Musical Fidelity M1-CLIC silver

Musical Fidelity delivers a new high-quality DAC with the M1 CliC. The term DAC is somewhat overused, as this device proves to be an audio decoder, sound card, preamplifier, and network player all in one. The manufacturer even refers to it as a “Universal Music Controller”.

This Hi-Fi electronics dedicated to computer sources and media can act as a USB sound card - a luxurious one at that - and play virtually any audio files present on a USB storage device. Of course, the lossless FLAC format is supported, from the classic CD resolution (44.1 kHz/16 bits) to that of SACD (96 kHz/24 bits). More anecdotally, support for WMA, Real Audio, and OGG formats is provided. Finally, WAV files are decoded up to 192 kHz. This high audio definition is precisely the one in which any audio stream is systematically upsampled to offer optimal signal quality. A clock synchronization system (between source and DAC) also helps preserve signal quality.

DLNA compatible, the Musical Fidelity M1 CliC can access shared audio files on a home computer network (computer, NAS, etc.) as well as hundreds of Internet radio stations. Note that the manufacturer has integrated an Ethernet network controller, as well as WiFi.

The Musical Fidelity M1 CliC color screen also displays album covers (when present in the tags of the played files), or any jpeg image present.

The great strength of this player is that it has audiophile components and delivers a top-notch analog signal to a preamplifier or amplifier.

Note that the connectivity is very complete, with 3 analog inputs (direct, without digitization), 2 USB ports including one compatible with iPod/iPhone, and three S/PDIF digital audio inputs (one optical and two coaxial). Thus equipped, the Musical Fidelity M1 CliC can be connected to a wide range of sources and become the central link in your Hi-Fi system.

- Analog/digital converter: 24 bit Delta-Sigma (bit stream)

Measurements

• Oversampling: up to 8x
• Jitter: < 135 pico seconds peak to peak (- 90 dB)
• Linearity: < 0.1 dB at - 96 dB
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz - 0.1 dB max.
• Channel Separation: > 105 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Signal to Noise Ratio: > 119 dB “A”- wtd.
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.0025% 10 Hz to 20 kHz

Features

• Color display
• DLNA UPnP compatibility
• Internet radio compatibility (vTuner protocol)

Connectivity

Inputs

• 3 x stereo analog RCA
• 1 x digital optical audio
• 1 USB type “b” (32-48 kbps)

Other

• 1 USB type “b” (32-48 kbps)
• 1 USB for iPod/iPhone
• 1 Ethernet port 10/100
• 802.11 b/g WiFi network

Outputs

• 1 x Trigger
• 1 x RCA Tape-Out stereo
• 1 x RCA Pre-OUT stereo

General

• Remote control
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 215 x 101 x 304 mm
• Weight: 3.2 Kg