Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Stunning power across all seven channels with 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms
- Exceptional build quality and a robust chassis
- Operates silently with no fan noise
- High damping factor for excellent speaker control
- Offers comprehensive connectivity with RCA and balanced XLR inputs
Product Considerations
- Substantial weight (32.5kg)
- Significant power consumption
- Large form factor requires ample rack space
Takeaway:
The Musical Fidelity M6x 250.7 is a powerful and well-built amplifier perfect for serious home theater enthusiasts seeking reference-level performance. Designed to elevate any home theater experience, it features comprehensive connectivity and silent operation.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
M6x 250.7
reviews
[{"title":"Musical fidelity M6x 250.7 Multichannel Power Amp Review","link":"https://www.homecinemachoice.com/content/musical-fidelity-m6x-2507-multichannel-power-amp-review","source":"Home Cinema Choice","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Musical Fidelity M6X 250.7 Power Amplifier Review: A Masterclass in Home Theatre Amplification","link":"https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/blogs/reviews/musical-fidelity-m6x-250-7-power-amplifier-review-a-masterclass-in-home-theatre-amplification","source":"The Audio Tailor","datePublished":"2024"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Output Power: 7x 250W/4 ohms (Peak: 400W)
- THD+N: 0,003% at 100W power output
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz for 0,5dB
- SNR: 105dB at 1kHz at 200W power output
- Damping Factor: >300
- Crosstalk 20Hz - 20kHz: >80dB
- Input Sensitivity: 700mV at RCA input, 1,4V at XLR input
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 450 x 195 x 435mm
- Weight: 32,5kg (ca. 35kg incl. shipping carton)
- Max. Consumption: 2000W, <0.5W in standby
Description
The M6x 250.7 is a 7 channel class A/B power amplifier. The M6x 250.7 will take your home cinema to the next level.
For many people, the cinema is just a place with a big screen and expensive snacks - but there is more, which is usually not visible at all: The surround-sound-system. It all started with a simple three speaker setup in the 1980s and evolved to object based systems with up to 20 speakers. With the new M6x 250.7 you can easily create a powerful 7.1 home cinema setup (your active subwoofer is powered separately). You can connect your preamplifier/AV processor with either RCA or fully balanced XLR cables. The XLR connection furthermore enhances the sound quality and keeps the signal transmission clean.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- They place a significant emphasis on achieving a distinctive, energetic sound, even at the expense of absolute neutrality, leading to a more engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
- Musical Fidelity often integrates advanced features, like sophisticated equalization or balanced inputs/outputs, into their designs to enhance versatility and cater to audiophiles' evolving needs.
Select products
Select product comparisons
V90-BHA
- Positioning: The entry-level balanced headphone amplifier in Musical Fidelity's lineup.
- Description: Offers excellent sound quality with balanced audio technology. Features balanced XLR inputs and outputs, which minimize noise and interference, providing a cleaner sound. This makes it ideal for users with a limited budget who want to enhance their headphone listening experience.
M2si
- Positioning: An affordable integrated amplifier designed for audiophiles seeking high-quality sound without extra features.
- Description: Delivers a pure and dynamic sound, drawing on technology from Musical Fidelity's premium models. Stands out with its fully discrete power amplifier and independent power supplies, offering a performance akin to a pre/power configuration in a single unit.
M8xi
- Positioning: A super integrated amplifier, positioned as a high-performance model in the M8 series.
- Description: Known for its powerful and articulate sound, featuring dual mono power amps and a high-quality DAC. It offers significant power output and low distortion. Provides extensive connectivity options, including digital inputs, catering to users with diverse system compatibility needs.
Nu-Vista 800.2
- Positioning: The flagship integrated amplifier in the Nu-Vista series, representing the pinnacle of Musical Fidelity's offerings.
- Description: Combines the unique Nu-Vista tube technology with modern design, delivering an exceptionally smooth and powerful sound. Features dual mono power amps and a locally decoupled output stage, providing remarkable stability and control over any loudspeaker.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
92
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
42
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
52
Founding Year
1982
Our take on the brand
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
Musical Fidelity (like other Audio Tuning brands) is structured in a pretty traditional way, whereby support and advice are best administered on a local level. Of course, they have a technical team positioned at HQ to help all their partners around the world, and in some more extreme cases you may need to be put straight through to this team. But it's the job of the distributor to support the territory in the best way it can.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
I can tell you this, as we've done this recently for others. These are personal choices:
Simon Quarry – the chief designer – selected these three.
