Musical Fidelity M8x DAC/Headphone Amplifier - Silver
High-Performance Fully Balanced DAC and Headphone Amplifier
Exceptional Digital-to-Analog Converter for Audiophiles
Musical Fidelity M8x DAC is an outstanding Dual Mono DAC with a fully balanced design, utilizing two ES9038Q2M chips in differential mode. Designed for audiophiles, it delivers ultra-pure sound with minimal distortion and maximum detail.
Combining a fully discrete analog section, premium components, and a powerful Class A headphone amplifier, the device ensures incredible performance for both high-end Hi-Fi systems and high-power headphones.
Versatile Inputs and Outputs
- 1 x Asynchronous USB Input: Supports PCM up to 768kHz and DSD512.
- 1 x I2S Input: For use with next-generation Musical Fidelity CD players.
- 1 x Coaxial (RCA) and 3 x Optical (Toslink) SPDIF Inputs: Supports up to 24-bit/192kHz with MQA decoding.
- 1 x AES/EBU (XLR) Input: Professional audio connection.
- 1 x RCA Output and 1 x Balanced XLR Output: Switchable fixed or variable levels.
- 1 x 6.3mm Unbalanced and 1 x 4-Pin XLR Balanced Headphone Output: For high-quality headphones.
- Trigger In/Out: For integration into Hi-Fi systems.
High-Performance Headphone Amplifier
The built-in fully discrete Class A amplification provides 3900mW power at 8Ω for balanced headphones; 2000mW at 8Ω for unbalanced headphones; full Class A operation up to 30Ω; support for low impedance headphones (down to 8Ω), ensuring sufficient current and control.
Digital Architecture and Advanced Technologies
- Ultra-low jitter: Less than 100 femtoseconds, better than most audiophile generators
- Eight Digital Filters: Optimized performance for different audio sources
- Oversampling Bypass: Disables oversampling FIR filters for maximum frequency accuracy
Superior Analog Performance
The high-quality discrete analog output eliminates the use of integrated circuits (ICs), leading to a more natural and dynamic sound, better longevity and maintenance, as well as optimal channel separation and noise reduction.
Mechanical Construction and Power Supply
The M8x DAC is designed with an exceptionally solid aluminum chassis, providing vibration resistance, acting as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic interference, and utilizing isolated toroidal transformers for clean and powerful power supply.
Features
- Digital-to-Analog Conversion: 32-bit Hyperstream II technology with two ES9038Q2M DAC chips in a fully balanced mode
- Fully Balanced Discrete Output: Advanced analog stage without integrated circuits
- Powerful Class A Headphone Amplifier: Ample power for low-impedance and high-sensitivity headphones
- Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Outputs: Variable or fixed outputs for maximum flexibility
- 16-core XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera Processors: High-precision processing of PCM, DSD, and MQA signals
- Support for Latest Digital Formats: PCM up to 768kHz, DSD256 (DoP), DSD512 (native stereo), MQA
- Selectable Modes: Upsampling, Advanced Reclocking, Digital Filters, Oversampling Bypass
- Isolated Power Supply: Super-quiet toroidal transformer and independent filtering for digital and analog sections
- Precision Mechanical Construction: Aluminum enclosure that acts as a Faraday cage, shielding from external electromagnetic interference
What's in the Box?
- Musical Fidelity M8x DAC/Headphone Amplifier
- Power Cable
- User Manual
Technical Information
DAC Specifications
- DAC Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual mono) with 8x digital filter
- Frequency Response: < -0.1dB at (10Hz - 20kHz)
- Total Correlated Jitter: < 100 femtoseconds peak to peak
- Linearity: < 0.1dB down to -130dB
- Channel Separation: < -114dB at 10kHz @ 0dBFS
- SNR: > 100dB „A“-wt. at 1kHz @ 0dBFS
- THD+N: < 0.001% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS
- Output Level: RCA 2V RMS, XLR 4V RMS
- Output Impedance: < 100 ohms
Headphone Amplifier
- Outputs: 6.3mm stereo JACK unbalanced; 4-pin XLR balanced
- Power (Balanced Output): 3.9W / 8Ω; 3.2W / 32Ω; 400mW / 300Ω
- Output Impedance: < 5 ohms
- THD: < 0.005% at 1kHz @ -6dBFS
- SNR: > 96dB „A“-wt. at 1kHz @ 0dBFS
General Information
- Trigger In/Out: Yes
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 483 x 102 x 381 mm
- Weight: 10.6 kg net / 14 kg in shipping box