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Musical Fidelity A308cr Power Amp Upgrade

5 out of 5
  

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overview
Why do we upgrade equipment?

Almost any Hi-Fi component can be upgraded to higher performance using our techniques and components. The two things go together – the know-how and the right component. Over the last 30 years, we have developed our knowledge of where the biggest problems lie and how to overcome them to unleash better performance from a given piece of equipment.

Musical Fidelity A308cr power amp upgrade

Rated at 250Wpc into 8 ohms, Musical Fidelitys A308 power amplifier 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.




This provides a great platform to upgrade! Our upgrades build on the strengths of the amplifier. Everything you love about the sound remains – it just gets so much better.





Internal wiring

Internal signal wiring is taking care of using Kimber cable. For the power, we’ve used TCX copper (a thicker, single strand version of what we use in our PowerKord’s. Over 1.5m is used from input to the transformers





For the signal wire, we've used a combination of the thicker Kimber TCX for high current signals (connections to the binding post) and just under a metre of a thinner gauge, pure copper Kimber TCSS for all other connections

Component Upgrades

24 significant component upgrades/changes are made across the power supply and analogue circuitry including inputs and outputs. Upgrades include Russ's favoured audio grade Panasonic capacitors which give a smooth and detailed sound and 8 large, 10,000uf reservoir caps. The unit is completely disassembled to gain access to key areas of upgrade.





For the majority of the capacitor changes, we use Russ's favoured Panasonic Audio Grade caps. Where possible, we will endeavour to use the superb Kimber Kaps as shown here. Post upgrade, the unit is then soak tested for 24 hours.




Connection Upgrades

We upgrade your preferred RCA input sockets with nextgen WBT-0210 Cu sockets.





The primary binding posts are upgraded to WBT-0708 Cu Speaker posts.



Power

To clean up and give the power supply an upgrade of SuperFuses™ are fitted throughout, a Silencer™ mains filter is fitted to the mains input (internally). A full re-wire with Kimber pure copper TCX from mains input to transformer.





Different Model?

If you don't have exactly the same model as listed above, but a very similar unit, then it's highly likely that the same or similar upgrades will apply. But we can't guarantee that until we have the unit here for inspection. Get in touch and let us know what you have.



How the service works

Equipment upgrades are proving hugely popular. During peak times there may be a wait of several weeks before we can carry out the upgrade. So before we get your equipment here, it must be booked in so we can ensure a speedy turnaround of the upgrade. Once you have placed your order, we will contact you to arrange a suitable week and getting the equipment here.

In Person
For those of you who are local enough or if you fancy a trip to the lakes, you can drop off your equipment personally and then collect it when it’s complete or we can ship it back to you.

By Courier
We can arrange a courier collection of your equipment for an additional cost. We currently use UPS.
To make things easier, we can offer several collection options.

1. We can arrange a specific day for the courier to call and collect your equipment. Someone will need to be available all day at the collection address as we’re unable to arrange a time slot for collections.

2. Dropping off at a UPS Access Point. UPS use a network of local shops to deliver and collect parcels from and to. We can either post you a collection label or email you the label (you will need to print the label at home/work). Securely box up your equipment, affix the collection label to the outside of the box and take it to your preferred Access Point where you will be issued a receipt. UPS Access Points can be found here (link opens in a new window), simply enter your postcode to find your nearest one.


 
Exclamation IconEquipment condition.
 
It’s important to note that this service is specifically aimed at upgrading equipment in good working condition rather than repairing or servicing. Why? Well, these are two very different processes. Our upgrades look at improving existing parts – like capacitors, for example – and we have an awful lot of knowledge and experience of doing this. As many of these parts do wear over time, replacing them can have the added benefit of actually making the equipment more reliable and longer-lasting, but that is an added bonus rather than the central aim, which is to improve performance.
 
When it comes to servicing and repair, however, the specific knowledge of individual pieces of equipment that is required, along with access to the original electronic schematics, makes it unwise for anyone other than the manufacturer or authorised service agent to carry out this type of work. 
 
The upgrade comes with a 2 year warranty, including all parts that we've used. This excludes failure of components beyond the work we have carried out. We therefore ask that the equipment you send for upgrade is in good working order.
 
Please note this is just an upgrade modification, it does not include the Musical Fidelity amplifier.
Customer Reviews
Overall product rating 5 / 5
5 / 5

reviewed by Jon Carter
09 Jul 2021
Yes, I recommend this product.
"A Wonderful Upgrade. Quite Superb!"
This upgrade review is for both my A308 power amp and my A5 pre amp shown elsewhere. Let me say from the word go the improvements I've heard here from both amps are far from small. Technician Zak has done a wonderful job. The power and control is absolutely effortless, it always has been, but everything now sounds more enhanced. There is more detail, the sound is more open, lively and focused, and that midrange-WOW!! Bass sounds wonderfully rhythmic [much better than before] and the high frequencies are creamy smooth and natural sounding. The stereo image has become wider also. I particularly like the choice of the slit foil capacitors fitted here to the power amp [a DNM design I believe] I'm really delighted with the sound quality improvements that have been made to what were very good amplifiers in the first place. Highly recommended. Also a big thank you to all of the staff at Russ Andrews for their usual professional service.
5 / 5

reviewed by Jon Carter
09 Jul 2021
Yes, I recommend this product.
"A Wonderful Upgrade. Quite Superb!"
This upgrade review is for both my A308 power amp and my A5 pre amp shown elsewhere. Let me say from the word go the improvements I've heard here from both amps are far from small. Technician Zak has done a wonderful job. The power and control is absolutely effortless, it always has been, but everything now sounds more enhanced. There is more detail, the sound is more open, lively and focused, and that midrange-WOW!! Bass sounds wonderfully rhythmic [much better than before] and the high frequencies are creamy smooth and natural sounding. The stereo image has become wider also. I particularly like the choice of the slit foil capacitors fitted here to the power amp [a DNM design I believe] I'm really delighted with the sound quality improvements that have been made to what were very good amplifiers in the first place. Highly recommended. Also a big thank you to all of the staff at Russ Andrews for their usual professional service.