Customer Testimonials
We very often receive letters from enthusiastic customers. Here we present a selection of them:
(If you specify the reference number, we would be happy to put you in contact with one of these high-end friends.)
Customer review of the mfe-Referez-Line power cables
Good morning Mr. Franken,
Your mfe-cable package was delivered yesterday at noon.
I then connected the two mfe-Ref.Line power cables to the TubeDAC and TubeOne.
What came out of my loudspeakers last night blew me away!
An even bigger stage / spatiality, very nice fine detail with a “springy” and bright sound. I was so enthusiastic about the “red stripes” that it turned into a very long listening session.
e.g.: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 (with Claudio Arrau): I have never heard this recording like this before > absolute concert hall feeling.
The investment in the mfe-Ref.Line mains cables has therefore paid off in full!
As soon as my hi-fi account is replenished, I’ll have to bother you again with a larger reorder of power cords 
When you demonstrate the mfe components to your customers, you should definitely connect everything (LS, LF and mains cables) with the mfe-Reference Line cables. The customers will be amazed…
With this in mind, I wish you a pleasant and successful day
Best regards
About the D/A-Converter Tube DAC SE (1)
Dear Mr Franken,
Actually, I was very satisfied with my audio set, but it always remains restless in the upper chamber of my brain; searching for sonic perfection. For me, this is the live sound of concerts, but preferably in the living room.
I have been using your mfe power strip and power cords for decades and have checked out your website. I was also interested in your TubeDacSE and especially the sound characteristics. You predict an analogue sound image with lots of depth in all frequencies. So live!
After personal contact with Mr. Molitor from MHW Audio, I decided to listen to the TubeDacSE with “home service” at home. The DAC looks like an armoured car and the very high quality housing is visibly and tangibly class processed. A DAC with two different sound patterns => tube and transistor output stage, including phase detector and a high-quality mfe mains cable. This is certainly not standard in the audio world.
After integrating the DAC into my audio set, I started the listening test (source CD transport => Cinch / Apple tablet => USB) and immediately couldn’t believe my ears!!!! What a big difference to my previous good DAC!
Observable differences in all areas. The depth in the music, the tonal balance in high, mid and low frequencies, the dynamics. Remarkably perfect placement of individual musical instruments. Unique analogue sound with a clear allusion to a live sound. I have been looking for this for over 50 years and the puzzle is now complete. Although, how would the other mfe products sound….
I prefer to play it through the tube output stage. It’s more magical and gives a wow effect. However, it is a matter of personal taste. Switching between tube and transistor every now and then is fun and refreshing for a change.
I am a lover of vinyl and find that CD playback usually sounds too digital and has too many sharp edges in the sound. Thanks to the TubeDacSE, I can now enjoy my CD collection for hours on end at a much higher level. The playback via USB input is very good and therefore also an extra addition to my test and search for further music purchases. I can agree with the assessment as described by Fairaudio, except for the comments about the high frequencies. But they are fully there and fortunately somewhat rounded. A device is now just as it is. Much more pleasant to listen to. Otherwise it often becomes far too analytical.
I also find the very perceptible and pleasant “pressure” in the sound a pleasant addition to the sound image. Unfortunately, I often only experience this at live concerts, but now I hear it at home through the TubeDacSE. Not cosy, but pleasantly warm, this reference sound signal goes towards the amp. Phenomenal!
In my lifelong quest for….. Hmmm, that’s how it must be. It’s all there now. Everything.
Mr. Franken, you have created something special in the audio industry, so full credit to you for this masterful mfe product. I am curious to hear how your other mfe products sound. If I had to start building my audio set from scratch, mfe would be at the top of the “to wish list”. No more searching; that saves time and a lot of money. And also my wife has been sleeping a little more peacefully lately.
Thank you very much and I wish you much success with your Reference Audio equipment.
