Musical Fidelity M5 Si integrated amplifier

The Musical Fidelity M5 Si integrated amplifier is the third integrated amplifier proposed by the manufacturer. It remains at an affordable price, while offering high-end product performance and musicality.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M5 SI: FRONT PANEL

The M5 Si’s front panel is very sober but presents a superb black or natural aluminium finish.

At the centre, there is a large rotary volume button. There are also small push buttons corresponding to the sources on each side.

Finally, there is the obvious power button.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M5 SI: BACK PANEL

The back panel is similar to the one found on the Musical Fidelity M3 Si. There are 4 high level inputs, a pre-out output (for a power amplifier) as well as a Line Out output (for a recorder or a headphone amp).

There is also a magnificent MM and MC high level phono input and an audio USB-B input, thus with a D/A DAC. This input handles the digital signal up to 24 bits/96 kHz in an asynchronous way.

An excellent terminal block compatible with banana and fork connections is in charge of the two speaker outputs.

It’s important to know that the “AUX1” input is switchable via a small Switch in By Pass.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M5 SI: CHARACTERISTICS

Musical Fidelity announces that the technology used is the same as the famous high-end Titan amplifier.

The M5 Si amplifier delivers 150 Watts per channel at 8 Ohms and can deliver more than 250 Watts at 4 Ohms. It allows it to drive almost every Hi-Fi speaker on the market, therefore all pairs from 1,500 to 3,500 euros!

The preamplifier part fully operates in Class A, which ensures a perfect transparency and excellent dynamism.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M5 SI: TESTING AND LISTENING

The Musical Fidelity M2 Si  and M3 Si integrated amplifiers had already amazed us with their remarkable musicality and quality-price ratio…

We immediately connected the Musical Fidelity M5 Si to a nice pair of speakers well above its range in order to push it to its limits.

From the first few measures, we are stunned by the easiness of this amplifier! It drives speakers with baffling ease. After a few minutes, we completely forget that we have here a device costing less than 2,000 euros!

The reproduction is very lively, physical and accurate at the same time. The bass depth and realism make it fabulous. The current and power supplied by the M5 Si allows to perfectly control the bass drivers which offers perfect readability in this register.

The M5 Si doesn’t hide anything or highlight any particular part of the spectrum. The response seems flat and surprisingly natural. The soundstage is demonstrative with its width and openness. The transparency seems as much spectacular in bass as in upper mid-range.

Compared to some British competitors, we also note that the M5 Si is more neutral and less flattering.

Moreover, its USB input is not a gadget and offers excellent results with a computer and quality streaming service. The phono input is truly exploitable and reproduce a quality that few integrated amplifiers can offer at this price range.

The Musical Fidelity M5 Si amplifier reaches a remarkable quality and restitution level for a product at such a price.

The Musical Fidelity M5 Si integrated amplifier is a true success that will meet the music lovers’ needs wishing for an amplifier full of energy and musicality, and allowing to drive very high-quality speakers without the need to use bells and whistles!

A reference!

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