Musical Fidelity M6si
Dual Mono Integrated amplifier
Until further notice this will be supplied with a WiiM Pro streamer worth £150
The new M6si integrated amplifier improves on the outgoing M6i model with more inputs and completely new internals to give greatly improved technical and sonic performance
The M6si has real high-end sound quality. Because of its power it is effortless and unstressed. Its stability margins are huge so it will drive any loudspeaker easily.
These are only the bedrock for what the M6si really does: sounding fantastically musical.
Because of its pre amp/power amp configuration it produces wide stable images with an effortless, clear, ungrainy sound quality.
Bottom end is delivered with a vast punch and speed of attack.
All in all the M6si offers true high-end sound quality, an extensive range of useful inputs, a compact package, reliability and a fair price.
M6si – Design and Build
Musical Fidelity felt that the original M6i’s package size, power and price were spot on.
What was needed was the addition of extra input facilities and, if possible, an all round improvement of technical performance.
Despite endless component price rises during the M6i’s life, they did not alter its selling price.
This made their final requirement even harder; the M6si should not be significantly more expensive than the outgoing model.
It was determined to use Musical Fidelity’s exclusive SMD layout techniques.
This reduced the size of the circuit’s footprint and gave them greatly increased flexibility with internal layout.
Consequently the new M6si is configured as a pre amp with two completely separate and independent monobloc power amps.
The M6si is a proper pre amp with its own separate regulated power supply and discrete monobloc power amps, sharing same casework.
This is a big change from the outgoing M6i. The M6si’s technical performance is a significant advance on the old model.
Performance
The Musical Fidelity M6si performs immaculately.
Because of its pre amp with two monobloc power amp configuration both channels perform virtually identically, just what you would expect from a pre amp with separate power amps and not what you would expect from a normal integrated amplifier.
The M6si is a cut above everything else.
Distortion is very low at less than 0.005%. More tellingly, HF distortion is incredibly low. At 10 kHz about 0.006% and at 20 kHz an astonishing 0.007%.
The vast majority of amplifiers suffer huge increases in distortion as you go up in frequency.
The M6si’s meticulous PCB and circuit design means that HF performance is virtually identical to the LF performance. This is significant for sound quality.
Channel separation is remarkable, and remarkably consistent. Most amplifiers (integrated or pre/power) have dramatically worsening cross talk with increasing frequency.
The M6si cross talk is outstanding and even at 20 kHz it is better than 82dB.
The phono stage is also special.
It has very accurate RIAA, within ± 0.5dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Also it maintains its accuracy right out to 50 kHz.
The MM noise ratio is an outstanding 93dB down whilst the MC stage is, perhaps even more amazingly, about 87dB down.
The phono stage distortion is a very low 0.01%. All in all the M6si’s phono stage is exceptional.
USB Input
The 24 bit 96 kHz asynchronous USB input uses exactly the same circuitry and technology as our highly regarded V-Links and other top quality computer interfaces.
Jitter is virtually eliminated.
Noise is incredibly low and distortion virtually non-existent.
The M6si’s USB input is capable of dredging the finest details from the computer source.
Musical Fidelity M6si Specifications
Amplifier
Power output: 220 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
THD (+ noise): 107dB ‘A’ – weighted
Frequency Response: +0, –0.1dB, 10Hz to 20 kHz
Inputs
4x Line Level RCA / Phono
1x Line Level XLR Balanced
USB input – type “B” socket up to and inc. 24 bit 96kHz USB audio stream
Phono Input
Sensitivity: 3mV nominal (MM), 0.4mV nominal (MC)
Signal / noise ratio: >84dB ‘A’-weighted
Input impedance: 47k Ohms (MM and MC)
Frequency response: RIAA/IEC ±0.5dB 20Hz-20kHz
Dimensions – WxHxD (mm): 440 x 125 x 400
Weight (unpacked / packed): 16.6 kg/ 21.3 kg
Available in Black and Silver
Brand
Musical Fidelity
Musical Fidelity has been designing and manufacturing Hi-Fi electronics for over thirty years and are proud to have become one of the best-known brands in the Hi-Fi industry.
They are driven by a passion for wonderful music and the challenge of world-class engineering.
They approached each new design by looking for the absolute best solution to a given challenge and embrace new technologies in our designs as well as developing more traditional methods for even greater performance.
