Welcome to the Solid State Audio website
Your n°1 source for high-end audio equipment, cables and loudspeaker systems.
Welcome to the Solid State Audio website Your n°1 source for high-end audio equipment, cables and loudspeaker systems. |
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Musical Fidelity was founded in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Antony Michaelson.From the first preamplifier virtually created on Antony ’s kitchen table, Musical Fidelity has grown to its current status. One of the worlds most highly acclaimed, pre eminent designers and manufacturers of innovative, specialist audio designs.Musical Fidelity pay fastidious attention to research, development and detail in the three key areas they have discovered to be of utmost importance. Components, circuit design and printed circuit board layout. These factors combined with forward thinking inventiveness, creativity and manufacturing efficiency, define their ability to continuously lead the market with award winning successful models.Musical Fidelity provide components that offer superlative build quality and performance at a price that other specialist manufacturers can only dream of achievingThe Musical Fidelity products shown on our website are only a small selection of what's available, if you are interested in a Musical Fidelity product other than those shown on our website: Mail Us |
© 2004-2012 Solid State Audio |
Musical Fidelity M3i |
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Musical Fidelity M3i - integrated amplifierThe M3i integrated amplifier uses similar drive circuitry to our most expensive amplifiers. This may sound incredible to you, but please let us explain how it makes perfect sense. A power amplifier, for example our ‘monster’ Titan, is made up of a driver circuit, output stage and power supply. The critical part of any amplifier’s design is the drive circuitry. If this is not right, then no amount of huge output stage or power supply will compensate. On the other hand, if you get the driver circuit right, and by this we mean both its circuit design and printed circuit board layout, then it becomes much easier to select the output power and put the amplifier together. It is not as simple as that, of course, but the point is, the drive circuit is the starting point. Once you have designed an incredible amp like the Titan (as we have), then it is a simple matter to take its driver circuit and use it in different applications. We are utterly committed to giving maximum value for money, so for us the only sensible thing to do is use our best possible driver circuit wherever we can. Hence you will find inside the M3i Integrated a driver circuit that was first developed to drive the Titan.The M3i integrated amplifier has low distortion, typically less than 0.02% from 20Hz to 20kHz. Most amp manufacturers do not bother to measure high frequency performance. They claim that because you cannot hear such high frequencies, the distortion and other artefacts are irrelevant. We could not disagree more strongly. We think that how much high frequency distortion an amp has reveals the inherent rightness (or wrongness) of the whole circuit design and printed circuit board layout. Driving loudspeakers is demanding for any amp, and we believe that very low distortion into a wide range of loads over a very wide frequency range is the basis for a proper design. The M3i delivers 76 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 137 watts into 4 ohms, a near-perfect result that shows that the M3i will perform well even when driving power hungry loudspeakers.The M3i has a Class A preamp with its own, independent power supply with separate transformer windings. It is, in effect, a separate Class A preamp with a stereo power amp, in a single elegant package. We have engineered the M3i to be as smooth and seamless in operation as possible. For example, it has ultra low noise silent switching, perfect volume control matching even at very low levels, and outstanding power amp stability margins. The M3i may be modest in price, but it achieves huge ambitions and offers true high-end performance.Specifications:
Finishes available: Black or Silver
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 1099,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
Musical Fidelity M6i |
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Musical Fidelity M6i - integrated amplifierThe new M6i integrated amp is designed to give great sonic and technical performance. Its design and build quality are excellent. Internally the M6i is actually a separate preamp with two monobloc power amps. The M6i has one huge mains transformer which gives entirely separate outputs for left and right power amps and preamps. Even though the M6i is a one box solution it’s actually a set of discreet monobloc power amps with a separate preamp in one sleek package.Due to its excellent practical linearity, low distortion and excellent load driving ability the M6i can be paired with any loudspeaker. It’s extremely quiet so high sensitivity loudspeakers are fine but at the same time it’s very powerful so lower sensitivity speakers present no problem.The M6i’s sound is calm and unruffled. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease. Quiet passages are sweet and warm. The overall picture the M6i delivers is natural and uncoloured. We have tried to make the build quality as good as possible. The front panel is beautifully finished. The knobs and buttons are machined from solid aluminium, the badge is from medical grade stainless steel. The heatsinks are fine line finished custom made extrusions. For most people for most of the time the M6i is the perfect companion for music.Specifications:
