Musical Fidelity M6 500i Integrated Amplifier Review & Comments

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi Stereo Systems & Separates' started by Phil Hinton, Mar 1, 2019.


    1. Mar 1, 2019 at 9:23 AM
      Ed Selley, Mar 1, 2019
      #1
      Ed Selley

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      Ed Selley, Mar 1, 2019
    2. Mar 1, 2019 at 2:14 PM
      Coulson, Mar 1, 2019
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      Coulson

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      I'm not really interested in HiFi anymore (now just AV) but I always find your reviews informative so I read them anyway. Plus I love the Maxell advert which I "think" I remember.

      Nice one :)
       
      Coulson, Mar 1, 2019
    3. Mar 1, 2019 at 4:06 PM
      encaser, Mar 1, 2019
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      encaser

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      I've got a pair of M8's and find the sound very pleasing. Oh, and I think the power draw from them is more than fair, as you can push out decent volumes without drawing more juice until you start really cranking things up.
      Solid brand.
       
      encaser, Mar 1, 2019
    4. Mar 1, 2019 at 5:37 PM
      t bone, Mar 1, 2019
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      t bone

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      Yes effortless is a word i would wholeheartedly agree with i have the M6 PRX power amp and it drove by MA platinum well, effortlessly great build quality It has since been replaced by an ATI power amp but still commands a place in my system.
       
      t bone, Mar 1, 2019
    5. Mar 1, 2019 at 5:43 PM
      Xanderzdad, Mar 1, 2019
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      Xanderzdad

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      I've had a MF A3.2 integrated Amp for about 10 years and love it. Effortless power.
       
      Xanderzdad, Mar 1, 2019
    6. Mar 2, 2019 at 9:13 AM
      stevelup, Mar 2, 2019
      #6
      stevelup

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      What I don't understand is why they put that utterly crap display on such an expensive product.
       
      stevelup, Mar 2, 2019
    7. Mar 2, 2019 at 12:43 PM
      welshy, Mar 2, 2019
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      welshy

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      I have the M6si and love it for 2-channel music powering a pair of MA GX300's and AV with it's HT bypass. I replaced an Arcam A39 mainly because the Arcam didn't have an HT bypass but to be honest I'm glad I did now just for the extra power as I have a decent sized HC room and I really can crank up the volume without hearing any loss of quality.

      I liked the warmer sound of the Arcam with many tracks though but its lack of HT bypass was a shame really. I couldn't afford the A49 at the time and got the M6si for a good discount.

      I also stream Tidal Masters via an Arcam bluetooth DAC connected to the M6si which sounds amazing although I believe bluetooth isn't the best for audio quality so I'll need to find another way to do this from my android mobile phone, any suggestions let me know ;)
       
      welshy, Mar 2, 2019
    8. Mar 2, 2019 at 5:09 PM
      Hixs, Mar 2, 2019
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      Hixs

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      All good streaming devices and cheap.

      Teufel Connector
      Yamaha wxc50
      Chromecast Audio
       
      Hixs, Mar 2, 2019
    9. Mar 2, 2019 at 7:15 PM
      fraggle, Mar 2, 2019
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      fraggle

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      Great review, and I love that one of my favourite manufacturers is still going.

      I bought a Bryston 4B SST about a decade ago and whilst "only" being 300W RMW, it's got the same overengineered design and so easily pumps out 500W into 4 ohms, and 900W bridged.

      Sounds the same as this, completely effortless no matter whats playing.

      The speakers however (Epos ES25) will hammer the bass drivers voice coils against the magnets if I turn it up too much so when I want to listen *loud* I always set the controlling amp (Arcam) to work in 2.1 mode and put anything under 30Hz to the sub. (or 80Hz if *LOOUUUDDD*!)
       
      fraggle, Mar 2, 2019
    10. Mar 3, 2019 at 6:19 AM
      Paul7777x, Mar 3, 2019
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      Paul7777x

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      I love the idea of this.

