56 replies to this topic

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a bit of news from club mf on htguide saying possibly mf to bring out an update to the mf a5 integrated. dubbed the a5.5 it has a built in dac, as per hte a1008 series. Cost $3k US so probably going up in price from the a5 integrated. power ouptut still 250wpc so imagie all else unchanged.

[Mining Man]

Good to see them making some subtle changes with onboard DACs catering to the growing squeezebox / sonos crowd.

[:)]

Mining Man, on Sep 29 2007, 03:56 PM, said:

Good to see them making some subtle changes with onboard DACs catering to the growing squeezebox / sonos crowd.

hope not a move backward though mixing up both analog and digital circuits in the same box. but yeah with the growing age of more and more ditial sources a good option to have.

[Scotto83]

alebonau, on Sep 29 2007, 12:28 PM, said:

a bit of news from club mf on htguide saying possibly mf to bring out an update to the mf a5 integrated. dubbed the a5.5 it has a built in dac, as per hte a1008 series. Cost $3k US so probably going up in price from the a5 integrated. power ouptut still 250wpc so imagie all else unchanged.

sounds interesting..
They given a rough release timeframe?

[:)]

a bit more info on the updated a5.5 integrated. suggested is a matching cd player too.

http://blog.listenca...y.co.uk/?p=1516

http://whathifi.com/...des-its-a5.aspx

[Scotto83]

Usb input as well..
Could be a very interesting product..

[petetherock]

I know this thread is a little old - but I found a A 5.5 for about 2000 SING$, any comments on that, and what kind of issues should I look for in a 2nd hand amp? Esp since I have to inspect the amp in Singapore and decide if I wish to buy it in a short peroid of time. Any personal warranty would be pretty moot too.
Cheers.

[Gutty]

petetherock, on Jun 11 2010, 09:37 PM, said:

I know this thread is a little old - but I found a A 5.5 for about 2000 SING$, any comments on that, and what kind of issues should I look for in a 2nd hand amp? Esp since I have to inspect the amp in Singapore and decide if I wish to buy it in a short peroid of time. Any personal warranty would be pretty moot too.
Cheers.

not sure what to tell you to look out for. But can say I previously had an A5 pre that Gone Bush now owns. Now have an A5 integrated and not had a single problem with either. Both imported from UK sight unseen.
Best of luck, I'm sure it's an amp you'd be very happy with.

[:)]

Gutty, on Jun 12 2010, 08:14 PM, said:

not sure what to tell you to look out for. But can say I previously had an A5 pre that Gone Bush now owns. Now have an A5 integrated and not had a single problem with either. Both imported from UK sight unseen.
Best of luck, I'm sure it's an amp you'd be very happy with.

Same here my a5 cd, pre and power about 5 Years old now which have had from new and not one issue with either as well in all that time.

[petetherock]

Thanks, does $2000 SING for a 2 year old model sound right?

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petetherock, on Jun 12 2010, 08:48 PM, said:

Thanks, does $2000 SING for a 2 year old model sound right?

Don't know what prices are like over in Singapore. Would have to talk to someone familiar with what they go for there.

It had a rrp of nearly 6k in aus up until last year when superseded. Probably depends on condition and the like. Probably cheaper ove in the uk with a lot more knocking around.

The a5 in my opinion a better buy, being cheaper and exactly same under the hood just minus the USB dac.

[Gutty]

petetherock, on Jun 12 2010, 08:48 PM, said:

Thanks, does $2000 SING for a 2 year old model sound right?

Aussie price is generally around $2500, so yeah that's not a bad price at all.

[DenonCi]

I have Owen the A5 and the A5-5 and had a lot of problems with them so I bought the new M6i and it outperforms the A5 and the A5-5 but it really outperforms the A5 the M6i is an amazing integrated but they cost 5k but if you wait you would get one a bit cheaper.  on my first A5 integrated the thing blow out smoke come out so I run and unplugged it before the thing cached fire.  And the A5-5 was shutting down it was going on mute all the time. But the M6i kill's the older models for sound quality, if you can get the M6 series a bit cheaper jump at it do not go for the older models.

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Musical, on Jun 13 2010, 09:56 AM, said:

I have Owen the A5 and the A5-5 and had a lot of problems with them so I bought the new M6i and it outperforms the A5 and the A5-5 but it really outperforms the A5 the M6i is an amazing integrated but they cost 5k but if you wait you would get one a bit cheaper.  on my first A5 integrated the thing blow out smoke come out so I run and unplugged it before the thing cached fire.  And the A5-5 was shutting down it was going on mute all the time. But the M6i kill's the older models for sound quality, if you can get the M6 series a bit cheaper jump at it do not go for the older models.

You'd be paying quite a price premium for a m6i, doubt be many if any at all on the used market. Not actually read any others with issues such as yours. But having seen the insides of the a5, a5.5  and m6i I do think the original a5 still be the best value for money of the lot, unless specifically need the USB dac of the a5.5 or balanced connection of the m6i the a5 be my pick.

