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Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 192K Tube DAC Original and unmodified Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 192K Tube DAC. The Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 was a limited-edition DAC. It is known for its warm rich tone, great soundstage, and musical purity. The DAC is overbuilt with a great power supply and output stage, and runs extremely long life 5703 milspec tubes, which are good for 100,000 hours. The Tri-Vista 21 is transparent, timbrally and tonally accurate, while very musical. It is audibly better than the A3.24 DAC with a fuller and warmer sound, wider and deeper soundstage, and very good ho
This A$1,000 asking price is a strong bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$1,874 for comparable used AUD listings of the Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21. With the median at A$2,109 and the 75th percentile at A$2,344, you are securing this legendary tube DAC for roughly half the typical market value, making it an exceptional buy.
The Tri-Vista 21 remains a cult favorite for its warm, analog-like sound driven by 192kHz tube upsampling, delivering rich midrange and smooth treble that pure digital DACs often lack. Its rarity and proven sonic character make this clean, very_good condition unit a prime opportunity to own a piece of high-end digital history without the usual premium. Unless there are hidden tube issues or missing accessories, this is a clear buying opportunity for any enthusiast seeking genuine tonal beauty.
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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