Micromega M100 Streamer/DAC Amplifier Review

[David_M]

What is six grand about this product?

 

[respice finem]

What is six grand about this product?

An IQ test maybe?

 

[Michou]

Right. I would say that the best implementations of the LM3886 to date are executed by Neurochrome.

The Micromega MyAmp is really mediocre... and if I can give you some advice (I don't know if you're French) but Qobuz is really a pointless site that doesn't give any measurements and is full of purely performative speeches.

You can check the Neurochrome APX555 measurements here :

Modulus-686

Audiophile composite amplifier based on the LM3886. Just as the BPA200, it uses six LM3886 in bridge/parallel. It uses error correction to ensure the lowest distortion possible.

neurochrome.com

View attachment 508459
View attachment 508460
View attachment 508461

I have not seen any independent measurements of the MyAmp, so calling it outright mediocre feels a bit strong. Without published data, it is hard to draw firm conclusions either way.

That said, for the roughly 250 euros I paid for it on sale, it does exactly what it was designed to do and does it rather well in my use case. In a bedroom system, to my admittedly untrained and uncritical ears, it sounds perfectly enjoyable. It is compact, well built, and extremely versatile, with a remote control, Bluetooth aptX, USB, coaxial and optical SPDIF inputs using an ESS Sabre ES9023P DAC, and a subwoofer output. As a lifestyle-oriented integrated, that feature set matters.

Comparing an inexpensive lifestyle product like the MyAmp to Neurochrome kits is not really fair. They target completely different markets, price points, and design goals. Neurochrome designs are clearly measurement-driven, no-compromise implementations aimed at enthusiasts who value absolute performance and are willing to pay for it. Micromega was clearly aiming for compactness, usability, and integration, not APx555 leaderboard results.

As for Qobuz, I agree it offers no measurements and tends toward descriptive listening impressions. I linked that article mainly for the illustrations and product context, not as objective proof of performance.

In short, Neurochrome may well represent the state of the art for LM3886-based designs, but that does not automatically make every commercial, lifestyle-oriented implementation mediocre. Different tools, different goals.

 

[Panelhead]

I have used a M100. It was different than this one. No streamer or room correction. Not a chip, LM3886 amp. For 2,000.00 it was over priced. XLR could be released.
The MyAmp was a fun product, not a serious product. Looked like a toy, 2 pound Class AB AMP.
A two pound integrated with dac, volume control, Bluetooth, sub out, and remote. Think because of the resonant mode supply it was quiet.
Not for everyone, it was “good enough”. It 30 watts worked, it delivered easy 16 bit resolution.
The M100 was a serious amplifier. But appearance seemed to be a goal.
I thought COVID did in Micromega.
If M100’s (original version) are available in Canada new for 1,000.00 CAD this is a bargain. I might try again.

 

[AndreaT]

Does the humming sound from the permanent fan decrease the effective S/N ratio? While electronics are relatively quiet, will I hear the noise of the fan during a ppp, like in the fourth movement, Sehr Langsam-Misterioso, of Mahler’s Third? It would ruin the show for me.

 

[Sokel]

Does the humming sound from the permanent fan decrease the effective S/N ratio? While electronics are relatively quiet, will I hear the noise of the fan during a ppp, like in the fourth movement, Sehr Langsam-Misterioso, of Mahler’s Third? It would ruin the show for me.

My answer will be strange:

Sometimes you can't tell if these fans are on (no matter the gear, not just that)
But you can definitely tell when you shut them off.

 

[amirm]

Does the humming sound from the permanent fan decrease the effective S/N ratio? While electronics are relatively quiet, will I hear the noise of the fan during a ppp, like in the fourth movement, Sehr Langsam-Misterioso, of Mahler’s Third? It would ruin the show for me.

I could hear them from a few feet above them. Likely not audible if you put it in a cabinet with doors closed from more distance.

 

[Fledermaus]

(looks like a bathroom scale )

That is part of the "challenging Devialet" game

 

[Bob101]

Maybe with the exception for on-demand fans like those in some potent AV amps, or PA amps. When these fans start, triggered by heat, it's a) necessary and b) unlikely to be heard. May save some party folks amps. Of course that Micromega isn't in this "game", really.

That's what I meant. I have a very quiet listening space, 20dB background is a normal day. All my music is on a SSD, played via a laptop with enough passive cooling for my media use. I do have some external HDD's for backup, and if I forget to turn them off, they for no reason regularly decide to spin up (Welcome to Windows, and I can clearly hear that even though they're in a closed cabinet. So any fan in my room is just: no, thanks. Of course fans are needed, and when they are thermostatically controlled, you will indeed not hear them, because the reason they spin is because you're listening to loud music Which I do. But after 30 minutes of 100dB listening (once or twice a year) the hottest thing in the room are the voicecoils of my speakers. My audiophonics Purifi power amp's enclosure by then is 30°C...

