Description
M8 Xi integrated amplifier
In 1990, Musical Fidelity made the first ever Super Integrated amplifier: the A1000. lt received a rapturous welcome and, even today, second hand, is selling at high prices. The A1000 was the first of a long line of Super Integrated Amplifiers from Musical Fidelity. Its children: the NuVista M3, Tri Vista 300, kW500, M6/500i, NuVista 800 and NuVista 600 all were equally enthusiastically welcomed to the audiophile world. The M8xi is the latest and the best of the breed.
General Description
The M8xi 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 and is mounted close to the input sockets. Consequently, PCB tracks are very short. This elegant idea ensures that both channels signals are ultra low impedance 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 aluminum. The custom made heat sinks have outstanding dissipation characteristic and finish. The M8xi construction has the feeling of solidity and quality.
New Circuitry
Over the last 5 years our power amp circuitry has reached a high state of development. In our never ending quest for improving performance and customer value we have been looking for ways to improve our designs. One of the first directives was to keep the low feedback configuration unchanged .. continue with low feedback! The problem was how to improve efficiency and performance without affecting the sound quality. If I say so myself, I think we have come up with a brilliant solution. Our new M8xi power amp design gives higher power, lower distortion and better sound quality. Incredible but true. The output stage efficiency has been increased thus yielding about 10% more power for similar power supply voltage. More importantly the whole driver stage is pure Class A. We believe that this innovative approach has a substantial effect on the sound quality. The sound stage appears wider whilst the micro and macro dynamics have more impact. This effect is particularly noticeable on well recorded piano. I am sure you all know the piano is a percussive instrument but in truth this is rarely audible on most Hi Fi systems. Using an M8xi a piano's percussive nature becomes instantly obviously and jumps out of the loudspeaker. lt is a surprising and satisfying improvement to the sound quality. Vocals have more subtly, detail and presence. Large scale music has a depth, width and incredibly dynamic presentation. All in all the M8xi is a consummate all-rounder. Mostly it sounds like a small Class A amplifier with huge power.
Technical performance
The M8xi delivers 550 + 550wpc into 8 ohms. It is extremely stable and very linear. The distortion is low too; lower than 0.005% in the audible frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. The M8xi has remarkable linearity and consistency. lt is unconditionally stable and will drive any loudspeaker in existence easily with ample power reserve.
Our Approach to Technical Measurements
In our view an amplifier should be completely neutral. lt 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. lt is a method of validating the total amplifier system concept. The aim of our circuit/PCB designs is to have low feedback and achieve complete neutrality, transparency and great technical performance. The proof that we are on the right track is the technical performance. We think that technical performance cannot be summed up by the distortion at 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.
Linearity
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.
distortion
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 20Hz-20kHz and beyond. We believe that an amplifier's high frequency performance proves the total performance of the circuit and PCB layout. The M8xi distortion hardly changes from 10kHz to 50kHz. An outstanding achievement and validation of the circuit design and PCB layout.
Noise Ratio
Amplifiers should be quiet. lf 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 M8xi excels in this respect.
Precision Volume Control
The M8xi has a precision volume control. This ensures perfect tracking right down to very low level. This ensures perfect tracking right down to very low levels which is unattainable with standard potentiometers. This outstanding precision is achieved by laser trimmed substrate resistors.
sound quality
The M8xi is effortless, fluid and dynamic. lt doesn't sound ‚loud'. lt 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. lt sounds like a superb small Class A amplifier but with limitless headroom. Perfection!
