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Musical Fidelity’s A2.2CR sits in that respected, no-nonsense camp: a dual-mono preamp aimed at serious two-channel systems rather than features for their own sake. At £466, this is above the £308 median but still comfortably inside the main market band, sitting well below the £644 75th percentile, so it reads as fair rather than expensive.
That makes it a plausible buy if the unit is clean and fully functional, especially if you value Musical Fidelity’s reputation for smooth, substantial sound and solid build. The upside here is getting a well-regarded preamp from a sought-after era without paying top-tier asking money. I’d mainly want confirmation of quiet operation, healthy inputs/outputs, and any original box or remote if applicable, but there’s nothing in the price alone that feels off.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Musical Fidelity, a British hi-fi icon, traces its roots to 1982 when clarinettist and audio enthusiast Antony Michaelson founded the company in London. Disillusioned with the sound quality of existing gear after his stint at predecessor Michaelson & Austin, he handcrafted his debut product—a minimalist preamplifier dubbed "The Preamp"—on his kitchen table. Paired with the quirky Dr. Thomas power amplifier, these designs disrupted the market with their bold aesthetics and sonic punch, establishing Michaelson’s experimental ethos from the outset.
The brand has long centered on amplifiers as its cornerstone, spanning integrated, power, phono, headphone, and preamp models renowned for Class-AB topology and innovative touches like Nuvistor tubes. It expanded into streaming players, DACs, CD players, Bluetooth receivers, all-in-one systems, and even headphones and turntables, always prioritizing musicality over convention. Unconventional industrial designs, from curved heatsinks to sculptural panels, became signatures, influencing competitors.
Positioned firmly in the high-end arena, Musical Fidelity commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its value-driven performance and soulful sound. Iconic models like the A1 and F-series endure as collector favorites, blending accessibility with premium engineering. Acquired by Austria’s Audio Tuning in 2018, it continues evolving under new stewardship while honoring its heritage as a boutique force in British hi-fi.
See all Musical Fidelity listings on RADAR.
