Normal or Abnormal?

I actually buy their answer. It's very difficult to put into words what something sounds like. A bad pot sounds like a crunchy type of static. It can be very faint, or very loud, and its not always consistent. After reading through the posts, it looks like we're not dealing with that type of noise.

As far as MF being made in Asia, I understand the concern (And a valid one, in my opinion). I used to have an A5 myself and it seemed to be very well made I had no issues with its build quality.

More specifically, I believe the unit is made in Taiwan. From what I understand it is "designed" in the UK. Also, given MFs response that at least in the case of the volume control the part is from Texas Instruments, it is likely if the unit were completely dissected the parts would be from throughout the globe. It's conceivable that even McIntosh sources some of their parts from Asia and places outside the US. I suspect in the case of MF the unit is manufactured in Taiwan because of lower cost to so. I knew upon purchasing the unit - 2000 less than a comparable Krell and 3500 less than a comparable McIntosh - that there has to be a "reason" for the lower cost. I can tell you that upon listening in side-by-side comparisons to those units I wasn't able to hear any difference. I was able to hear a difference when I put my Carver into the mix. Thanks to everyone on this thread for their meaningful, supportive and knowledgeable feedback.

I just bought and am breaking in a M6si. No static when changing volume and it is made in Taiwan.