Musical Fidelity M3 SCD
Musical Fidelity CD player fitted with an oversampled 24-bit Delta-Sigma converter, designed for listeners who value precise reproduction and accurate tonal balance.
Description
The Musical Fidelity M3 SCD is a compact disc player intended for high-fidelity playback. It occupies the position of a digital source within a hi-fi system, tasked with reproducing the content of a CD as faithfully as possible before transmission to an amplifier or an external converter.
Its Delta-Sigma type digital-to-analogue converter operates at 24 bit and oversamples the original signal, allowing its resolution to be increased before conversion. Digital filters developed specifically for this player then refine the audio signal, greatly reducing unwanted noise. This combination results in a high signal-to-noise ratio and in reproduction that Musical Fidelity describes as particularly musical for a unit at this level.
When listening, the M3 SCD aims for a coherent soundstage, in which instruments and voices are placed stably, with tonal balance described as accurate. It can also serve as a simple transport, as its digital outputs allow it to be paired with a high-end external DAC to take advantage of even more advanced conversion, or to be connected directly to a quality integrated amplifier.
This player is aimed at CD music enthusiasts seeking a carefully engineered digital source, suited to use both as a standalone system and alongside a dedicated DAC. It will suit attentive listening in a room dedicated to music, rather than secondary or portable use.
Technical specifications
| DAC | 24 bit Delta-Sigma (bit stream) dual differential 8x over-sampling |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz to 20 kHz -0.2 dB max |
| Signal to noise ratio | >117 dB |
| Total harmonic distortion | <0.003% from 10 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Channel separation | 105 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Outputs | 1x RCA coaxial connector (digital SPDIF), 1x Toslink optical connector (digital SPDIF), 1x 3.5 mm mono trigger output +12V DC |
| Digital inputs | 1x RCA coaxial SPDIF 32-192 kHz, 1x Toslink optical 32-96 kHz, 1x asynchronous USB type B up to 24-bit/96 kHz |
| Analogue outputs | 1x RCA line output |
| Weight | 6.05 kg (unpacked) |
What to check before buying used
When buying a used CD player like this one, it is worth checking the condition of the loading mechanism, particularly the tray's ability to open and close smoothly, as well as the reliability of playback across different types of CDs, including burned discs. The internal laser is a wearing component that should be tested before purchase, as should the proper functioning of the digital outputs if the unit is intended to feed an external DAC.
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