Description
M8x DAC
The M8x DAC proudly continues Musical Fidelity‘s legacy of pioneering world-class DAC technology.
Back in the early 90s, Musical Fidelity revolutionised audio performance by being one of the first to develop separate DACs to enhance CD player sound quality.
Today, in a world dominated by digital sources like PC audio and streamers – often built by software companies lacking hardware expertise – Musical Fidelity leads the way with its superior ability to transform digital signals into breathtaking analogue sound. Built on the same core design principles as our acclaimed amplifiers, the M8x DAC delivers exceptional audio quality.
Superlative Headphone Amplifier
The M8x DAC doesn‘t stop at DAC performance, it also boasts a high-end, ultra-powerful headphone amplifier capable of driving even the most demanding headphones with ease. Whether you‘re listening through speakers or headphones, experience the signature Musical Fidelity sound: soft yet powerful, clear, and effortlessly musical.
Dual-DAC
Building on our knowledge and experience with Sabre ESS chips, the M8x DAC uses 2x ES9038Q2M chips in dual differential mode for a pristine dual mono design.
Thanks to these converters, the it supports up to 768 kHz files in PCM and DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512 via USB, covering any digital file you can buy or stream. The SPDIF inputs are greatly improved as well, now supporting MQA (up to 384kHz) and DSD (DoP 64) as well.
Digital Architecture
MF utilize an extremely low-noise, low-dropout regulator designed specifically for high-performance audio systems and optimised for high-resolution audio thanks to its revolutionary dual-regulator architecture.
The inclusion of a Time Domain Jitter Eliminator results in superb SNR and THD+N performance with unbelievably detailed transient response.
Upsampling / Reclocking
Upsampling and reclocking can be individually turned on and off for PCM signals. DSD and MQA use their own format specific settings and filters. For PCM signals, the M8x DAC has eight selectable digital filters.
Oversampling Bypass
For ultra-high-res audio, Musical Fidelity have gone the extra step and created a bespoke oversampling bypass mode. This mode can be accessed by selecting filter 8 and is by default selected when the M8x DAC is first turned on after unpacking.
In this mode the DAC’s oversampling FIR filters are disabled and source data is upsampled to 352,8kHz or 384kHz respectively.
Discrete & Fully Balanced Output
The M8x DAC bolsters a massively improved discrete output stage. This design also makes the M8x DAC truly fully balanced from beginning to end.
Not only is this benefitting sound characteristics, but also longevity and sustainability. The M8x DAC remains easy to maintain and repair as chips go eventually out of production and might not be replaceable many years later. But discrete components will always be built and can always be serviced.
Features
- Class A discrete analogue amplification for pure, detailed sound.
- No displays to avoid unwanted electromagnetic interference.
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for zero RF radiation and jitter-free performance.
- Toroidal transformers for robust, clean power delivery.
- Solid mechanical construction ensuring durability and premium build quality.
Specifications
- DAC Chip: 2 x ES9038Q2M (dual mono) with 8 x digital filter
- Frequency Response: <-0.1 dB @ 10 Hz -20 kHz
- Total Correlated Jitter: <100 femtoseconds peak-to-peak
- Linearity: <0.1 dB down to -130 dB
- Channel Separation: <-114 dB at 10 kHz @ 0 dBFS
- SNR: >100 dB A-wt at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS
- THD+N: <0,001 % at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS
- Output Digital 0 dB level: RCA 2V RMS, XLR 4V RMS
- Output Impedance: <100 Ohms
- Headphone Amplifier
- Outputs: 6.3 mm stereo Jack (unbalanced), 4-pin XLR (balanced)
- Power (balanced): 3.9 W / 8 ohms, 3.2 W / 32 ohms, 400 mW / 300 ohms
- Output Impedance: < 5 Ohms
- Frequency Response: < ±0.1 dB at 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- THD: <0.005 % at 1 kHz @ -6 dBFS
- SNR: >96 dB A-wt, at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS
- Digital Inputs
- 1 x USB Input: USB Audio Class 2, requires USB 2.0 or higher on computer
- USB PCM Sample Rates: Up to 768 kHz
- USB DSD Support: Up to DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512
- MQA Support: Full MQA decoding by hardware
- 3 x Optical Input: up to 24-bit / PCM 192 kHz, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD 64
- 1 x Coaxial Input: up to 24-bit / PCM 192 kHz, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD 64
- 1 x AES/EBU input: up to 24-bit / PCM 192 kHz, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD 64
- 1 x CD I2S (MCLK out 16,9344 MHz)
- Analogue Outputs
- 1 x pair line level RCA: Fix / var @ 2 V RMS at 0 dBFS
- 1 x pair line level XLR: Fix / var @ 4 V RMS at 0 dBFS
- Power
- Mains Voltages: 115 / 230 VAC 50 / 60 Hz (factory pre-set), 100 VAC 50 / 60 Hz (alternative)
- Consumption: 70 Watts Max, <0.5 W in standby
- General
- Trigger In / Out
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 483 x 102 x 381 mm
- Weight: 10.6 kg net / 14 kg in shipping box
Included
- 1 x M8x 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.