amplifier
- Power Output (20Hz - 20kHz): 550 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (870W into 4 Ohms); Peak 1.6kW into 2 Ohms
- Maximum output voltage: 67 Volts RMS, 20Hz to 20kHz; onset of clipping (190 Volts peak-to-peak)
- THD+N: <0.004% typical, 20Hz to 20kHz (XLR)
- Signal/noise ratio: > 86dB ‚A'-weighted (XLR)
- Input impedance: 25KΩ (RCA), 50KΩ (XLR)
- Frequency response: +0, –1dB, 10Hz to 100kHz
- Maximum peak output current: 105 Amps
- Damping factor: 150
- Output devices: 3+3 pairs (bridged arrangement) per channel
Inputs (similar)
- 4 pairs line level RCA connectors
- 2 pairs line level XLR (balanced) connectors
Inputs (digital)
- 2x Coax S/PDIF up to 24 bit 192kHz
- 2x Optical S/PDIF up to 24-bit 96kHz
- 1x USB B Asynchronous USB up to 24 bit 192kHz
Outputs (analogue)
- 1 pair line level RCA fixed
- 1 pair RCA variable pre-out
- 1 pair line level XLR variable
Outputs (digital)
- 1x Coax S/PDIF up to 24 bit 192kHz
- 1x Optical S/PDIF up to 24-bit 96kHz
General
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 162 x 400mm
- Max. Consumption: 2000Watts
METODI DI PAGAMENTO
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Refund Policy
Return Policy
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Videosell guarantees the right to withdraw from the purchase agreement if the purchased goods are damaged during transport, do not conform to what is shown on the website, or if you are not fully satisfied with the purchased goods by sending a simple communication to that effect within 14 days from the date of receipt of the ordered goods (Legislative Decree 21/2014 - implementing Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights). We kindly request you to await confirmation of the return authorization and to send us the goods within an additional 14 days from such communication to servizioclienti@videosell.it.
To Whom It Applies
The Right of Withdrawal is governed by the Consumer Code and applies only to distance sales between the seller and non-professional private consumers. Therefore, if you are a VAT number or a company, you cannot avail yourself of the right of withdrawal. The right of withdrawal applies to customers who have received damaged goods upon prior communication within 14 days from receipt of the product and have requested the check reservation upon receipt of the item.
What It Entails
In accordance with the latest Italian legislation (Legislative Decree 21/2014 - implementing Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights), the consumer has the right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days from receiving the goods by returning the withdrawn item to BVM Computers srl. We will refund the price of the returned goods within 14 days upon approval of the return, which will be promptly communicated to the customer via email upon receipt of the shipment.
How to Apply
Before contacting Customer Service, it is advisable to have the order number available. Please send an email to servizioclienti@videosell.it stating your intention to exercise the right of withdrawal, indicating all the required details (your order number and which products are subject to withdrawal). After doing this, you must send everything back within an additional 14 days.
The right of withdrawal is, however, subject to the following conditions:
- The purchased item must be substantially intact.
- According to the law, shipping costs will be borne by the customer.
- Upon arrival at the warehouse, the goods will be examined for any damage or tampering (the substantial integrity of the returned item is an essential condition for exercising the right of withdrawal), so we recommend the utmost care in preparing the package, for example, using the original packaging.
How to Ship the Goods
After initiating the withdrawal procedure, it is necessary to take all necessary precautions to safeguard the goods from any damage. Ferramenta Carozzi reserves the right to refuse goods received in the event of non-compliance with the above-indicated procedure. Please ship the goods to the following address:
BVM Computers srl - Via Carlo Porta, 3, 20090 Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI)
ATTENTION: We recommend using a courier or another suitable means to enable shipment tracking. Please note that Videosell (BVM Computers srl) will not proceed with the refund of the goods subject to withdrawal unless the relevant delivery is received.
Refund Process
- In the case of payment by credit card, the refund will be made by crediting the same card within 15 days from the receipt of the goods, subject to the acceptability of the return.
- In the case of payment by bank transfer or cash on delivery, the refund will be made by bank transfer to the bank account to be communicated via email to servizioclienti@videosell.it within 15 days from the receipt of the goods, subject to the acceptability of the return.
- The refund amount will be reduced by administrative costs and any payment fees and shipping costs incurred at the time of purchase.