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

      Ed Selley
      AVF Reviewer

      Joined:
      Jun 26, 2003
      Messages:
      11,315
      Products Owned:
      1
      Products Wanted:
      2
      Trophy Points:
      166
      Ratings:
      +3,901
      • Thanks Thanks x 3
      • Like Like x 1
      • List
      Ed Selley, Mar 1, 2019
    2. Mar 1, 2019 at 2:14 PM
      Coulson, Mar 1, 2019
      #2
      Coulson

      Coulson
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Nov 27, 2017
      Messages:
      1,437
      Products Owned:
      2
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      117
      Location:
      England
      Ratings:
      +769
      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
      #3
      encaser

      encaser
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Mar 15, 2001
      Messages:
      4,234
      Products Owned:
      1
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      Suffolk/Essex
      Ratings:
      +1,904
      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
      #4
      t bone

      t bone
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Jan 6, 2004
      Messages:
      922
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      63
      Ratings:
      +264
      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agree with i have the M6 PRX power amp and it drove by MA platinum well, effortlessly great build quality It has since been replaced by an ATI power amp but still commands a place in my system.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
      #5
      Xanderzdad

      Xanderzdad
      Standard Member

      Joined:
      Oct 4, 2014
      Messages:
      18
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      6
      Ratings:
      +5
      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

      stevelup
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Aug 13, 2002
      Messages:
      6,756
      Products Owned:
      1
      Products Wanted:
      1
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      Swindon
      Ratings:
      +1,269
      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
      #7
      welshy

      welshy
      Active Member

      Joined:
      May 7, 2004
      Messages:
      853
      Products Owned:
      4
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      46
      Location:
      Bangor, North Wales
      Ratings:
      +118
      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
      #8
      Hixs

      Hixs
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Jul 24, 2015
      Messages:
      3,054
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      France
      Ratings:
      +1,786
      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
      #9
      fraggle

      fraggle
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Dec 11, 2002
      Messages:
      1,513
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      1
      Trophy Points:
      51
      Location:
      Milton Keynes
      Ratings:
      +57
      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
      #10
      Paul7777x

      Paul7777x
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Jul 23, 2016
      Messages:
      2,770
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      North east. U.K.
      Ratings:
      +943
      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
      #11
      Paul7777x

      Paul7777x
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Jul 23, 2016
      Messages:
      2,770
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      North east. U.K.
      Ratings:
      +943
      ... 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
      #12
      MikeTheBike2010

      MikeTheBike2010
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Oct 24, 2010
      Messages:
      216
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      46
      Location:
      Brighton
      Ratings:
      +152
      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

      MattyCB
      Novice Member

      Joined:
      Mar 8, 2018
      Messages:
      18
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      6
      Location:
      London
      Ratings:
      +1
      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
      #14
      Pikeyp

      Pikeyp
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Nov 26, 2008
      Messages:
      222
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      31
      Ratings:
      +39
      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
      #15
      Monkey303

      Monkey303
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Nov 13, 2016
      Messages:
      224
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      31
      Location:
      Here
      Ratings:
      +66
      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
      #16
      Yetizone

      Yetizone
      Active Member

      Joined:
      Dec 30, 2008
      Messages:
      55
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      1
      Trophy Points:
      11
      Location:
      Lytham St Annes
      Ratings:
      +5
      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
      #17
      Simba

      Simba
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      Apr 11, 2006
      Messages:
      6,347
      Products Owned:
      0
      Products Wanted:
      0
      Trophy Points:
      136
      Location:
      Scotland
      Ratings:
      +815
      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
    18. Mar 13, 2019 at 3:03 AM
      stranger, Mar 13, 2019
      #18
      stranger

      stranger
      Well-known Member

      Joined:
      May 29, 2003
      Messages:
      2,431
      Products Owned:
      6
      Products Wanted:
      1
      Trophy Points:
      117
      Location:
      Manchester
      Ratings:
      +829
      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

    Share This Page

    Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice