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Musical Fidelity M8xi

I’ve come across one of these, new, at a great deal. Did a demo listen tonight. Was pretty impressed. Super current. Bass slams. More transparent than I was expecting. Tons of current so basically it’s effortless in driving any speaker.  I’d be replacing my Hegel 390(which I love). Anyone who owns one of these have any feedback you’d like to share?

rjduncan
soix
11,233 posts
 

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. 

rjduncan OP
61 posts
 

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.

 

rjduncan OP
61 posts
 

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. 

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,920 posts
 

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.

this makes perfect sense

both amps will soundstage very well if other system parameters are correct

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