1982
Their first product - The Preamp – launched to rave reviews. Followed by shoebox-style Dr Thomas power amp.
1984
Launch of A1 integrated amp, ‘the most important development so far in the renaissance of the UK hi-fi scene’ (Hi-Fi Answers).
1986
New A370 Power Amp proclaimed ‘the best power amp I’ve ever heard’ (Hi-Fi Answers).
1987
World’s first high-end DAC- Digilog – makes debut
1988
Another world first: MVX preamp, combining tube circuit topology with transistors.
SA470 launched: 86Kg power amp running 99% in Class A
1992
A1000 integrated released, featuring pure Class A power amp section
1993
Classic valve-driven Tubalog DAC goes on sale
1995
X Series launches with X-10D Class A triode line stage: ‘the most dramatic sonic enhancement you’re likely to hear!’ (F1).
1997
Nu-Vista Preamp launched, using miniature, metal-cased nuvistor tubes. All 500 units sold within three months.
X Series expands with X-ACT DAC, praised for 'smooth, easy-going sound' (What Hi-Fi?)
1998
X-24K upsampling DAC released: ‘capable of getting sound to die for’ (Stereophile).
X-Ray CD player launched. Described as ‘the sort of object you just want to fondle’ (Hi-Fi News) ‘a thrilling, substantial and satisfying listen’ (What Hi-Fi?) and ‘Hi-Fi meets nuclear warhead’ (T3).
2000
Futuristic CD-PRE 24 arrives, combining a high-quality CD transport, DAC and preamp. On Hi-Fi says it ‘represents a combination of features, functional performance and affordability that seems an audiophile dream come true’.
Debut of Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 pre/power amp, including discrete Nu-Vista power amp modules with choke regulation.
‘This is what hi-fi should be all about’ (Gramophone).
X-DAC V3 released, offering ‘stunningly good measured performance’ (Stereophile).
2002
World’s first audio application of trivistor tubes in new Tri-Vista series, including legendary Tri-Vista 21 ‘Super DAC’.
2003
Flagship kW pre-amp and kW power amp launched: ‘the very finest amps you can buy...the MFs redefine audio standards’ (What Hi-Fi?)
Next up: kW 500 super integrated amp with twin-triode tubes. Hi-Fi News said, ‘For one rare reviewing occasion I could not find a thing to fault about the musical presentation of an amp’.
Limited-edition M1 turntable released. Considered one of the best-engineered decks ever, it’s now a collector’s item, fetching above its original price.
2004
Supercharged X-DAC V8 introduced, with switchable tube buffer and extra-heavy-duty power supply. ‘For its superb performance as a detailed, sweet-sounding DAC, the X-DAC V8 stands on its own’ (Stereophile).
X-150 wins European Stereo Amplifier of the Year, EISA Awards 2004-2005.
2006
Debut of kW250S one-box wonder, packing in dual 250-watt monobloc amps, tube hybrid preamp, phono stage, 24-bit 192K upsampling CD player, FM/DAB tuner and iPod input.
2009
Meet the mighty TITAN: 1kW per channel dual monobloc design with external power supply. Hi-Fi News was ‘Smitten… The Titan is the best power amplifier I’ve used’.
Reference-standard Primo pre-amplifier released; pure Class A with 14 hand-picked ECC81
2011
New M1 CLiC unites analogue and digital sources under universal control. Wins European Network Music Player, EISA Awards 2011-2012.
2012
Line-up expands to meet every hi-fi need and budget. Highlights include the AMS CD/DAC – our finest digital product yet - and AMS100, the world’s most advanced pure Class A amp
Now owned and operated by Audio Tuning, an independent audio specialist company based in Austria, Musical Fidelity still retains its proud British heritage, with every product we design continuing to boast the natural, authentic sound that has made our name so respected across the world. Our unique ranges embrace both traditional and modern requirements. So whether you need a high-quality phono stage to improve your vinyl listening experience, require bit-perfect playback of your beloved CDs, or have chosen to embrace the increasingly popular world of wireless music streaming, we have something to offer. And for every source, we’re still proud to boast a wide range of powerful, state-of-the-art amplifiers that sound at home anywhere.
Whatever type of music you enjoy and however you want to hear it, we have something for you at Musical Fidelity.
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