- Low Desert Punk – Brant Bjork
- Moon Love – Electric Moon
- Psychic Chasm – Ozric Tentacles
Heinz Lichtenegger – the brand owner – selected these two:
- Tosca – Puccini, Leontyne Price, Di Stefano, Taddei / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1963)
- Don Juan – Richard Strauss, Tod und Verklaerung, Also Sprach Zarathustra / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1960)
What other products pair best with yours?
This is a tough one! Partly because of the diverse range of products on offer from Musical Fidelity. For example, with the A1, we have a lot of success pairing this amp with Klipsch Heresy or Forte IV – but in smaller rooms, our own-brand LS3/5A are a wonderful choice. For Nu-Vista, we pair very nicely with Piega – which requires some deeper power reserves to really get going. So I would say it's very difficult to pair the sonic ID with one brand in particular. Musical Fidelity pairs pretty nicely with a wide range of products, giving customers a great degree of choice.
From our interview with
Simon Powell
.
Brand Page
Used
Musical Fidelity
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Musical Fidelity
M6x 250.11
5249
5249
/
2
Reviews
For many people, the cinema is just a place with a big screen and expensive snacks - but there is more, which is usually not visible at all: The surround-sound-system. It all started with a simple three speaker setup in the 1980s and evolved to object based systems with up to 20 speakers. With the M6x 250.11 you can easily create a Dolby Atmos home cinema setup (your active subwoofer is powered separately). You can connect your preamplifier/AV processor with either RCA or fully balanced XLR cables. The XLR connection furthermore enhances the sound quality and keeps the signal transmission clean.
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Expand Details
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Exceptional home cinema sound with clarity, depth, and power
- Handles high-quality music playback, potentially eliminating the need for a separate stereo amplifier
- Delivers an astounding 250W per channel in its main channels and 150W for effects channels
- Ensures a cohesive soundstage
- Features balanced XLR inputs for optimal signal integrity
Product Considerations
- Substantial weight at 35.5kg
- Significant power consumption
- Large form factor requires adequate rack space
Takeaway: The Musical Fidelity M6x 250.11 delivers exceptional power and clarity for both home cinema and music, ensuring a high-quality audio experience. It's a great choice for those wanting a long-term, high-end audio solution with flexible configuration options.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Product Page
Product Page
Primare
A35.8
5247
5247
/
8
Reviews
The A35.8 is Primare’s most powerful and flexible multi-channel amplifier, designed to serve the needs of virtually any high-performance multi-channel system through its ability for each pair of channels to be bridged to mono for an incredible level of power delivery and system building options, including 1500 watts of total output in a fully bridged bi-amped stereo configuration. Shipping June 2022!
Primare is a Scandinavian hifi brand whose UFPD 2 Amplification technology provides a consistent 26dB feedback loop gain across the entire audio range, making their amplifiers exceptionally stable and accurate. Their modular design approach lets users customize their systems by adding or upgrading components like DACs and network modules.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The A35.8 provides eight channels of 'unimpeachable Class D power in a fairly compact and very flexible package'
- Flexible configuration options for power output to speakers are available, such as bi-amping and bridging
- Each stereo pair can be bridged separately to make four times 375 watts (8 Ohms) from the eight times 150 watts
- Fault-free sound quality
- High quality fit and finish
- The A35.8 offers flexible connectivity options
Product Considerations
- The 20-amp power inlet is the seldom-seen variety with three horizontal blades
- The speaker output posts are spaced too widely for dual-banana plugs
- Cabling can be tricky
- A high current power cord is needed
- Lower gain is present, though this doesn't necessarily need to be an issue
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs NAD M28, the A35.8 gets you one more channel and more versatility for a 10% price increase
- Vs Benchmark AHB2, the Benchmark presented a more neutral tonal balance and undistorted soundstage
- Vs NAD C 298 stereo amplifiers, the Primare seemed slightly more forward, often conveying an appealing liveliness
Takeaway: The A35.8 power amplifier is a flexible and versatile product worth considering for anyone seeking a high-quality multi-channel setup. Its ability to bridge channels offers many ways to configure your speaker system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Primare is a Scandinavian hifi brand whose UFPD 2 Amplification technology provides a consistent 26dB feedback loop gain across the entire audio range, making their amplifiers exceptionally stable and accurate. Their modular design approach lets users customize their systems by adding or upgrading components like DACs and network modules.