Finishes available: Black or Silver
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 2109,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
Musical Fidelity M6 500i |
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Musical Fidelity M6 500i - integrated amplifierIn 1990, Musical Fidelity made the first ever Super Integrated amplifier: the A1000. This received a rapturous welcome and, even today, is selling at high prices second hand. The A1000 was the first of a long line of Super Integrateds from Musical Fidelity. The New Vista M3 , Tri Vista 300 and kW500, all were well received. The M6 500i is the latest and the best of the breed. The M6 500i is a separate preamp with two monobloc power amps sharing a common chassis. Each has its own heat sink and separate transformer. Genuinely dual mono. The preamp has its own separate power supply winding. The preamp input sockets are connected directly to the main preamp PCB. There are no wire connections from the inputs to the preamp. Consequently, PCB tracks are very short. This elegant idea ensures that both channels signals are ultra low impedance from the instant they get into the amplifier. This is a significant detail. Each channel has twelve big bipolar transistors. 200 amps peak to peak is easily available.The metalwork is high quality. The front panel is a custom made fine line extrusion of milspec aluminium. The custom made heat sinks have outstanding dissipation characteristic and finish. The M6 500i construction has the feeling of solidity and quality.The M6 500i delivers 500 + 500 wpc into 8 ohms. It is extremely stable and very linear. The distortion is low too; about 0.008% @ 1 kHz and @ 20 kHz it is 0.015%. More significant, perhaps, is the very low distortion at ultra-high frequencies: @ 30 kHz, it is 0.02% and @ 50 kHz it is 0.02%. The M6 500i has remarkable linearity and consistency. It is unconditionally stable and will drive any loudspeaker in existence easily with ample power reserve.In our view an amplifier should be completely neutral. It is ‘a straight wire with gain’. Easy to say but hard and complex to do. We want to stress that we do not believe that the technical performance is an end in itself. It is a method of validating the total amplifier system concept. We believe that outstanding technical performance is the key to a neutral, faithful and musical sound. The aim of our circuit/PCB designs is to achieve complete neutrality and transparency. The proof that we are on the right track is the technical performance. We strongly disagree with the idea that inferior technical performance can ever be neutral or faithful. We think that technical performance cannot be summed up by the distortion @ 1 kHz. Our view is that an amplifier has to be able to satisfy a wide range of technical requirements before it can be neutral.Almost all loudspeakers have complex impedance and loading curves. An amplifier must be able to maintain its voltage virtually, regardless of loading. If an amplifier cannot maintain its voltage across the spectrum, then the ultimate frequency response and distortion will be non linear. This is not neutrality. The overwhelming majority of amplifier manufacturers only talk about distortion at 1 kHz. We believe that this is only a fraction of the story. From our perspective, an amplifier must have very low distortion from 20 Hz – 20 kHz and beyond. We believe that an amplifier’s VHF performance proves the total performance of the circuit and PCB layout. The M6 500i’s distortion hardly changes from 10 kHz to 50 kHz. An outstanding achievement and validation of the circuit design and PCB layout.Amplifiers should be quiet. If they are not low level detail is irretrievably lost. Also, the dynamic range is seriously compromised. Dynamic range is not just how much power an amplifier will produce, it is also how quiet it can be. Dynamic range is the total from the quietest to the loudest. The M6 500i excels in this respect. The M6 500i has a precision digital volume control. This ensures perfect tracking right down to very low level. This outstanding precision is achieved by laser trimmed substrate resistors. When the M6 500i is switched off, it will remember the previous volume control setting. It will be the same for the next listening session. The M6 500i is effortless, fluid and dynamic. It doesn’t sound ‘loud’. It just sounds right. The dynamics are handled with no drama or fuss. They come and they go. There is no distortion; just pure undiluted music. We have tried our best to make the M6 500i as good as possible. It has huge reserve power, very low distortion, excellent linearity, good build quality and aesthetics.Specifications:
