Musical Fidelity M8Xi Integrated Amplifier SILVER
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Product description
M8xi - Overview
In 1990, Musical Fidelity made the first-ever Super Integrated amplifier: the A1000. lt received a rapturous welcome and, even today, second hand, is selling at high prices. The A1000 was the first of a long line of Super Integrated Amplifiers from Musical Fidelity. Its children: the NuVista M3, Tri Vista 300, kW500, M6/500i, NuVista 800 and NuVista 600 all were equally enthusiastically welcomed to the audiophile world. The M8xi is the latest and the best of the breed.General Description
The M8xi is a separate preamp with two monobloc power amps sharing a common chassis. Each has its own heat sink and separate transformer. Genuinely dual mono. The preamp has its own separate power supply and is mounted close to the input sockets. Consequently, PCB tracks are very short. This elegant idea ensures that both channels' signals are ultra-low impedance the instant they get into the amplifier. This is a significant detail. Each channel has twelve big bipolar transistors - 200 amps peak to peak is easily available. The metalwork is high quality. The front panel is a custom made fine line extrusion of milspec aluminum. The custom made heat sinks have outstanding dissipation characteristics and finish. The M8xi construction has a feeling of solidity and quality.
New Circuitry
Over the last 5 years our power amp circuitry has reached a high state of development. In our never-ending quest for improving performance and customer value we have been looking for ways to improve our designs. One of the prime directives was to keep the low feedback configuration unchanged .. continue with low feedback! The problem was how to improve efficiency and performance without affecting the sound quality. If I say so myself, I think we have come up with a brilliant solution. Our new M8xi power amp design gives higher power, lower distortion, and better sound quality. Incredible but true. The output stage efficiency has been increased thus yielding about 10% more power for similar power supply voltage. More importantly, the whole driver stage is pure Class A. We believe that this innovative approach has a substantial effect on the sound quality. The sound stage appears wider whilst the micro and macro dynamics have more impact. This effect is particularly noticeable on well-recorded piano. I am sure you all know the piano is a percussive instrument but in truth, this is rarely audible on most Hi-Fi systems. Using an M8xi a piano‘s percussive nature becomes instantly obvious and jumps out of the loudspeaker. lt is a surprising and satisfying improvement to the sound quality. Vocals have more subtly, detail and presence. Large scale music has depth, width, and incredibly dynamic presentation. All in all the M8xi is a consummate all-rounder. Mostly it sounds like a small Class A amplifier with huge power.
The DAC
The M8xi also features a 5 input DAC. DACs are increasingly common in integrated amplifier designs to add convenience when connecting a variety of digital sources, so the decision was taken to build-in a DAC that would perform to a high standard, independently of the amplifier. For added integrity, the DAC features its own power supply. Based around the Texas Instruments PCM5242 TI low-distortion and low-noise DAC chip, which is also employed in many other premium products in the hi-fi industry as well as in previous Musical Fidelity products, the M8xi has 2 x coaxial (S/PDIF), 2 x optical (S/PDIF) and 1 x asynchronous USB Type-B inputs. The coaxial and the USB inputs are capable of supporting hi-res audio streams up-to 24-bit / 192kHz, and the optical input is capable of supporting up-to 24-bit / 96kHz. For maximal performance, all data streams are up-sampled and re-clocked by an internal converter to reduce jitter and remove unwanted artifacts in the sound.
Technical Performance
The M8xi delivers 550 + 550wpc into 8 ohms. It is extremely stable and very linear. The distortion is low too; lower than 0.005% in the audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The M8xi has remarkable linearity and consistency. lt is unconditionally stable and will drive any loudspeaker in existence easily with ample power reserve.
Our Approach to Technical Measurements
In our view an amplifier should be completely neutral. lt is ‚a straight wire with gain‘. Easy to say but hard and complex to do. We want to stress that we do not believe that the technical performance is an end in itself. lt is a method of validating the total amplifier system concept. The aim of our circuit/PCB designs is to have low feedback and achieve complete neutrality, transparency, and great technical performance. The proof that we are on the right track is the technical performance. We think that technical performance cannot be summed up by the distortion at 1 kHz. Our view is that an amplifier has to be able to satisfy a wide range of technical requirements before it can be neutral.
Linearity
Almost all loudspeakers have complex impedance and loading curves. An amplifier must be able to maintain its voltage virtually, regardless of loading. If an amplifier cannot maintain its voltage across the spectrum, then the ultimate frequency response and distortion will be nonlinear. This is not neutrality.
Distortion
The overwhelming majority of amplifier manufacturers only talk about distortion at 1 kHz. We believe that this is only a fraction of the story. From our perspective, an amplifier must have very low distortion from 20 Hz- 20 kHz and beyond. We believe that an amplifier‘s high-frequency performance proves the total performance of the circuit and PCB layout. The M8xi distortion hardly changes from 10 kHz to 50 kHz. An outstanding achievement and validation of the circuit design and PCB layout.
Noise Ratio
Amplifiers should be quiet. If they are not, low-level detail is irretrievably lost. Also, the dynamic range is seriously compromised. Dynamic range is not just how much power an amplifier will produce, it is also how quiet it can be. Dynamic range is the total from the quietest to the loudest. The M8xi excels in this respect.
