About the Musical Fidelity M3i
Designed by a serious musician for people who are serious about music
Designed by a serious musician for people who are serious about music
When you hear great music played through the M3i, you're hearing it the way a master engineer and a brilliant musician meant for you to hear it. Antony Michaelson's superb musicianship and perfectionist tendencies guided his quest for better audio reproduction when he started building preamps on his kitchen table back in 1982. Musical Fidelity products are prettier on the outside than they were in those early days, but Michaelson's convictions about circuit design continue to govern what goes on inside his products.
Trickle-down technology makes the M3i an outstanding value
In some aspects of its circuit design, the M3i takes after its big brother, the M6i (which sells for twice the price), and its even bigger brother, the 2 x 1,000-watt Titan. With a discrete Class A preamp section, the M3i delivers superior stereo separation and imaging. The preamp section has its own power supply, and the extra isolation pays big dividends. You'll hear layer upon layer of fine detail that lesser amps fail to reveal. Even if you've listened to the Surprise Symphony a thousand times, it will surprise you anew, thanks to the M3i's astounding dynamic range.
The M3i is conservatively rated at 76 watts per channel into 8 ohms. That's plenty of power to drive all but the most demanding loudspeakers. Into a 4-ohm load, the M3i puts out nearly 140 watts per channel. This proves on paper that the M3i's power supply has plenty of muscle. Proof positive comes when your speakers need a quick jolt of high current for a savage bass drum wallop. That's when you feel it in your chest.
Want to enjoy audiophile-quality 2-channel sound and spectacular surround sound from the same system?
You invested in high-end speakers for your home theater, and you love your surround sound. But you're scratching your head because you're still not thrilled with the way music sounds on your system. The truth is that surround receivers are complex creatures filled with video processing circuits that can tarnish the sound of 2-channel music sources.
What's the cure, short of buying an entirely separate system for music playback? Add an M3i and one extra cable. That's all you need to experience the benefit of home theater bypass mode. You'll have sweet stereo sound when you feel like listening to music and hair-raising surround effects when you're in the mood for a good chase scene.
It's simple. You'll use the M3i to drive your front left and right speakers while continuting to use your receiver to power your center and surround speakers. Your music sources connect to the M3i. Your Blu-ray or DVD player connects to the receiver. The "extra" cable connects the front left- and right-channel preamp outputs of your receiver to the Aux 1 input of your M3i. When you want to watch a movie, just push the Aux 1 button on the M3i. Your receiver will control the volume of the M3i. When you want to listen to music, select a different input on the M3i.
Product highlights:
- 76 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.014% THD
- 137 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.014% THD
- 4-ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers
- signal-to-noise ratio: 96 dB
- large toroidal power transformer for low-noise and high current output
- discrete Class-A preamplifier section with its own independent power supply
- straightforward signal path with no tone or balance control
- 6 RCA audio inputs
- tape monitor loop for adding an equalizer or headphone amp
- aux 1 input can be configured for home theater bypass
- preamp output for connecting a powered subwoofer or separate amplifier for bi-amping
- 1 pair of speaker binding posts
- detachable AC power cord
- remote control
- 17-3/8"W x 3-15/16"H x 16-7/8"D
- weight: 20.25 lbs.
- warranty: 1 year (4-year extension with registration)
- MFR # M3i-SL
What's in the box:
Musical Fidelity M3i owner's manual
- Integrated amplifier
- 7' AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 "AAA" batteries
- 2 White cloth gloves
- Cleaning cloth
- Installation Guide
- "Thank You" letter
Customer reviews for Musical Fidelity M3i
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More details on the Musical Fidelity M3i
Features & specs
| Performance Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Watts RMS per Channel (8-ohms) | 76 | |
| Watts RMS per Channel (6-ohms) | 106 | |
| Watts RMS per Channel (4-ohms) | 137 | |
| Frequency Bandwidth | 20-20K | |
| THD | 0.014% | |
| Minimum Impedance | 4 ohms | |
| Amplifier Class | A | |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 96 | |
| DAC Bit Depth | --- | |
| DAC Sample Rate | --- | |
| Features | ||
| Built-in DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) | No | |
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Built-in Radio Tuner | None | |
| Room Correction | --- | |
| High-res Audio Playback | ||
| From Network | No | |
| From USB Thumb Drive (USB-A) | No | |
| From Computer (USB-B) | No | |
| Bluetooth | ||
| Version Info | --- | |
| Receiver Mode | No | |
| Transmitter Mode | No | |
| AAC Playback | No | |
| aptX Playback | No | |
| aptX-HD Playback | No | |
| LDAC Playback | No | |
| Connections | ||
| RCA Line-level Inputs | --- | |
| XLR Line-level Inputs | --- | |
| Phono Input | No | |
| Optical Digital Inputs | --- | |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs | --- | |
| USB Input | --- | |
| HDMI Inputs | --- | |
| Stereo Preamp Outputs | --- | |
| Subwoofer Outputs | No | |
| Recording Output | Yes | |
| HDMI Output | --- | |
| Home Theater Bypass | No | |
| Pre-out/Main-in Loop | No | |
| Headphone Output | No | |
| Removable Power Cord | --- | |
| Streaming Compatibility | ||
| Apple AirPlay | No | |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | No | |
| DTS Play-Fi | No | |
| Chromecast built-in | No | |
| Roon | No | |
| HEOS | No | |
| BluOS | No | |
| Dimensions and Warranty | ||
| Width (inches) | 17-3/8 | |
| Height (inches) | 3-15/16 | |
| Depth (inches) | 16-7/8 | |
| Weight (pounds) | 20.25 | |
| Parts Warranty | 1 Year/5 Years* | |
| Labor Warranty | 1 Year/5 Years* | |
Product Research
Overview: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier employs Musical Fidelity's tried and tested ultra-low distortion power amplifier circuitry, which has enough current reserve to drive even the most demanding speakers with ease. A very low noise and distortion, high-quality preamplifier completes this integrated amplifier giving it a perfect sound. The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier has excellent signal-to-noise ratio (>96dB), low distortion (<0.014%), wide bandwidth (20Hz-20kHz) and dynamic range, with extraordinary resolution and fine detail. The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier has been engineered to be as smooth and seamless in operation as possible. It has ultra low noise silent switching, perfect volume control matching even at very low levels, and outstanding power amp stability margins.
