Description
M6x DAC
The 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, they continued to improve the firmware and added a few other quality of life improvements.
DSD was now easier to use, plus full Roon Support and input / output connections 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.
DAC Section
Building on previous knowledge and experience with Sabre ESS chips, they were upgraded 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 the continued development of 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.
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 aluminium 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 Hi-Fi 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.
Features
- DAC Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II
- DAC Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)
- 16-core XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera processors
- USB: up to 32-bit/768 kHz
- USB: DSD 256 (stereo DoP), DSD512 (stereo native)
- SPDIF: up to 24bit/192 kHz
- Advanced Re-clocking 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
Specifications
- DAC
- DAC Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II
- DAC Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)
- Total correlated jitter: <12 picoseconds 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
Included
- 1 x M6x DAC
- 1 x Power Cord
- 1 x Documentation
Full Musical Fidelity Range Available
Unilet Sound & Vision are official retail partners for Musical Fidelity, providing sales, advice and assistance on their entire range of high-quality products. Please do get in touch if you would like a demonstration or wish to purchase.
