Nakamichi MF-51

Price Paid:  $0.00 from local audio store

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 MF51

Summary:
Excellent quality of build, and soundperformance. Ultimate cd changer, by far winner of that ugly plastic Sony's and Pioneer changers.

Strengths:
Build of the cast, quality in sound and easy loading.

Weaknesses:
none till now

Price Paid:  $150.00

Summary:
The MF-51 is quite a solid component. It has an external casing in which sits a fully suspended sub-chassis that floats on a very damped suspension system. Tapping firmly on the outside of the case work results in no discernable vibration at all on the internal chassis itself.
The discs are loaded through what looks like a normal home cd player drawer. Instead of a drawer however, the little door flips down and the discs are inserted directly into the machine. The feel is very positive and responsive. The time from load to playback and in changing from one disc to another is very short.

The sound from the combination of changer and DAC-41 D/A converter (which I also own) is a very natural one. Whilst I would not hesitate to rate the CD-45z (my head unit) very highly in terms of sound quality, the sound from the changer/dac combination really takes things to another level of realism.
Biggest improvements were in the areas of space and placement of things in the sound stage with a more 3 dimensional effect, increased dynamics, and a slightly less harsh/more natural sound right at the top of the audible audio band.
The quality of sound via the internal 1bit converter is also good but doesn't approach that of the separate 20 bit DAC and may also be a touch down on the converter in the head unit
It seems a little more flat dimensionally and tonally with a little less detail, but still very good none the less.

The price I paid obviously throws the value ratings out the window.
At US$400 (US$250 for the DAC-41) this is probably on the expensive side of things (NZ$1200 retail for MF-51, NZ$700 retail for DAC-41) but still probably one off the best mobile changers available on the market.
At the price I paid I really would be silly to start picking faults.

Strengths:
Solid, quick, sound quality

Weaknesses:
physical depth

Similar Products Used:
None myself, but I work in a car audio shop and get to know many on a casual basis.

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