"Up There with the Best"
The Musical Fidelity M6x ViNYL is a very high performance, highly accurate phono MM/MC cartridge amplifier in a beautifully designed and executed casework.
It’s designed in such a way to ensure you cannot overload the input stage or encounter any practical limitations in the output driving capacity during regular use, whether running single-ended or balanced. It has three inputs, and each can be individually set for either MM / MC and loading. Each input also then remembers its own settings. It offers state-of-the art technical and sonic performance at a very competitive price and is the epitome of the true spirit of high-end audio.
"I’ve heard a lot of phono stages recently, and this takes its rightful place up there with the best at its price point," reports David Price, stereonet.comJuly 3, 2021. "It has a spry, light and detailed sound with lots of detail and a lovely spacious soundstage. Music comes at you on a large scale through the M6x ViNYL, reminding us what the venerable LP record is capable of if properly handled
Design Philosophy
While updating from the M6 ViNYL to the M6x ViNYL, Musical Fidelity switched to an entirely discrete circuitry, which results in better technical measurements and better sound. It is equipped with one balanced input and output as well as two single-ended inputs and one single-ended output to fit well into any vinyl hi-fi system.
But the important question is: what is so special about discrete circuits?
The Advantage of Discrete Circuits
A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors, and inductors, as well as “active” components, which in this case are transistors.
The opposite of this approach would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain. Musical Fidelity often uses specialized Op-Amps built for audio applications, which allows the company to produce very small and efficient electronics, as well as saving the time of design engineers.
However, countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown that even the very best Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic, or vivid – all of which are characteristics of the Musical Fidelity “sound”. For that reason, Musical Fidelity is rediscovering its passion for traditional, discrete designs.
The Best Sound for Your Money
While standard phono preamplifiers with integrated circuits have a few tens or hundreds of components, discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by comparison. That makes for an extended design process, but in the case of the M6x ViNYL results in the best sound for your money.
Three Independently Selectable Cartridge Inputs
The M6x ViNYL features three separate, independently selectable cartridge inputs. This allows a choice between three different turntables, or multiple tone arm configurations, if required. Selectable gain is provided to allow for different cartridge sensitivities and to suit any equipment. Cartridge type and loading is selected by front selector buttons for optimum cartridge performance.