Finishes available: Black or Silver
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 4399,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
Musical Fidelity AMS 35i |
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Musical Fidelity AMS 35i - integrated amplifierThe new M6i integrated amp is designed to give great sonic and technical performance. Its design and build quality are excellent. Internally the M6i is actually a separate preamp with two monobloc power amps. The M6i has one huge mains transformer which gives entirely separate outputs for left and right power amps and preamps. Even though the M6i is a one box solution it’s actually a set of discreet monobloc power amps with a separate preamp in one sleek package.Due to its excellent practical linearity, low distortion and excellent load driving ability the M6i can be paired with any loudspeaker. It’s extremely quiet so high sensitivity loudspeakers are fine but at the same time it’s very powerful so lower sensitivity speakers present no problem.The M6i’s sound is calm and unruffled. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease. Quiet passages are sweet and warm. The overall picture the M6i delivers is natural and uncoloured. We have tried to make the build quality as good as possible. The front panel is beautifully finished. The knobs and buttons are machined from solid aluminium, the badge is from medical grade stainless steel. The heatsinks are fine line finished custom made extrusions. For most people for most of the time the M6i is the perfect companion for music.Specifications:
Finishes available: Black or Silver
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 6599,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
Musical Fidelity M6 PRE |
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Musical Fidelity M6 PRE - pre-amplifierThe M6PRE fully balanced preamp is genuinely fully balanced; from beginning to end. Many preamps claim to be balanced but in fact are single ended preamps with balanced inputs and balanced outputs. Unlike them, the M6PRE is the real deal. Its pure Class A circuitry produces very low distortion, minimal phase shift, low noise and excellent linearity. The low impedance output stages (both single ended and full balanced) will drive any power amp through any conceivable length of cable.The M6PRE fully balanced preamp has a wide range of inputs; two balanced inputs, phono MM/MC, four line inputs (one with HT bypass) and digital USB2. The M6PRE fully balanced preamp is the epitome of Musical Fidelity design; superlative technical performance, great flexibility, excellent build quality, beautiful visuals and excellent value for money.Specifications:
Finishes available: Black or Silver
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 1759,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
Musical Fidelity AMS Primo |
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Musical Fidelity AMS Primo - pre-amplifierThe Primo Preamp is the best, most exotic high performance preamp that we know how to make. We have been developing the Primo for the last twelve years. The Primo is a zero feedback, pure Class A triode, fully balanced design with superlative technical performance. Considering that the Primo has no overall feedback its distortion is low at 0.0035% from 10Hz to 50kHz. Its noise ratio of -119dBA is equally exceptional. And then you realize this is done with tubes and zero feedback. It’s quite something. The Primo’s 14 tubes are not just for show. As a result it achieves remarkable technical performance. There is a striking consistency between all Primos. The audible effects of tube ageing are dramatically reduced and tube life greatly increased.We’ve tried our best to make the best preamp possible and that is the Primo. Sound quality is always difficult to talk about because it’s a matter of opinion. The immediate impression of the Primo’s sound is a free, open quality with a huge, wide, deep image. The music seems to come from a black velvet background and dynamics are delivered incredibly quickly. More important, perhaps, there’s no overhang after dynamics. They’re there and then they’ve gone. In a way small dynamics convey more of a sense of reality than big slam ones. The Primo excels in this area. Coupled with the exquisite sweet sound is the sense of speed and instantaneous realism that marks out true high end.We have spared no expense or effort to make the Primo as beautiful and well made as possible. The front panel is machined from solid milspec aluminium billet. It’s badges are made from medical grade stainless steel. The top and sides are machined from solid aluminium and finished to a high standard. We’ve tried our best to make the Primo not only beautiful but also timeless. Even the remote control is extra special. It is machined from a solid billet of aluminium. All the push buttons are also turned from solid aluminium. The price! The Primo is not cheap but there again it isn’t crazily expensive. It is the best preamp that we at Musical Fidelity know how to make. Even if you’re never going to buy one we suggest that you have a good listen it’s really special.Specifications: |
