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Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC and M1 PWR Review  Print E-mail
Home Theater Preamplifiers Stereo Preamps
Written by Andre Marc   
Friday, 18 May 2012
Article Index
Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC and M1 PWR Review 
Set Up and Listening
Conclusion
Page 3 of 3
 

Conclusion:

I think Musical Fidelity has engineered two great products here. As a matter of fact, I think the whole M1 series is a very smart line, offering an entry into true high-end sound for very fair prices. Not only that, but the products are cutting edge and well made. Nice form factors are a bonus.

Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC Silver

I found the CLiC amazingly easy to set up and navigate and, in fixed output mode, a superb sounding streamer and digital hub across all the inputs. The only input I did not explore was the back panel “adaptive” USB input since I just did not think plugging a computer into the CLiC was desirable. The free iDevice app worked like a charm and was a pleasure to use. As an analog preamplifier, the CLiC also shined. I thought it sounded at least as good as other preamps in its price point and is not in any way a compromise. The M1 PWR power amplifier delivers a clean sounding 60 wpc into 8 Ohms and was dead quiet, ran cool, and offered up nice three-dimensional sound beyond its $1299 price tag. The M1 CLiC and M1 PWR power amplifier are an excellent combination.  Add some nice speakers and you have a complete set up.

Musical Fidelity M1 PWR Silver

If you have ripped your CD collection, purchased downloaded music, and/or enjoy Internet radio, the CLiC has you covered. If you have analog sources like a tape deck or turntable/phono set up, no worries there. If you are the type of audiophile who has no interest in fiddling with a computer to enjoy your music collection, except for ripping and downloading, you have an elegant solution in the M1 CLiC/PWR combo. Highly recommended based on performance, value, and Musical Fidelity’s fine reputation.

 

Specifications

Musical Fidelity
US distributor: Tempo High Fidelity, LLC
P.O. Box 541443
Waltham, MA 02454
(617) 314-9296

Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC: $1999

  • Universal music controller
  • Low noise, low jitter, up to 24-bit 192 kHz, reclocking upsampling DAC
  • Seven digital inputs (see below)
  • Fixed and variable analog outputs (see below)
  • Ethernet connection
  • Built-in WiFi connectivity
  • Convenient front-panel USB connection
  • Full support of audio streaming and Internet radio
  • Front-panel menu control (color display)
  • Wireless remote control
  • Frigger output

Compatible Digital Formats

  • FLAC (up to 24-bit 192 kHz on wired LAN and up to 24-bit, 96 kHz on wireless LAN)
  • WMA/9 (up to 16-bit 48 kHz)
  • AAC, HE-AAC (up to 24-bit, 96 kHz)
  • LPCM (up to 24-bit, 192 kHz on wired LAN and up to 24-bit, 96 kHz on wireless LAN)
  • Ogg vorbis 1.0 (up to 16-bit, 32 kHz)
  • MP3 (up to 16-bit, 48 kHz)
  • Apple AIFF and Apple Lossless formats require use of Twonky media manager on NAS drive or PC/Mac


Digital Inputs

  • 2 x USB (iPod/iPhone input on the rear panel, memory stick, USB disc drive input on the front panel)
  • 2 x coax inputs (SP-DIF up to 24-bit 192 kHz)
  • Optical (up to 24-bit 192 kHz)
  • USB B BUS input for computer/PDA limited interface (32-48 kbps)
  • Network connection (Ethernet, WiFi)

Analog Connections

  • Three RCA analog inputs
  • Preamp out
  • Tape out

 

Musical Fidelity M1 PWR Amplifier: $1299

  • Power - 60 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
  • Dimensions - W 220mm x H 100mm x D 300mm

 

Review System 1

CD Transport: Musical Fidelity M1 CDT
Server: Squeezebox Touch w/ CIA VDC-SB power supply via Ethernet to MAC Mini w/ Western Digital & Seagateexternal drives.
DAC: Bryston BDA-1
Headphone Amp: Pro-Ject Head Box II
Headphones: Grado SR60
Preamp: Audio Research SP16
Amplifier: Audio Research VS55, Rogue Hydra
Speaker: Thiel CS2.4
Cables:  Stager Silver Solids, Kimber KCTG (IC), Transparent  MM2 Super (IC), Transparent Plus (Speaker) Acoustic Zen Tsunami II (AC),Transparent (AC).Shunyata Venom (AC) Element Cable Red Storm (Digital AC), DH Labs TosLink, DH Labs AES/EBU
Accessories: Symposium Rollerblocks, Shakti Stone, Audience Adept Response aR6 power conditioner,Salamander rack

Review System 2

CD Player: Marantz 5003
Music Server: Squeezebox Touch via Ethernet to MAC Mini w/ Western Digital & Seagate external drives.
DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC II
Integrated Amplifier: McIntosh  MA6600
Tape Deck: Revox A77
Speaker: Harbeth Compact 7ES3
Cables: Kimber Hero HB,  DH Labs White Lightning (IC),QED Genisis Silver Spiral (Speaker),PS Audio (AC), Pangea Audio (AC), DH Labs TosLink
Accessories: Cable Pro Noisetrapper, Sound Anchors Stands, Wiremold AC Strip

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