Precision Volume Control
The M8xi has a precision volume control. This ensures perfect tracking right down to very low levels which is unattainable with standard potentiometers. This outstanding precision is achieved by laser-trimmed substrate resistors.
Sound Quality
The M8xi is effortless, fluid, and dynamic. lt doesn‘t sound ‚loud‘. lt just sounds right. The dynamics are handled with no drama or fuss. They come and they go. There is no distortion; just pure undiluted music. lt sounds like a superb small Class A amplifier but with limitless headroom. Perfection!
Amplifier
Power Output (20Hz - 20kHz): 550 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (870W into 4 Ohms); Peak 1.6kW into 2 Ohms
Maximum output voltage: 67 Volts RMS, 20Hz to 20 kHz; onset of clipping (190 Volts peak-to-peak)
THD+N: <0.004% typical, 20Hz to 20 kHz (XLR)
Signal/noise ratio: > 86dB ‚A‘-weighted (XLR)
Input impedance: 25KΩ (RCA), 50KΩ (XLR)
Frequency response: +0, –1dB, 10Hz to 100 kHz
Maximum peak output current: 105 Amps
Damping factor: 150
Output devices: 3+3 pairs (bridged arrangement) per channel
Inputs (analogue)
4 pairs line level RCA connectors2 pairs line level XLR (balanced) connectors
Inputs (digital)
2x Coax S/PDIF up to 24 bit 192kHz
2x Optical S/PDIF up to 24 bit 96kHz
1x USB B Asynchronous USB up to 24 bit 192kHz
Outputs (analogue)
1 pair line level RCA fixed
1 pair pre-out RCA variable
1 pair line level XLR variable
Outputs (digital)
1x Coax S/PDIF up to 24 bit 192kHz
1x Optical S/PDIF up to 24 bit 96kHz
General
Dimensions (WxHxD): 485 x 185 x 510mm
Max. Consumption: 2000Watts
Musical Fidelity Warranty
- Electronics - 5 Years
- Disc Player / Electronics - 5 Years
- Disc Player / Mechanics - 2 Years
- Server - 5 Years
- Remote Control - 1 Year
Payment
Safe & Sound requires that payments be made immediately upon purchase of your item. Should payment not be received immediately we will attempt to contact you. Should we not receive payment within 24 hours your order will be cancelled. We accept Paypal as a method of payment. If you have any questions regarding our payment terms please contact us before purchasing.
Shipping
In stock orders that are placed before 3PM EDT Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) are shipped same day. We offer FREE ground shipping within the United States *Excludes: Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico. We fully insure all of our shipments. We ONLY ship to confirmed PayPal addresses. Some orders are shipped SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Most items ship in their factory carton unless otherwise stated. If you have any questions regarding our shipping terms please contact us before purchasing.
Returns
Returns are accepted for products purchased within the last 30 days.
- You must contact us to initiate a Return Authorization.
- Product MUST be in LIKE NEW Resalable condition.
- You MUST have the ORIGINAL BOX and PACKAGING MATERIALS.
- You MUST have all of the original accessories, manuals etc.
Products that arrive not in original packaging, missing accessories, without a Return Authorization or damaged will be REFUSED. Refunds are credited using the original payment method and are usually credited within 10-15 business days upon receipt of your return.
If you have any questions regarding our return policy, please feel free to contact us.
About Us
Since 1983, Safe and Sound has been providing customers with quality products and service. We began as a small stereo shop and now we have transformed into a company well-versed in popular, trending home theater systems and speakers. While our store has changed physically and our customer base has grown exponentially, we have not lost focus of the traditional methods of business ethics that have been the foundation of our growing company. We deliver service which is, and has always been, friendly, honest, and personal. At Safe and Sound, we don't just gain a customer, we gain a lifelong relationship. As years go by, you won't necessarily remember the product model number you purchased from us or the price you paid. However, you will remember the exceptional service you received. We design home and car stereo systems for customers with passion. The same passion we had when we designed a similar speaker system for our own home or car. Having 100% belief in every brand we sell makes this passion come naturally. Celebrating well over 30 years in business, we are very fortunate and grateful for our company's past, how we have evolved to the present, and more importantly we are enthusiastic and motivated to grow our company further. Whether you are a new or returning customer, we look forward to serving you.
Advantages of being a family owned business:A family is the most natural team. At Safe and Sound, we take pride in our innate ability to work as a team which translates to effective communication and understanding with our customers. Our staff is knowledgeable and well versed with the products we sell and we encourage all our customers to call us with any and all of their questions.
More than just a job, this is our life!Although the doors may close after business hours at our retail location, our staff is dedicated and available to customers whenever they need us. We understand our customers have time sensitive inquires, either sales related or technical. Being a family business, Safe and Sound is able to address your questions or issues when most other businesses simply cannot. When you email us you can expect a reply the same day, and more often than not, within minutes! We understand customers lead busy lifestyles and we strive to provide the convenience you deserve.
Contact Us
Please feel free to message us or contact us through eBay with any questions you may have. We look forward to speaking with you!