Musical Fidelity M6 PRX |
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Musical Fidelity M6 PRX - power amplifierThe M6PRX dual mono power amp is a tour de force. Behind its classically simple, elegant design lurks a real hi-fi “big beast”. The M6PRX uses Musical Fidelity’s exclusive dual mono, fully complementary, bifilar choke regulation system. Choke regulation is a concept from tube amplifier days which, with the exception of Musical Fidelity, has never been used with transistor amplifiers. Choke regulation offers huge power supply benefits; dramatic reduction in “saw tooth” power supply noise and an effective mains noise filtration system. The dual mono, bifilar choke regulation system is unique to Musical Fidelity. We have been using this technology since 1987.The M6’s circuitry is based on our Titan monster amp. It has 8 output transistors per channel. Its technical performance is beyond most other power amps available, regardless of price. Extremely low wide band distortion, low output impedance, outstanding load driving characteristics, enormous stability margins and very high peak current delivery mark the M6PRX dual mono power amp as something really special.The sound is effortless, detailed and fast. Yet there is no grain or harshness. Transients are delivered with their full force but, perhaps more importantly, the recovery is virtually instantaneous. The M6PRX dual mono power amp may be relatively modestly priced and in a modest looking package, but it has the heart of a lion. It is the ultimate expression of our art.Specifications: |
Musical Fidelity AMS 35P |
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Musical Fidelity AMS 35P - power amplifierThe AMS35p 35wpc pure Class A power amp has outstandingly beautiful sound quality. It has excellent technical performance with very low distortion and noise. High current delivery and outstanding stability means that the AMS35p can drive any loudspeaker comfortably. The AMS35p’s relatively compact dimensions, beautiful design and fabulous finish just complete the total package.The AMS35p is not cheap but, in musical terms, gives outstanding value for money.Specifications: |
Musical Fidelity AMS 50 |
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Musical Fidelity AMS 50 - power amplifierThe AMS50 is state-of-the-art pure Class A dual mono power amp. It has a unique double fully complimentary balanced bridge circuit. This unique circuit configuration gives extraordinary technical and sonic performance. Wide band distortion is typically below 0.005%. Frequency response is ruler flat. Load driving ability and stability margins are outstanding. Sonically the AMS50 has a sweet, clear tactile sound which takes you ever closer to the heart of the music.When the AMS50 is paired with a Primo the sonic results are jaw-dropping.Specifications: |
Musical Fidelity AMS 100 |
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Musical Fidelity AMS 100 - power amplifierThe AMS100 is the most advanced pure Class A amplifier ever made. I know that this is a sweeping and powerful statement, but it is true. As far as I know the AMS50 is the first ever 50 watt pure Class A bridged amplifier. There are many advantages to a bridged amplifier; lower distortion and huge power supply noise rejection. These advantages are even more significant in a pure Class A configuration. The AMS100 has the same basic circuit as the AMS50 but even more of it. In fact the AMS100 has precisely the same circuitry and number of output transistors as our monster Titan.The AMS100 circuit configuration is unique and delivers excellent technical performance and a beautiful sound. Power supply configuration is usually the “poor relation” in amplifier design. Normally huge effort is put into the circuit and layout but the PSU configuration is taken for granted. Not so for the AMS100! Pure Class A amplifiers draw enormous current. This exposes any deficiencies in power supply design. The AMS100 has a unique, never done before in the history of hi-fi, power supply design. Below are some circuit illustrations which show the major differences between the AMS100 and any other amplifier.The AMS100 has extraordinary technical performance. Ultra low distortion from 20Hz to 20kHz. At normal listening levels the ultra-low distortion is consistent right up to 50kHz. The AMS100 is the technological tour de force. More important is its sound. The AMS100 has a clean sweet open sound. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease. Bottom end extension seems limitless. And yet the whole sound is tight and cohesive. The AMS100 realises the full true potential of pure Class A sound. It is expensive, it’s huge, it’s heavy and it sounds like heaven. The AMS100 has been designed for an elite band of audiophile purists who want the ultimate Class A amplifier ever made. We don’t expect to sell many. Those lucky few who get their hands on one will be fulfilled.Specifications:Finishes available: Black
12 months limited SSA warranty Price incl. VAT (excl. shipping costs) € 14299,-
Musical Fidelity website: http://www.musicalfidelity.com |