Product Page
Product Page
.png){kind=small}
EAR Yoshino
EAR 890
6351
6351
/
5
Reviews
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The EAR 890 produces 70Wpc in stereo, and can be bridged to 140W in monoblock
- Neutral sound that gets out of the way and lets the user enjoy the music
- Complex and dense music textures are handled with ease, and dynamically demanding passages are sailed through
- Articulate midrange
- Detailed and realistic bass
Product Considerations
- Removing/installing tube cages is difficult and time-consuming
- The loudspeaker binding posts are positioned too close to the output transformers, making it hard to tighten them properly
- Some assembly work appeared amateurish, specifically the use of silicone in various locations, such as fastening chassis wires
- The amplifier can operate quite hot
- May not have as much bass impact compared to solid state amps
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The EAR 890 monoblocks achieve SET-like definition along with the authority and swagger necessary for most full-size speaker systems, when compared to Cary Audio 300B SET amps
- The EAR 890 is as textured as the top LAMM designs, but with noticeably better neutrality and more power
- The EAR 890 surpassed the deHavilland KE50As with a more articulate midrange, producing more color and separation in the microtones of instruments
Takeaway: The EAR 890 is easy to set up and sounds good with very little tweaking, making it easy to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. It's a good choice for people who want a tube amp that is both musical and powerful for their home listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
Product Page
Product Page
Parasound
Halo A51
5749
5749
/
5
Reviews
Parasound amplifiers are a favorite among hi-fi dealers because they offer a ton of power and performance without hitting crazy price levels. Designed by John Curl, their hifi and home theater amps are known for clean, neutral sound and an ability to power just about any system with ease. Sure, you can find better amps, but they come with serious diminishing returns. For a lot of people, Parasound hits that sweet spot where you feel like you’ve reached the endgame without spending a fortune.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers amazing quality of sound and detail
- Bulletproof amplification
- Has a rhythmically soulful sound with a tremendously rich and natural midrange
- The A51's bass is well-defined, extremely textured, and robust
- With 250 watts on tap, the Parasound A51 will power virtually anything
Product Considerations
- Due to its class A/AB design, the A51 does get a bit warm and should be installed in a properly ventilated space and/or rack
- The A51 is large and heavy, and is best moved and/or positioned by two people
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Rotel, the Rotel makes the M&K Sound system slightly bright with a bit of sibilance, while the Parasound is more neutral
- Compared to Acurus A250, the Parasound had tighter bass, which is probably attributed to a better damping factor
Takeaway: The Parasound Halo A51 is a high-performance amplifier with great sound quality, detail, and build quality, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. Its ability to deliver power and control to speakers makes it a valuable addition to any high-end audio system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Parasound amplifiers are a favorite among hi-fi dealers because they offer a ton of power and performance without hitting crazy price levels. Designed by John Curl, their hifi and home theater amps are known for clean, neutral sound and an ability to power just about any system with ease. Sure, you can find better amps, but they come with serious diminishing returns. For a lot of people, Parasound hits that sweet spot where you feel like you’ve reached the endgame without spending a fortune.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Musical Fidelity
M6x 250.5
3275
/
Released
2023
The M6x 250.5 is a 5 channel class A/B power amplifier. You listen to CDs or stream music without picture, but have you ever watched a movie without sound? The sound of a movie carries a significant part to deliver emotions and tell stories. Silence is as important as bombastic loudness. Sound designers use sound effects, foleys and music to enhance your experience. A soundbar can never reproduce a real cinema feeling. The M6x 250.5 will take your home cinema to the next level.
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers an astounding 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms—peaking at 400W
- Features silent operation with passive cooling due to an innovative heat sink design
- Has outstanding build quality and exceptional signal-to-noise ratio
- Delivers a visceral performance and transports you inside any action movie in a realistic and immersive way
- Offers dual input options (XLR and RCA) and through outputs for flexible system configuration
Product Considerations
- Substantial weight—30.5kg
- Large form factor requires ample rack space
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The M6x is more refined and has more musicality than the Emotiva XPA, while the XPA has a slightly more reserve of power, and the M6x also has a cleaner noise floor compared to the XPA
- Using the M6x with the Marantz Cinema 40 creates a 'day and night difference' and a huge improvement
Takeaway: The M6x 250.5 is a powerhouse for home cinema that delivers impressive power and a refined, musical sound. It's great for anyone looking to take their surround sound experience to the next level with a more realistic and natural sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Product Page
Product Page
NAD
M23
3749
/
Released
2022
Building on NAD's long tradition of identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology, the M23 HybridDigital Stereo Power Amplifier features Purifi Audio's Eigentakt™ design, a once-in-a-decade innovation that virtually eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion. Noise is inaudible, for a completely black background and exquisite micro-detail. Conservatively rated at 2x200W continuous into 8 ohms and 2x380W into 4 ohms, the M23 can deliver live performance levels through any loudspeaker.
