Musical Fidelity M6i Integrated Amp Personal Review

I just realised that I did not put up my review on this amp last year. This is a copy and paste from the review I did on another forum last year just for reference to other members.

Its been a year now and the sound from this amp have really blend in with the rest of my system.

Note: The picture was also taken from last year.

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OK here goes the review of my weekend bliss.

I have used the following to enjoy the M6i:

1. CD player via M1 DAC
2. MD player via M1 DAC
3. MP3 and M4A files streamed through AE and via M1 DAC
4, Internet radio from iPhone 4 streamed through AE and via M1 DAC

For CD player, I played the French Kiss OST, Andrea Bocelli and Janet Seidl for vocal test and Foo Fighters for heavier test on guitar riffs and drums. I 'cheated' a bit compared to my test on the M3i. I repositioned the speakers to be further distant from each other, toe in about 20 deg and pulled forward.



For vocals in the like of Andrea and Janet, it sounded truly transparent. Its like a clear phone call on a good day. The ukulele playing along Janet sounded very detailed and each plucking or strumming of the instrument can be clearly heard. The orchestra behind Andrea sounded very warm and uplifting. Again all these at only about 9 o'clock on the volume knob.

Then comes in Foo Fighters - My Hero track. hhhhhhmmmm the amp can really rock out my speakers. The drums on this track is one of the heaviest bass drums from Foo Fighters. It basically gave me a very controlled and refined bass drums. Not overwhelming but naturally balanced with the growling of Dave's vocal and his guitar.

I then switched to MD, playing Poison - Unskinny Bob and also The Gypsy Kings. Listening to an old album such as Poison usually does not kick the adrenalin in me but this time around, it made me turn on my drums and start drumming along. That kind of effect. When I put on Gypsy Kings, thats when the amp truly shine. The sound of several guitars on this albums was very detailed of each of the guitars. The amp can realy cope with the demanding strumming from this band.

The biggest surprise is when I was streaming music from my iMac and also internet radio from iPhone to the AE and feed through M1 DAC. Put on Diana Krall Live in Paris. really realy nice. The atmosphere of her songs can be felt in the room, thanks to this amp delivering enough power. Internet radio (mainly was playing US based jazz station). Very crisp. Even the lisps on the station DJ can be heard. Unfortunately, eventhough I have high res music on my imac, the AE an only deliver at 44.1 kHz.

Overall, YES M6i outclasses the M3i. But is it really worth the additional GBP 1700? To me, YES, well worth it.

How would you compare M6i vs the older A5.5 ?

Does the additional XLS (M6i) vs RCA only (A5.5) worth the $$ ?



Thanks in advance.

I believe the M6i was produced to replace the A5 series... and M3 to replace the A3s...

You mean XLR right? The XLR is only worth if your source has an XLR output to match that.

I believe MF also upgraded the power supply in M6i over the A5.5

The sound characteristics however is rather similar though but M6i to me, benefit from being able to produce a more open sound compared to A5.5

Thanks elhefe.

Current looking around for a int amp with HT by-pass to combine with my AV setup.

There are 2nd hand MFA5.5 & KAV400xi pricing at about the same $ range (between S$ 2-3 K). There is also the new M6i at S$5.5K. Difficult to decide cause they are all not at the same place to do a A/B/C comparison

Whats your priority? AV or 2 channel stereo?

If its AV, I would go for the 2nd hand A5.5.

But if it is music, I would go for M6i.

The brand new M6i can be demoed at Adelphi. Have a listen to it.

What speakers are you using?

Come to think of it, I use my setup 50-50 on AV & music currently.

For music, what I do is to rip my fav CDs in lossess WAV format to a NAS & play directly from my AV amp.

For AV, mainly are 420/720 files through AC Rayan to AV amp.

My AV amp = Onkyo 3008. DIY power amp (Class D Audio SDS 258 - 250W x 4 into 8 ohms).

Speakers LCR = KEF Q700 + Q600C

BR Player = OPPO 93 (if goes int amp route, might be looking at getting either a A-lab 8200CDQ or M-DAC).

Trying to understand your set up now:

1. The driving amp to your speakers are actually the DIY power amps?

2. Music source - WAV files played by Onkyo

3. Movie source - played by AC ryan

4. Are you looking at using the A5.5/M6i to replace the power amps?

If yes, then I feel the A 5.5 is sufficient. I actually tried using my M6i at one time connected to my previous Yamaha receiver. Not very impressive to me.

My setup currently in AV: AC Ryan or Oppo93 -> Onkyo -> DIY P.amp.

My setup currently in Music: NAS or Oppo93 -> Onkyo -> DIY P.amp.



With the int amp, in AV: AC Ryan or Oppo93 -> Onkyo -> Int amp (with HT by-pass)

With the int amp, in Music: Oppo93 (or Audiolab 8200CDQ) -> Int amp. (or Oppo93 -> Audiolab M-DAC -> Int amp).

Aaaahhh now its clear.

So for AV, the int amp will drive your front speakers while Onkyo will still handle the centre and surround.

And for music, you may include and Audiolab CDP or DAC.

May I suggest something?

If you are getting the M6i, I suggest you audition M1 DAC + M1 CDT. You will then benefit from a truly balanced system from source to amp by using XLR connections.

But if you are getting A5.5, I would replace the Audiolab CDP with say MF M3 CDP.

But going back to your question, for AV...A5.5 is sufficient but to get the best for music, I believe M6i will give a more enjoyable listening experience.

Thats my 2 cents. Bottomline, try to audition both.

Thanks