Musical Fidelity M8xi

I have done a little research on this.  The Musical Fidelity runs hotter and has a higher current rating.  Hegel uses a higher damping factor to drive less sensitive speakers.  

Wow.  Several days into my home demo and I've been thoroughly impressed by this amp.  Tight, extended base, sparkle on the high end (which I love) and mellow/rounded mids.  I've loved my Hegel 390, but this amp just brings my B&W 803Ns to life in a way that the Hegel doesn't.  I really do think this is also a system synergy thing in that my Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC, the M8xi and the B&W 803s just bring out the best in one other.  But my vinyl chain also sounds great (Avid Volvere, SME M2-9, Hana ML, Hegel V10).  Gonna give it another day, but pretty sure I'll be making the switch.

For another significant and relatively cost-effective upgrade you should consider adding a Denafrips Iris or Singxer SU6 DDC before your Pontus connected with i2S.  You could buy one used and easily resell if it doesn’t work out, but it will.  I didn’t even consider selling my Iris.  Congrats on the amp BTW. 

Thanks SOIX.  So to be clear, my Eversolo T8 steamer transport is connected to the Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC via I2S.  Which is better by far than USB or other digital.  Given that, not sure there would be a benefit with a DDC in the chain, but IDK.

So I ultimately opted to stay with the Hegel for now and send the Music Fidelity back. After monkeying around with speaker placement on the advice of a friend the Hegel soundstage got much deeper and with some different music it just sounded great. The MF didn’t really change. Both amps are great. But at the end of the day, the 390 was my choice.