Unlike other gear that may claim to have a balanced design but take short cuts, the Musical Fidelity M6PRE preamplifier is genuinely fully balanced from beginning to end. Many preamps that claim to be balanced are in fact single ended preamps with balanced inputs and balanced outputs. Unlike them, the M6PRE is the real deal. And it includes a high-quality built-in phono stage.
"The M6PRE is basically as good as a preamp can get," Musical Fidelity's Founder and Managing Director Antony Michaelson told Audio Advisor. "Unless you go to something extremely exotic, you can't make a better preamp. You can make something and put it in a bigger chassis, but you can't make something better!"
In his joint review of the Musical Fidelity M6PRX power amplifier and M6PRE preamplifier in a November 10, 2011 post for TechRadar.com, Jimmy Hughes reports, "Tonally, the impression is one of neutrality and truthfulness. The music sounds solid and commanding, yet this does not come at the expensive of delicacy or finesse. Bass is very deep and powerful, yet tight and controlled."
"Played as a grouping, the power chord of M6CD, M6PRE, and M6PRX are hard to fault," notes Alan Sircom in the January 10, 2011 issue of The Absolute Sound magazine. "Best used balanced from one end to the other, the trio are unobtrusive, entertaining and a satisfyingly potent combination of sweetness and meatiness."
The M6PRE has been designed with high quality control of balanced sources in mind. Two fully balanced inputs take care of balanced audio for the best in signal to noise, transient reproduction and dynamic range from balanced sources. The outputs are also balanced, allowing you to connect a balanced-input power amplifier to take advantage of the sonic benefits of a fully balanced system from source to speakers.
The M6PRE consists of two monoblock balanced amplifiers with generously rated power supplies for the absolute best in separation and imaging. Thanks to a low distortion and very quiet design, these stages will deliver all music types exactly as the artist originally intended.
A wide range of connections gives you plenty of capability and flexibility. The M6PRE features two balanced inputs, a phono input, four line inputs (one with home theater bypass), and a digital USB2 input for connecting a desktop or laptop PC and enjoying digital music files to the max. The tape loop makes it convenient to record to tape, CD recorder, computer soundcard analog input, etc.
Since the M6PRE is a Musical Fidelity component, it' sno surprise that the phono stage is no mere add on. It's a top-notch design that will reveal an unexpected wealth of detail from your favorite vinyl recordings. In fact, the RIAA equalization values are exactly the same as those of Musical Fidelity's premium kW Phono Stage. It also has a similar RIAA noise ratio to the very best phono stages in the world. Actual technical performance is outstanding.
The phono input can be configured for MM Moving Magnet or MC Moving Coil cartridges via a rear panel switch.
Included with the M6PRE is a full function 'universal' infrared wireless remote control that will also operate other select Musical Fidelity components.
Representing the epitome of Musical Fidelity design, the M6PRE provides superlative technical performance that is among the best in the world. It has excellent signal-to-noise ratio, low distortion, wide bandwidth and dynamic range, with extraordinary resolution and fine detail. It also provides great flexibility, exceptional build quality, beautiful visuals, and tremendous value for the money.