FAITHFUL TO THE MUSIC: RECREATING AN ICON

What Hi-Fi UK

November 2023

We speak to Musical Fidelity designer Simon Quarry about his work and the philosophy behind the resurrected Al integrated amplifier

Simon Quarry has worked at Musical Fidelity for more than 20 years and is the engineer responsible for resurrecting the company’s A1 amplifier. It wasn’t a simple job, given the more restrictive legal requirements of today and the need to maintain the much-loved character of the mid-’80s original. We talk with Simon about his career, the various Musical Fidelity products he has worked on and what makes the A1 such a desirable amplifier.

What Hi-Fi?: What is your job title and role at Musical Fidelity?

Simon Quarry: My job title is Audio Designer. In that role, I design and re-evaluate the analogue sections in Musical Fidelity products – both new and historical – and have a hand in the concept and design of casework, digital control etc.

When did you start at the company, and what did you do before?

I joined Musical Fidelity in February 2001 when founder Antony Michaelson was in charge. I started as an IT assistant as I had spent my employed years up till then building custom-made IBM PCs and compatibles for various companies. Back then, I did audio electronics as a hobby, buying up many magazines and bits from Maplin and from the Edgware Road, while both were still active.

My first task with Musical Fidelity was soldering up some CMYK to RGB boxes to test DVD-1 projector outputs for the US market. They all worked first time. I was then ushered into soldering up prototype CD-Pre main boards, which were quite complex but also worked well. The rest is history, as it is always said.