About the D/A-Converter Tube DAC SE (2)
Dear Mr. Franken,
I am interested in your Tube DAC SE. After frustrating experience with a sinfully expensive …. that didn’t sound a bit different (more emotional) than the DAC of my …. Streamer, I became aware of your product. With the ability to switch between tube and transistor, I assume that they also sound different, otherwise the feature would be pointless. In addition, I read that you offer so-called custom solutions, i.e. that one can possibly achieve a more emotional midrange reproduction by exchanging the tube set. I am not concerned with the last ounce of tweeter precision. I realize that a digital chain can never match the performance of an analog vinyl chain, but a step in that direction should be possible. I would be interested in a test of such a ‘tuned’ DAC.
With kind regards
Addendum
Good day, Mr. Franken
Having purchased and listened extensively to your Tube DAC, here is another question about the unit:
I am very taken with the current sound of the DAC. In contrast to the frustrating experience with a … your device has a clearly comprehensible analog touch. But you know: the better is the enemy of the good. I would – if it would make sense – like to push the DAC to the sonic extreme with a tube swap.
Referring to our telephone conversation regarding possible tube change, I inform you that after intensive listening with SIEMENS E88CC NOS Goldpin and TELEFUNKEN ECC85 NOS I will stay with the tubes you installed. The SIEMENS sounded high definition but a bit cool – no difference from my streamer. The TELEFUNKEN was on the warmer side, but a bit washed out in the soundstage and not as responsive as yours, which produces a precise AND warm soundstage. I congratulate you on the successful tuning of the DAC. The supposedly better is not always the enemy of the good – I have learned that herewith!
With kind regards
Customer feedback
About the upgraded Phono-Input of the TubeOne SE
what have you done there? I am completely “blown away”!
This is an immense gain in clarity.
In every relationship.
It took a while for everything to “warm up” now, but then I couldn’t get away from listening.
It is tonally much clearer, the instruments sound much more authentic.
It is rhythmically much clearer, because considerably more differentiated.
It is harmonically much clearer. e.g. beats are more clearly audible.
Everything is calmer and yet more vital.
The entire sound image is brighter, even previously dull records are much more open.
I listen a bit louder without feeling any pressure on my hearing.
The entire system has become much more confident and convincing not only in terms of the vitality of the musical flow, but also in its sonic performance.
By this I mean all those passages where it is not about the rhythm at all, but about the mixture and sound of the tones.
I am very positively surprised!
What did you do there? Please tell me the basics, as long as you don’t have to reveal your development know-how. I respect that.
Because this improvement has the same basic features as in the mechanics of a hi-fi system whenever you can replace a force closure with a form closure.
It brings that kind of clarity every time.
Thanks again for this significant improvement in phono input.
More than exceeded my expectations.
Many greetings
Customer feedback
Tube assortment
Good day Mr Franken,
NOS tubes from your assortment are always a great tip for me. The last 12AU7 and 12BH7 you sent sound spectacular and I take the liberty of complimenting you on that.
Best regards,
Customer feedback from 02/07/2017
Tube One SE – Tube DAC – Secundo speaker
Several years ago, the search for a new power amp led me to a hi-fi dealer in my region. On a shelf, I came across a device that caught my attention. A quick check revealed that it was a used stereo power amplifier in pure tube technology from a small manufacturer in the west of Germany. I was able to take the part home for testing. After a few minutes, I realized that my previously used mono power amps didn’t stand a chance. With great satisfaction I enjoyed its sound quality for several years without trying to figure out who the manufacturer is and who is behind it. But at some point I felt I needed a new tube set. Therefore, I contacted Mr Franken by telephone and found the conversation very informative and Mr Franken very sympathetic, but above all very professional/knowledgeable and totally convinced of his cause.My enthusiasm for his equipment has grown so much that I am now the proud and more than happy owner of the following equipment: Preamp mfe-Tube One SE, mfe-Tube DAC 24/192, Loudspeaker mfe-Secundo and several cables.
