Musical Fidelity has introduced the M8x DAC, a new digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier. The company claims to offer exceptional sound quality through advanced processing techniques and a fully discrete, balanced analog circuitry design. The M8x DAC is capable of supporting all contemporary audio resolutions and is equipped with two headphone outputs.
Since the early 1990s, Musical Fidelity has been producing discrete DACs. The M8x DAC continues this legacy while incorporating modern technology. In an era increasingly characterized by high-resolution streaming, PC audio, and digital formats, Musical Fidelity asserts that the M8x DAC elevates DAC performance through meticulous engineering and high-quality audiophile components.
Musical Fidelity distinguishes itself from many software-centric companies by adopting a unique approach to its digital hi-fi components. The company asserts that the M8x DAC adheres to the same fundamental design principles as its premium amplifiers, emphasizing sonic purity and superior engineering. Notably, the analog output stages function in Class A, which remains the optimal operating mode for solid-state devices. According to the designers, this results in a sound signature that is both open and natural.
The front panel lacks an information display, which helps to reduce potential electromagnetic interference. Additionally, the necessity of an information display for a DAC is questionable; status LEDs suffice for indicating functionality. Moreover, the absence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity mitigates unnecessary RF radiation. The chassis significantly contributes to shielding the sensitive circuitry, with extruded aluminum panels serving as a Faraday cage to block external electromagnetic interference.
Power is delivered by a toroidal transformer, which establishes a robust foundation for consistent, noise-free operation. This transformer is encased in an aluminum enclosure that safeguards internal components from unwanted vibrations and interference.
At the core of the M8x DAC, Musical Fidelity incorporates a pair of ESS Sabre Technologies ES9038Q2M DAC chips arranged in a fully balanced, dual-differential setup. The manufacturer claims that this configuration offers exceptional precision, ultra-low noise levels, and enhanced dynamic range, allowing music to exhibit greater depth and realism. It supports PCM rates up to 768kHz and DSD512 (native via USB), ensuring it can handle the highest-resolution digital formats.
Additionally, the S/PDIF inputs are now MQA-compatible (up to 384kHz), enabling the DAC to fully decode high-quality streams and downloads. While MQA has seen a decline since Tidal ceased its support, having this capability remains a valuable feature.
Musical Fidelity has implemented sophisticated reclocking and upsampling technologies to enhance accuracy by reducing jitter and distortion. By selecting filter 8, users can activate the oversampling bypass mode, allowing the DAC to handle native high-resolution signals with minimal digital processing, which the company claims leads to a purer sound.
The Class A analogue output stage is meticulously designed and fully balanced, offering excellent channel separation, a reduced noise floor, and remarkable clarity through both RCA and XLR outputs. One of the key benefits of using discrete components is their ease of replacement, unlike integrated circuit designs that may become outdated when proprietary chips are no longer available.
Additionally, the M8x DAC features a reference-grade headphone amplifier that rivals standalone models. This fully balanced headphone amplifier also utilizes discrete components and provides users with both a balanced 4-pin XLR and an unbalanced 6.35 millimeter headphone jack for versatile connectivity.
The M8x DAC delivers 3.9 watts of power, with brief peaks reaching up to 10 watts into an eight-ohm load, making it capable of effortlessly driving even the most demanding planar magnetostatic headphones. Musical Fidelity highlights that the amplifier operates in Class A up to its full power into 30 ohms, which minimizes distortion and maintains the natural warmth of the music.
In summary, Musical Fidelity asserts that the M8x DAC transcends the typical high-end DAC, representing a pinnacle of engineering achievement. By integrating sophisticated digital processing with a discrete analog design, balanced circuitry, and a top-tier headphone amplifier, the company believes it has established a new standard for audiophile DACs.
The Musical Fidelity M8x DAC will be available for delivery later this month and has a suggested retail price of just under $4,000.
