Musical Fidelity A1

Beskrivning

In Hi-Fi, the Musical Fidelity A1 has become one of the most classic designs – inside and out. First released back in 1985, it quickly made waves for being an absolute beast when it came down to driving some of the most difficult speakers of that time, even though it was actually a rather low powered integrated amplifier. But: it was all done in pure Class A with excellent and expertly laid out discrete symmetrical circuitry topology and using only highest quality components. The A1 showed people that there was more to amplifiers than just high power.

Based on its huge success, the A1 has gone through multiple reissues and new versions over the years.

Now for 2023, for the first time since its initial release we have actually kept all specifications, the appearance and circuits of the 1985 rendition for those who missed out the first time. With an updated transformer, power supplies and modern low noise components we’ve revitalized the formula and are proud to reintroduce the fresh original – three decades later.

Technical Talk
The A1 is built around a completely discrete and symmetrical Class A topology. It‘s able to output 25W of pure Class A power @ 8 ohms load with 25A of maximum output. While the numbers here might seem rather low, the ability for the output stage to drive difficult speakers is a small miracle in itself. The amp design being dynamic class A, and if Class A standing current is exceeded, it will automatically allow more. It therefore “slides” (NOT “switches”) smoothly into class B style operation, temporarily allowing the further current draw needed.

Power Supply
The new A1 has received an updated transformer from shared (1985 original) to more efficient “dual mono split rail” windings. The amp stages are supplied by fully independent left and right power supplies for better power handling and stereo imaging and each power amplifier now has double supply capacity resulting in reduced ripple and noise.

The transformer‘s noise and heat dissipation are reduced due to better efficiency and updated components. The main supplies are filtered for better regulation and reduced switch on surge.

The A1 through time – Improvements to the original
* Updated transformer to more efficient “dual mono split rail” windings
* High quality and updated ALPS RK series potentiometer as volume control
* IR remote control added for volume
* Gain block before volume control totally by passable using “direct” switch (-10dB)
* All transistors including output devices are carefully selected modern equivalents
* All capacitors in signal path are polypropylene (PP) type
* Resistors are modern low noise metal film types
* Care and attention made to not change any component specification from original but to update them to modern equivalent with long lifespan
* Layout faithfully follows original within circuit sections on circuit board
* Circuit sections better laid out, in particular the separate supplies and power amplifiers
* Phono stage and preamplifier improved for less noise and hum

The A1 in Brief
* 25W Pure Class A power @ 8 Ohm
* Discrete symmetrical topology
* Planar Audio transistors with 25A maximum output
* Dynamic class A, slides (NOT switches) smoothly into Class B, allowing more current as needed
* Therefore drives difficult speakers with no problems
* Updated transformer to “dual mono split rail” windings
* Fully independent left and right power supplies
* Each power amplifier now has double supply capacity
* Transformer noise and heat dissipation reduced
* Filtered main supplies
* Gain block before volume control totally bypassable using “direct” switch
* High quality and updated ALPS RK series potentiometer
* Low noise TL071 JFET preamplifier circuitry
* Discrete current-mode MM/MC phono input stage
* Low noise current to voltage converter for further amplification and RIAA equalisation
* Automatic input impedance matching (1K nominal) for MC along with increased gain
* Original (1985) A1 appearance and circuits with modern improvements
* Remote control added for volume
* Modern updated low noise components

Specifications

Amplifier
* Power: 25 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
* Voltage: 42.5 Volts peak to peak
* Current: 25 Amps peak to peak
* Damping Factor: 150
* Gain (volume max): 32dB (Direct Mode), 42dB (Normal Mode)
* Output devices: 2 per channel
* Signal / noise ratio: 82dB
* Channel separation: 85dB
* Frequency response: + 0, –1dB, 10Hz to 40 kHz
* Line level sensitivity: 300mV rms nominal, 8V rms max
* Line level inputs impedance: 25k Ohms
* Tape Out impedance: 220 Ohms
* Pre Out impedance: 100 Ohms

Phono Preamp
* Phono RIAA response: +/- 1dB
* MM sensitivity: 5mV nominal
* MM capacitance / impedance / gain: 100pF / 50k Ohms / 40dB
* MM signal / noise ratio: 75dB
* MC sensitivity: 450μV nominal
* MC impedance / gain: 1k Ohm / 60dB
* MC signal / noise ratio: 70dB

Inputs
* 1x phono RCA MM/MC, 5x line RCA

Outputs
* 1 x line level RCA fix TAPE OUT
* 1 x line level RCA var PRE OUT
* 1 x 4mm banana/binding posts SPEAKER OUT

General Information
* Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 68.3 x 283.3 mm
* Main voltages: 230V/115V Internally set or 100V optional
* Max. Consumption: 130W, 0W in standby (=Power Switch OFF)
* Weight: 10.5kg

Läs mer på: www.musicalfidelity.com