I can only say this about the mfe-Tube One SE: the phono stage of this preamp is so high-quality that I tossed my previous single component worth about €3,500.00. I definitely don’t need more phono than this integrated solution. This fact alone already means that this investment paid off and incidentally, I also have a fantastic line stage.In conjunction with the mfe-Secundo speakers, everything works like a charm. The details, timbres, spaciousness, liveliness, bass volume – pure quality you can hear. Also the DAC is solid technical quality without bells and whistles. It elevated my CD listening habits to a new level. Now I enjoy listening to CDs again.
And best of all, you can reach Mr Franken at any time to get qualified, satisfactory information and support, even for special requests. A perfect overall package.
Reference-No.: 870
About the tube preamplifier Tube One SE
First, I would like to thank you for the fact that everything went so well with the delivery. By now, I think that the TubeOneSE has been worn in somewhat and I can tell you a little about it.
Mechanically, everything is functioning very very well. The remote control is super responsive, the phono component does not produce any crackling despite the transformer. The connections are also great, everything works.
In terms of sound, the TubeOneSE is a true gem. The bass that it pulls out of my system (and I mean DEEP bass…!) is just awesome. With your eyes closed, if you didn’t know better, you would assume an unbelievably large and massive power amp!!! But in this case, the Tube One SE makes ‘the music’ and leaves nothing to chance.
The spatiality is also very, very good. My ‘stage’ positively opened up to the right and left. Only now is it clear how good the rest of my system truly is… The other components were always capable of this, but until now, nothing had drawn it out of them.
What the Tube One SE produces in the midrange is also great. The sounds of the singers and instruments are really ‘beefy’…. nothing sounds thin or strained, everything feels like it’s right there. That’s how I like it ;-)))))
At the high end, the Tube One SE shines in golden colours rather than glaring silver, so to speak. In other words, very pleasant to listen to over long stretches! And the details are all there in abundance, only the Tube One SE does not ‘scream’ them out; they are simply embedded in the music and form a natural part of it. It doesn’t shine a spotlight on them to make them unavoidably noticeable.
In other words, all in all a really great component – I would never return it! It stays here!
I will soon be ordering one or two complete tube sets from you for the Tube One SE so that I can continue sleeping well at night. I think it’s best to simply replace all the tubes entirely every couple of years, depending on use.
Reference-No: 242
I spent a long time searching for the perfect preamp. And now I found it: the Tube One SE. Even in comparison with significantly more expensive competitors, the preamp simply sounds way better. Brilliant spatiality, precise and sharp contours with fantastic resolution. The Tube One SE never sounds as you would expect from a vacuum tube; in other words it is never soft and warm, but also not analytical and cold like a transistor. It follows a perfect middle path. It reproduces the music just as it is on the recording medium.
By the way, the Tube One functions completely perfectly and unobtrusively.
The bottom line is, my search is at an end. A device for life.
Reference-No: 577
Now it’s time to express my enthusiasm about the amazing preamp Tube One SE from mfe.
What you accomplished with this preamp can only be described as unique. The power of spatial reproduction, coarse and fine dynamics are absolutely outstanding. The finest of tones. The preamplifer is ready with deep and taut bass, while highs and mids are velvety fine with vocal reproduction such as I have never heard, plus it is free of crackling or humming. I have owned the preamp for one year. The reliability and workmanship are equally outstanding – the device runs all day here. I borrowed a number of expensive preamps for a listening comparison, and none could surpass the Tube One SE.
For me, this preamp is absolutely top-class.
Reference-No: 986
Thank you very much for the Tube One SE.
A truly amazing preamplifier that I have listened to now for many months with extreme satisfaction.
After some time spent searching and comparing various preamps, including such renowned brands as ML and Audio Research, I decided on the TubeOneSE.
