Wide Variety of Speakers
I usually do not get to try an amp or integrated with my full complement of five speaker systems. However, as I became more engaged with the sound of the M6 500i I wondered if it would be able to generate exemplary results with all five, namely the Daedalus Ulysses, Legacy Audio Whisper DSW Clarity Edition, King Sound King III, Vapor Audio Nimbus White and King Sound King Tower. Consider the variety of technology of these speakers, which ranges from dynamic, to hybrid dynamic, electrostatic, and omnidirectional. In every case, I considered the performance of the M6 500i as mated to them as not only commendable, but bumping up against extraordinary. I struggle to think of any other amplification scheme I have reviewed – aside from the Pathos mono integrateds – which I have found “universal” acceptance in all systems I build. Usually there is at least one mismatch, a combination in which the amp is insipid, too syrupy, etc.
According to Antony the M6 500i is unconditionally stable into low impedance loads, which makes it not only suitable but ideal for speakers like the King Sound King III electrostatic. I found that it was necessary to use the volume setting at higher than normal settings relative to other amps with digital readouts. Often with more efficient speakers having 8 Ohm impedance and 93-96 dB sensitivity such as the Legacy Audio Whisper or the Vapor Audio Nimbus White I used the volume at between 75-85. However, with the King III at times I needed to ramp it up to 90, or even higher.
This did not concern me unduly, as I have learned by experience that depending upon the design of the attenuator it make take closer to the end of the run than the beginning to achieve desired playback levels. Many years ago I was mortified if I had to turn the Volume control past high noon setting, but after a while using controls which need an additional twist I hardly think of it. I recall being shocked at having to put the Volume dial on the Cambridge Audio Azur 840E at about the 3:00 position, nearly tapped out, in some circumstances, until I discovered that with such digital attenuation this causes no undue strain on the components. That preamp, as with the M6 500i’s digital volume control, takes a long run up to achieve substantial listening levels, but the level seems to compound more as each half decibel is achieved when already playing at a very high volume. I’m not sure those who want “live” level playback would be happy with this when using electrostatic speakers, but I’m fairly certain persons with speakers similar to the others mentioned will be content. The upshot is that the M6 500i has power on reserve to drive nearly any speaker you care to use. I never felt the music lacked punch or weight, as I have when using some SET amps and Class D offerings.
The latest trendy piece of music to assess bass response is Daft Punk’s “Lose Yourself to Dance.” A project for the audiophile who wishes to learn how much each component influences the playback of media is to swap out a few cables, and or components, if available, while playing back the introduction of this piece. A wide variety of bass sounds with reverb, tonality and scale meet the ear. In terms of bass heft and tautness, the M6 500i is commendable and does not have insipid character compared to separates.
One of my favorite things about this amp is that it is warm enough to listen for extended periods of time. After a few weeks of repeated listening to a higher definition amplifier (versus mellow and laid back, syrupy) I often get itchy to swap it out, as even though I enjoy the impact it may bring, it begins to wear down the ears with stridency. Not so with the Musical Fidelity, as I found it just as enjoyable to hear after two hours continuously or four weeks of near daily use as when I’d started. Very few components have such a lovely balance of incisiveness and relaxing invitation.
Not the Odd Man Out Any Longer
Integrated amplifiers are still perceived for many to be a “last resort” component, a solution when money or space prohibits what the heart desires. That stereotype is challenged by the M6 500i, which performed with top level quality and tugged mightily at my heartstrings. It’s not just a lovely effort from Musical Fidelity, it’s a legitimate best candidate for many who wish to put together a streamlined system! Consequently, as the M6 500i has shown itself in my systems to perform at a very high level with a variety of speaker systems, I heartily endorse it as a suitable selection for those seeking streamlined systems with a very good chance that it would outperform separates!
- ← Previous page
- (Page 3 of 3)
Hi, I have a pair of Proac d30r speakers.
Whats is your opinion for using them with m6? Thanks
Aitor,
God’s Peace,
Those speakers will present no problems at all to the M6 500i. Whether it is
a perceived “match made in heaven” depends on your musical tastes and how
much effort you invest in working with the system, i.e. cables, to tune it. Just
putting the two together will not assure complete satisfaction, and that is the
case with every system. A certain amount of follow up work is necessary to
get the rig to the point that it’s thoroughly satisfying. Usually that can be done
by testing a variety of power cords, interconnects and speaker cables. If the
source is budget, that, too will be an area that upgrading will bring a sea change
in performance.
Blessings,
Douglas Schroeder
Impressive reviews on the M6 500I and am thinking about pulling the trigger…..Your opinion on the results with my Coincident Total Victory from 15 years ago and my Cocktail audio highly modified would be appreciated………have all the Cardas power cords with the Purist Audio Design speaker Cables so I bet this amp would be wonderful………..Thanks in advance, Dr. Deegan
Matthew,
God’s peace,
No one can predict with certainty the outcome of any particular pairing. My advice to Aitor, above, is applicable.