I still wish at times I could have got an a5 for my bedroom system knowing what a great integrated it is having heard the job it did with my utopia divas. But yeah happy with my nad m3. And yeah other nice integrated amps around apart from nad there also thise from the likes of arcam, rega and the like but none with the level of clean power the a5 and later series mf capable off

[petetherock]

Ok, I contacted the chap, and we settled at SING 1950, will drop in on him later, on a quick trip.... fingers crossed, and I am partnering it with my B/W 805s, if anyone has an opinion on that please say so .... cheers!

[myrantz]

petetherock, on Jun 15 2010, 11:08 AM, said:

Ok, I contacted the chap, and we settled at SING 1950, will drop in on him later, on a quick trip.... fingers crossed, and I am partnering it with my B/W 805s, if anyone has an opinion on that please say so .... cheers!

Wah.. You fly to Singapore just to pick this up?? Wish I have a job like that...

My opinion? I think it's gonna be   ....

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petetherock, on Jun 15 2010, 01:08 PM, said:

Ok, I contacted the chap, and we settled at SING 1950, will drop in on him later, on a quick trip.... fingers crossed, and I am partnering it with my B/W 805s, if anyone has an opinion on that please say so .... cheers!

be a sweet combination I reckon !.

let us know what you think

[petetherock]

BTW, do I need to pop the hood or can a simple audition do the trick?

The owner assures me that he is the first owner, and the amp has no hum issues...

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petetherock, on Jun 15 2010, 01:23 PM, said:

BTW, do I need to pop the hood or can a simple audition do the trick?

The owner assures me that he is the first owner, and the amp has no hum issues...

probably worth just having a good listen and checking the unit over. usually if no cosmetic issues tend to indicate the care with which its been looked after over its life. popping the hood would be painfull anyways hteres a ton of screws to work your way around and need a tamperproof torx if its anything like the a5 series

[myrantz]

:), on Jun 15 2010, 11:34 AM, said:

probably worth just having a good listen and checking the unit over. usually if no cosmetic issues tend to indicate the care with which its been looked after over its life. popping the hood would be painfull anyways hteres a ton of screws to work your way around and need a tamperproof torx if its anything like the a5 series

Inspect the screws for marks, and any warranty seals (if there's any) and see if they're broken...

If they have been unscrewed, maybe you'd see some marks.. But then,  it could be super modded.. Singaporeans love to do mods.....

[petetherock]

The deed is done... should I flog off my Marantz SR 12???

[Gutty]

petetherock, on Jun 15 2010, 11:25 PM, said:

The deed is done... should I flog off my Marantz SR 12???

Congrats, i'm sure you won't be dissapointed Pete.

Why do you need the Marantz now ? Up to you whether you keep it or not, but you were only using that one for 2ch anyway weren't you ?



Hooked Gspots(now mine) MF A3.5 CD up to my A5 integrated last night.... absolutely fantastic ! Played CD after CD, just couldn't stop !

[:)]

petetherock, on Jun 15 2010, 11:25 PM, said:

The deed is done... should I flog off my Marantz SR 12???

nice ! look forward to some pics of the beauty in position and some listening impressions. as per gutty depends what you use the marantz for. and upto re whether keep it or not.

Gutty, on Jun 16 2010, 07:54 AM, said:

Congrats, i'm sure you won't be dissapointed Pete.

Why do you need the Marantz now ? Up to you whether you keep it or not, but you were only using that one for 2ch anyway weren't you ?



Hooked Gspots(now mine) MF A3.5 CD up to my A5 integrated last night.... absolutely fantastic ! Played CD after CD, just couldn't stop !

ah you got the a3.5 ! excellent to hear that thrilled by the sound ! common wheres the pics as well ?

[petetherock]

Gutty, on Jun 16 2010, 05:54 AM, said:

Congrats, i'm sure you won't be dissapointed Pete.

Why do you need the Marantz now ? Up to you whether you keep it or not, but you were only using that one for 2ch anyway weren't you ?



Hooked Gspots(now mine) MF A3.5 CD up to my A5 integrated last night.... absolutely fantastic ! Played CD after CD, just couldn't stop !

Ah the SR 12, well no one will pay anywhere near 8k, and I am not sure how much it will fetch, it is a real beauty and even now, it is IMO the finest AV amp in looks and for music. But I have a rule, one in, one out...

Am also considering selling my mod SA 8003 and getting a Oppo BD 83SE.... might start a thread on this.... (the Oppo is to help me dad) - this stereo system is mainly his thing - the Oppo SE will be good for music, and allow him a simple way of playing his movies, all from the same device.

Right now Audio Iconic sells the SE for about SING 1500 with a Region Free mod.

[petetherock]

Oh BTW, on closer scrutiny, I Cannot just stick my Ipod in the the USB port!
Its only meant for PCs?

And I need some kind of a USB B to A converter.... sigh....

Who keeps their PC near a hi fi rack....

If the Mac Mini were cheaper, it would be an interesting option...