Musical Fidelity A1 - Black

Description

The Musical Fidelity A1 has long been regarded as one of the most iconic designs in Hi-Fi, both for its engineering and aesthetics. Originally launched in 1988, the A1 quickly gained a reputation for effortlessly driving even the most challenging speakers of the era, despite being a relatively low-powered integrated amplifier. Its secret? Pure Class A amplification, complemented by a meticulously designed discrete symmetrical circuitry and the use of high-quality components. The A1 changed the way audiophiles thought about amplifiers, proving that power isn't everything when it comes to sound quality.

The latest A1, staying true to the original specifications, appearance, and circuits from its 1988 version, but with significant internal updates. Featuring an upgraded transformer, enhanced power supplies, and modern low-noise components, this classic has been revitalized for today’s audiophiles—offering the same timeless performance with a modern twist.
 

Technical Highlights

The A1 is built around a fully discrete, symmetrical Class A topology, delivering 25 watts of pure Class A power into an 8-ohm load with a peak current of up to 25A. Despite these modest numbers, the amp’s ability to drive challenging speakers is remarkable. Thanks to its dynamic Class A design, the A1 can smoothly “slide” into Class B operation when necessary, allowing for additional current without compromising on sound quality.
 

Power Supply Enhancements

The new A1 features a more efficient “dual mono split rail” transformer, replacing the shared transformer of the original 1988 model. This results in fully independent left and right power supplies, improving power handling and stereo imaging. The supply capacity for each power amplifier has been doubled, further reducing ripple and noise. Heat dissipation and transformer noise have also been minimized thanks to these modern updates.
 

The preamplifier’s circuitry, while based on the 1988 design, benefits from the improved, fully smoothed, and regulated power supplies. A new “direct” switch has also been added, allowing users to bypass the gain block before the volume control, reducing gain by 10dB—ideal for modern, high-output digital sources and sensitive speakers.
 

Additionally, the volume potentiometer has been upgraded to a premium ALPS RK series potentiometer, which is now motorized for convenient remote operation.
 

Phono Stage

The A1 features a discrete current-mode phono input stage, designed for minimal noise amplification of both MM and MC cartridges. A low-noise current-to-voltage conversion stage handles further amplification and RIAA equalization. With automatic input impedance matching for MC cartridges and increased gain, the A1’s phono stage offers impressive versatility for vinyl lovers.
 

A True Hi-Fi Classic Returns

The A1’s greatest strength lies in its ability to simply make music. Its sweet, warm, and detailed sound creates an immersive atmosphere, especially in small to mid-sized rooms with high-quality two-way speakers. While it’s not a powerhouse, the A1 excels at driving even difficult speakers with ease, producing clean sound up to its power limit.
 

Visually, the A1 remains as striking as ever. Its oversized heatsinks not only define its look but also serve a critical function in its operation. The design is both unique and functional, a true example of form following function.