Naim Nait XS vs. Musical Fidelity M6i

[CasualKiller]

Been saving up for an integrated amplifier, about halfway to my target budget. Looking for advice from people who have either heard or owned either of the amps I mentioned. Open to suggestions on other brands as long as they meet the following:

-HT bypass
-Powerful, I don't want to be looking for another one if/when I upgrade speakers
-3000.00 budget MAX (So no VAC Avatar for me )

One thing I'm nervous about with the XS is every review I read says it excels musically but is wanting in the low end when it comes to HT use. As for the Musical Fidelity I read nothing but good things but no one really addresses the HT functionality.

Mostly looking for pros / cons , ideas to mull over etc. Thanks guys.

[FreddieFerric]

Hi CK! A tall order indeed. I haven't any experience with either of those amps but I've read that Musical Fidelity amps usually have a broad power band. I was daydreaming the other day over on the Luxman site. Check out this sweet budget buster. Has an HT bypass to boot! http://www.onahighernote.com/luxman/?c=5&id=45

[rded]

Hey CK,

Gosh I wish I can help you here but I have not really heard the Nait XS and any of the musical fidelity IAs. My experience is limited to the Nait 5i and the Supernait. Being familiar with quite a few Naim products, I would have to say that their gear eats, sleeps and drinks musicality. It's engaging and has that toe tapping approach and attack and oozes PRAT(Pace Rhythm And Timing). If anything it is safe to say, Naim integrated amps have no shortage in the umph and slam so I wouldn't worry too much about the "alleged" limitation in the low end for HT application. Truth be told, their entry level Nait 5i was able to power a pair Dynaudio Sapphires with relative ease and maintained it's musicality even at ear bleeding levels- all that at 50wpc

Have you heard the Nait XS? And may I ask which review of the XS had stated the limitation you are worried about.

[CasualKiller]

The only real criticism we can aim at the XS is a slight lack of control at the very bottom of the frequency range. Where something like the Roksan Caspian M-Series keeps its bass delivery tight, right down to the almost sub-sonic depths of The Dark Knight soundtrack, the Naim loosens its grip just a little too much.

Was from here, read something similar on another hi-fi review site but can't find it now:

XS Review

[rded]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Was from here, read something similar on another hi-fi review site but can't find it now:

XS Review

Whathifi, that's what I thought! It's got a 5 star rating doesn't it? They're probably talking about a song which drops to 16-17hz. I mean c'mon... it's an integrated amp and only(haha) 60wpc. OTOH, if you're a regular reader of whathifi, they have been on Cyrus kick as of late as they haven't met a Cyrus product they don't like.

Only way to find out if it fits the bill and your listening taste is to give it a listen.

[Simpatico]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Been saving up for an integrated amplifier, about halfway to my target budget. Looking for advice from people who have either heard or owned either of the amps I mentioned.

Hi,

I had a Nait XS and owning a M6i right now. They are both great and excel in musicality. The XS has more attack, punch and rhytmic precision, sounds great with all kind of music. The M6i is a smoother, much more relaxed sounding amp, with powerfull bass and a sweet top end, but lacks a bit of excitement when listening to uptempo music - complete antithesis of the hyped Cyrus amps (which I also owned for a few months). It may not impress on a short demo, but give it a few days and you will admire its silky smooth, "organic" presentation, especially with vocals. And do not forget that it has the power to stay relaxed regardless the volume level and the speakers it drives. It makes you listen whole albums instead of just tracks and that is what I want from a hi-fi gear.