Musical Fidelity M6 Si500 integrated amplifier

The Musical Fidelity M6 Si500 integrated amplifier is the manufacturer’s pinnacle of the 6 range. It fits between the M6 Si integrated amplifier  and the muscular Musical Fidelity M8xi. It uses some of the same technology in a rather similar and thus quite massive cabinet!

Announced performance are astronomical. They make it a very versatile integrated amplifier which is not afraid to be associated with difficult to drive high-end Hi-Fi speakers.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI500: FRONT PANEL

Like usual with Musical Fidelity devices, the M6 Si500 offers a very sober design. The front panel is carved in thick and very massive aluminium. It is proposed in two finishes: black or natural. Its simplicity does not prevent it from offering the essentials.

There is a large rotary volume button at the centre associated with little push buttons below corresponding to the source selection and the power-up.

We can find a 7 red digit screen above the volume button indicating the selected source or the volume level.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI500: BACK PANEL

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

On each end of the housing, excellent WBT terminals compatible with banana and fork connectors are in charge of both speaker outputs (doubled).

The power cable is connected via the key IEC socket which will then allow to use an excellent quality cable.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI500: CHARACTERISTICS

Musical Fidelity announces that the technology used is the same as the one developed on the manufacturer’s famous high-end Titan amplifier.

The M6si500 delivers 500 watts per channel at 8 ohms! It can deliver more than 700 watts at 4 ohms! To do so, it is equipped with 12 bipolar transistors per channel. It is truly a double Mono with one transformer per channel, and a preamp that is provided with its own power supply coil. It allows it to offer 200-amp peaks!

This power reserve and its stability allow it to drive a large Hi-Fi speaker range, even those considered difficult.

The preamplifier part fully operates in Class A. This choice allows an excellent transparency and offers a nice dynamic range. Furthermore, a digital volume control using very high precision resistances allows to ensure a linear volume down to very low playback volumes.

The M6si500 integrated amplifier offers exceptional technical performance with remarkably low distortion levels (0.008% at 1 kHz and 0.015% at 20 kHz), associated with an equally outstanding signal-to-noise ratio.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI500: TESTING AND LISTENING

This Musical Fidelity M6 si500 has a surprising reproduction which reminds us of higher-range electronics.

Its current reserve and power handling allow it to be associated with a very good pair of speakers, even those difficult to drive. Of course, this amplifier is able to drive electrostatic and isodynamic speakers!

The sound reproduction is very accurate and detailed, while providing substance to make the timbres rich and the instruments realistic. Such a quality could make you believe we have here large tube electronics.

The Musical Fidelity M6 Si500 doesn’t hide anything or highlight any particular part of the spectrum. The transparency is perfectly divided on the whole audio spectrum. The higher frequencies are soft and clear. It is associated with a magnificent punchy and dynamic mid-range. It also offers a lot of refinement and finesse of interpretation which suit every music styles. The thrill seekers will be delighted by the deep, dynamic, articulated and remarkably readable bass.

The soundstage and the stereo image are impressive while remaining accurate and very realistic. Even the most demanding Hi-Fi speakers show unusual energy and swing.

The M6 Si500 integrated amplifier ensures a true high-end reproduction yet at an affordable price.

The Musical Fidelity M6 Si500 integrated amplifier is very versatile, musical and operates with almost every quality speaker. It symbolises what a true high-end integrated amplifier should be like!

It’s one of the best integrated amplifiers we had the chance to listen to at a price below 5,000 euros. In order to get something really superior in all regards, I think you would need to spend 2 to 3 times as much. A reference!

AWARDS:

Hi-Fi News - Highly Recommended

Hi-Fi News - Recommended

AvForums - Editor’s Choice