MICHI X3 Series 2
Commanding yet composed, the MICHI X3 Series 2 combines deep, hard-hitting bass, immense dynamic headroom and a wide, coherent soundstage in one elegant integrated amplifier. Andrew Everard found its detail, control and musical involvement remain intact with demanding speakers, while extensive analogue, phono and high-resolution digital connectivity make this a remarkably complete high-end hub.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
82/100
Features Connectivity
95/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Delivers deep, extended, hard-hitting bass with exceptionally controlled, unconstrained dynamics.
Reveals abundant detail across a wide soundstage while preserving musical coherence rather than sounding analytical.
Drives a very broad range of loudspeakers confidently, including demanding loads and large floorstanders.
Combines high-end performance with straightforward setup and comprehensive analogue and digital inputs.
Cons
Considerably more expensive than the X3 model it replaces.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The X3 Series 2 is described as powerful, controlled and refined rather than showy, combining large-scale presentation with an easy sense of musical purpose. Its particularly assured bass, broad presentation and ability to keep fine detail connected to the whole performance make it suited to demanding loudspeakers and a wide variety of music.
Transparency Resolution
94/100
Andrew Everard says the amplifier opens a mix wide enough to reveal every detail, while keeping those details in their proper musical context. The presentation is resolving without turning into an exaggerated or fatiguing display of sonic effects.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The sound is characterised as big but not brutish, with refinement and style across different kinds of music. Its restraint appears central to its appeal: it avoids flash and bravado while still sounding substantial and engaging.
Dynamics
96/100
The review repeatedly praises the X3 Series 2's seemingly unburstable dynamic ability and says it improves on the already potent original. It is reported to retain tight control while sounding unconstrained, with deep, extended and hard-hitting bass and the ability to drive virtually any speaker.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
The X3 Series 2 can open recordings wide while preserving the coherence of the mix. Review comments point to a spacious, focused presentation that reveals placement and detail without pulling individual sounds unnaturally forward.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
82/100
The review notes revised internal circuitry and upgraded platinum-plated dual speaker terminals, while the 28.9kg chassis and substantial power delivery indicate a serious physical platform. Reviewers say little about long-term durability, internal construction quality or thermal behaviour.
Features Connectivity
95/100
This is a notably complete analogue-and-digital integrated amplifier, with balanced and RCA line inputs, an MM phono input, pre-out, dual speaker outputs, tone controls and a broad digital section. Its USB input supports high-resolution PCM, DSD, DoP, MQA and Roon Tested operation, while the updated Bluetooth section adds aptX HD.
Value for Money
95/100
At a listed price range of $5,999 to $7,499, the X3 Series 2 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. Even so, Andrew Everard calls it a true high-end bargain that can outperform many substantially pricier audiophile amplification alternatives, and praises its unusually straightforward setup and operation.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Dimensions (W × H × D)
- 485 x 150 x 452mm 19" × 6" × 17 3/4"
- Front Panel Height
- 132 mm (5.25")
- Power Requirements
- 120V, 60Hz
- Power Consumption
- 500W
- Standby Power Consumption
- Normal: <0.5W Network Wakeup: <2W
- Net Weight
- 28.9kg (63.7 lbs.)
- BTU Rating
- 1303 BTU/h
- Power Output (FTC)
- 235 W/Ch (8Ω)
- Maximum Power Output (Non FTC)
- 350W/Ch (4Ω)
- Continuous Power Output (Non FTC)
- 200 W/Ch (8Ω)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- <0.008%
- Frequency Response
- Line Level Inputs: 10 Hz - 100k Hz (+0 dB, -0.4 dB) Digital Inputs: 20 Hz - 20k Hz (0 ± 0.4 dB) Phono Input: 20 Hz - 20k Hz (+0 dB, +0.4d B)
- S/N Ratio (IHF "A" Weighted)
- Line Level Inputs: 102 dB Digital Inputs: 102 dB Phono Input: 80 dB
- Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz:7k Hz, 4:1)
- <0.03%
- Damping Factor (20 Hz - 20k Hz, 8 Ω)
- 350
- Channel Separation
- >55 dB
- Input Sensitivity
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 340 mV Line Level Inputs (XLR): 540 mV Phono Input (MM): 5.2 mV
- Input Impedance
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 100k Ω Line Level Inputs (XLR): 100k Ω Digital Inputs: 75Ω Phono Input (MM): 47k Ω
- Input Overload
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 3.5 V Line Level Inputs (XLR): 5.5 V Phono Input: 60 mV
- Preout Level
- 1.9 V
- Output Impedance
- 100 Ω
- Tone Controls
- ±10 dB at 100 Hz / 10k Hz
- Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals
- SPDIF LPCM (Up to 24-bit/192k Hz)
- PC-USB
- USB Audio Class 1 (up to 24-bit/96k Hz) USB Audio Class 2 (up to 32-bit/384k Hz)* *Driver installation required DSD and DoP support MQA and MQA Studio support Roon Tested support
Manufacturer's Description — MICHI
Elegant, efficient, uncompromised. The Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier combines 350 Watts of robust Class AB output power and an 8-Channel ESS SABRE Digital to Analog converter to deliver a refined and expansive performance. Analog RCA, XLR, Moving Magnet Phono, aptX™ HD Bluetooth, Coaxial, Optical, and PC-USB rendering MQA are all supported.
Michi, expectations amplified.
The Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier delivers an unparalleled listening experience rendering audio with exceptional accuracy, refinement and detail on an expansive soundstage, courtesy of 350 Watts of robust Class AB output power and an 8-Channel ESS SABRE ES9028PRO Digital to Analog converter.
The elegant industrial design of the Michi X3 Series 2 is at home in any living space, and its 350 watts of Class AB output power pairs with nearly any loudspeaker. Analog, Digital, PC-USB (MQA, PCM, DSD), XLR Balanced, and wireless aptX™ HD Bluetooth sources are all supported, and a Moving Magnet Phono Stage is included for vinyl lovers.
Performance engineered, acoustically refined, and meticulously manufactured to be operated with ease by music lovers and audiophiles alike.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for MICHI X3 Series 2
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Aris Audio — in-store — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (website)
- Audible Images — in-store — Melbourne, Florida, United States (website)
- Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Audio Venue — online and in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- AUDIO VIDEO TODAY — in-store — Laguna Hills, California, United States (website)
- Audiocompagniet — online and in-store — Odense C, Denmark (website)
and 22 more verified dealers