Questions about Musical Fidelity M5si Integrated

Unfortunately, Musical Fidelity is making VERY difficult to get your pre-sale questions answered.   Their web site says for product support, "If this is the case we would always suggest that you contact your local Musical Fidelity Authorized dealer or distributor".  THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING.

In any case, please contact the Musical Fidelity retailer or Distributor need your location and ask them.  Hopefully, they will be able to answer your questions.  Please keep us posted.   

I sent your post to Focal Naim.  Please  see their response below:

”Dear sender

We confirm that we have received your email request and thank you for your business with Focal Naim. We are currently experiencing a heavy volume and back log of requests and as we work in order of reception. In the goal of respecting our first come first serve promise, we kindly ask to refrain from responding on top of your original submission in order to keep your place in queue. 

Thank you 

Focal Naim “

Yes, I got that exact same reply when I emailed Focal Naim. I did get another reply from someone the next day, telling me that she was forwarding my request to another department who could help me. But nothing so far and it’s been nearly 2 weeks now. I also emailed Musical Fidelity but no replies either. I have also called the Focal Naim USA phone number a few times and have not been able to speak with anyone, but have left a couple of messages. Despite the number being for a USA division, all of the messages, prompts, etc are in French, so I’m not really sure if I left a message with the right people or not. This seems like a pretty easy question to get answered from the manufacturer, but proving to be more like a major project.

I've also called a local authorized dealer, and they tell me that they're trying, but still have not had an answer for me.

Results from Perplexity AI:  “ Based on the search results provided, it appears that some users have reported issues with the HT bypass input on the Musical Fidelity M5SI integrated amplifier, such as crackling, fading in and out, and other noise problems. Here is a summary of the key points:

- The crackling and fading sound issues seem to occur when connecting the Denon AVR-X4500H receiver to the HT bypass input of the M5SI, but not when connecting other sources directly to the M5SI[1][2][3][4][5].

- Users have tried different RCA cables but the problem persists, suggesting it may be an issue with the M5SI or the connection between the two devices[1][3].

- Some users speculate the issue could be a fault in either the M5SI or the Denon AVR, but the exact cause is unclear[1][3].

- The problem appears to be isolated to the HT bypass input, as direct connections to the M5SI do not exhibit the same crackling and fading issues[1][2].

In summary, while the exact cause is uncertain, multiple users have reported problems with noise and signal issues when using the HT bypass input on the Musical Fidelity M5SI integrated amplifier, particularly when connecting it to a Denon AVR receiver. The issue seems to be isolated to the HT bypass functionality”.  

does this help?

Yes, the comments referred to above are ones that I have read, which drove me to bring this up in this forum. I will definitely be using the HT bypass function, but not with a Denon AVR. So I’m not quite sure what to make of this. Sounds like there are many users of the M5si who have not had any HT bypass issues, but there are a few who have.

By the way, a very helpful person in the Polk Forum provided me with contact information for someone who used to work for MF and knows their equipment, has done mods, etc. He did reply and tell me that the M5si is indeed a common ground design. So it appears that I can use this with my Polk SDAs.