In my system, combined with the CD/changer combo unit from PS-Audio, the Monos 501 from Jeff Rowland and the Gemme Audio Vivace, everything goes together perfectly. Deep, precise bass, wonderful mids and velvety reproduction of the highs. Finally I can listen to music without the feeling of wanting to improve something.
One very important criterion for me is the spatiality of the playback – another area where the Tube One SE leaves me completely satisfied. High, deep, wide – everything just as I like it. The craftmanship is extremely good – I was able to convince myself of this during a vacuum tube change and a look inside the preamp.
The great service should also be emphasised. Mr Franken included various tubes to allow me to customise the TubeOneSE to my taste. The reduction of the output level because my speakers have very high efficiency was also handled quickly and at no additional charge.
Reference-No.: 1720
The pre/end combination (Tube One SE preamplifier + TA 845 R +) was a good investment. For about two years, the music has been sparkling out of the speakers. Clear, differentiated and spatial are the attributes that come to mind. Never annoying, but always relaxed and flowing.
Reference no.: 2057
About the single-ended integrated tube amplifier with EL156 TA156
… yes, the thing with the mfe TA156 was so vague, because I only knew the device roughly from hearsay, and since I hardly ever manage to test all interesting devices before a purchase, I said to myself: just give it a shot, and try this exciting device.
The new amp, however, should definitely be better than what I had been listening to so meticulously at my home. I will gladly pass on by phone what I heard on other devices; right now I am enjoying the mfe-TA156. Yes, and I only hear solid sound, with focus on the essentials.
What I enjoy so much about the mfe-TA156 is the easy access to the music, which is immediately audible without making long A-B comparisons. That’s how it has to be; in the best case it just has to do ‘click’. The particularly striking feature is the timing and the rhythm, especially of drums and other rhythmic bass instruments, which jump out at me in the most musical and colourful way. The drive is right; your feet are tapping; that’s all you need. And the mfe-TA156 plays exactly with these details, without denying being a tube.
Anyway, I look forward every day to activate the power switch on this battleship Potemkin – yeah I really like the look of the speaker.
Reference no.: 2228
About the digital/analogue converter tube DAC
My friend from Duisburg (the kind person who recommended you to me) came over to visit me in Heidelberg this weekend for nice, long listening session. I admit that I had some reservations as to whether the investment in a DA converter at the price of several CD players might not have been a bit excessive, but these reservations have finally vanished. My mistake was to expect that the converter would turn my speakers into a live band. In fact, the effect lies in the fine details. I would like to describe this with an image: In comparison to high-quality CD players (…) a curtain opens up in front of the stage and the musicians are no longer sitting in a garage but rather in a concert hall – as they should!
I can’t verify it, but I can easily imagine that the sound of some so-called ‘high end devices’ for thousands of euros with their rickety interior lag behind your Tube DAC lag.
I wish you a wide audience! Thank you very much!
Reference no.: 784
About the audio cable
The mfe cinch cables arrived today. I did not wait to try them out with my CD player, and now I have to expand my order again. For a digital tone controller, I’d like to ask you to assemble the following connections:
1) Line out female connector (socket) XLR to cinch stereo with length 60 cm.
2) Line in RCA to male XLR stereo plug at 60 cm
(Just in case, if the direction is important, I listed the plug of the source first!)
Once again: thank you very much for the beautiful cables!
P.S.: As far as spatial representation and clarity are concerned, customers of company (…) (as an example of the extreme high-priced segment) should try out your products!
Reference no.: 771
About the power supply
After you provided me with such straightforward, competent and comprehensible advice in response to my inquiry about a line filter power strip, I have now been using the fine product for two weeks. Whatever the cause may be – whether the line filter, design of the strip or the materials used – it works. Without voodoo, it just works. Transparent sound, brilliant highs, crisp bass. Perfect. Not that my V-series T+A system was previously mediocre, by no means. But now it sounds still better, and the difference is clearly audible.
One other side effect worth mentioning: Our 55” plasma now has a significantly more refined, clearer image.
Reference no.: 1825