Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 300
- Thread starter mandryka
- Start date
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
Only 500 were made and it's likely most were exported. I rebuilt one with upgraded capacitors only about 6-7 months ago so I'm putting two and two together...
Only pitfall I can think of is that the output transistors are a very specialised type (Sanken SAP15's) and are no longer available... There is a possible substitute (maybe 2 in fact) but I've never had to put it to the test..
There are still a few around being sold in 1's and 2's on ebay etc as NOS so hard to get rather than totally unobtainium.
This is before I did anything to it... I didn't take full pics of all the work etc as I have with some amps lately... Those are smoothing chokes under the control PCB which controls the power electronics in the other case with the transformers etc in and the start up timing what with the nuvistor valves etc. Closest power amp board is on unbolted heatsink and laid on its side...
mandryka
pfm Member
The one on offer was restored and improved in 2016 by someone (not you!) who used to work for Musical Fidelity, I've spoken to him on the phone. He said he used the best modern substitute parts, better caps than in the original (costing over £200 each he said), silver wiring etc. The amp is a tube ride away and I'm going to see/hear it tomorrow, for what it's worth. I am sure it'll sound fabulous, not least because its owner has some £10K speakers. The seller is not a dealer, just an individual who is keen on high end hifi -- apparently, I'll learn more tomorrow.
By the way he said that less than 500 were made, 350 was the figure he gave. I got the feeling he was involved with them at MF. He said they'd planned to make 500 but they ran out of parts.
The thing that puts me off is that I once read that MF had a poor reputation for heat sinking. And indeed, as you point out, some of the parts may be irreplaceable.
I'll get a detailed list of all the improvements made before proceeding and try to get other people's (ie your) response
The Krell has opened my ears to what good hifi can be like. And coming across this rare item is an interesting coincidence. I was told by the guy who did the refurbishment that the Krell is good (or rather the KSA50 is good -- he clearly despised all other Krells), but nowhere near as good as his improved Nu Vista 300, and he came across as an honest techie who had nothing to gain from being insincere.
By the way he said that less than 500 were made, 350 was the figure he gave. I got the feeling he was involved with them at MF. He said they'd planned to make 500 but they ran out of parts.
The thing that puts me off is that I once read that MF had a poor reputation for heat sinking. And indeed, as you point out, some of the parts may be irreplaceable.
I'll get a detailed list of all the improvements made before proceeding and try to get other people's (ie your) response
The Krell has opened my ears to what good hifi can be like. And coming across this rare item is an interesting coincidence. I was told by the guy who did the refurbishment that the Krell is good (or rather the KSA50 is good -- he clearly despised all other Krells), but nowhere near as good as his improved Nu Vista 300, and he came across as an honest techie who had nothing to gain from being insincere.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
The one on offer was restored and improved in 2016 by someone (not you!) who used to work for Musical Fidelity, I've spoken to him on the phone. He said he used the best modern substitute parts, better caps than in the original (costing over £200 each he said), silver wiring etc. The amp is a tube ride away and I'm going to see/hear it tomorrow, for what it's worth. I am sure it'll sound fabulous, not least because its owner has some £10K speakers. The seller is not a dealer, just an individual who is keen on high end hifi -- apparently, I'll learn more tomorrow.
By the way he said that less than 500 were made, 350 was the figure he gave. I got the feeling he was involved with them at MF. He said they'd planned to make 500 but they ran out of parts.
The thing that puts me off is that I once read that MF had a poor reputation for heat sinking. And indeed, as you point out, some of the parts may be irreplaceable.
I'll get detailed list of all the improvements made before proceeding and try to get other people's (ie your) response
I'll guess the initials of this guy were JS then... These were made long after I left Musical Fidelity and we didn't work there at the same time...
FWIW JS is a good engineer but has a rather different attitude to foo than mine...
I'd love to hear a bake off between a Nu-Vista 300 and a KSA50!!
I've no idea which would win...
canonman
pfm Member
I'll guess the initials of this guy were JS then... These were made long after I left Musical Fidelity and we didn't work there at the same time...
FWIW JS is a good engineer but has a rather different attitude to foo than mine...
I'd love to hear a bake off between a Nu-Vista 300 and a KSA50!!
JS worked for me for many years before MF...I see his opinion of Krell hasn't changed then
mandryka
pfm Member
I'll guess the initials of this guy were JS then... These were made long after I left Musical Fidelity and we didn't work there at the same time...
FWIW JS is a good engineer but has a rather different attitude to foo than mine...
I'd love to hear a bake off between a Nu-Vista 300 and a KSA50!!
He said he was there a long time after you. That fact that you say he’s a good engineer is much appreciated, and it gives me a bit more confidence.
If it all comes off I’ll organise said bake off at my house, I hope you’ll come.
mandryka
pfm Member
JS worked for me for many years before MF...I see his opinion of Krell hasn't changed then
I will invite JS (and you) to the bake off.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
JS worked for me for many years before MF...I see his opinion of Krell hasn't changed then
I never met him... I was referring to his liking for fitting "boutique" caps and cables etc...
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
Oh it was entirely rhetorical, I wasn't trying to invite myself to a bake off
Thanks for the offer though Alas I doubt I would be able to attend.
canonman
pfm Member
mandryka
pfm Member
I bottled out! I respect Jez's opinions so I'm sure this is a wonderful amp, I also feel that the seller is honest and probably a good chap to do business with, and the relation to JS is probably an excellent thing too. But I hear so many negative things about the build quality of Musical Fidelity amps, true of false I cannot say, that I just won't feel happy investing so much money into one.