Musical Fidelity M6X DAC Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amp (Black)

Description

M6X DAC | DAC

The M6x DAC is our new DAC architecture in Dual
Differential Mode, Super Silent Power Transformer and Roon Tested.

Our M6x DAC is a new milestone in the history of Musical
Fidelity DACs. Its predecessor, the M6s DAC was one of the first to use the
critically acclaimed ESS 32-bit HyperStream II DAC architecture. With the M6sR
DAC, we continued to improve the firmware and added a few other quality of life
improvements. DSD was now easier to use, we had full Roon Support and in- &
outputs were updated to keep up with the fast moving digital audio landscape.
And the other big thing: the M6sR DAC was now being made in the EU!

Technical Talk

With the M6x DAC we went even further. Building on our
knowledge and experience with Sabre ESS chips, we upgraded them to the newer
ES9038Q2M, and now use two of them in dual differential mode for a pristine
dual mono design. The inclusion of a Time Domain Jitter Eliminator results in
superb SNR and THD+N performance with unbelievably detailed transient response.
Other advances in the DAC section include upsampling and re-clocking.
Upsampling can independently be switched on or off. The 16-core XMOS and CPLD
MAX II Altera processors ensure there is always enough headroom for these
operations, the new digital filters and the MQA processing. The single ended
RCA and balanced XLR outputs each have their own output buffer. Via the XLR
plugs you can enjoy a fully-differential amplifier design enabling a fully
balanced output. 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 Transformers

The M6x 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 encapsulated
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.

Headphone Amplifier

The built-in headphone amplifier‘s current-feedback AB
architecture delivers high bandwidth, extremely low noise, and up to 128dB of
dynamic range. Three key features make current-feedback amplifiers outstanding
for audio. The high slew rate prevents odd order distortion anomalies.
Current-on-demand at the output enables the amplifier to respond quickly and
linearly; when large amounts of output power are suddenly needed, the amplifier
can respond extremely quickly without raising the noise floor of the system and
degrading the signal-to-noise ratio. Gain-independent frequency response allows
the full bandwidth of the amplifier to be used over a wide range of volume
settings.

Mechanically Sound

Paying close attention to every aspect of the M6x DAC, we
get incredible technical parameters and effortless sound quality full of grace
and transparency. The mechanical construction is uncompromisingly rigid and
solid in typical Musical Fidelity tradition. Front panel and side panels are
milled from extruded aluminum profiles. The exterior doesn’t only look clean,
stunning and indestructible, it also protects the internals against outer
electromagnetic fields, and in the same way, the rest of your HiFi gear against
electromagnetic fields generated by the M6x DAC. Not using a big display on the
front panel only increases this effect, as the cut out needed for it would
drastically complicate things.

Musical Fidelity for the Sake of Music

Therefore, musical purists who are simply looking to feel
that hypnotic sensation of communication between listener and artist: they will
find it here. Besides maximizing sound performance, the deliberate decision
against a big display with flashing colors allows you to experience the music
and only the music. Unpack the M6x DAC, carefully cable it up, just leave it at
its standard settings and feel the immediate musical integration: the whole
sound is sweet and clear; the treble is completely grain free and extended. The
bottom end sounds endless with tactile bass dynamics. As you get reintroduced
to your music library, you might, at some point, want to discover what else is
possible and hear it from different stages. It is then, when the
customizability and settings turn the M6x DAC into a powerful tool for experts,
which elevates it into a league of its own. Explore the sound stage with
upsampling or without, and see if you are drawn in deeper. Choose between 7
different digital filters and a complete oversampling bypass, disabling those
filters. Full MQA decoding is performed on the M6x DAC hardware. The USB Class
2.0 input takes PCM sample rates up to 768 kHz and 32 bit. DSD support goes up
to DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512. The S/PDIF inputs accept stereo PCM sample
rates up to 192 kHz / 24 bit and include full MQA support!

The M6x DAC In Brief

• DAC
  Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II

• DAC
  Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)

• 16-core
  XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera processors

• USB:
  up to 32bit/768kHz

• USB:
  DSD 256 (stereo DoP), DSD512 (stereo native)

• SPDIF:
  up to 24bit/192kHHz

• Advanced
  Reclocking on all inputs

• Switchable
  Upsampling with Oversampling Bypass

• Super
  Silent Power Transformer

• Balanced
  and RCA output

• Built-in
  Headphone Amplifier

• Full
  Hardware MQA Decoding

• Roon
  Tested

 

M6x DAC – Specifications

DAC

• DAC
  Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II

• DAC
  Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)

• Total
  correlated jitter: <12 picooseconds peak to peak

• Linearity:
  <0.4dB down to -130dB

• Frequency
  response: -0,1dB at 10Hz, 0dB at 1kHz, -0,4dB at 20kHz

• Channel
  separation: >130dB at 10kHz @ 0dBFS

• Signal
  to noise: >120dB “A”- wtd 1kHz @ 0dBFS

• Total
  harmonic distortion: < 0,0005% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS

Digital Inputs

• 1x
  Coax, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

• 2x
  Optical, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

• 1x
  AES/EBU, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

• 1x USB
  Audio Class 2.0, ‘USB B’; up to 32 bit 768kHz (stereo PCM + MQA), DSD 256
  (stereo DoP), DSD512 (stereo 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: < 10 ohms

• 1
  Headphone out 6.3mm jack variable

Headphone Amp

• Power:
  1.5W / channel into 32 Ω

• Output
  impedance: Min. recommended 16Ω headphones

• THD:
  < 0,005% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS

• Signal/noise
  ratio: >115dB “A” wtd

• Frequency
  response: +0.1, -0.4dB 20Hz to 20kHz

General Information

• Dimensions
  (WxHxD): 440 x 100 x 390mm

• Main
  voltages: 230V/115V Internally set or 100V optional

• Max.
  Consumption: 20W, <0.5W in standby

• Weight: 6.9kg