 

[Panelhead]

I only heard the fan on either when the music stopped. Seemed to run to cool down when going into standby. Maybe 10 - 15 seconds. Never heard while music was playing.
They use a “heat pipe” to cool the output devices. Very lightweight aluminum. Idea is “thermal inertial” so heatsink heats quickly and cools down quickly.
Seems to work, just so do other cooling methods.
I worked for a French company. A highly technical large company, they do things differently. Somethings were hard to understand. Overly complex answers to simple questions. Others very simple answers to complex issues.

But were the industry leader by a wide margin. Guess I like MicroMega because they think outside the box. But are no industry leader, now or before.

 

[dtaylo1066]

"Fine" was my vote, if you happen to own one, or got one on the cheap. Rather a dinosaur in 2026, and you can get a lot better for way, way less. Either in one unit or particularly in two.

 

[xanalog]

Thank you for the review, @amirm,

We can see that the amplifier section is a dual-mono configuration with one PSU per channel.

Thanx for the detailed internal photos.
Dual-mono PSU config -in this design exercise- seems have yielded double the mains' noise problems.

I've seen somewhere a smart solution, double labels at the rear - normal and upside down. Very comfortable.

I always end up making my own labels, since I have no access to the rear of my cabinet.

Our PinkPostmanPanther did not deliver again!

 

[Grenadine]

If the Micromega m100 interests you, look into the Naim CI Unity 102. Uses the TPA3255. Lacks the balanced connections, but it's similar in a lot of ways and less than half the price. Compatible with Dante networks. Naim promotes using Focal speakers because they have built in sound profiles, however you can use their software to adjust any speaker/room.

Did you quick review, but purely subjective, no data to provide: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...he-naim-uniti-102-streamer-network-amp.59974/

Here's the manual for their software: https://media.focal-naim.com/naim/f...ocal-naim-manager/notice-fn-manager-webv2.pdf

 

[xanalog]

Should the model# reference to the Micromega in the topic title:

Be corrected to read "M-100"?

While searching for information on that rear-panel, top/left-most connector [="RoomEQ-MICin"], chatBot told me that there are no difference between the 2 forms. Further adding that:

"The official user manual from Micromega uses the hyphenated form: M-100"

There are also references to a Micromega model "M-One M150", elsewhere on the web.

 

[Panelhead]

Should the model# reference to the Micromega in the topic title:
View attachment 508742
Be corrected to read "M-100"?

While searching for information on that rear-panel, top/left-most connector [="RoomEQ-MICin"], chatBot told me that there are no difference between the 2 forms. Further adding that:

There are also references to a Micromega model "M-One M150", elsewhere on the web.

Or M-One M100.
Did not read all of this review. The analog input measurement is underwhelming. The digital input numbers are fine.
I was using one when a Topping PA5 II arrived. Liked the Topping better. Paid 170.00 for Topping.
I thought the M-100 played more natural though internal dac vs analog inputs. Thought the MyAmp was better through the analog inputs. But maybe I had too many dacs to not like using a separate dac.
BTW MicroMega had a streamer a long time ago. Never saw one. Owners said it was crap, dropouts, studders, and connection issues. A Micromega dealer told me the same about the room correction. The M-100 could be upgraded. He said it was not good DRC.
Still have a MyAmp. Figured it might bring 200.00. Was not worth trying to sell. The M-100 netted about a 1,000.00.

 

[amirm]

e corrected to read "M-100"?

I looked around and thought there were references both ways. With company taking its page down, it was hard to verify the exact model number. As noted, someone even called M-One M100.

 

[daniboun]

I looked around and thought there were references both ways. With company taking its page down, it was hard to verify the exact model number. As noted, someone even called M-One M100.

