Musical Fidelity M6x Vinyl
Phono stage
The Musical Fidelity M6x ViNYL is a very high performance, highly accurate phono MM/MC cartridge amplifier in a beautifully designed and executed casework.
Musical Fidelity set out to make a phono stage without any practical limits.
It’s designed in such a way to ensure you cannot overload the input stage or encounter any practical limitations in the output driving capacity during regular use, whether running single-ended or balanced.
It has three inputs, and each can be individually set for either MM/ MC and loading.
Each input also then remembers its own settings.
It offers state-of-the art technical and sonic performance at a very competitive price and is the epitome of the true spirit of high-end audio.
Design Philosophy
While updating from the M6 ViNYL to the M6x ViNYL, Musical Fidelity have switched to an entirely discrete circuitry, which results in better technical measurements and better sound.
It is equipped with one balanced input and output as well as two single-ended inputs and one single-ended output to fit well into any vinyl hi-fi system. But the important question is: what is so special about discrete circuits.
The Advantage of Discrete Circuits
A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components.
These can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as “active” components, which in their case are transistors.
The opposite to this would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain.
Musical Fidelity employ specialised Op-Amps built for audio applications, which allow them to produce very small and efficient electronics, as well as saving the time of design engineers.
However, countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown them that even the very best Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid – all of which are characteristics of the Musical Fidelity “sound”.
For that reason, they are rediscovering their passion for traditional, discrete designs.
Where standard phono pre-amplifiers with integrated circuits have a few tens or hundreds of components, discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by comparison.
That makes for an extended design process, but in Musical Fidelity’s opinion results in the best sound for your money.
The unit features three separate, independently selectable cartridge inputs.
This allows choice between three different turntables, or multiple tone arm configurations if required.
Selectable gain is provided to allow for different cartridge sensitivities and ton suit any equipment.
Cartridge type and loading is selected by front selector buttons for optimum cartridge performance.
Making Way For Pure Music
The true point of any electronic, actually any audio component, is that you don‘t know it is there.
You completely forget its existance.
By that criteria the M6x Vinyl is almost perfect. It has no practical audible noise, it doesn‘t really have distortion, you cannot overload its input or output, you can load your cartridge perfectly.
It exists to serve the music. To bring the artists intent, emotions and passion to your ears and heart.
Musical Fidelity M6x Vinyl – Specifications
MM Input
Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0 .2dB
Input sensitivity: 5mV in for 500mV out (at 1kHz)
Input impedance: 47KΩ
Input capacitance: 50-400pF selectable
THD at 1 kHz: <0.005%
Overload margin: 26dB
Signal to noise ratio: >101dB
MC Input
Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0.25dB
Input sensitivity: 500μV in for 500mV out (at 1kHz)
Input impedance: 25Ω to 1,2KΩ selectable
Input capacitance: 470pF fixed
THD at 1 kHz: <0 .02%
Overload margin: 26dB
Signal to noise ratio: >90dB
Outputs (RCA/XLR)
1 pair RCA: left and right 500mV nom 10V max
1 pair XLR (balanced): left and right 1V nom 20V max
Power requirement
Mains voltages: 230V AC 50/60Hz
Consumption: 20 Watts maximum. <0 .5W in standby (orange LED on)
Weight and Dimensions
Unit only, unboxed: 5.5 kg
In shipping carton & inc . accessories: 11 kg
W x H(incl. feet) x D(incl. terminals): 440 x 100 x 385mm
Standard accessories
Mains lead: 10 Amp IEC
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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