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Against a new budget preamp at £410, this looks fair-to-good, not a steal: used X-P100s have shown up around £310 for a preamp-plus-power-amp bundle allocation, and a lone unit has sold for the rough equivalent of about £330-£350 in older overseas listings, so £410 sits a bit above the most comfortable used level but not wildly so. If it’s clean, working, and complete with the external PSU and remote, the price is still reasonable for a well-kept example.
The X-P100 is a respected, very listenable line-stage with MM phono, remote control, and that smooth Musical Fidelity class-A presentation that suits neutral-to-bright systems well. It’s a solid buy if you want a proper older high-end preamp rather than a disposable modern box, but at this price I’d want confirmation of the power supply, remote, and noise-free operation, since age-related contact or PSU issues are the main things that can spoil the value.
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.
