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Musical Fidelity M2si
M2si - Overview
The M2si integrated amplifier takes our premium-amp technology and applies it to a more affordable price point. Drawing upon the design philosophy and insights gleaned from our mighty TITAN flagship, along with the inclusion of high-end elements such as the robust metal controls, extruded aluminum front panel, and a chassis crafted entirely from metal, the M2si occupies an enviable position for discerning audiophiles seeking an unadulterated high-end amplifier.
Fully Discrete Power Amplifier
The M2si delivers 72 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 137 watts into 4 ohms. This means the M2si will drive a wide range of speakers, even power-hungry models. The fully discrete power amp, complemented by its dedicated power supply and generously proportioned toroidal transformer, guarantees reserves for proper peak delivery and a wide dynamic range. Power hungry and difficult speakers are driven with ease. Low impedance dips are managed gracefully and the judiciously rated output devices won‘t faulter under any load.
Precision Matched Preamp and PRE/POWER Configuration
The low noise preamp has its own, independent power supply. In effect, this means the M2si offers the performance benefits of a pre/power configuration with the compact convenience of a one-box design. For best low channel volume matching we employ a high quality Burr-Brown stepped attenuator delivering performance way above that of conventional potentiometer designs.
The Musical Fidelity Design-Philosophy
Further flexibility is provided by the M2si‘s carefully considered connectivity, which includes six line-level inputs and switchable home-theatre throughput. We have purposefully decided against a phono input or any digital high-frequency and DAC circuitry. The M2si remains committed to unadulterated sound quality over extraneous features. The introduction of digital high-frequency modules would be at odds with the nuanced performance of the analogue pre and power amplifiers, and the substantial transformer and power amp circuitry could introduce interference to delicate phono signals.
Redefining The Amplifier
With the M2si, our aim was to distill the expertise and design principles honed through our high-end amplifiers, creating an unbeatable package in this price point. Rather than burdening the analog amplifier‘s performance with superfluous features, we opted for a puristic and audiophile-oriented amplifier design that would elicit envy from owners of more costly, feature-loaded integrated amplifiers. With a true Musical Fidelity amplifier, you receive precisely what you desire. An affordable and puristic audiophile integrated amplifier for a lifetime, solely designed for the maximum of musical fidelity.
M2si In Brief
Amplifier
High-end circuitry inspired by TITAN
Fully discrete transistor based Class A/B power amp design
Drives power hungry speakers with ease and gracefully manages low impedance dips
72W/8 Ohm & 137W/4 Ohm output power
Extreme power reserves for proper peak power delivery and wide dynamic range
Pure sound quality instead of features:
- No digital circuitry: no digital high-frequency modules built in
- No phono stage: huge transformer and power amp circuitry will not interfere with low level phono signals
HT-input: bypassed preamp-stage allows connecting home-theater processors to use your M2si as ultimate L/R channel amp
Preamplifier
Low noise design for best THD and signal integrity at low as well as high levels
High quality Burr-Brown stepped attenuator for better channel matching than conventional potentiometer designs
Pre Out for bi-amping with M6sPRX or active subwoofer connection
Power Supply
Generously rated 280VA toroidal transformer
Independent power supplies for preamp and poweramp
Output devices, and power supply generously rated to provide peaks even into difficult to drive speakers
Mechanical Construction
Uncompromising metal work in typical Musical Fidelity tradtion
Heavy front panel milled from extruded aluminium profiles
Clean, stunning and indestructable metal exterior protects against electromagnetical interference
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Connectivity
83/100
Value for Money
93/100
The M2si delivers a spacious, authoritative sound with the current and composure to make demanding music feel effortless. What Hi-Fi? highlights its stable imaging, expressive dynamics and sweetly rich balance, while Audiophilepure notes muscular low-end weight and clean high-level control. Its refined power and luxurious build make it a standout analogue integrated amplifier.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Expansive, focused soundstage remains stable through dense arrangements and at high volumes.
Exceptional dynamic range, combining delicate low-level detail with forceful crescendos and confident drive.
Substantial metal controls and clean, luxurious finish exceed typical expectations at the price.
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Cons
No built-in phono stage, headphone output, or digital inputs.
Deep bass can be less tightly controlled and become vague with larger drivers pushed hard.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the M2si unusually authoritative and composed for its price, combining strong detail, an engagingly rich-but-even tonal balance, and a large stable presentation. Its principal limitation is less absolute grip and definition in the deepest bass than some rivals, particularly with larger drivers.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Audiophilepure reports excellent detail through the treble and midrange, along with low background noise at normal listening levels. What Hi-Fi? also praises its ability to follow individual instrumental strands in complex music, though Audiophilepure finds the low bass can become vague and blurred when driving larger drivers hard.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
The sound is described as pleasingly neutral overall, with a mild bias toward pace and excitement rather than clinical accuracy. What Hi-Fi? hears a sweet top end and a touch of welcome richness through the midrange and bass, helping the M2si remain forgiving of partnering equipment and recordings.
Dynamics
94/100
Dynamics are a major strength: What Hi-Fi? says the amplifier handles both low-level subtleties and large crescendos superbly, while retaining refinement under musical complexity. Audiophilepure likewise reports ample loudness, thunderous bass output, and no apparent strain or distortion with demanding material and loads.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
What Hi-Fi? describes a spacious, expansive soundstage with tightly focused images. It also notes that the presentation stays stable when arrangements become busy and at higher listening levels.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
What Hi-Fi? calls the build fine and says the M2si feels more luxurious than its cited rivals. Solid-metal controls, clean styling, and an impressive overall finish make it feel notably substantial for the class.
Features Connectivity
83/100
The M2si provides six RCA line inputs, fixed tape output, preamp outputs, and two pairs of speaker terminals, making it flexible for analogue systems and future expansion. However, reviewers note the absence of a phono stage, headphone output, and digital inputs, so it is best suited to listeners who already have separate source components.
Value for Money
93/100
At an asking price around the sub-$1,000 to $1,300 range, reviewers see the M2si as a particularly compelling traditional analogue integrated amplifier. What Hi-Fi? calls it one of the best amplifiers heard below the grand mark, while Audiophilepure highlights bass authority that is unusual at this price and power rating.
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- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Audio Advisor — online and in-store — Michigan, United States (website)
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