The Total Victory is an impressive speaker, and with high sensitivity, it will likely wake up to a surprising degree with the output of the M6 500i. If you have been running a lower powered amp, be prepared for an utterly different experience. If you adore a warm, syrupy sound, then you may wish to demo it first. But, if you have enjoyed precision, less sense of bloat and warmth, then you should have few issues. Quite often with different amps the relative degree of upper end to lower shifts, so be prepared for a possible sea change.
I strongly encourage you to reproach cables. What works with one set of components often doesn’t work fabulously with another. It’s a lot more work and potential cost, but I suggest to really get a handle on cables, you need to compare 3 entire sets. It allows you to find a sound you like, then tune a bit with one or two swaps.
Blessings,
Douglas Schroeder
Hello Doug.I have left a question on another reveiw of yours on what amp to use with a Spendor D7.2 and i am hoping this amp is the answer…..Thanks Steve
So grateful to have reached this webpage in my quest for more info on an upcoming stereo equipment purchase. As of now the m6si500 is in top spot on my every pared down shortlist of int amps to go along with my current Focal Aria 926’s. A sensible progression might be to acquire the m6scd to complement the m6si500. I know everything is subjective , but in general what is your overall opinion on the aforementioned setup given your dedicated knowledge in this area ?
Xer,
God’s Peace to you,
I’m sorry I cannot tell you specifically about that combo as I have not used it. You may wish to ask that specific question on forums to see if anyone is using or has used that combination. You will want to pay attention to the quality of the cabling, as this strongly influences the quality of performance of the components.
I have almost entirely moved away from discs, but I maintain a Musical Fidelity M1CDT transport just in case, and I have been quite pleased with its performance with outboard DACS. I pay close attention to the digital and power cables I use.
Blessings,
Douglas Schroeder
hello, i have focal 948 speakers and they can dip to 2.5 ohms min., can i drive these speakers with the musical fidelity m6 500i without any problem? i see that they never mention 4 ohm power,
best regards Thierry
Welle,
Christmas Joy to you,
The rating of impedance is nominal impedance, and not an absolute in the sense that damage is sure to occur if one has a speaker that dips below the level shown on the specs. I have used many amps and integrated amps that have both 8 Ohm and 4 Ohm ratings on speakers that are less efficient, ie. that touch 2 Ohms, and have never encountered an incompatibility. However, that is not to be taken as suggesting that every amp that has an 8 Ohm rating is fine with such speakers; generally, yes, but occasionally, no. Generally, amps that are rated for 2 Ohm speakers will drive them better, but that doesn’t mean that they will always be preferred holistically.
I’m not sure if you recall this piece of information from the article, “According to Anthony the M6 500i is unconditionally stable into low impedance loads, which makes it not only suitable but ideal for speakers like the King Sound King III electrostatic. I found that it was necessary to use the volume setting at higher than normal settings relative to other amps with digital readouts.” If you are concerned, check with MF on it. If you play music at “live” levels, i.e., very loud, then you may not be happy with the MF amp. I do not play at live levels and do not recommend it. It is possible for an amp to be unable to drive a less efficient speaker to desired listening level. If you are concerned about that, then likely the MF is not for you. But if you listen at moderate levels, then it should not be a problem.
In general, amps which are not built specifically to handle less efficient speakers are not as desirable for use with them. Most of the time they will work fine, but there may be an amp from a different maker that might be superior. Here’s the rub; no one knows which amp will holistically outperform (i.e. satisfy not only in terms of macro-dynamics, but also tonality, cleanness, etc.) any other amp and be preferred by the listener. One simply has to compare. Of course, this is the difficulty, as we cannot simply buy every amp we wish to compare. It’s a frustrating reality of the hobby that the only way to make headway with certainty is to do a demo/comparison in one’s listening room if possible.
If you wish, confirm the statement in the article with MF. Then your concern is laid to rest. No one can answer whether you would prefer amp A to the MF amp apart from a direct comparison. The amount you are willing to work with/change the system to optimize an amp will directly influence how much you like it.
If you do go with the MF integrated, I strongly suggest you try at least three different aftermarket power cords on the unit, because they make a substantial difference in the performance of any amp or integrated amp. I just recently set up for the fun of it a vintage Realistic LAB 400 Turntable and a budget Schiit Mani Phono Preamp. While not ideal, these are plugged into a Wireworld power bar. Simply changing the power cord feeding the power bar alters the turntable and phono pre performance. I am not shocked by that, but some people might be surprised by it.
Blessings,
Douglas Schroeder