FS: [Major Price Dive!] Musical Fidelity kW SACD Player - Hong Kong, 230V

(Edit 17 May 2008):

I auditioned the Emm Labs CDSA SE and have committed on one today, so I need a quick sale to free up space for the incoming new player.

Now asking just US$1,995! (plus shipment and paypal fees) - This is the cheapest kW SACD I have seen for sale in the last 24 months. I want a quick sale. Price is FIRM.

Thanks.
updated 27 May 2008

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I will be upgrading to either an Emm Labs CDSA SE, or Wadia 581i SE in the very near future, so my existing kW SACD has to find a caring home.

The kW SACD is one of the better CD/SACD players, and the flag ship of Musical Fidelity. It has both tube and solid state output which are active at the same time. Single end outputs only. Condition is mint. Looks great. The protective film on the display is still there.

I have it for less than a year. All is working fine. Comes with original box, manual, remote. The player is 50+ lbs and shipment to other locations is going to be expensive. Local sales in Hong Kong or nearby region is much preferred.

At one time this player retailed for U$7,000 but I think US$5,000 - 5,500 were more like the real street price and I am offering to sell at US$2,800. Shipment / handling will be extra.

Thanks for looking. Please contact me via email. (see my signature)

F. Lo

Some information about MF kW SACD

Since this unit is not amongst the most popular of CD players, I am extracting some description from the web :-

Quote from Welcome to Audio Venue

The kW SACD has a meltingly beautiful sound. It doesn't really sound like other disc players. Its sound is most reminiscent of a really good analog system but with no noise or dynamic range problems. Once you've heard the kW SACD you just can't forget that crystalline clarity coupled with a delicacy and softness which give a palpable real feel to the sound. You've got to give this one a listen it's quite outstanding.

Audiophile product designed exclusively for super quality stereo reproduction. As you'd expect, the kW SACD'S technical performance is shattering. The DAC is configured as dual mono twin differential upsampling at 192k to 24-bits and then 8x oversampled. This yields an incredible 128dB noise ratio with an equivalent dynamic range. The jitter is extremely low at less than 135 pps. The noise ratio, however, is even more extraordinary at about -128dB. Linearity is 0.1dB down to 100dB. The DAC and filter stage in the kW SACD are the best in the world, regardless of price. The kW SACD achieves technical performance which puts most products at any price, in the shade.

The output stage is particularly interesting because it is a hybrid tube/class A transistor output stage. You will be able to select either tube or pure class A transistor output modes. Really, really interesting. But how does it sound it's not like anything we've made before. The pure fine resolution and grain structure of the sound, coupled with amazing detail retrieval, is a new dimension to disc reproduction. This baby allows you to hear right into the dark shadows and corners of the music. It really is that good!

Dual differential DAC. Outstanding technical performance.

Extremely accurate linearity down to very low levels (typically -100dB).
Lets you hear right into the far distant corners of the recording.

Foremost non existent distortion.
You can hear everything on the recording as it happened on the day.

Excellent noise ratios.
Everything, but everything can be heard.

Two output stages operating at the same time (one tube and the other solid state).By connecting both the output stages to your amplifier you can switch between tube and solid state and select the one which compliments your hi-fi system and your discs on an individual basis. Really useful.

DAC architecture
24 bit Delta-Sigma (Bitstream)
Dual mono dual differential
8x oversampling
Separate stages for valve (tube) and solid state outputs

Disc mechanism Philips

Upsampling 192kHz

Analog output impedance 50 Ohms SACD analog output, solid state

Audio output at digital 0dB level 2.3VRMS at 1kHz nominal

CD analog output, solid state

Frequency response 10Hz to 20kHz ref. 1kHz: +0, -0.05 dB

Signal / noise ratio (digital mute) > 120dB "A" weighted

Total harmonic distortion < 0.002% at 1kHz

Channel separation > 98dB 10Hz to 20kHz

Audio output at digital 0dB level 2.2VRMS at 1kHz nominal
Jitter 150pS

Tube class A output

Connectors
Analog outputs
1 pair RCA connectors for valve (tube) output,
1 pair RCA connectors for solid state output
Digital outputs (CD only)
1 optical (Toslink),
1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) RCA connector
General
Power requirements
230V AC 50 / 60Hz 50 Watts
Weight
19.5 kg, 43 lbs unit only, un-boxed
24.4 kg, 54 lbs in immediate carton
Dimensions
483mm, 19 inches wide
167mm, 6.6 inches high including feet
443mm, 17.5 inches deep including rear terminals and on/off button
Standard accessories
Remote control handset (kW universal type),
2 batteries size LR03 or AAA, manganese alkaline type,
IEC mains lead (10 Amp type)

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Hope this helps.

F. Lo

Reviews about MF kW SACD

To help folks making up their mind, here is some reviews which I located from the web :-

Welcome to Musical Fidelity

There are two reviews, one from Hi Fi World, and the other from Hi Fi Choice. Both are downloadable.

There are also some discussions of this player at the Audiogon forum.

From what I read, the kW SACD is actually a limited edition player - only 500 units were made worldwide. It is no longer in production. So no wonders why it is not always talked about in the circle. But Stereophile still keep a kW SACD as one of their reference players.

Thanks for looking.

F. Lo

Want a Quick Sale

Bump!

This is now for sale. I just committed myself on a Emm Labs CDSA SE today so price is set for a quick Sale. See original post for details.

F. Lo