NAD Electronics pioneered affordable hifi equipment by focusing on essential features for good sound, with their classic NAD 3020 becoming the best-selling hifi amplifier in history. Their Masters Series features DirectDigital technology, the world's first closed-loop digital amplification that corrects output every 10 nanoseconds.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The M23's build quality feels solid and elegant, with impressive small design details
- The sound is striking in its purity and clarity
- It offers up to three levels of gain, switchable on the back panel, to best fit the system
- It provides a clear sound without sounding hard
- It features Purifi Eigentakt Class D amplification, which provides virtually unmeasurable distortion levels
Product Considerations
- The bass is clean but may be perceived as a little on the cool side and not as 'wompy-sounding'
- The M23 is not a forgiving amplifier that makes everything sound sweet and wonderful—it's not for those seeking a soft and mellow sound
- Bridging with speakers below 5 or 6 ohms is not recommended, as the amp will current limit and potentially shut down
- The reviewer found ergonomical challenges using fancy speaker cables in bridged mode due to wide terminal spacing
- The capacitive touch power button can accidentally trigger
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bel Canto C6i: The M23 offered a layer of refinement and better reproduction of the recording space
- Vs Pass XA25: The M23 had more transparent sound and detail, especially in the treble and upper mids, but lacked the organic quality of the XA25
- Vs HiFi Rose RS 520: The M23 sounded cleaner and had better separation/depth, HiFi Rose seemed to have an EQ built-in, emphasizing midrange and bass
- Vs NAD C298: The M23 is more neutral, deals with decay more naturally, and has better casework, making it look high-end
- Vs Anthem M1 monoblock amplifiers: The M23 was slightly more transparent throughout the entire frequency range
- Vs Bryston 4B 3: The Bryston had more grunt but the M23 is more neutral
Takeaway: The NAD M23 is a powerful and precise amplifier that delivers clean and clear sound, making it a great choice for audiophiles who want to hear their music as accurately as possible. It is especially well-suited for those looking to build a high-end system around a quality preamp or DAC.
Video review
Our take on the brand
NAD Electronics pioneered affordable hifi equipment by focusing on essential features for good sound, with their classic NAD 3020 becoming the best-selling hifi amplifier in history. Their Masters Series features DirectDigital technology, the world's first closed-loop digital amplification that corrects output every 10 nanoseconds.
Product Page
Product Page
Parasound
Halo A52+
4199
/
Released
The Parasound A52+ is a versatile five-channel amplifier, delivering 180 watts per channel at 8 ohms. Its high-current design ensures powerful, clear sound, making it ideal for multi-room audio setups or home theaters. The A52+ combines power, efficiency, and precision to bring out the best in your speakers, whether used in stereo, multi-channel, or surround sound configurations.
Parasound amplifiers are a favorite among hi-fi dealers because they offer a ton of power and performance without hitting crazy price levels. Designed by John Curl, their hifi and home theater amps are known for clean, neutral sound and an ability to power just about any system with ease. Sure, you can find better amps, but they come with serious diminishing returns. For a lot of people, Parasound hits that sweet spot where you feel like you’ve reached the endgame without spending a fortune.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers ample, clean, and dynamic power to all channels, ensuring speakers reach their full potential
- Designed by John Curl, featuring Class A/AB circuitry for a balance of warmth, richness, efficiency, and punch
- Pleasing sound for dialogue and music, with very high-quality and detail
- Versatile, suitable for both movies and music, with a low noise floor for quiet passages and great transparency—that doesn't color the sound
- Built to last, with high-quality internal components
- Signal-sensing power-on mode can be fussy and may require adjustment
Product Considerations
- Super heavy and large, potentially requiring rearranging a system or dedicated rack space
- Only available in anodized black
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The A52 Plus has bigger parts and bigger power than the Outlaw Model 5000, including balanced XLR connections
- A52 Plus is the 'teenager' compared to the elder Parasound A51
- Parasound A52+ sounds better, is more accurate, and more powerful than the Denon receiver's amplifier section
Takeaway: The Parasound A52+ Halo is a versatile and powerful amplifier that delivers clean, dynamic sound for both home theater and music systems, with a build quality designed to last. This is a worthy investment for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who seek high-quality audio performance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Parasound amplifiers are a favorite among hi-fi dealers because they offer a ton of power and performance without hitting crazy price levels. Designed by John Curl, their hifi and home theater amps are known for clean, neutral sound and an ability to power just about any system with ease. Sure, you can find better amps, but they come with serious diminishing returns. For a lot of people, Parasound hits that sweet spot where you feel like you’ve reached the endgame without spending a fortune.
