at 250Wpc into 8 ohms. It, too, is a true dual-mono design, with separate torroidal transformers for each channel, choke regulation, and 40,000 microfarads of filter capacitance in the power supply.  The audio circuit is all discrete, and the output stage comprises three pairs of bipolar output devices per channel.  

The circuit-board layout, which has a large effect on the sound, is the result of 20 years of evolution at Musical Fidelity.  The literature says the company has refined its layouts over the years, making incremental improvements along the way.
    
The A308 power amplifier offered the dynamically effortless presentation that such high power tends to confer. It shared many of the preamplifier’s qualities, particularly the dynamic effortlessness, natural rendering of timbre, and quiet background.  The amplifier’s soundstaging was wonderful, with a natural sense of air between the performers, fine gradations of depth, and a transparency that let me see deep into the soundstage rear.

I can recommend the A308 pair even for demanding high-end systems, though many audiophiles may overlook them as not being expensive or exclusive enough. But if sound quality and honest value are important to you, this new pair from Musical Fidelity should be on your short list to audition. 

-The Inner Ear Report
All preamplifiers [used in the evaluation] established the MF’s masterful harmonic proficiency.  Its 250 watts per channel was not imposed on the system, but rather its power was well controlled and tamed to conform to the loudspeakers’ demands.  When program material required dynamics, the MF rose to the occasion instantaneously providing weight and spirit to the music.  Yet, the amplifier managed superb inner detail and presence, much as one would expect from very small, very intricate (and very expensive) amplifier designs.  We noted bass information was rich, well-textured, and harmonious.  All midrange information showed exceptional mastery of subtle elements, such as tonal gradations, timbre, and other musical complexities.  The MF power amplifiers provided an effortless, gracious flow of high frequencies, which resulted in a sophisticated presentation of instruments which perform in that range.

The Musical Fidelity system offers enough power and finesse to accommodate even the most demanding loudspeaker designs.  Audition these components with upscale cables, for they could be the weak link in an otherwise great audio system.  

-Hi-Fi Choice (Alan Sircom)
This strikes a perfect balance, with more than enough power on tap to give it loads of grip over the bottom end of most speaker systems.  It also has a treble and midrange that are completely free from grain or constriction.  But none of these are evident until you switch back from the A308cr.  At that point, the majority of other amplifier combos sound "bunged up" like they have hay fever.

Nothing phases the A308cr.  Even full-on Mahler or balls-out Led Zep can be played at insane listening levels with reserves on tap.

The biggest reason for many buying something costing more than the A308CR is “label pride”.  Those stuck on spending over the odds on buying the latest designer label will always stump up extra cash for extra cachet, even when there is little or no reason to.  There is no such thing as the perfect amplifier, but the Musical Fidelity A308CR pre/power amp combo gets closer than most. 

-Hi-Fi News (Dave Berriman)
Here was subterranean, firm, powerful bass, precise but not overpowering, a deep, wide soundstage and no sense of unnatural strain.  

Apart from the superb build quality, their sonic and musical performance is little short of stunning, with oodles of clarity, space, rhythm, bass texture, and instrumental definition.  It’s as close as you’ll find to a neutral conduit anywhere and may force you to really listen to familiar recordings anew.  

Hi-Fi World (David Price)
Its low frequency articulation is almost a religious experience.  

A top-drawer pre-power combination that does so much so well and gives away so little to its price rivals from all sides of the field.  It’s open and smooth, yet manages to pump vast amounts of power.  I’d say the Musical Fidelity A308 pre-power combo is all most people will ever need from a hi-fi amplifier.
Verdict: Four Stars.  Another fine all-rounder with a brilliantly powerful and clear sound. Partner with good ancillaries and you may never upgrade again.

Thanks for looking and please click here if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.

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PURCHASING FROM SKYFI

This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home. 

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.

If we don’t have the original manufacture's packaging, we use heavy duty double ply corrugated boxes with Instapak expanding foam custom inserts.  In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.  We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages.  Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box. 

This item is available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square, NYC (with convenient parking in the building).

NJ Residents or anyone picking up without a resale certificate will need to pay NJ Sales Tax.

Use the Buy It Now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions. 

Please also click here to visit our Audiogon store to see the rest of the items we have for sale.

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WHO WE ARE 

SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high-end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk. 

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.  If you are local and looking for new equipment from the above-mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area.

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official Audiogon system. We have too many items for sale and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers. 

If you do not see a “Make an Offer” button, it means we are not considering any offers on that item.   

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer. We do not charge extra for any payment fees if you purchase the item at the asking price.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order, or wire transfer. International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item we do not accept PayPal.  You must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check, or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment and are picking up the item, it will be returned. 

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition, and the accessories that are included (such as the original box, remote, cables, manual, etc.).  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated surround processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user on your own.

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market. Just drop us a note for a quote but be sure to include the condition and what is included. 

HOW TO VISIT US                                                                                                        

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune the gear in your listening room if you are local to the area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

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