17/12/2009 Musical Fidelity continues to expand range.
Tagged under Antony Michaelson, M6 500, M6i, Musical Fidelity
Posted by Len | 14 Comments
M6i Silver Front Close Up
There can be little doubt that one of the most influential personalities in the audio industry is Antony Michaelson of Musical Fidelity. He has produced a seemingly unbroken run of superb amplifiers, along with highly recognised CD Players, DAC’s, phono preamplifiers, headphone amplifiers etc.
Antony is naturally a very prolific man, prone in the past to a rapid and eclectic series of product releases. While we are still receiving a steady stream of models from Antony, the pace has (thankfully) notably slowed, and there is a little more cohesion in the different ranges.
It is now some time since we received our first shipment of the excellent M6i amplifier. This is a 200wpc integrated amplifier, but the design sets it apart from the more traditional expectations of this genre. Despite the fact that this is a one box solution, and the fact that it utilises a single (albeit huge) transformer – which has separate outputs for the left and right channels plus the pre-amplifier – it is actually two mono power amplifiers and a pre-amp in a single chassis. This is a superb sounding amplifier – and even at $4,995 represents great value.
Since that time we have received the M6PRE pure Class ‘A’ pre-amplifier ($3,995) and the matching M6PRX 250 watt per/channel power amplifier 
($5,995). Recently we received the M6 500i. This is also an integrated amplifier, rated at a whopping 500 watts per channel. This is, obviously, a brute of an amplifier, with each channel boasting its own heat sinks and transformer. Antony has always advocated that to accurately reproduce the dynamics and liveliness of a musical event you need power. He has certainly delivered in this instance. The M6 500i sells for $7,995.
There have also been some other interesting releases from Musical Fidelity as part of the ‘M’ Series. There is an M3 range, consisting of and amplifier (75 watts per channel) and a CD player, selling for $1,995 each. There is also two models in MI range, both products that Musical Fidelity has gained a favorable reputation for, the M1 DAC ($799) and the M1HPA Headphone Amplifier ($999)
At the other end of the scale Musical Fidelity have some very desirable high-end products, including the Primo pre-amp ($15,995), a Class ‘A’ triode design, with a distortion rating of 0.0035% and a noise ratio of -119dBa – exceptional figures for a Tube design. Matching this is the AMS50, a 50 watt pure Class ‘A’ Dual Mono power amplifier which is one of the sweetest sounding amps you will hear, and which will drive loads way beyond expectation considering its rated 50 watts.
The other interesting design is the AMS35i ($11,995) – a 35wpc pure Class ‘A’ dual mono integrated amplifier with balanced inputs. This is a superb sounding amplifier, one that also punches way beyond its weight when it comes to driving loudspeakers. This truly is an amplifier designed with the music lover in mind.
However, in true form, Antony still manages to release ‘quirky’ products, and the latest is the V-Link 24 bit/96 kHz USB to S/PDIF converter (although I 
suggest that this product will become less ‘quirky’ as time goes on). The move to computer stored music is rapidly gaining momentum, particularly with the increasing proliferation of hi-res download sites. The drawback is that the standard USB output from a computer still presents serious limitations. A conventional USB output is synchronous. There is no consistency in the output data rate – it changes at the whim of the computer – impacting on the performance of the system playback. The V-Link is an asynchronous device which sits between the computer and the DAC. It ensures that the bit rate received at the DAC is the same as that stored on the hard drive. Jitter is also eliminated.
Musical Fidelity is not the first company to produce an asynchronous device, nor will it be the last. What does set it apart though is that it performs exceedingly well, and is only priced at $199. This will be an inexpensive, but significant, upgrade for many people. If you find that it does not meet expectations in your system, simply return it. We have enough confidence in this product to offer a money back guarantee.
14 Comments
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Jon says...
Some very nice products from Musical Fidelity indeed. I was wandering will Antony be placing an online version of the AMS35p manual on the website?
Also how much will this amplifier cost?
Posted on December 27, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Len says...
Hi Jon,
Musical Fidelity no longer put their manuals on their site, if you like we could photocopy our one and send it on to you. The AMS35I sells for $13,995.