      Just a simple, massive powerhouse, able drive anything to its limit, without the least stress.

      Add extras to taste.

      And the style too. A black monolith, oozing purpose.

      It looks a little bit like the AVI lab series integrated. But more massive.
       
      Last edited: Mar 3, 2019
      Paul7777x, Mar 3, 2019
    11. Mar 3, 2019 at 9:08 AM
      Paul7777x, Mar 3, 2019
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      Paul7777x

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      ... an odd thing though, the silver version, despite an identical front plate, seems utterly different.

      None of the ominous, stealth bomber overtone.

      If I could afford one, I’m not sure which I’d choose.
       
      Paul7777x, Mar 3, 2019
    12. Mar 3, 2019 at 10:54 AM
      MikeTheBike2010, Mar 3, 2019
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      MikeTheBike2010

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      Thank you for a great and very humorous review, also thank you for the link to the excellent advert - I remember it well.

      Theres no chance of me ever owning anything like this but do enjoy reading your comments.
       
      MikeTheBike2010, Mar 3, 2019
    13. Mar 4, 2019 at 7:27 PM
      MattyCB, Mar 4, 2019
      #13
      MattyCB

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      Thanks very interesting review, just a thought for what may become a feature/can of worms. I notice that for what is quite a considerable sum it is designed in the UK but manufactured abroad what are the trends we are seeing in the industry in these Brexit blighted times? Would we expect the production of all but the most eye wateringly expensive kit to cease in the UK (be it electronics or speakers. I ask as a someone who whilst wanting to remain is keen to support UK manufacturing going forwards wherever possible.
       
      MattyCB, Mar 4, 2019
    14. Mar 4, 2019 at 9:55 PM
      Pikeyp, Mar 4, 2019
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      Pikeyp

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      Good review! For what it's worth I have a much older Musical Fidelity A2 amp (late 90's) which delivers just 25 watts into 8ohms! ... and would probably melt my Mission speakers if I turned it up too much ... I can't imagine shoving 10 times (or more!!) down the pipe ... shocking!

      I too notice these beasties are made in Taiwan which has been the way of most UK hi-fi manufacturers these days sadly ... happily nearly all my hi-fi gear is (or was!) UK made!
       
      Pikeyp, Mar 4, 2019
    15. Mar 4, 2019 at 11:04 PM
      Monkey303, Mar 4, 2019
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      Monkey303

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      An awesome beast, but why supply a super cheapo remote? Ack!
       
      Monkey303, Mar 4, 2019
    16. Mar 5, 2019 at 10:41 AM
      Yetizone, Mar 5, 2019
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      Yetizone

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      Superb review Ed - really nice to have a (refreshing) sense of humour as part of the review process. Good stuff and power to your elbow on that score!

      I wonder how the M6-500 would stack up against some of the new uber amp exotica, such as the integrated amps from Hegel and especially the spendy Vitus RI101?

      Would be great to see these reviewed on AVF.
       
      Yetizone, Mar 5, 2019
    17. Mar 13, 2019 at 1:58 AM
      Simba, Mar 13, 2019 at 1:58 AM
      #17
      Simba

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      i love these all out muscle amplifiers. looks wise it reminds me of the TEAC distinction AI3000.

      would be nice to see an internal pic to view the topology and construction.
       
      Simba, Mar 13, 2019 at 1:58 AM
    18. Mar 13, 2019 at 3:03 AM
      stranger, Mar 13, 2019 at 3:03 AM
      #18
      stranger

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      Great review Ed but a couple of very minor nitpicks-sorry o_O throughout the review you mention 500 watts and half a kilowatt. to a casual member this could be deceptive as it's a 1 kilowatt amp as you and most readers will know. Also a mention of the HT bypass in the main text would be good. :devil:

      PS You are slowly bankrupting me, I read your great review of the Dynaudio special 40 and now have them, I now covet this amp. :eek:
       
      stranger, Mar 13, 2019 at 3:03 AM

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