Best way to check it is to read the official user manual :

https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/c/2/1/3/49058f07cc5e913d66977f2609f58a21a183.pdf

 

[Panelhead]

Is this the official name of this most recent version? Or the models marketed 6 - 8 years ago?
The My family of phono, headphone amp, dac, and amplifier seems to have disappeared around 2018. The company had regular distribution in Canada. Was hit and miss in US.
I purchased a MyAmp from Accesories4Less for 229 around 2018. Saw MyPhono’s at Wally Underwood for 99 around 2024.
Assume all were being slammed out the door.
But I would look hard at original version of M-100, or Model One M100, or M100 if 1,000.00 CAD. This is a pretty nice amplifier.
Think my current setup of E70 Velvet and B100’s is way ahead in measurements. And bass response seems stronger too. Guess I am too focused on SINAD.
Think the quality of the sub out may be why I much preferred the Topping. Use RCA outputs from E70 to feed sub full range and sub low pass filters. With Micromega sub output is low pass filtered and then sub filters again.
Tried both without sub too, think the output impedance of B100 and PA5II is lower. Bass seemed to go deeper and tighter with Topping amps.
I apologize for not reading the entire review. Seeing the price was a huge turn off. SINAD in 80’s is for the 99.00 amplifiers.
Think my WiiM Mini is at least as good a Streamer. Heard nothing positive about the MARS DRC. Even from a dealer selling M100. It was retrofittable. He recommended a hard pass.

 

[Axo1989]

I could hear them from a few feet above them. Likely not audible if you put it in a cabinet with doors closed from more distance.

I looked around and thought there were references both ways. With company taking its page down, it was hard to verify the exact model number. As noted, someone even called M-One M100.

The published manuals refer to M-100 so that's safe to use. Yes, we can no longer see it on their website. M-One appears to be the concept/series name they applied to both M-100 and M-150 models. [ok ninja'd by @daniboun now]

Thanks for the review! Nice to see detailed measurements here. There were basic measurements in an Australian Hi-Fi issue previously that were sufficient to indicate good performance at the time. Stereophile promised a review that never eventuated.

I owned M-100 for a few years, also in basic black. Generally my experience of the device matches your expressed impressions. When I had it in my downstairs larger space I didn't noticed the fan, after moving it to a smaller upstairs space (and sitting closer) I would notice it sometimes. Lack of labels on the back panel was initially confusing, necessitated by the very low profile design supporting so many connectors I'd say. The trick was to approach from the back and tip the unit up (onto the front edge) then the graphics were well delineated and comprehensive (and the right way up) with no cable twisting. Inconvenient sometimes (if the unit was under a top shelf for example) but a functional compromise for the industrial design (which I liked).

Connectivity included MC/MM phono in and subwoofer out (handy though I didn't have cause to use either). Agree re (non) HDMI. I recall streaming from my phone so some form of Bluetooth or AirPlay? Everything in 24/96 was initially a disturbing thought but of course I perceived no audible consequences. By default I used the USB type B input (from a Mac) and ethernet (for the WiFi iirc). Actually a really rather good integrated front end that connected to most things (and better than most DACs employed as preamp substitutes).

There's a longer story about sonics and my Micromega's sad passing, but I seem to have lost that text from this lingering draft.

 

[gatesgt]

Old-fashioned, well-designed linear Class AB chip amps like the LM3886 can deliver serious performance, with limited output power being the main trade-off rather than sound quality. Measurements have shown that the LM3886 is not particularly comfortable with sustained low-impedance loads, and 4 ohm speakers can stress it.

Even a single, non-paralleled LM3886 can require a fan when size or BOM constraints, especially the cost of large heatsinks, limit passive cooling.

The tiny MyAmp from Micromega, released in 2014, along with the M100 under review, uses a switching power supply and a temperature-controlled, variable-speed, almost inaudible fan to manage thermal loads in its small chassis. A genuinely excellent, well specified, lifestyle pint-sized amplifier that was versatile and well ahead of its time.

The LM3886 itself was widely used by established manufacturers such as Cambridge Audio, Audio Analogue, and Arcam, as well as Leak, Peachtree, and Quad, and found its way into countless Gainclone DIY amps, which speaks to how seriously this chip was taken when properly implemented.

I suspect the M100 may employ paralleled chip amps, possibly LM3886s, similar to some high-end Jeff Rowland designs of the past.

Chip amps tend to get dismissed far too easily, but when properly implemented they can offer impressive results in a very small package.

Micromega MyAmp: Qobuzism for this compact and charming amplifier with impressive sound performance. | Qobuz MAGAZINE

The French manufacturer Micromega is continuing their development of their ‘My’ range, which was launched with the MyDAC digital analog convertor more than two years ago, with the new MyAmp amplifier. Its very compact and attractive design integrates a DAC USB and S/PDIF as well as an aptX...

www.qobuz.com

I believe both the M100 (1 pair/channel) and M150 (2 pair/channel) use Motorola/OnSemi Thermaltrack output devices, NJLXXX... . I can't make out the model of them from the pictures, but these devices were very good in their day.