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Musical Fidelity X-Pre Pre Amplifier Fantastic older Musical-Fidelity X-series Preamp, in prefect working condition. I bought this a while back, thinking I might build an X-series 3rd stereo. But, sadly, that never happened, and it's been in the cupboard for a few years now... so time to move it on. Just dragged it out and tested it - sounds FANTASTIC! Tube-based, as per the old X-Cans. Not sure the power supply is original, but it's prefect spec, and totally silent. No package, but happy to pack and post. Also possible pickup from Umina OR Neutral Bay. Really.... I think these
This is a buyer’s market for this piece, and at A$299 the asking price sits well below the A$366 25th percentile for recent comparable AUD listings, making it a strong deal rather than a merely fair one. Against a A$555 median and A$858 75th percentile, it is priced with plenty of room for a buyer-friendly outcome.
The X-PRE is well regarded as a clean, musical line-stage: low-fuss, compact, and often prized for its lively, transparent sound and strong value in a secondary system. If it powers up properly and the controls are quiet, this is the sort of vintage-hi-fi buy that can deliver a lot of enjoyment for little outlay; at this price, I’d mainly want confirmation of function, any included power supply, and whether the unit has been serviced or stored well.
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.
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