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On disc as in record and for the integral phono stage, we discover more than me-too appendage, thus a serious feature. How serious? Spinning up Bad on black licorice via a Shelter 201 MM on the Rega arm of my Transrotor Insigne, my listening fun continued unabated. The slightly fatter more energetic bass I pinned on the Japanese cartridge. The warmer less treble-illuminated feel might have been imaginary. The more compact staging was definite fact. None of it was unpleasant in the least and got duplicated in full save for very minor nuances when I switched over to my external Lehman Audio Black Cube Statement. This tipped a happy hat at Magnat's phono module. I sadly lacked access to an MC cartridge during my audition but would wager a bet that it'd not have disappointed either. I'm obviously hip to the fact that piled-on superlatives don't make a review any more believable. Yet I can't help to subjectively state that Magnat's RV-3 was the best sub €3'000 integrated I've heard over the past few years. I'd go as far as calling that euro figure a very deliberate understatement. In my rack it vied for new pride of place over my Symphonic Line RG9Mk4 which, needless to say, cost quite a bit more in its day. So... are we clear, gang? Yessir! Dismissed.

True, one could be of two minds about the quite martial big-bore cosmetics. Not so about musical qualities. All'rounder can carry a negative connotation to imply jack of all trades, master of none. Here it's all positive. I didn't happen upon one style of music which didn't profit from the Magnat's secure emotionality and nonchalant potency. Power for the rough stuff, gentleness for the tender things... this beast did it all.

Any nits? I guess. I thought the motor-driven pot a bit lazy in its response to remote prompts. It dragged a bit to under or overshoot. I got used to manual adjustments where the mighty control invited fondling. A man and his knob. After all of the above praise, you won't be surprised when I divulge that this glorious bastard now is #1 on my personal hifi wish list.

Psych profile for Magnat's RV-3...
Profound bass reach, dry rock-hard punch and clean structuring with potent shove but no aggression. This turns the bass into a complete and massive 'bed' for the higher registers.
The midband is natural and uncolored in the best audiophile sense. Piano, acoustic instruments and voices feel real, embodied, present and detailed. The RV-3 works out fine musical information which surprises.
The treble is brilliant, crisp, lit up but not hard. Even typical 80's productions like M.J's Bad remain fun despite also hearing the mastering chicanery and recording flaws.
Space is properly anchored in both depth and width and fluffily aerated to feel very natural. Image fix within the virtual space is very high.
The amp connects the listener with the emotional action. One doesn't merely listen. One participates. Musical flow and self-assured nonchalance across the audible bandwidth are class leaders.
Macrodynamically expansive and capable of relentless brutality, this amp also does the quiet and barely loses emotional conviction at low levels. That's not that common even beyond its class.
Unexpectedly the MM/MC phono boards aren't convenience add-ons but (minus small losses in spaciousness and bass precision) solid performers for vinyl fans.

Facts
Concept: Hybrid integrated with tube preamp and transistor power stages
Trim: Black
I/o: 4 x RCA in, MM, MC, preout, 6.3mm headfi out, tape loop, doubled speaker terminals per channel
Dimensions & weight: 434 x 155 x 360mm WxHxD, 19.5kg
Power delivery: 400 watts RMS, 700 watts peak
Power consumption: ~58 watts at idle
Warranty: 2 years
Website
redaktion @ fairaudio.de