Product Page
Product Page
Orchard Audio
Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC 2.5
4249
/
Released
2021
The Starkrimson® Stereo Ultra DMC offers phenomenal sonic performance. Its advanced design and meticulous construction ensure exceptional clarity, power, and dynamic range. Experience the nuances of your favorite recordings with crystal clear detail and realism. A must-have for discerning audiophiles, and music lovers/enthusiasts seeking to elevate their musical experience.
Orchard Audio is a direct-to-consumer hifi brand that uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology in their Starkrimson amplifiers, which allows for faster switching and less distortion compared to traditional amplifiers. Their compact Starkrimson Mono amplifiers deliver 150 watts per channel with very low noise, and the company provides detailed specifications and measurements that are valued by the audiophile community.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptionally transparent sound output quality
- Exceptionally powerful, capable of outputting 500W into a 4-Ohm load
- Delivers a remarkably clean, transparent sound with very little noise or distortion
- The amplifier's ability to reproduce bass is awe-inspiring and delivers deep, powerful bass without distortion
- Runs cool and weighs very little for its sound output, making it easy to move around
Product Considerations
- Options can be a little pricy, such as the 12v trigger and RCA inputs
- The Starkrimson Stereo Ultra may lead to further system upgrades
- Depending on your sources, the Starkrimson Stereo Ultra will play exactly what you feed it, good or bad, and if your source components are slow, the Starkrimson Stereo Ultra will not speed them up
- Power on only after all connections are properly made, including the power cord, analog inputs, and speaker outputs, and wait five minutes after powering it off before removing any of the connections
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Krell S550i integrated amp, the Starkrimson Stereo Ultra showed a much faster and finer resolution of the upper frequencies of the human voice and a far greater ability to play more of the microdetails of a recording
Takeaway: The Starkrimson amplifier is well-built and provides a level of speed and transparency to hifi music that makes listening to music very fun. Its GaN modules can be upgraded and it is available in several configurations.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Orchard Audio is a direct-to-consumer hifi brand that uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology in their Starkrimson amplifiers, which allows for faster switching and less distortion compared to traditional amplifiers. Their compact Starkrimson Mono amplifiers deliver 150 watts per channel with very low noise, and the company provides detailed specifications and measurements that are valued by the audiophile community.
Product Page
Product Page
McIntosh
MHA200 (75th Anniversary Edition)
2800
/
Released
2021
The MHA200 Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier is designed for discerning headphone enthusiasts who demand the most from their headphones. Its versatile set of connectivity options, including balanced inputs and outputs, allows for nearly all headphone types to be connected to enjoy an extraordinary personal listening experience.
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- A lovely, lush sounding performance that's hard to dislike and sounds smooth but far from lifeless, delivering high levels of detail in a cohesive and musical manner
- A sympathetic performer, it prefers to play to its inferior partnering equipment's strengths than overly expose their weaknesses, as many hifi audio examples tend to do
- It can cater for a wide range of headphones and connections and it is a benchmark product that's highly recommended
- Zero musical flaws to report and is nearly perfect in execution
- A stunning design to the eye and ear, it is overall a wonderful addition for the perfectionist who wants the very best performance at home or even in the studio
Product Considerations
- The volume control operation lacks linearity, making it hard to make subtle changes in level
- No input selector, so one should only connect one type at once
- On some samples, the volume control is loose and wiggles in its chassis housing
- The octal AC socket is a bit of an odd choice, considering most users might prefer IEC
- The depth, snap and weight of the low end was dynamic and exciting on some recordings and less than stellar on others
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Musical Fidelity M1 HPA—the MHA200 has a lush warmness to the music that brings strings to life in a way that makes the M1 HPA sound somewhat sterile in comparison
- Vs EAR Yoshino HP-4 reference—the MHA200 was a touch brighter than the reference, though only slightly
Takeaway: The MHA200 is an enjoyable product with a rich, balanced, and powerful sound, that's more forgiving than most rivals and can be enjoyed for years to come. This headphone amp is perfect for personal listening, design, and operation that will work its magic.
Video review
Our take on the brand
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Amplifiers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
.png)
