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Musical Fidelity M8sPRE
M8sPRE - Overview
The M8s is a pre-amplifier without limits. From its performance to its connectivity, via quality fit and finish, the M8s makes a superlative centrepiece for almost any system.
The M8s has a wide array of inputs including a low noise MM/MC phono stage, 2 balanced inputs (1 with home theatre bypass option), 3 line inputs (one with home theatre bypass option) and a fully configured tape in/out loop.
The M8s Pre-amp has very high input overload margins. This means that it has a completely stress free sound. The outputs are very low impedance and high current so that it can drive virtually any power amp in existence through any length cable (balanced or single ended).
Technical measurements are testament to the M8s’s exceptional engineering: from ultra-low distortion to virtually perfect frequency response, and ultra low noise.
The M8s’s will drive any power amplifier over any length of cable. Although, obviously, it’s perfect partner is a pair of M8s-700m monobloc amplifiers.
Listening to the M8s Pre with the M8s-700m monobloc is quite an experience. The music is reproduced with no stress, no colouration and sense of relaxation and transparency that are music to the ears and balm to the soul.
M8s Pre-amplifier In Brief
- Genuinely fully balanced preamp
- Eight versatile inputs – 1 XLR Balanced, switchable MM/MC Phono, CD, Tuner, Aux 1, Aux 2, Tape
- Single ended and balanced outputs as well as a fixed output for tape record
- Home theatre bypass available in both single ended and balanced inputs
- Outstanding cutting edge performance
- Amazing load driving ability, will easily drive any power amplifier with any cable of almost any length
- Excellent design, he-man build quality
Design + Build
The first exceptional element of the M8s pre-amplifier is its truly fully balanced design. Most rival pre-amps making similar claims are actually single-ended models with a balanced input and output; this is not the same as being fully balanced throughout, which the M8s offers.
The quality continues with the M8s pre-amplifier's pure Class A circuitry, implemented in subtle and refined configurations.
The M8s is designed with very high input overload margins. High input impedance plus low output impedance puts the M8s in the position of itself being easy to drive, while having the capability to drive any power amp.
Let's run through those input options in more detail. The phono stage is a low-noise MM/MC design, with very accurate RIAA, low distortion and wide overload margin – all making the M8s a great turntable partner.
Two fully balanced inputs, three line-level inputs and a fully configured tape loop (input and output) provide plenty of flexibility for further sources, both traditional and modern.
Home theatre bypass options are available on one set of both balanced and line-level inputs, making it easy to integrate the M8s into a one-stop music and movie system.
The M8s's high-tech design translates into an exceptional performance that can be scientifically measured. Technical analysis shows the M8s has miniscule distortion levels (less than 0.003%), extremely low noise (-117dbA), wide bandwidth (-3dB 75kHz) and remarkable frequency response – ruler-flat within the audio band. Stereo separation is 96dB at 1KHz.
Finally, the M8s pre-amp also features an exceptional power supply. Each channel has a 350VA, silent-drive mains transformer, with each stage of each channel featuring its own regulation circuitry for optimised performance and isolation. Current delivery is maximised due to the power supply's ultra-low impedance design.
Further Reading
Read The M8 Story
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Connectivity
90/100
Value for Money
91/100
The M8sPRE brings visceral slam to a fundamentally neutral, transparent presentation, pairing punchy, well-defined bass with sharpened transients and expansive system flexibility. Marc Phillips found its quiet MM/MC phono stage, balanced connectivity and tank-like construction especially persuasive—a formidable control centre that preserves an amplifier’s character while making music feel more immediate.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers exceptional dynamic impact, with punchy, well-defined deep bass and crisp transient attack.
Maintains a neutral, unobtrusive character that preserves the tonal identity of partnering power amplifiers.
Offers extensive system flexibility, including balanced connections, home-theatre bypass and a notably quiet MM/MC phono stage.
Substantial, beautifully finished construction inspires confidence.
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Cons
Its more forward presentation can occasionally reduce the perceived size of the soundstage.
The many inputs and remote-controlled functions may require a learning period and close consultation of the manual.
The integrated phono stage offers slightly less inner detail, air and space than elite standalone alternatives.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The M8sPRE is described as essentially neutral and unobtrusive, while bringing welcome energy, punch and a notably quiet phono stage. Its strongest sonic calling card is visceral dynamic impact; the trade-off is a somewhat more forward perspective and occasional reduction in perceived stage size.
Transparency Resolution
90/100
The reviewer found the M8sPRE stayed out of the system's way, preserving the associated power amplifiers' tonal character while revealing a little more of the recording. Its phono stage was particularly quiet, although inner detail did not quite reach the standard of five-figure alternatives.
Tonal Balance Musicality
90/100
The presentation was initially heard as neutral, with added energy that did not alter the tonal character of the partnering Pureaudio or Ayre amplifiers. The reviewer found it engaging and enjoyable across varied system configurations rather than sterile or overly analytical.
Dynamics
94/100
Dynamic expression is a standout: the reviewer repeatedly identifies the M8sPRE's sense of slam and its ability to make music more exciting through visceral impact. Deep bass was punchier than expected and well defined, while sharpened transients made shifts in level more startling.
Soundstage Imaging
86/100
The M8sPRE appears to bring the listener closer to the performance, exposing more activity within recordings. However, the reviewer notes that the increase in inner detail could sometimes come at the expense of overall soundstage size.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The review calls the M8sPRE built like a tank, with beautifully machined and finished casework. Its 17 kg mass and the reviewer's descriptions of it as solid, beefy and brawny support the impression of substantial construction.
Features Connectivity
90/100
This is a comprehensively equipped fully balanced preamplifier, with balanced and single-ended inputs, balanced and RCA pre-outs, fixed output, MM/MC phono capability, home-theater bypass, tape loop and trigger connections. The reviewer found the phono section sophisticated, though the abundance of inputs and remote functions could make source selection less immediately intuitive.
Value for Money
91/100
At $4,999, the reviewer regarded the M8sPRE's scale, weight, phono stage and extensive facilities as unusually generous for the asking price. The review explicitly questions how Musical Fidelity provides so much equipment and capability while remaining below $5,000.
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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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