Note: The M3 Series integrated amplifier is designed to be partnered with the Musical Fidelity M3 Series CD player (778M3CDB, sold separately). This combination yields high-fidelity, audiophile sound. It can also be used with any CD player or external analog audio source which features either an analog stereo (RCA) input.
Features
Remote Control
Connections
Warranty Information
Features
Rigid Chassis: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier features an extruded metal front-panel, all metal chassis, and solid metal controls to resist vibration and improve overall sound quality.
Stereo Power Amplifier: The Musical fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier's power amplifier consists of two top-quality power amplifiers for the absolute best in stereo separation and imaging. Generously rated, they are enough to drive even the most demanding loudspeakers with ease. As a result, the M3 Series integrated amplifier will deliver all music types exactly as the artist originally intended.
Class A Preamp: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier has a Class A preamp with its own, independent power supply with separate transformer windings. The M3 Series integrated amplifier is in effect, a separate Class A preamp with a stereo power amp, in a single elegant package.
4-Ohm Stable: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier delivers 76 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 137 watts into 4 ohms, a near-perfect result that shows that the M3 Series integrated amplifier will perform well even when driving power hungry loudspeakers.
Low Distortion: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier features a finely tuned and tweaked preamplifier, for smooth sound coupled with low noise and virtually no distortion. The amount of high frequency distortion an amp has reveals the true quality of the whole circuit design and printed circuit board layout of the amplifier. Driving loudspeakers is demanding for any amp, and the ability to have very low distortion into a wide range of loads over a very wide frequency range is the basis for a proper design. The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier has a very low distortion, typically less than 0.02% from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Isolated Circuitry: Great attention has been paid to the integrated amplifier's internal layout, isolating each circuit section to prevent possible interaction.
Remote Control
IR Remote Control: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier includes an IR remote control for wireless operation of the unit and your connected Musical Fidelity CD player (sold separately).
Note: The remote operates off of two "AAA" batteries.
Connections
6 Analog Inputs: The Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier is equipped with 6 rear-panel analog stereo RCA inputs (CD, Tuner, Aux1/HT, Aux2, Aux3, and Tape). These analog stereo RCA terminals are suited for any line-level source (except phono).
AUX 1/HT Input: The Aux1/HT Input can be set to bypass the M3 Series integrated amplifier's volume control. This allows you to connect a source which requires its own volume control to be used.
Tape Output: The integrated amplifier's analog stereo RCA tape-output lets you connect a tape recorder or CD-burner. The unit's tape-output is not affected by the volume control.
Pre-Out: The integrated amplifier's analog stereo RCA pre-out allows analog signals controlled by the volume, to pass on to a second amplifier (useful for bi-amping). You can also connect a powered subwoofer, which has its own built-in low-pass crossover.
Binding Posts: The M3 Series integrated amplifier is equipped with 4 binding-post speaker terminals to connect a pair of bookshelf or floor-standing loudspeakers. The binding-post terminals will accept bare wire, pin-connectors, spade-connectors, and banana plugs (single/dual). The binding post terminals are color-coded (red/black) to distinguish positive and negative.
Optional Phono Preamplifier: The M3 Series integrated amplifier does not feature a phono input. You will need an external phono preamplifier, such as the Musical Fidelity V-LPS, (778VLPS, sold separately) to connect a turntable.
Optional Headphone Amplifier: The M3 Series integrated amplifier does not feature a headphone output. You will need an external headphone amplifier, such as the Musical Fidelity V-CAN (778VCAN, sold separately) or the M1 Series headphone amplifier (778M1HPAB, sold separately) to connect a set of headphones.
Warranty Information
5 Year Warranty: By registering the Musical Fidelity M3 Series integrated amplifier with Tempo Distribution LLC, the integrate amplifier will receive a (4) four-year warranty extension to the original Musical Fidelity one-year warranty, for a total warranty term of (5) five years. Simply register the product online with Tempo Distribution, LLC within 30 day of purchase.
Note: Visit www.tempohighfidelity.com to complete the online warranty registration, and then mail a copy of the original sales receipt to the following address - Tempo Distribution, LLC, PO BOX 541443, Waltham, MA 02453.
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