Musical Fidelity M3x DAC 32bit/192kHz Upsampling Digital to Analog Converter (Silver)

Description

M3x DAC High-End made affordable – 32bit/192kHz
Upsampling DAC

DAC

• PCM1795 DAC with SRC4392 Upsampling Chip
• 2 digital PCM filters & 2 analogue DSD filters
• PCM inputs upsampled to 192kHz
• USB: up to 32bit/192kHz
• USB: DSD 256 (stereo DoP and native)
• SPDIF: up to 24bit/192kHHz

In & Outputs

• 1x USB, 2x coaxial, 2x optical inputs
• 1x RCA, 1x balanced XLR output

Features

• Affordable entry into high-end DACs
• Very low noise
• Extremely low distortion
• Outstanding linearity
• Outstanding channel separation
• Super Silent Power Transformer
• Balanced and RCA output
• Heavy aluminum frontplate with steel chassis
• Minimal electromagnetic interference from power supply to
DAC circuitry
• Roon Tested (*pending)
• Made in the EU

General Description

Our M3x DAC is our new entry in affordable high-end DACs. With
its technical prowess, superb technical performance, careful PCB design in
Musical Fidelity tradition, meticulous power supply layout and excellent build
quality, the new M3x DAC offers a truly outstanding offering modern high-end
DAC design.

Technical Talk

The M3x DAC employs an upsampling DAC design with the
SRC4392, a high-end sample rate converter from Burr Brown, tasked to re-clock
all PCM signals and convert them into 24 bits and 192 kHz. Up-sampling done in
this sophisticated and clean implementation allows us to reach the lowest
distortion levels and maintain and elevate your digital music playback.

The PCM1795 DAC handles PCM rates of up to 24 bits and
192kHz and native and DoP DSD of up to DSD256. DSD files are not up-sampled but
played in their original format.

The single ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs each have
their own output buffer.

Both output stages deliver superior audio quality, exhibit
very low noise, large output voltage swing and high current drive. The
excellent gain bandwidth and very fast slew rate produce exceptionally low
distortion.

Super Silent Power Transformer

The M3x DAC displays our continued development of our Super
Silent Power Transformers. Industrial grade power sockets with EMI filter and
DC blocker stop interferences and eliminate transformer hum. The toroidal
transformer with low core saturation is ideal for audio applications and
especially perfect for digital audio due to its extremely low electromagnetic
radiation.

Correct PCB Design & Layout

Digital to analogue converters, compared to analogue
amplifiers, present their own design challenges. They work in different
domains, have their own requirements and need to be treated as such. Power
requirements are unique and solutions designed for amplifiers will not show similar
results when paired with digital circuitry.

We have always held circuit board design and layout up to
the highest of standards at Musical Fidelity. We are not believers of flashy
board design just for the sake of looks. The design & layout need to be
custom-tailored to each application, measure well AND sound as envisioned. Only
then have we done our job. At this point, we have given the listener a palpable
sense of the recording venue that places the performers in a real-time
holographic space in their own homes.

Mechanically Sound

Paying close attention to every aspect of the M3x DAC, we
get a tremendous performer. The mechanical construction is uncompromisingly
rigid and solid in typical Musical Fidelity tradition.

The front panel is milled from an extruded aluminum profile.
Together with the heavy steel case this protects the internals against outer
electromagnetic fields, and in the same way, the rest of your HiFi gear against
electromagnetic fields generated by the M3x DAC.

DAC:

• DAC Chip: PCM1795
• Sample rate converter: SRC4392
• Total correlated jitter: < 48 picoseconds peak to peak
• Linearity: < 0,2dB down to -100dB
• Frequency response: -0,2dB at 20Hz, 0,1dB at 20kHz; 1,5dB
at 70kHz
• Channel separation: < -115dB 10kHz @ 0dBFS
• Signal to noise: >107dB “A”- wtd 1kHz @ 0dBFS
• Total harmonic distortion: < 0,005% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS

Digital Inputs

• 2x Coax, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM)
• 2x Optical, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM)
• 1x USB Audio Class 2.0, ‘USB B’; up to 32 bit
192kHz (stereo PCM), DSD 256 (stereo DoP and native)

Analogue Outputs

• 1 pair line level RCA fix/var @ 2V RMS at 0dBFS
• 1 pair line level XLR fix/var @ 4V RMS at 0dBFS
• Output impedance: < 50 ohms

General Information

• Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 100 x 363mm
• Main voltages: 230V/115V Internally set or 100V optional
• Max. Consumption: 15W, <0.5W in standby
• Weight: 6.8kg