M3i (DISCONTINUED) - Design and Build

The M3i takes core design and technology cues from its sibling amplifiers higher up the Musical Fidelity range.

It is similarly styled to the M6 range, using a slimmer chassis but keeping premium touches such as a solid metal volume control and front-fascia buttons. It's a perfect visual and technical match for the M3CD player; both components can even be controlled from a single remote handset.

Inside the M3i you will find a driver circuit that was first developed for our flagship Titan power amplifier. This configuration – both the circuit design and the printed circuit board layout – is the critical part of any amp; if the drive circuitry is sub-optimal, no spec of output stage or power supply can compensate.

Using our best-possible circuitry gives the M3i the perfect foundation, to which we've applied further performance-boosting engineering. The pre-amp and power-amp sections have their own independent power supplies, with separate transformer windings. In effect, they're acting like an advanced pre/power amp pairing within one box.

We have designed the M3i to be as smooth and seamless to use as possible. For example, it has ultra-low-noise switching, perfect volume-control matching – even at low listening levels – and outstanding power-amp stability margins. Distortion rates are impressively low, as is the signal-to-noise ratio.

These are all qualities typically found in far pricier products, and help the M3i deliver a convincing, detailed sound with plenty of dynamic range. There is the power and flexibility on offer to drive even demanding speakers.

It all adds up to an integrated amplifier that Hi-Fi Choice described in its review as "a very strong performer at the price point".