Posted on December 29, 2009 at 8:37 am
Peter Martin says...
Has the MF AMS35p (power-amp only derivative of the AMS35i)been released in Aust? If so, what is the price?
Posted on January 13, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Len says...
Hi Peter,
We have just had an update on this. It is now due for release here in April. While the price has yet to be finalised it is anticipated that it will sell for around $14,000. It is slightly different to the power amp stage of the AMS35i integrated. It uses 6 output devices per channel instead of 4 in the integrated, the power supply has been upgraded and it has a bigger peak current delivery, 80amps as opposed to 20amps.
Posted on January 14, 2010 at 7:33 am
Geoff says...
when is the M6P (power amp only) coming out in Aus? and roughly how much will this be?
Posted on January 30, 2010 at 9:49 am
Len says...
Hi Geoff,
The M6P power amp is due late March or early April. At this stage the anticipated price is $5,995. It is a considerable improvement on the power-amp stage of the M6 integrated. It is rated at 250watts per channel (the integrated is rated at 200 watts) with double the number (8) of output devices per channel.
Posted on February 1, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Chris Hibbert says...
Regarding the Musical Fidelity M6i, I have Cremona M speakers rated at an average of 4 ohms, with a load spread of just over one ohm to around eleven ohms, am concerned the M6i will be unable to drive them as no specification is given for 4 ohm loads.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Len says...
Hi Chris,
Firstly my apologies for not getting back to you last week.
I don’t envisage any problem at all with driving the Cremona’s (in fact this should be a great sounding combination.) There is an in-depth review by GoodSound where they state that delivery into 4Ohms is 400W and 2Ohms is 800W. They also make the comment ‘It’s perhaps not an arc welder, but darn close’. You could not ask for much more that this!
I have enough confidence in this amp to suggest that if you were to buy one from us it would be on a return basis if you were not satisfied.
Best regards, Len
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:35 am
Sudhir says...
Is there big difference between Intergrated amps like MF M6i, Kearll, Yamaha SA200, Creek 5350, etc??
Please advice, what advantages has MF M6i over other products?
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Len says...
Hi Sudhir,
There are some very marked differences between some of these amps. The Yamaha and Creek are both very good products, but are not in the same class as the Musical Fidelity and the Krell – which is to be expected, they are not as expensive either.
The Krell and the Musical Fidelity are both very high performance units, but there is still some differences, and I would suggest that before you jump in you take the opportunity to audition both.
I have been a fan of Musical Fidelity for the last two decades. They produce a very musical sounding amplifier, at the same time with authority. I am a big fan of live music, and they always give a good approximation of a live performance. Most importantly they do this at a relatively affordable price. They are not the cheapest manufacturer on the market, but they never-the-less always offer excellent value for money.
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:08 am
Ross Peterson says...
MF make great good value products. I once owned an A308 rig which was very good.
My only criticism is that in a year or two they will stop making the current line and produce a newer ‘must have’ line of products.
I would like to see a line that could be upgraded as newer technologies become available.
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 6:33 am
Len says...
MF has come under some criticism for this in recent times. They have now streamlined their offering into much more consistent ranges. (MI, M3, M6 etc.) This has certainly been welcomed by a number of consumers (as well as ourselves.)
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Richard says...
Music Fidelity AMS35i / or p paired with eithe Vandersteen Signature 3 or Quatro’s, Will they compliment and do each item justice? also how would the Music Fidelity DAC perfom in this system?
Posted on June 7, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Len says...
Hi Richard,
The combination of the M3 and Vandersteen Signature 3’s is going to depend a little on your listening habits. The Vandersteen’s like an amplifier with current, which the M3 provides. However there is no doubting that they are not the easiest of loads to drive (6 Ohm impedance and 87dB efficiency). If you are listening at normal listening levels the combination will work very well. However if you are in the habit of driving your speakers hard you may need to look at a bigger amp.
When you mention the Quatro’s I am assuming you mean the Quatro Signature as well. These are even more difficult to drive (despite the powered bass) with an efficiency of 85dB. Personally I believe that to drive these properly you will need more power (consider moving up to the M6 which would be a great combination.)
I hope that this has been of some help.
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:05 am